The Simple WD-40 Hack For Removing Stubborn Toilet Bowl Stains

Let's face it — nobody enjoys cleaning the toilet. And when it comes to removing stubborn toilet bowl stains, this can be a particularly daunting task. But fear not, there's a simple and affordable hack that can make this dreaded chore a little less taxing: WD-40. Yes, the same product that can lubricate your bicycle chain or loosen a rusty bolt can also remove toilet bowl stains.

These stains are usually caused by hard water, mineral buildup, or other factors that cause discoloration, making the toilet bowl look dirty and unattractive. While many cleaning products in the market claim to remove these stains, they can be expensive and may not always work. However, a 3-ounce can of WD-40 will cost you less than $5.

Given that this multipurpose lubricant is known to have over 2,000 uses, it may not be so surprising to think WD-40 can also rid your toilet bowl of stains, but it still may be one solution you hadn't thought of before. Here, we take a closer look at how WD-40 works.

Using WD-40 to remove toilet bowl stains is a simple hack requiring just a few steps, starting with turning off your water supply. Once the water is shut off, flush your toilet once to remove as much water as possible. This is important to ensure the WD-40 can work without dilution.

Next, shake your can of WD-40 well and spray it directly onto the toilet bowl's stains. Let the lubricant sit for a minute (or five) and afterward, using a circular motion, scrub the stains away with a toilet brush. You may need to repeat this step a few times to remove the stains completely, particularly older stains. Once you've finished scrubbing and have wiped away any traces of remaining spray (you don't want to flush WD-40 down the toilet directly as it could harm your septic system), turn the water supply back on and flush a few times to reveal your shiny new bowl.

It's worth noting that while WD-40 is safe to use on most toilet bowls, it's a good idea to wear gloves while using the multipurpose product to avoid skin irritation.

So how does WD-40 work? Simply put, it break sdown the hard water, rust, and mineral buildup in toilet bowl stains to make scrubbing them away easier. What's more, it's a common household product that you likely already have in your garage, closet, or toolbox.

Another benefit of using this product to remove toilet stains is that it lubricates the inside of your toilet, helping to prevent future stains from sticking to the bowl and seat — making the task of keeping your toilet clean simpler in the long run. This can save you time, not to mention money spent on more expensive solutions. In fact, because you likely already have a can of WD-40 in your home, this cleaning method might, literally, be free to give a try.