Having hard water is a hassle, we know because we also have it in our home – but it’s actually a problem that the majority of US households face. Those white spots metal and glass are the first telltale signs that you are dealing with hard water, if you don’t deal with the problem you eventually get a nasty build-up of scale on faucets and fixtures.
Toilets are also harder to keep clean with hard water. The mineral deposits from hard water can eventually clog up the “rim jets” – the holes under the rim of the bowl where water comes out when you flush, over time that blockage can lead to less powerful flushing. Some hard water also contains high levels of iron that leaves reddish rust-colored stains on your white porcelain toilet bowl.
Luckily the widespread problem of hard water has lead manufacturers to come up with solutions and there are now plenty of bathroom cleaning products that are specifically designed to combat the ill effects of hard water, here are our top picks that work well on porcelain toilet bowls.
Quick Picks
Best Toilet Bowl Cleaners for Hard Water
Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Let’s start the list with one of the highest-rated and recommended options for toilet bowl cleaning.
The Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Bowl Cleaner and Power Stain Destroyer is, as its name suggests, quite powerful in removing stains.
Testing the product out, we noticed how the green liquid formula started changing to a more bluish hue color. This transformation was an indication of the cleaning substance doing its magic on stains like rust and limescale.
Leave the cleaner as is and let the toilet bowl absorb the liquid solution for about 15 minutes. Afterward, we noticed a significant difference in the surface quality of the toilet bowl as we started scrubbing and rinsing the formula off.
Some of the features we liked about the Scrubbing Toilet Bowl Cleaner include the bottle’s extended neck design, which makes using it under the toilet bowl rim as easy as 1-2-3. We also commend this product with its ability also to remove not only limescale buildup but also rust. That said, we noticed that it took several treatments to remove some of the more persistent stains.
All in all, the Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Bowl Cleaner certainly delivers on its promises, and we highly recommend this product for those who are in dire need of a cleaning solution for toilet bowl stains.
Alternatively, Scrubbing Bubbles also offers a toilet bowl cleaner in tablet form. The Continuous Clean Drop-In Toilet Cleaner Tablet provides a more convenient option as it helps treat the hard water within the toilet bowl’s cistern.
Megabrite Toilet Bowl Cleaner
The Megabrite Toilet Bowl Cleaner has a distinct liquid solution that reminds us of those facial scrubs with tiny abrasive grains. The thick gray liquid incorporates small abrasive beads that assist in scrubbing the toilet bowl’s surface better.
Along with that added feature, this gel is best for treating hard water stains and limescale buildup on various surfaces, from stainless steel to porcelain. This aspect of the Megabrite Toilet Bowl Cleaner also means you can use it to clean bathtubs as well.
In addition to its impressive cleaning properties, the Megabrite gel solution also incorporates a biodegradable formula that utilizes plant-based ingredients and essential oils. This quality makes this toilet bowl cleaning solution a fantastic eco-friendly option.
Some nitpick we have revolved around the squeeze-type bottle. The thickness of the gel made it difficult to quickly pour the proper amount of cleaning solution onto the toilet bowl. There is also no instruction on the label, which is quite weird.
As for Megabrite’s strengths, we loved how the gel solution has a tinge of peppermint scent which smells quite lovely and relaxing. The formula used in the cleaning gel solution also makes it safe to use for septic tanks. The extra-thick gel also allowed Megabrite to stick to a specific part of the bowl without dripping off.
Overall, Megabrite is undoubtedly worth a shot for those still looking for a reliable way to clean and remove hard water stains on their toilet bowl.
Bring It On Cleaner Hard Water Stain Remover
Bring It On Hard Water Stain Remover has some similarities with our previous entry, Megabrite, but also brings a couple of unique twists that earned its spot in this list. This toilet bowl cleaning product features a concentrated oxygen bleach formula that can effectively remove stains while being 100% non-toxic and safe.
The formula helps remove mineral buildup such as limescale and can even remove rust. Not only is Bring It On Stain Remover excellent at removing hard water stain on porcelain and stainless-steel surfaces, but it has also proven to be effective in cleaning tiles as well.
Additionally, we liked the fresh peppermint scent that “Bring It On Cleaner” has. Not only will your bathroom and toilet look good as new, but they will also leave a calming and refreshing minty scent.
Powerhouse Pumice Toilet Bowl Cleaning Stone
If you’re looking for an actual cleaning tool rather than a liquid or gel, pumice is the go-to material. Designed for cleaning tough-to-remove stains, the Powerhouse Pumice Cleaning Stone is an effective way to clean a variety of surfaces.
The Powerhouse Pumice can also clean stains off of porcelain, ceramic, stainless steel, and even tiles – making it an all-around cleaning solution for your home. In addition, to be tough on all sorts of stains, the Powerhouse Pumice is also eco-friendly with its toxin-free and odorless formula.
In addition, you can also use Powerhouse Pumice in cleaning dirt and grime from garden tools, rust from hardware tools, and food on BBQ and oven grills. There is also a heavy-duty plastic handle that should help you correctly apply the liquid formula while keeping it away from your skin.
