5 Best Ways to Remove Yellow Stains From a Toilet Seat and Bowl

This article will take you through the best ways to remove yellow stains from your toilet seat and bowl.
By
Deborah Beams
Deborah Beams
Research Writer
Deborah is an incredibly talented journalist who's been working for numerous online magazines for over 8 years now. She's also our main research writer who can turn any bori read more
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Charles Eggleston
Charles Eggleston
Expert Consultant
Charles's been a plumber his entire life. Thanks to his vast experience we can always rely on Charles' expert opinion when creating any of our articles. He's also a fantasti read more
Last updated: August 22, 2023
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At one point, we’ve all had experiences where you visit the toilet and seat and bowl seem discolored by urine stains. Whether you’re in an institution, an establishment, at a friend’s house, or even in your own home, such incidents are usually uncomfortable. And no matter how clean the toilet is, if you can see the stains, then all you’ll think about is the lurking bacteria. 

Toilets are often used as a determining factor of how clean your home is. If they have yellow stains, then people will automatically assume they are unclean. Let’s also face it; stained toilet bowls can be embarrassing when you have guests over. Since cleaning urine stains is difficult, some people opt to replace the entire bowl. You, however, shouldn’t have to do that. We have compiled a complete guide on how to remove yellow stains from a toilet seat and bowl, to ensure they are sparkling clean!

What Causes Yellow Stains on Your Toilet Seat?

There are 3 main causes of yellow toilet stains:

Hard Water Mineral

5 Best Ways to Remove Yellow Stains From a Toilet Seat and Bowl
Contrary to popular belief, yellow toilet stains aren’t always an indication of poor hygiene. It’s a normal occurrence that gradually happens over time, irrespective of how clean and careful you are. Even though most of the time, the stains are yellow, there are instances where they’re various shades of brown. This kind of staining is caused by the accumulation of mineral deposits from hard water and is often found on the toilet seat, below the rim, and on the bottom or sides of the bowl. These minerals include iron, magnesium, and calcium, which can be difficult to remove. 

Accumulation of Urine Residue

According to CNN Trusted Source The pee color spectrum: What it means - CNN Here’s what your urine color says about your health — and when it could signal a serious problem. edition.cnn.com , the toilet is like a clear crystal ball that helps you look into your health. You can use it to determine how hydrated you are, based on the color of your urine. 

Urine contains urochrome or uroglobin, which is the pigment that gives it its yellow color. Every time you pee but fail to flush the toilet, this pigmentation holds on to the toilet seat or bowl and causes it to stain. The color intensifies the longer the toilet stays unflushed until it eventually becomes an eyesore.

Sunlight

5 Best Ways to Remove Yellow Stains From a Toilet Seat and Bowl
Sunlight contains UV rays that cause discoloration to the toilet seat. When this happens, most people automatically assume their toilet is dirty, which couldn’t be further from the truth. 

How to Clean Your Toilet Seat and Bowl

Whether you have a wooden or plastic toilet seat, at some point, it will get stained and potentially ruin the look of your bathroom. The good news is that you can easily get rid of the stains using commonly found materials.

First things first, here are the materials you may need:

  • Bucket/Container
  • Bathroom Cleaner
  • Baking Soda
  • Paper Towel
  • Rubber Glove
  • Bleach
  • Sanitary Wipes
  • Toilet Cleaner
  • Vinegar
  • Towel

You’ll also need a toilet brush or sponge.

1. With Vinegar

5 Best Ways to Remove Yellow Stains From a Toilet Seat and Bowl
This is the easiest and most straightforward method of removing stains from your toilet seats and only takes a short time. According to the Healthline Trusted Source Cleaning with Vinegar: 9 Eco-Friendly, Inexpensive, Multipurpose Uses Vinegar is a nontoxic, eco-friendly, multipurpose cleaning solution. It’s also inexpensive. Learn what type of vinegar to use for cleaning, along with nine ways vinegar can be used to clean and disinfect your home. www.healthline.com , vinegar’s highly acidic nature makes it the perfect option for removing tough stains. It’s especially effective when the stain pigmentation isn’t severe, and bleach isn’t getting the work done. 

Here are the steps you should take when cleaning your tablet with vinegar.

  • For the toilet bowl:
  • Generously pour a cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl, ensuring it gets to all areas. We recommend that you use a spray bottle for maximum efficiency.
  • Let it sit for some time so that it can dislodge the stains.
  • Use a brush or sponge to scrub it gently.
  • Soak paper towels in vinegar and use them to line up the toilet seat.
  • Let them sit for around 2 hours before removing them.
  • Scrub the toilet gently using a toilet sponge or brush.
  • Wipe it clean using a damp cloth that has been sprayed with disinfectant
  • Repeat the process as required until the stains are gone.

