Make sure your toilet bowl is clean before you start removing marks so you don’t spread any germs or bacteria. Keep the pumice stone wet at all times to maximize its abrasive cleaning properties. If the stone is too dry, it could scratch the porcelain. If you don’t have a pumice stone, using a microfiber scouring and cleaning sponge, such as a Magic Eraser, is a viable alternative.
Don’t apply much pressure at all to the pumice stone or you could risk rubbing away the finish on the porcelain. [2] X Research source The pumice stone will leave a brownish residue as you scrub, which is not permanent and can be removed by running water over it.
Big, black marks may require a little more elbow grease, but be careful not to press too hard or you could break the pumice stone or damage the finish on the porcelain.
The backside to a kitchen sponge usually gets the job done, but be sure to avoid anything that isn’t explicitly recommended for porcelain.
The most popular acidic cleanser for metal marks is Bar Keeper’s Friend, although a generic ceramic stove top cleaner or Rust Stain Magic are good alternatives too. While Comet and Ajax are common and useful powder cleaners, they are bleach-based and do not clean metal marks as effectively as acid-based powders.
If your sponge dries out, run it under tap water in the sink and squeeze it to get rid of any excess powder. Then, drench it again and get back to scrubbing!
Some marks are more “clingy” than others, so it may take a few attempts to get rid of them. Have patience and keep at it.
Paper towels will work, but you will need to use nearly a full roll to effectively cover the floor around the toilet.
If your metal marks are on the outside of the toilet only, don’t worry about turning off the water supply, as it won’t get in the way of your work.
If your toilet doesn’t automatically flush the water running into the bowl from the tank, flush it when it gets full and then continue to hold down the handle. As long as nothing is left in the tank, you’re ready to move on.
This is where the towels on the floor come in handy, as you are very likely to miss the bowl at first or accidentally splash some out.
You may need several sponges to get the remaining water out, so consider buying a multipack of large car washing sponges. You can also take this opportunity to clean out the bowl with soap if it is especially dirty, but you will need to simulate flushing again with a bucket of water before you continue with the cleaning process. Try sprinkling baking soda on the marks before spritzing them with vinegar. Use a soft cleaning rag to work the marks out.
