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Removing Gray Rings From Toilet

Mineral deposits from hard water can make a gray ring on the water line around your toilet. Though the ring isn’t actually dirt, it can make your toilet look old and dirty. Clean the ring as soon as you notice it because the longer you let it sit the more it will etch into your toilet and become a permanent stain. Remove mineral rings with a mild acid that will counteract the alkalinity of the mineral stains as well as tools that will slough off the minerals without damaging the toilet.

Things You'll Need

  • White vinegar
  • Scrubbing brush
  • Pumice stone
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turn the water off your toilet by adjusting the valve around its back.

    • 2

      Flush the toilet to remove as much of the water as possible from the toilet.

    • 3

      Fill the toilet with white vinegar. Fill past the gray ring stain.

    • 4

      Close the toilet lid and let it sit for one day to give the white vinegar time to loosen the stain.

    • 5

      Scrub the gray stains off the toilet with a toilet brush. Work until the stains are gone or until they are as light as possible.

    • 6

      Scrub the gray stains with a pumice stone if they are still visible.

    • 7

      Turn the water back on the toilet and flush it.