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Cleaning Toilets
How to Get Rid of a Toilet Bowl Ring Download Article Cost-effective ways to clean the can Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH
Last Updated: June 5, 2025 Fact Checked
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Scrubbing With Baking Soda and Vinegar
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Cleaning With a Pumice Stone
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Scrubbing With Lemon Kool-Aid
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Removing Rings With Dryer Sheets
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Expert Q&A
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This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH. Michelle Driscoll is a professional cleaner based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 7 years of experience, Michelle is the founder of Mulberry Maids, specializing in cleaning homes and small offices. Mulberry Maids services Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins and Loveland, and offers a variety of services, including commercial cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and regular home cleaning. Michelle holds a Master's in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 299,901 times.
No matter how hard you try to keep your toilet clean, your porcelain throne may end up with unsightly rings. Fortunately, these eyesores—usually caused by hard water—can be easily (and inexpensively) removed by using a few easy tricks. We'll show you 4 ways to banish those rings using either a pumice stone, baking soda and vinegar, lemon Kool-Aid, or dryer sheets.
Things You Should Know
Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl and let it sit for 1 hour. Then, spray vinegar on the rings and scrub them away with a toilet brush.
Rub a wet pumice stone along the rings to scrub them away.
Spread a packet of lemon Kool-Aid over the rings and let it sit for 1 hour, then use a toilet brush to scrub the rings out.
Scrub the rings off the porcelain with a wad of coarse dryer sheet. Remember to wear gloves!
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 4:
Scrubbing With Baking Soda and Vinegar
Download Article
1 Sprinkle baking soda in your toilet bowl. Baking soda is an effective, natural, and non-abrasive cleanser that can safely remove the rings in your toilet. Simply open a box of baking soda, and sprinkle a generous amount around the bowl of your toilet.[1]XResearch source
2 Wait 1 hour (or longer). Allow the baking soda to begin breaking down your hard water stains by giving it some time to sit. Set a timer, and let the baking soda sit for at least 1 hour. While you wait, place some diluted white vinegar in a spray bottle.[2]XResearch source Advertisement
3 Moisten the baking soda with vinegar spray. Used together, vinegar and baking soda create a powerhouse of natural cleansing. Take your spray bottle of vinegar and spray the inside of your toilet bowl. Use only a small amount of vinegar at a time, and add more as needed.
4 Scrub the toilet bowl vigorously. Using a toilet brush, vigorously scrub away your rings. If it is left to sit in your toilet system for too long, vinegar can potentially cause damage to your toilet's inner-workings. In order to prevent this, be sure to flush your toilet at least three times after your scrubbing is done.
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 4:
Cleaning With a Pumice Stone
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1 Grab a pumice stone. Pumice stones are known for their ability to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. If you have one of these objects lying around, it can do wonders for your toilet bowl! You can also purchase a pumice stone affixed to a stick--known as a Pumie--created for this very purpose.[3]XResearch source
If you'll be using a traditional pumice stone, you will need to submerge your hands in water, and you may want to wear rubber gloves and a plastic apron.
2 Submerge the stone in water. Before you begin scrubbing your toilet, it is important to soften the pumice stone in water. Place the stone inside your toilet bowl and wait 15 minutes.
3 Rub any toilet rings with the stone. Once the stone has softened a bit, simply rub it against the rings in your toilet. The pumice stone acts almost like a pencil eraser, removing hard water rings before your eyes! When you are finished, give your toilet a flush.
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 4:
Scrubbing With Lemon Kool-Aid
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1 Apply lemon Kool-aid to the toilet bowl. Open a small package of lemon Kool-aid (available for $0.25 USD at many grocery stores). Sprinkle the Kool-aid powder all over your toilet bowl, making sure it covers the rings.[4]XResearch source
2 Wait 1 hour. Once you have successfully applied the Kool-aid powder, set a timer for 1 hour. Make sure that no one in your household uses the toilet during this time.[5]XResearch source
3 Scrub your toilet. Using a toilet brush, scrub the lemon Kool-aid into your toilet bowl. Work in a circular motion, paying particular attention to the rings. When you are done, flush the toilet.[6]XResearch source
Advertisement Method 4 Method 4 of 4:
Removing Rings With Dryer Sheets
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1 Save your old dryer sheets. Another effective tool for removing the rings in your toilet is a regular dryer sheet. In fact, used dryer sheets work a bit better than new ones! After you remove the clothes from your dryer, retain your used dryer sheets.
2 Wear rubber gloves. This method for removing toilet bowl rings involves placing your hands into the toilet water. In order to avoid contact with germs, you want to wear rubber gloves.
3 Scrub your toilet. Rub the dryer sheet against the rings in your toilet and watch them vanish. When you are finished, give your toilet a flush. Dryer sheets can be used for cleaning your sink, tub, shower and any other surfaces in your bathroom, as well.