The best part about using vinegar is that you can also use it to get rid of unpleasant smells.

If the stains are too stubborn, you could use vinegar and baking soda. When both compounds are combined, they create carbonic acid, which aggressively cuts through stains.

For this solution;

  • Spray about 1 cup of vinegar on the stoned parts. Make sure the vinegar gets in to all the areas.
  • Let the vinegar sit in the toilet for about an hour, after which you should sprinkle the baking powder all over the toilet in generous amounts. The powder should stick to the toilet bowl due to the vinegar. 
  • Add more vinegar. This will trigger a fizzy reaction. 
  • Leave it for around 15 minutes, and then scrub the bowl using a toilet brush or sponge.
  • Rinse it off by flushing. 

Vinegar and baking powder is highly effective and if you leave it on the toilet bowl overnight, it could get rid of the most stubborn stains. 

2. With Borax Powder

Borax is one of the most powerful cleaning agents and is often found in hardware stores. There are 3 main ways you can use to eliminate stains using borax;

  1. By sprinkling it on the stained area. Use a brush to get it everywhere, and then let it sit for about half an hour before washing it away.
  2. Creating borax paste. Mix borax with water to create a thick paste that can stick on the stained areas. Apply it on the discoloration and brush it gently. Leave it for at least 30 minutes, and then scrub it again before flushing the toilet. The borax paste is especially effective on golden yellow stains. If you’d like to make a more aggressive solution, you could mix the borax with vinegar instead. 
  3. Spraying vinegar over the borax powder to create an even powerful paste. 

According to multiple recommendations, the MILLIARD Borax Powder is the best option. It’s odorless, highly durable, and comes in resealable packaging to keep it fresh for longer. It also doesn’t contain any preservatives or additives.  

3. With Napisan Powder 

Cleaning the stubborn stains underneath the toilet seat is tricky, and Napsian powder is the best solution. It, however, contains strong chemicals, so we recommend that you be extra careful when using it. Make sure you also use heavy-duty gloves for added protection. 

Spread the powder on the stained parts and let it sit for a few hours. Scrub it off using a toilet brush and then rinse the toilet. Ensure no one uses the toilet before you clean the Napsian powder off. 

4. With Trisodium Phosphate

To remove stubborn toilet stains using trisodium phosphate, mix one tablespoon of powder with about 4 liters of water. Mix it thoroughly, and then soak clean rags in the solution. Rub the affected areas until the toilet is clean. Don’t forget to use heavy-duty gloves. 

Based on multiple reviews, the Trisodium Phosphate Heavy-duty Degreaser is one of the most powerful cleaning agents. It cuts through the stains and can be used for other purposes around the house, including soot stains and grime removal. This heavy-duty degreaser is also safe for your hands, and it also comes with a free pair of gloves. 

5. With Coke and Baking Soda

5 Best Ways to Remove Yellow Stains From a Toilet Seat and Bowl
This is one of the most unconventional cleaning methods, but some people swear by it. Since coke contains citric, phosphoric, and carbonic acid, it pairs well with acidic materials. 

For this method, you should:

  • Pour around 2 cups of coke into the toilet bowl.
  • Sprinkle some baking powder into it and leave it for a while.
  • Scrub the toilet bowl to remove the yellow stains and then rinse it with clean water. 

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for practical solutions on how to remove yellow stains from a toilet seat, the above remedies are a great place to start. The best part about the above solutions is that they require readily available materials, so you don’t have to hire professional cleaners. Once you clean out the stains, you should adopt a more proactive approach. For instance, make sure you flush the toilet after every use. You should also maintain a regular cleaning schedule to prevent the stains from becoming more stubborn and use chemical agents to regularly disinfect the bowl. Finally, use chlorinated tablets frequently as they’ll protect your toilet bowl from urine pigmentation. 

 

References

1.
The pee color spectrum: What it means - CNN
Here’s what your urine color says about your health — and when it could signal a serious problem.
2.
Cleaning with Vinegar: 9 Eco-Friendly, Inexpensive, Multipurpose Uses
Vinegar is a nontoxic, eco-friendly, multipurpose cleaning solution. It’s also inexpensive. Learn what type of vinegar to use for cleaning, along with nine ways vinegar can be used to clean and disinfect your home.
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