'Dissolve' toilet limescale in an hour using 1 cupboard staple – not vinegar or bleach

If you’ve noticed brown, black or green stains inside your toilet bowl, it’s likely limescale.

Limescale is caused by hard water, which leaves deposits like calcium and magnesium in toilet bowls. When the water evaporates from the surface, the minerals remain, causing unsightly staining.

Removing limescale from toilet bowls usually involves using white vinegar, bleach, baking soda or specialised limescale removal products.

However, Andrea Philips, from Airtasker’s lifestyle editorial team, has shared how to remove stubborn stains using a surprising item – cola.

Cola can be used to remove limescale from kettles, clean car windshields, and remove mould and limescale from tile grout.

Cola is highly acidic, which means it’s perfect for cleaning and removing limescale. Its pH level of 2.8 makes it comparable to fresh lemon juice and vinegar.

Ms Philips said cola can remove limescale stains from toilet bowls in just one hour. She said: “It’s been well documented with videos that cola can help clean the toilet bowl.

“To clean it, pour cola around the inside of the toilet bowl and leave for an hour or so. Then flush and use the toilet brush to remove.”

If the limescale is particularly thick, it can be left overnight to work. When pouring the cola, ensure it covers the inner rim, too, as this is where limescale can be most concentrated.

A spokesperson from Plumbworld also said cola as a limescale remover is a “budget-friendly hack” that many people will already have in their cupboards at home.

However, the expert warned that homeowners need to make sure they are using the full-sugar version rather than the “diet” version of the beverage to remove limescale.

The spokesperson said: “For best results, make sure to use regular cola, not diet or sugar-free versions, as these contain less phosphoric acid, which is key to dissolving limescale.

“You can also try heating the cola slightly before using it in your appliances, as warm acid can work faster on stubborn deposits.”

Cola should not be used in coffee machines to remove limescale as it could leave behind a sticky, unpleasant residue if it is not rinsed through correctly.