One natural item is 'more effective' than bleach to remove limsecale from toilets

Toilets can quickly become dirty due to a build-up of limescale - and the longer it is left the more difficult it becomes to clean .

Sophie, a savvy cleaning expert at Sustainably Lazy, said one natural item outperforms even bleach for cleaning the bathroom. When tackling that dreaded limescale, which is nothing but minerals left from evaporated water that become tougher over time, Sophie advises against reaching for harsh chemicals like bleach that might kill germs but falter in dissolving limescale and could harm your toilet bowl.

Instead, she advises using citric acid : "The trick to removing limescale is with acid and heat. Commercial cleaners tend to use hazardous substances such as hydrochloric acid or sulphamidic acid which are toxic to aquatic life and unpleasant to inhale.

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"They are definitely not the sort of chemicals I want in my home now that I have children. The acid of my choice is citric acid."

Citric acid not only tackles that stubborn limescale by dissolving the alkaline minerals swiftly, but it's also more wallet-friendly and eco-conscious than many swear-by options, like vinegar or Coca-Cola , reports the Express . Sophie added: "Alternatively, you could use white vinegar but I find citric acid is more effective and works out cheaper.

"It is also better for the environment as you don't have to pay to ship the water weight which reduces the carbon footprint."

Sophie purchases citric acid from Amazon and in the cleaning aisle of most grocery stories.

Her method involves using hot water (not boiling) and half a box of citric acid, leaving it overnight to break down the limescale. In the morning, any remaining stains can be scrubbed away with a toilet brush.

If the limescale is stubborn, she suggests repeating the process for another night. To prevent future build-up, Sophie recommends keeping a box of citric acid near your toilet and adding a spoonful each night before bed.