How to Remove Black Stains in Porcelein Toilet Fixtures

The black stains in your toilet bowl are from manganese in the water. Manganese is a metal that is often in small doses in your water supply. When mixed with minerals, such as iron, a brown or black discoloration occurs. If high levels of manganese are in your water supply, illness could happen. Porcelain is a type of clay molded and set in a high temperature oven. The finish becomes a translucent appearance. Thus, it can nick and scuff easily. It is important to remove black stains in porcelain toilet fixtures right away so that permanent damage does not arise.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Acidic or manganese cleaner
• Soft swab toilet brush
• Cotton cleaning mitt

1. Buy an acidic or manganese cleaner such as Sonett Toilet Cleaner or Zep Inc. Acidic Toilet Bowl Cleaner and Deodorizer. Use a product that's safe on porcelain and designed to remove manganese stains.

2. Shake the bottle of cleaner over the black stains. The manganese stains are typically inside the toilet bowl. Some may also be inside the tank or on the sides and top of the bowl. Find each stain and drench it with the cleaning product. If water covers the stain, pour inside the water and mix well. Allow roughly 12 minutes before continuing.

3. Remove the black stains from inside the bowl or tank. Scrub the porcelain with a soft swab toilet brush. This cleaning tool is gentle on porcelain fixtures. Scour in circles on each stain as well as the complete toilet bowl and tank.

4. Put on the cleaning mitt. Add a drop of the toilet bowl cleaner. Wipe the top of the bowl. Clean the inside rims as well as the side. Rinse the mitt and add another drop of the solution. Wipe inside the tank.

5. Flush and the toilet should be free from black stains. If you still have faint smudges, add additional cleaner to the spot. Hand-clean the area with the cotton mitt and flush again.

References

• North Carolina Cooperative Extension: Removing Mineral Deposits from Household Surfaces -- Water Quality and Waste Management