Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Remove metal streaks with a pumice stone
• Method 2 of 3: Use acidic cleaning powder
• Method 3 of 3: Empty the toilet
• Necessities
• Remove metal streaks with a pumice stone
• Use acidic cleaning powder
• Empty the toilet
• Tips
• Warnings

If you have metal marks in your porcelain toilet bowl, your toilet can look dirty and old instead of shiny and clean. Metal streaks can have a variety of causes, such as using a metal toilet brush or a sewer spring. However, it is easier than you think to remove the streaks. If the streaks are in the toilet bowl, drain all the water before you start. Simply use a pumice stone to remove small and light streaks and scrub large and dark streaks with an acidic cleaning powder. Your toilet bowl will be clean and streak-free again in no time.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Remove metal streaks with a pumice stone

1. Wet the pumice stone with tap water. Run the pumice stone under the tap to wet the outside. A pumice stone is naturally porous and has an abrasive effect, so it should absorb the water fairly quickly. Use plain tap water and do not apply any special cleaning agents to the stone.
   • Make sure your toilet bowl is clean before removing the streaks so you don't spread bacteria and germs.
   • Make sure the pumice stone stays wet so that it abrades as strongly as possible. If the stone is too dry, it can scratch the porcelain.
   • If you don't have a pumice stone, you can also use a microfiber scourer or a miracle sponge.
2. Rub lightly with the stone over the stripes, applying little to no pressure. Hold the stone so that one end is facing away from you and gently rub the metal stripes. Metallic stripes are on top of the outer layer of the porcelain and are similar to pencil marks on paper. They are not deep scratches. You should be able to rub the streaks away in no time.
   • Do not apply too much pressure to the pumice stone or you may rub off the protective film on the porcelain.
   • The pumice stone will leave brownish residue while rubbing, which is not permanent and can be removed by rinsing with water.
3. Rinse away the residue with water or a damp cloth and check the spots again. Pour some water from a bottle into the toilet or if the residue is on the outside of the toilet bowl, use a damp cloth to rinse the pumice stone away. See if the metal stripes are gone. If you still see streaks, treat them again with the pumice stone and apply a little more pressure to remove them.
   • In the case of large black streaks, you may need to use a little more force, but be careful not to apply too much pressure or the pumice stone could break and damage the protective coating on the porcelain.

Method 2 of 3: Use acidic cleaning powder

1. Wet a scouring pad that is safe to use on porcelain with water. Look for a scouring pad that is safe to use on china. If you use a sponge with metal particles in the material or a sponge that is not suitable for porcelain, you can damage the toilet bowl a lot more. Soak the sponge so that it drips.
   • The back of a kitchen sponge usually removes the streaks, but make sure you only use sponges that state on the packaging that they are suitable or intended for porcelain.
2. Sprinkle an acidic cleaning powder on the stripes. Sprinkle a little acidic cleaning powder on the stripes and use just enough to cover them.There is no need to wet the china before scrubbing as the sponge should be wet enough to dissolve the powder and let it do its job.
   • You can find various acidic cleaning powders at the supermarket, but you can also use a regular cleaner for ceramic hobs or toilet powder as an alternative.
   • Ajax scouring powder is a well-known and useful cleaning powder, but it contains bleach and therefore does not remove metal streaks as well as acid-based cleaning powders.
3. Rub the sponge vigorously over the acidic cleaning powder until the streaks are gone. Keep scrubbing the stripes until you can no longer see them. Unlike with a pumice stone, you have to apply a lot of pressure to get rid of the streaks, because a sponge works better when you push it hard.
   • When the sponge dries out, hold it back under the tap in the sink and squeeze it to remove the excess powder. Then wet it again and start scrubbing again.
4. Rinse away the residue and apply more powder to the stripes if necessary. Rinse off the wet powder residue with a water jet or a damp cloth and see if the streaks have disappeared. If so, then you're done. If not, sprinkle some more of the cleaning powder on the stubborn streaks, clean and wet the sponge, and scrub the streaks again.
   • Some streaks adhere better to the porcelain and so it may take a few tries to remove them. Have patience and keep going.

Method 3 of 3: Empty the toilet

1. Place towels around the toilet to protect the floor from splashes and residue. Put some towels on the floor around the toilet bowl and even at the back of the toilet to prevent water and scouring powder residue from getting onto the floor. Do not use new towels unless you want a full washing machine. Use dirty towels or hand towels that have been used after showering so that you don't end up with more dirty laundry.
   • You can also use paper towels, but you will need almost an entire roll to properly cover the floor around the toilet.
2. Close the tap for the water supply. Most toilets have a tap behind the cistern to regulate the water supply, so turn off the tap so that the cistern does not refill with water after flushing. If you don't turn off the tap, you won't be able to empty the cistern and pot to get rid of the metal streaks.
   • If the metal stripes are only on the outside of the toilet bowl, then you do not need to close the tap. After all, the water does not get in the way of cleaning.
3. Press the flush button to flush the toilet and allow all the water to drain from the cistern. Remove the top of the cistern and place it on a towel, then press the flush button to flush the toilet and drain all the water from the cistern. The water in the pot should wash away, but some water may still be left in the pot. This process can take several minutes, so don't worry.
   • If your toilet does not automatically flush out all the water that runs out of the cistern into the bowl, flush the toilet when it is full and press the button several times if necessary.
   • You can continue when there is no more water in the cistern.
4. Pour a bucket of water into the toilet to flush out all the water. There will still be some water in the toilet bowl, and the best way to drain the water without flushing the toilet is to pour about ten liters of water into the toilet bowl with a bucket. Pour the water into the toilet from a height of about 60 centimeters to simulate the flushing force.
   • The towels on the floor will come in handy now, as there is a good chance that you will miss the toilet bowl first or that some water accidentally splashes out of the toilet bowl.
5. Use a large sponge to soak up the remaining water in the cistern or toilet bowl. Grab a large, dry sponge and use it to absorb any remaining water in the toilet bowl and cistern. As long as the streaks are not covered with water, you can rub them away and remove them. However, make sure you get the remaining water out of the toilet as much as possible.
   • You may need to use multiple sponges to get all of the water out of the toilet, so consider buying a pack of several large car sponges.
   • You can take advantage of this facility to clean the toilet bowl with soap if it is particularly dirty, but you will need to pour another bucket of water into the toilet before continuing to clean.
   • Sprinkle baking soda on the stripes and then pour vinegar on top. Use a soft cleaning cloth to rub away the streaks.

Necessities

Remove metal streaks with a pumice stone

• Pumice stone
• Wonder sponge (possibly alternative)
• Damp cloth or bottle with water

Use acidic cleaning powder

• Scourer suitable for use on porcelain
• Damp cloth or bottle with water
• Acidic cleaning powder or a hob cleaner

Empty the toilet

• Bucket
• Absorbent, non-abrasive sponge
• Towels
• Sheets of kitchen paper (possibly alternative)

Tips

• To avoid scratches, use a plastic toilet brush and plopper instead of a sewer spring to unclog your toilet.
• Do not leave cleaning agents on the porcelain for more than ten minutes, or the protective coating on the porcelain may be affected.
• If chips of the porcelain have burst through the metal, you may be able to hide those spots with a little paint. Go to a hardware store to see what options there are.

Warnings

• Do not mix household cleaners, especially ammonia-based cleaners and bleach-based cleaners. If you've recently cleaned or bleached the toilet, flush or wipe it several times with a damp cloth before using the acidic cleaning powder.
• Wear rubber gloves while cleaning the toilet bowl to protect yourself from chemicals and bacteria.