Recipes and methods for cleaning the inside of a toilet cistern from rust at home

Poor-quality tap water, old metal or cast iron pipes can cause rusty deposits to begin to accumulate in the tank.

As a result, after some time, rusty water leaves a red coating on its walls, which is quite difficult to get rid of.

Keeping the inside of the toilet tank clean will help prevent such problems and will also extend the life of the flush mechanism.

We'll tell you in this article how to clean the inside of a toilet tank from rust.

Preparing for cleaning

To ensure that the work of cleaning the toilet tank from rust goes quickly and efficiently, It is necessary to carry out a number of preparatory activities:

1. Shut off the water supply.
2. Press the flush button several times to empty the toilet tank.
3. Prepare the necessary equipment for work (a brush with stiff bristles, a sponge, rags, a respirator and protective gloves).
4. Remove the cover. At this stage, it is important to know the features of disassembling the tank:
   • So on cast iron containers, the lids are not secured in any way, the top panel must be pryed off with a thin metal object (for example, a knife blade), removed and moved away from the toilet (so as not to interfere);
   • the covers of the plastic drainage tanks are fixed with side fastenings (they are simply unscrewed with a screwdriver);
   • earthenware lids are fixed using a drain button; to dismantle the top panel, you need to unscrew the button together with the ring surrounding it (rotate counterclockwise).

After the lid is removed, the drain mechanism and filter are carefully inspected for suitability for further use. Perhaps the mechanisms have worn out to such an extent that replacing them with new ones will be a better solution than starting cleaning.

How to remove plaque?

Following a clear sequence of actions will help you carry out cleaning quickly and efficiently:

1. Prepare the tank for cleaning (drain the water, remove the lid).
2. We take out the drain fittings and rinse them thoroughly under running warm water (if heavily soiled, you can additionally treat them with soapy water).
3. We clean the inner surface using the chosen method.
4. We install a drain mechanism into a clean tank, install a lid, and fill the container with water.

Folk remedies for cleaning

It is possible to clean the tank from rust without using store-bought products. There are a sufficient number of folk recipes, the ingredients for which can be found in any home.

Citric acid

Citric acid powder will not only dissolve lime deposits and traces of rust, but will also disinfect the internal surface.

Algorithm of actions:

• dry citric acid powder is diluted with warm water to a thick paste;
• the resulting product is generously smeared onto the walls of the tank and left for at least twelve hours;
• the dried layer of cleaning composition is removed along with rust stains with a stiff brush;
• The cleaned surface is wiped with a clean, damp sponge.

Citric acid destroys rubber seals and cuffs. When processing the inner surface, the rubber elements are left untouched. Read more about the use of citric acid to combat rust. here.

This video will show you how to clean the inside of a toilet tank from rust:

How to remove plaque with ammonia?

A medicine that is in every first aid kit - ammonia will cope perfectly with rust stains.

Algorithm of actions:

1. Ammonia (in its pure form) is applied to the inner surface of the drain tank.
2. After twenty minutes, wipe the treated surface with a soft, damp sponge.

Coca Cola

The effectiveness of the Coca-Cola drink in the fight against rust stains is explained simply: carbonated water contains orthophosphoric acid without residue, which destroys not only traces of rust, but also lime deposits.

Algorithm of actions:

• pour Coca-Cola into an empty drain tank (almost to the brim) and leave overnight;
• In the morning, the carbonated drink is drained and the inner surface is thoroughly wiped with a stiff brush;
• The cleaned walls are wiped with a clean soft sponge.

This method can be used for preventive purposes, and then you can forget about rust and limescale in the toilet cistern for a long time. Read more about using cola in this article.

Washing powder with bleaching effect

A soapy solution of washing powder will do a great job with a slight red coating.

Algorithm of actions:

1. Pour 4 liters of hot water into the tank, add 5 tbsp. washing powder. The mixture is stirred until the powder is completely dissolved.
2. The solution is left in the tank for six hours, after which it is drained.
3. Remaining dirt is removed with a sponge or stiff brush.
4. The already clean inner surface is wiped with a clean cloth.

How to get rid of it using battery electrolyte?

In a situation where you need to clean a very dirty tank with stubborn stains of rust and limescale, you can use battery electrolyte (sold at an auto parts store).

Algorithm of actions:

• apply the product to the contaminated surface and leave for a maximum of six minutes;
• Using a brush or a coarse brush, remove the remaining cleaning agent, along with rust and limescale deposits, from the inner surface of the tank.

The alkaline composition of the electrolyte is dangerous for the skin and mucous membranes. You can only work with this product wearing protective gloves and a respirator.

Special means

Special gels and liquids will help speed up and facilitate the cleaning process.. The rating, TOP 3 of the best rust preventatives for flush tanks, will help you not to get confused among the huge assortment of household chemicals presented in the windows of the hardware departments of supermarkets. So, what to pour inside the tank:

Sanita Anti-rust

Sanita Anti-Rust Plumbing Product is an ideal product for housewives who want to quickly and effortlessly get rid of red plaque. A unique composition, including several acids, will help remove not only traces of rust, but also limescale and mold.

The average cost is 140 rubles. (500 ml bottle).

Gel Sarma

Sarma sanitary ware gel for toilets, anti-rust. Due to the fact that the gel contains oxalic acid, removing traces of rust from the walls of the cistern will not take much time and effort. From special products from other manufacturers Sarma anti-rust gel is characterized by the absence of a strong chemical odor and an affordable price.

The average cost is 85 rubles. (750 ml bottle).

Sanfor Universal

Universal cleaner Sanfor Universal gel is designed specifically for cleaning plumbing fixtures, ceramic tiles and other surfaces.

The gel helps to quickly remove:

• traces of rust,
• gray plaque,
• lime deposits.

In addition, the gel disinfects surfaces and removes 99% of germs and mold.

The average cost is 130 rubles. (750 ml bottle).

Work with household chemicals is carried out only in a well-ventilated area, using protective gloves.

What can't be used and why?

The choice of method for removing rust stains is largely determined by the material from which the tank is made:

1. For ceramic containers Soap and washing powder are completely useless. To effectively clean rust from ceramics, it is better to use acid-based compounds.
2. Plastic tanks cannot be cleaned with aggressive acid-based detergents; for them it is better to choose alkaline products that are neutral to plastic and rubber seals.

Adviсe

A few recommendations from experienced housewives will help you maintain cleanliness. cistern:

1. Regular cleaning will save you from the painful process of removing old rust stains.
2. Monitoring the condition of the plumbing system in the house will not only improve the quality of the water supplied, but also prevent the appearance of rusty deposits on the inner walls of the tank.
3. Special anti-plaque and rust tablets placed inside the tank will protect surfaces from premature contamination.

If the first time it was not possible to achieve the desired cleanliness effect, then it is better to repeat the procedure again.

You will find all the most important information about methods and means for cleaning a toilet from rust. Here.

Conclusion

Regular cleaning with a properly selected product will allow you to forget about traces of rust on the inner surface of the drain tank for a long time.