How to Clean Urine Stains From a Toilet Bowl

Nobody likes dealing with urine stains, but unfortunately, they are a common occurrence in many households. If you have ever had to clean up a urine stain, you know how difficult it can be.

If you have a toilet bowl that is stained with urine, don’t worry – we have the perfect solution for you! In this blog post, we will teach you how to clean urine stains from a toilet bowl using just a few simple ingredients.

Follow these steps and your bathroom will be looking and smelling brand new in no time!

A toilet bowl with urine stains

Why Does Urine Stain Toilets?

When you have yellow, tan, or light brown stains on your toilet bowl, this is known as urine scale. This is a solid residue that is made from various minerals in your pee that are left behind once the water evaporates.

Some minerals in urine include magnesium, calcium, phosphate, and proteins.

A urine scale can also form if there is a high concentration of iron in your water. If you have ever seen red or orange stains in your toilet bowl, this is most likely due to iron in the water.

This residue can be difficult to remove because it is absorbent and adheres to the porcelain surface. However, with regular cleaning, you can prevent it from building up.

How Do You Get Urine Stains Out of Porcelain?

Luckily, there are a handful of solutions for cleaning urine stains from a toilet bowl. Here are some of our favorites:

1. Try Vinegar and Baking Soda

This is a classic cleaning combination that can be used for all sorts of stains, including urine stains. Simply mix equal parts vinegar and baking soda to form a paste.

Apply the paste to the stained area and let it sit for 30 minutes. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush away!

This method is so effective because of the chemical reaction that takes place between the vinegar and baking soda.

The two ingredients create a foaming action that helps to break down the urine scale and lift the stains.

2. Use a Pumice Stone

A brown pumice stone with tie at the end with reflection

One popular method is to use a pumice stone. This type of stone is often used for grinding down rough surfaces. It is made out of volcanic ash and is very abrasive.

To use it, wet the pumice stone and rub it over the stained area in a circular motion. The abrasiveness of the stone will help to scrub away the urine scale. Be sure to rinse away any residue after you are done.

This is especially helpful for tough stains that have been building up for some time.

Just remember to be gentle with the porcelain surface to avoid any damage. Pumice stones can be found at most hardware stores or online.

3. Bleach the Stain

If you have a really tough stain, you may need to resort to bleach. Bleach is a powerful cleaning agent that can kill bacteria and remove stains.

To use it, mix one part bleach with three parts water. Apply the mixture to the stained area and let it sit for five minutes. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush away.

Be sure to use gloves when handling bleach and ventilate the area well. Bleach can be harsh on your skin and lungs, so it is important to take these precautions.

This method should only be used as a last resort because bleach can damage the porcelain surface if it is used too often.

4. Use Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another powerful cleaning agent that can be used to remove urine stains. It’s not as toxic or stripping as bleach, but is also a powerful disinfectant.

To use it, apply the hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush away.

The 3% solution that you commonly find at the drugstore will work just fine.

5. Use CLR Solution

CLR is a product that claims to remove calcium, lime, and rust. It is often used for cleaning stains in the kitchen and bathroom.

To use it, follow the instructions on the bottle. Apply the solution to the stained area and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush away.

6. Apply a Toilet Bowl Cleaner

A hand holding a liquid cleaner used to clean the toilet bowl

If you have a toilet bowl cleaner that contains hydrochloric acid, this can also be used to remove urine stains. The acidic nature of the cleaner will help to break down the urine scale.

Follow the bottle’s instructions and consider letting the solution sit a little longer on areas with severe stains. Flush when you’re done and repeat the process as needed.

Since the cleaner was designed for toilets, you won’t need to worry about stripping the bowl from 1 to 3 uses in a row.

7. Use Borax and Lemon Juice

Borax is a natural cleaning agent that is often used in laundry. It is a good alternative to using bleach or other harsh chemicals when removing yellow urine stains.

To use it, mix equal parts borax and lemon juice to form a paste. Apply the paste to the stained area and let it sit for 30 minutes.

Scrub with a toilet brush and flush afterward. Not only will this remove the stains from the toilet bowl, but it will also leave a fresh lemon scent in your bathroom.

You can substitute baking soda for the borax if you don’t have any on hand.

8. Use Tea Tree Oil and Baking Soda

Tea tree oil is a natural disinfectant that can be used in place of toilet cleaners. Baking soda is a good alternative to using bleach or other harsh chemicals when removing yellow urine stains.

To use it, mix equal parts tea tree oil and baking soda to form a baking soda paste. Apply the paste to the stained area and give it a good scrub.

Let the solution sit for about 30 minutes and then rinse and flush the bowl.

Can I Leave Toilet Bowl Cleaners in Toilet Bowls Overnight?

You can leave toilet bowl cleaners in the toilet overnight, but it is not necessary. If you have a really tough stain, you may want to let the cleaner sit longer to give it time to work.

This will make it easier to remove toilet stains without needing to scrub as much.

Just be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle and use gloves when handling any cleaning products. Let other people in your home know to steer clear of the bathroom.

Ventilate the area well and flush the toilet in the morning.

What if I Have a Plastic Toilet Seat?

A pair of hands with yellow gloves cleaning the toilet seat using a cloth

If you have a plastic toilet seat, you’ll want to take extra care when cleaning it. Harsh chemicals can damage the plastic and cause it to discolor or crack.

To clean a plastic toilet seat, start by scrubbing the area with a soft-bristled brush and soapy warm water. Rinse well and wipe the surface with a damp rag.

Try to clean your toilet seat at least once a week to prevent staining and build-up. This way you can avoid using harsh chemicals for deep-set stains.

Can Urine Damage a Toilet?

Yes, urine can damage a toilet. Urine is acidic and over time it can break down the porcelain in your toilet bowl.

This will cause stains and make the bowl more difficult to clean. It can also lead to cracks in the bowl which can cause leaks.

However, this won’t happen overnight. It takes months or even years of exposure to urine for this type of damage to occur.

So if you clean your toilet regularly, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about.

Keep in mind that if you have hard water, this can also contribute to toilet bowl damage. Hard water leaves mineral deposits behind that can etch into the porcelain.

This will make it more susceptible to staining and cracking.

If you’re concerned about toilet bowl damage, you can try using a softener to reduce the hardness of your water. You can also use distilled water for cleaning.

This will help to prevent mineral build-up and keep your toilet bowl looking new.

How Often Should I Clean My Toilet Bowl?

You should clean your toilet bowl at least once a week. This will help to prevent stains and build-up.

If you have a lot of people using your bathroom, you may need to clean it more frequently.

Some products can be placed in the toilet bowl to help clean it on a regular basis. These products usually have a slow-release formula that helps to prevent staining and build-up.

Just be sure to follow the instructions on the bottle and use gloves when handling any cleaning products.

The Bottom Line

Cleaning toilets can be a dirty business, but it’s important to keep your bathroom clean and sanitary. The more frequently you clean your toilet, the easier it will be to remove stains.

Now that you know how to clean urine stains from a toilet bowl, you can keep your bathroom looking and smelling fresh. Just be sure to use gloves and ventilation when using any cleaning products.

Happy Cleaning!

A hand gesturing a thumb up over a clean toilet bowl with text overlays that read How to Clean Urine Stains From a Toilet Bowl.

About Emma

Hey there! I'm Emma. When I'm not wrangling kids I like to walk aimlessly around hardware stores and watch HGTV for hours on end.