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Expert Q&A
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Question Is it better to wear a plastic apron when cleaning toilets? Michelle Driscoll, MPH Professional Cleaner Michelle Driscoll is a professional cleaner based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 7 years of experience, Michelle is the founder of Mulberry Maids, specializing in cleaning homes and small offices. Mulberry Maids services Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins and Loveland, and offers a variety of services, including commercial cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and regular home cleaning. Michelle holds a Master's in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Michelle Driscoll, MPH Professional Cleaner Expert Answer Wearing a disposable plastic apron can be beneficial when cleaning toilets so that any germs and bacteria that get on the apron can be thrown away, and not transferred to other parts of your house. Avoid using an apron that you would wear in the kitchen. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 11 Helpful 15
Question Sometimes I don't flush the toilet and leave my waste in the bowl. It has left a ring that I can't get off and now my dad might have to buy a new toilet. What should I do? Community Answer Try a stronger cleaning product and leave it in the bowl for a while before you try scrubbing again. And most of all, flush from now on. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 20 Helpful 34
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Video
Tips
Store-bought products like Lime-A-Way is an effective alternative that is comparable to mixing baking soda and vinegar. Thanks Helpful 7 Not Helpful 1
For extremely tough stains, use muriatic acid. Make sure your bathroom is well ventilated and only use a little at a time. Wear gloves when working with it since it is a strong acid. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 1
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement
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Co-authored by: Michelle Driscoll, MPH Professional Cleaner This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH. Michelle Driscoll is a professional cleaner based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 7 years of experience, Michelle is the founder of Mulberry Maids, specializing in cleaning homes and small offices. Mulberry Maids services Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins and Loveland, and offers a variety of services, including commercial cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and regular home cleaning. Michelle holds a Master's in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. This article has been viewed 299,901 times. 15 votes - 87% Co-authors: 8Updated: June 5, 2025 Views: 299,901 Categories: Cleaning Toilets In other languages Portuguese French Italian Russian Spanish Chinese Japanese Thai
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Reader Success Stories
Collette Needham
Aug 3, 2019
"The stain wouldn't come out, but now I can get rid of it in a cheap and easy way. Thank you."
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Michelle Driscoll, MPH Professional Cleaner Co-authors: 8Updated: June 5, 2025 Views: 299,90187% of readers found this article helpful. 15 votes - 87% Click a star to add your vote 87% of people told us that this article helped them.
Collette Needham
Aug 3, 2019
"The stain wouldn't come out, but now I can get rid of it in a cheap and easy way. Thank you."
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Oct 27, 2017
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Download Article Cost-effective ways to clean the can Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH 
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Co-authored by: Michelle Driscoll, MPH Professional Cleaner This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH. Michelle Driscoll is a professional cleaner based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 7 years of experience, Michelle is the founder of Mulberry Maids, specializing in cleaning homes and small offices. Mulberry Maids services Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins and Loveland, and offers a variety of services, including commercial cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and regular home cleaning. Michelle holds a Master's in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. This article has been viewed 299,901 times. 15 votes - 87% Co-authors: 8 Updated: June 5, 2025 Views: 299,901 Categories: Cleaning Toilets In other languages Portuguese French Italian Russian Spanish Chinese Japanese Thai 
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1 Sprinkle baking soda in your toilet bowl. Baking soda is an effective, natural, and non-abrasive cleanser that can safely remove the rings in your toilet. Simply open a box of baking soda, and sprinkle a generous amount around the bowl of your toilet.[1] 
2 Wait 1 hour (or longer). Allow the baking soda to begin breaking down your hard water stains by giving it some time to sit. Set a timer, and let the baking soda sit for at least 1 hour. While you wait, place some diluted white vinegar in a spray bottle.[2] Advertisement 
1 Grab a pumice stone. Pumice stones are known for their ability to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. If you have one of these objects lying around, it can do wonders for your toilet bowl! You can also purchase a pumice stone affixed to a stick--known as a Pumie--created for this very purpose.[3] 
2 Wait 1 hour. Once you have successfully applied the Kool-aid powder, set a timer for 1 hour. Make sure that no one in your household uses the toilet during this time.[5] 
1 Save your old dryer sheets. Another effective tool for removing the rings in your toilet is a regular dryer sheet. In fact, used dryer sheets work a bit better than new ones! After you remove the clothes from your dryer, retain your used dryer sheets. 
2 Wear rubber gloves. This method for removing toilet bowl rings involves placing your hands into the toilet water. In order to avoid contact with germs, you want to wear rubber gloves. 
3 Scrub your toilet. Rub the dryer sheet against the rings in your toilet and watch them vanish. When you are finished, give your toilet a flush. Dryer sheets can be used for cleaning your sink, tub, shower and any other surfaces in your bathroom, as well. Advertisement 
Michelle Driscoll, MPH Professional Cleaner Michelle Driscoll is a professional cleaner based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 7 years of experience, Michelle is the founder of Mulberry Maids, specializing in cleaning homes and small offices. Mulberry Maids services Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins and Loveland, and offers a variety of services, including commercial cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and regular home cleaning. Michelle holds a Master's in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. 
Community Answer Try a stronger cleaning product and leave it in the bowl for a while before you try scrubbing again. And most of all, flush from now on. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 20 Helpful 34 
Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy.