Does it seem you’re constantly cleaning the black waterline, only to have it come back a few days later? While it may be unsightly and frustrating, it’s actually more common than you think. In this article, we walk you through the steps to help you clean the black ring in the toilet. We’ll also tell you some of the leading causes and how to prevent it from ever happening again.
What Caused The Black Ring in The Toilet
Before we get into the details of removing black waterlines, let’s talk about what causes these murky dark lines in the first place.
Causes
There are three primary reasons why your toilet has a black ring in the bowl. There’s no need to figure out which one applies to you since we will be using the same two-step solution anyway. Understanding the cause is mostly important for prevention.
Bacteria
An insufficiently cleaned toilet can become a breeding ground for bacteria. After a while a black ring may form in the toilet.
The main bacteria behind this is Serratia Marcescens. Actually, this pathogen is found practically anywhere we find humidity and water.
Bear in mind that these bacteria are airborne. So, in the worst cases, it can be lethal.
Minerals
Believe it or not, your water supply could be the culprit behind these pesky black rings.
The water supply in most homes is hard water since it is rich in minerals. Its concentration may vary depending on where you live.
If you’re dealing with hard water, then, each time you flush, minerals like magnesium, calcium, and lime accumulate over time. Filth can easily latch to these minerals and form a black line. It may be worth while to check the mineral content in your water.
In addition, these minerals can also clog the tiny holes that allow flush water to stream through. As a result, the bowl can start gathering all types of grime in areas not getting rinsed enough.
Take a close look at the inner rim of the toilet base. Does the waterline appear brown, gray, or copper-like? Then, it’s more likely that the black stain is due to mineral deposits.
Our advice is always based on experience.
Check out our experiment on yellowed plastic.
Fungi
Mold or mildew may have formed in the toilet. Mold would typically be black, whereas mildew can be all sorts of colors.
If your toilet already gets mineral deposits, it’s quite likely that both mold spores and mildew will start settling on the toilet bowl soon thereafter.
Another reason is when waste is left in the bowl for some time without flushing. Humidity and darkness can also trigger the growth of mold and mildew, as mentioned above.
Bear in mind that the risk of respiratory problems increases if there are mold spores being released into the air each time you flush.
They can also cause renal infections and urinary tract infections if not dealt with right away.
Cleaning The Black Ring in The Toilet
Now we’ll show you how to get rid of that black ring in the toilet in just two steps.
Requirements:
- Bleach (in a bottle with a toilet cleaner nozzle)
- Gloves
- Toilet brush
- Vinegar
Time to complete:
10 – 30 Minutes
Step 1: Apply Bleach
Bleach is effective against both fungi and bacteria, plus it is also really easy to apply.
Just put on your gloves and grab the bottle of bleach. Next, liberally apply the bleach underneath the rim.
Spread the bleach everywhere by brushing the insides of the toilet with the toilet brush.
Leave it for 10 – 15 minutes, then flush the toilet. This should remove the black ring completely.
If the black isn’t gone and instead only got smaller you may want to repeat this step. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Apply Vinegar
The easiest and most efficient way to remove mineral deposits caused by hard water is with white vinegar.
Directly apply some on the black ring in the toilet and brush it in with the toilet brush.
Leave it to sit for 10-15 minutes, then flush the toilet.
If it is not gone after this, you are probably not dealing with any of the aforementioned causes. In this case, you need to do some further research into what the black ring is. In the worst-case-scenario, you need to replace your toilet entirely.
How to Prevent a Black Ring in The Toilet
You’ve finally gotten rid of the murky, grungy black waterline, and you’re ecstatic that your toilet bowl is now sparkly white. Yet, you worry that the black line might return and tarnish your bowl once again.
Have no fear. We’ve put together a list of some essential things you should do regularly to keep that dreadful black ring away once and for all.
- Always flush the toilet before you start to clean it.
- Apply bleach everytime you clean the toilet.
- Regularly apply some vinegar to counteract hard water.
- Consider updating your toilet bowl if it’s old.
Conclusion
There you have it! Our easy guide on how to clean the black ring in the toilet bowl.
Knowing the cause for this ugly black ring is only half the battle. The other half is removing them for good.
Luckily, it is easy to get rid of if you know what to do. All you need is bleach, gloves, a toilet brush, and in some cases vinegar.