The powerful cleaning solution utilized here is almost guaranteed to remove all sorts of stains. We advise you to take extra care when scrubbing surfaces as pressing the Powerhouse Pumice too hard might scratch the surface of ceramic and porcelain.
Fuller Brush Toilet Bowl Cleaner Pods
Are you looking for a more convenient way of cleaning your toilet bowl while also protecting it from hard water stains? Check out Fuller Brush Toilet Bowl Cleaner Pods. Designed for easy cleaning, these toilet bowl cleaner pods are dropped inside the toilet’s tank, and that’s it.
Fuller Toilet Bowl Cleaner Pods are also safe and compatible with septic tanks with a solution designed for hard water and soft water. Each pod utilizes powerful cleaning properties that also significantly reduces hard water minerals. This quality also makes the Fuller Cleaner Pods an excellent option for preventing hard water stain and buildup in your toilet.
Also, each Fuller Brush Cleaner Pod is pre-measured to provide maximum cleaning proficiency. One is enough to do the job, and no guesswork is needed when using this toilet bowl cleaner.
Remember, though, that you will need to put in some work to remove the more persistent hard water stains on the toilet bowl. The Fuller Brush is a great preventive measure for limescale buildup. As for already present stains and grime, you will still need to grab a brush and start scrubbing to achieve desired results.
Bar Keepers Friend Toilet Bowl Cleaner
The Bar Keepers Friend Toilet Bowl Cleaner features a substantially dense liquid formula similar to the consistency that Megabrite has. Similar to Megabrite, this toilet bowl cleaner utilizes a highly concentrated cleaning solution that should break down grime and insistent stains easily.
The label indicates that the gel solution needs to sit on the target surface for at least five minutes. Once the liquid cleaning solution has done its job and broken down the stain, a quick scrubbing will finish the job in most cases. The cleaning solution can help combat corrosion or rust as well.
Additionally, we commend the extended bent opening of the bottle, which lets you apply the cleaning liquid to the interior rim of the bowl.
Due to the structure of the cleaning formula, take extra care when using the Bar Keepers Friend Cleaner. Avoid contact on the skin and avoid inhalation of fumes. We also advise you not to mix Bar Keepers Friend Cleaner with other cleaning products as the chemical reaction might be hazardous to your health.
All in all, the Bar Keepers Friend Toilet Bowl Cleaner provides a nigh guarantee when it comes to solving hard water stains on your toilet bowl. If you have gone through several products and still haven’t achieved the desired results, we recommend you try this toilet bowl cleaning product.
Lifvean Hard Water Stain Remover
Efficient and straightforward to use, the Lifvean Hard Water Stain Remover aims to solve all your limescale problems.
The cleaning formula is also strong enough to handle water spots and other residue buildups on various surfaces such as porcelain, ceramic, tiles, glass, and mirrors. This product also comes in a package that includes several scrubbing brushes; we highly recommend you go with that for a complete cleaning kit.
Also, make sure to shake the bottle before using it properly. This information is in the non-existent direction label, but it must achieve the optimum efficiency of the cleaning solution.
What is Hard Water?
Hard water is a very common issue, actually, 85% of households across America have hard water.
So, what exactly is hard water, and how is it distinguished from its counterpart, soft water? The amount of magnesium and calcium primarily determines whether it is defined as hard water. Higher levels of these minerals found mean that it is hard water while soft water tends to have a higher sodium concentration.
While hard water does not pose any risk to our health, it can cause issues regarding our household – specifically in the kitchen and bathroom.
Signs You Have Hard Water
Several not-so-subtle signs point as to which hard or soft water flows through your pipes. Here are the things that you should look for to determine if your home uses hard water.
Faint, smoky, white spots on glasses and silverware.
One of the most common signs that your home has hard water is if your drinking glasses and silverware start developing spotty white stains on the surface. These stains are calcium carbonate buildups left on dining wares not appropriately dried after washing.
Clothes and fabric color fading.
Due to the high concentration of minerals in the water, clothes and other fabrics tend to fade and wear out faster. There are also occasions wherein light stains will be left on your clothes after a spin in your washing machine.
A gradual decrease in water pressure.
Mineral deposit buildups within the pipes are also an issue with hard water. Notice your water pressure starts weakening. One probable cause might be the buildup of minerals that shrinks the pipes’ interior diameter, leading to a noticeably weaker flow of water from your faucets.
Effects of Hard Water on Your Toilet Bowl
Toilets are also not immune to the damage that hard water can inflict over time. Based on the signs we listed above, your toilet bowl might not flush properly if a considerable buildup of minerals blocks this feature.
Visible dark stains might also start appearing around the toilet bowl, which is incredibly hard to remove with just your standard toilet bowl cleaner.
Well, this is where we come in. Below, we have compiled a list of the best toilet bowl cleaners for handling hard water stains. These products are specifically designed to cancel the adverse side effects caused by hard water on your toilet bowl.