Coca-Cola is not only a very good drink, its slightly acidic content makes it perfect for cleaning the toilet bowl. Are you looking for a way to get rid of limescale toilet stains without spending a lot of money to buy specific detergents? Coca-Cola can cost as much as 50 euro cents per liter (especially if you buy very large packs). Do you want a non-toxic cleaning solution? This drink is absolutely safe for human use. Try one of the methods described in this article to clean with Coke.
Steps
Step 1. Measure approximately 240-480ml of drink
Open a bottle or can of soda, you won't need much to clean the toilet. A regular can contains 330ml of Coca-Cola and is more than enough. If you have a large bottle, just take a similar amount and pour it into a glass.
Coca-Cola acts as a cleanser due to its low phosphoric and carbonic acid content. These chemicals are generated with the carbonation process and not thanks to the aromas, for this reason a Diet Coke has the same effectiveness. Incidentally, this means that any fizzy drink, even sparkling water, works just as well (consider which liquid is less expensive)
Step 2. Pour the soda into the toilet bowl
Drop it along the inside walls, so that it runs over the spots under the water's surface. Make sure any stains get drenched in Coca-Cola. Although it may seem that all the liquid is flowing to the bottom of the cup, be aware that a light layer still remains in contact with the limescale.
The spots that are very high up in the toilet are difficult to reach; for this reason, get an old rag and soak it in Coca-Cola to apply it by hand. You can also fill a spray bottle if you prefer not to get your hands dirty
Step 3. Let the drink sit
Patience is the key to everything. The longer you leave the Coca-Cola on, the more chance the acids have of corroding the stains. Try to let the drink sit for at least an hour.
If you want a particularly strong cleaning action, pour the Coke into the cup before going to sleep and wait all night
Step 4. Flush the toilet
The acids contained in Coca-Cola corrode the limescale deposits. Once you let the drink sit, flush the toilet once. Loose stains (at least partially) should come off with the drain water.
Step 5. Repeat the process if necessary
You are now in a position to evaluate the effectiveness of Coca-Cola in removing stains. Although the soda works well enough to dissolve the limescale rings and mineral deposits that are a very common problem in the bathroom, it doesn't always get rid of all the stains. If necessary, simply apply a new layer of Coca-Cola and repeat the process.
If the stains do not disappear even on the second attempt, go to the next section; you will find some tips on how to remove particularly stubborn stains
Part 1 of 1: Stubborn Spots
Step 1. Rub firmly
A good old toilet brush is your best friend when the corrosive action of Coke isn't enough to get rid of stains. The mechanical action of the toothbrush (or a similar tool, such as an abrasive sponge) loosens the limescale deposits even more and detaches them from the walls of the toilet, once they have been softened by the drink. Remember to wash your hands thoroughly after this application or wear gloves if germs make you sick.
- For best results, scrub before and after using Coke. In other words:
- Open the toilet bowl and scrub the stains with the toothbrush.
- Pour in the Coca-Cola.
- Let the drink sit.
- Scrub once more with the toothbrush and then flush the toilet to wash away the residue.
Step 2. Use heat
Generally speaking, chemical reactions are faster when the temperature is high. The acid reactions that allow Coca-Cola to clear toilet stains are no exception. For really stubborn dirt, heat the soda in the microwave before pouring it into the cup. It doesn't have to be hot, but for perfect results you should feel the liquid very hot to the touch. Be cautious when handling hot Coke.
- Never heat the drink in the microwave inside a sealed or metal container (or any other liquid). This could cause very dangerous explosions of hot liquid. Instead, pour the Coke into a microwave safe glass (glass or ceramic) and then turn on the appliance.
- When you reheat the Coca-Cola you will notice that it fizzes a little more than usual, so you may want to wear gloves to prevent splashes of liquid from falling on your skin.
Step 3. Use Coke in combination with other household cleaners
Although it can remove many stains, it is not always the best product for every job. For really tough stains, you should use it in combination with other cleaning solutions. Here are some of the other cleaning methods you can try at home:
- Mix 120ml of vinegar with 50g of baking soda (or 30g of borax) in a 2L jug of water. Pour the mixture into the toilet bowl by scrubbing with the toothbrush. Wait an hour before rinsing. You can follow this treatment with an application of Coca-Cola.
- If mold is the problem, mix one part of hydrogen peroxide with two of ordinary water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto the moldy surface, let it sit for at least an hour, and then scrub until the mold disappears. Use the soda to remove any remaining stains or deposits that are left around the moldy area.
- Try mixing two parts of borax, one of lemon juice and one of Coke. This way you get a versatile cleaner. You can apply it inside the toilet and leave it on for at least an hour before scrubbing the encrustations.
Step 4. Know when it is not appropriate to use Coca-Cola
This soft drink is perfect for removing most of the limescale that builds up in the toilet. However, it is not always effective for other less frequent stains that require other types of detergents. Here are some examples:
- Coke cannot get rid of oil, grease and grease stains. In these cases, you need to rely on dish soap, detergents, or a stronger acid like vinegar.
- Coca-Cola doesn't kill germs. In fact, the sugary residue that the normal drink leaves on the surfaces is a food for some types of bacteria. If you want to disinfect an item, use soap, commercial cleaners, or an alcohol-based product.
- Coca-Cola cannot remove ink, dye or pigments. In this case, you need denatured alcohol or other chemical solvents to succeed.
Advice
- As described above, carbonated water and other fizzy drinks are also effective, because carbonation provides the amount of acid that allows Coca-Cola to eliminate stains. Sparkling water is an even better cleaner because it does not release sugary residues which are not, however, a problem in the toilet.
- This method does not work with oily spots, as already demonstrated on many websites. Coca-Cola only works on limescale stains.
- The acidic content of Coca-Cola does not make it dangerous to drink; orange juice, for example, is even more acidic.
- If you share the apartment with other people, advise them of the cleaning procedure in time. Otherwise they might think someone forgot to flush and they will, making your selfless cleaning effort in vain.
