Agua Fuerte,,,Toilet bowl stains

[jules 2]

Have tried absoloutely everything to remove cal build up on my toilet bowls, including elbow grease.

A friend has warned me not to use Agua Fuerte as we suspect that the plumbing pipes are plastic and may disintegrate....anyone have suggestions? Am now suffering from loo embarassment

[country boy]

You can use Agua Fuerte on your toilet bowl; but have you tried Cillit Bang Toilet Cleaner, terrible advert but excellent product

[geegee]

Nothing worked for me either except neat vinegar, have you tried this? Squirt it generously up under the rim, the bit at the back where the water runs down the pan and directly into the bottom of the pan. Works better when the bowl is dry - so scoop out the water first and leave it to work overnight. Will not harm your plastic pipes. Vinegar also works better than agua fuerte in cleaning concrete residue/cal etc from tiles (teracotta or ceramic but NOT marble or stone, which it could damage) or cleaning cal from shower heads/taps etc. Wonderful stuff!

[El Cid]

A friend has warned me not to use Agua Fuerte as we suspect that the plumbing pipes are plastic and may disintegrate

Hardly likely! It comes in plastic bottles!

The only time you shouldn't use it is if you have a septic tank as the acid will upset the bacteria.

Sid

[Martin Page]

Agua Fuerte is ideal for removing lime scale from a toilet bowl. It will not affect the plastic pipes. But Sid is so very Correct - It will Kill your pozzie faster than bleach.

However there is a very safe way to use Agua Fuerte in the toilet !

Remove excess water - I ususlly plunger the bog brush down it and drive it round the trap.
Apply sufficient Agua Fuerte to desolve the lime scale (very quickly if its in direct contact - slower if its under the water line.
When complete - Here is the science part - Neutralise the acid with excess washing soda

Just add washing soda neat, till it stops fizzing.
HCl + Na OH = NaCl + H2O

Then flush away just salt and water - no problem

The pozzie doesnt mind a little washing soda since its a 'basic' process so add about a teaspoon excess soda when the fizzing stops.

[hillybilly]

That's a good trick! Thanks for that!

[olive]

Two other suggestions.

1 Carefully extact the cleaning solution by syphon or an old cup.

2. Better still replace the toilet with a similar new one. Even getting someone in it should be no more than 200 euros.

olive

[julian]

replacing the toilet everytime it has cal stains seems a bit drastic

[country boy]

I am told, but have never tried it, that a can of Coca Cola poured into the pan and left overnight works wonders. I can't try it 'coz my toilet is pristine! But do try it and let us all know if it works. (It won't hurt a septic tank either...allegedly )

[jules 2]

Thanks all!

El Cid......Had a 'Blonde moment' there, didn't think about the plastic bottle

[alexander1]

Agua Fuerte is ideal for removing lime scale from a toilet bowl. It will not affect the plastic pipes. But Sid is so very Correct - It will Kill your pozzie faster than bleach.

However there is a very safe way to use Agua Fuerte in the toilet !

Remove excess water - I ususlly plunger the bog brush down it and drive it round the trap.
Apply sufficient Agua Fuerte to desolve the lime scale (very quickly if its in direct contact - slower if its under the water line.
When complete - Here is the science part - Neutralise the acid with excess washing soda

Just add washing soda neat, till it stops fizzing.
HCl + Na OH = NaCl + H2O

Then flush away just salt and water - no problem

The pozzie doesnt mind a little washing soda since its a 'basic' process so add about a teaspoon excess soda when the fizzing stops.

I do use Agua Fuerte but if this gives it a 'extra kick' can someone tell me if washing soda is the same as caustic soda?

[El Cid]

can someone tell me if washing soda is the same as caustic soda?

Most definitely not.

Washing soda is sodium carbonate - a very safe ordinary chemical which helps detergents work better.

Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) is what it says - caustic. It is a very nasty chemical and is used for cleaning drains and ovens as it dissolves fat (it actually turns the fat into soap). If you get it on your skin it will burn you.

Sid

[alexander1]

Thank you for that El Cid! Good job I used it for the drains then!

[tjtops]

And washing soda in Spanish is.......???

[fearfulfred]

Just to be clear what is washing soda ? I do not know the term , is it similar to baking soda , is there somewhere to buy it in Spain..am deathly afraid of hurting my tank
Fred

[El Cid]

Just to be clear what is washing soda ?

It's Sodium Carbonate. In Spanish, Carbonato de Sodio. Also known as barrilla, natrón, soda Solvay and sosa. (Wikipedia)

Sid

[Martin Page]

You can use either washing soda or caustic - just so long as the reaction with the aqua fuerta is completed - I.e. No further fizzing !

[wagon ropes]

But please, please do not use caustic soda in your washing machine

[Martin Page]

......what part of aqua fuerta and toilet - has a washing machine go to do with it ...?

[country boy]

err... How about confusion by someone...Washing Soda in a Washing Machine..OK... Definately not not not Caustic Soda in a Washing Machine? Not good for clothes. There is a difference in this application
Peace and Harmony Brother.