Crafty Little Gnome

  • Shop
  • About
    • Press
    • Work With Me- Sponsor my craft website
    • About
  • DIY
    • Jewelry
    • Decor DIY
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Plant and Flower Crafts
    • Outdoor
    • Sewing and Fiber Art
    • Pets
  • Health and Beauty
    • Make Up
    • Beauty Recipes
    • Hair
    • Health
  • Food & Drink
    • main dishes
    • sweets
    • appetizers
    • drinks
  • Household
    • My House
    • Home Tips
    • Repairs & How To
    • Cleaning
  • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / Uncategorized / Use Coke to Clean Stubborn Toilet Stains with This Cleaning Hack

Use Coke to Clean Stubborn Toilet Stains with This Cleaning Hack

July 11, 2019

Learn how to clean a toilet with Coke. This cleaning hack with leave your commode sparkling clean. If you have rust stains or limescale buildup that just won’t budge, then run to the kitchen and grab a can of Coke for this cheap and easy cleaning solution.

how to clean a toilet with Coke
How to clean toilet stains with Coke

Table of contents

  1. Can you Clean Toilet Stains with Coke?
    1. Is Coca-Cola Good for Cleaning?
      1. Can you Use Diet Coke for Cleaning?
        1. Is Coke Good for Cleaning Rust?
          1. Is Coke Good for Cleaning Limescale?
          2. What should you avoid cleaning with Coke?
            1. Supplies for Cleaning a Toilet with Coke
              1. Instructions for Cleaning a Toilet with Coke
                1. How Long Do You Let Coke Sit in The Toilet?
                  1. Do You Have to Remove the Water from the Toilet for the Coke to Be Effective?
                    1. Is Coke Safe For Septic Tanks?
                      1. What do you do if there are scratches in the toilet?
                      2. How do I make Cleaning a Toilet with Coke work Even Better?

                        Can you Clean Toilet Stains with Coke?

                        Can you really clean toilet stains with Coke? This seems like one of those weird myth’s that doesn’t actually work in real life, but let me tell you, it does! When it comes to toilet cleaning, Coca-Cola is your new best friend.

                        You may also like: 20 Secret Uses for Dawn Dish Soap

                        Is Coca-Cola Good for Cleaning?

                        Coke works really well for cleaning a variety of household items, however today we are focusing on the toilet.

                        Depending on how hard or soft your water is and what kind of minerals are in the water supply you may be more likely to have stubborn rust or limescale stains that are difficult to scrub off.

                        Soda works to clean your toilet because three ingredients, citric, carbonic and phosphoric acids.

                        • Phosphoric acid is a colorless, odorless crystalline liquid. It gives soft drinks a tangy flavor and prevents the growth of mold and bacteria, which can multiply easily in a sugary solution. Most of soda’s acidity also comes from phosphoric acid.
                        • Citric acid is found naturally in citrus fruits, especially lemons and limes. A manufactured form of citric acid is commonly used as an additive in food, cleaning agents, and nutritional supplements.  Note: Coca-Cola doesn’t contain citric acid but other citrus flavored soda does. Pepsi usually contains a small amount of citric acid.
                        • Carbonic acid is a chemical compound with the chemical formula H2CO3 . It is also a name sometimes given to solutions of carbon dioxide in water (carbonated water), because such solutions contain small amounts of H2CO3.

                        Check out the following video for instructions on how I cleaned my toilet with Coke.

                        Can you Use Diet Coke for Cleaning?

                        Coke works well to clean your toilet because of the gentle carbonic and phosphoric acid it contains. These chemicals come from the carbonation, not the flavor in soda, so Diet Coke works just as well as regular Coke.

                        This also means that club soda and many other carbonated beverages can be substituted for Coke. Buy whatever is cheapest. You can usually buy 3 liter bottles of generic brand cola for $1 at the dollar store.

                        Coke is suitable for most of the mineral deposits and rings that commonly occur in toilets. However, it won’t always work for other stain which we will go over in a moment.

                        Is Coke Good for Cleaning Rust?

                        Yes, The properties of Coke, like citric acid, help break down rust particles and make them easier to clean.

                        Is Coke Good for Cleaning Limescale?

                        Yes, the carbonic acid helps break down limescale build up.

                        What should you avoid cleaning with Coke?

                        • Coke isn’t great for removing oil, fat, or grease-based stains. For these, you’re better off using dish soap, detergent, or a stronger acid like vinegar.
                        • Coke isn’t great at killing germs. In fact, the sugary residue left behind by regular Coke can actually feed certain types of bacteria. Stick to soap, a commercial cleaning solution, or an alcohol-based sanitizer to kill microorganisms.
                        • Coke won’t remove stains caused by inks, dyes, or pigments. Rubbing alcohol and other chemical solvents are better cleaning solutions.

                        You may also like: The Best Homemade Grout Cleaner

                        Supplies for Cleaning a Toilet with Coke

                        • 1 can of Coke or other carbonated soft drink
                        • Toilet brush
                        • Empty bucket
                        • Gloves

                        The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Thank you for being part of Crafty Little Gnome

                        Instructions for Cleaning a Toilet with Coke

                        1. First, flush out most of the water from the toilet. Either turn the knob on the side of the tank to turn off water flow and then flush the toilet or fill a large bucket with water and dump it quickly into the toilet. This will force the toilet to empty.
                        2. Next, open a can of coke and pour it into the bowl. Try to get it under the rim and focus on any stubborn stains.
                        3. Then, wait for at least two hours for the Coke to work it’s magic.
                        4. After the time is up flush the toilet and use a scrub brush on any remaining stains.
                        5. Last, flush the toilet one last time to get rid of any remaining Coke in the bowl.

                        How Long Do You Let Coke Sit in The Toilet?

                        At least two hours. For stubborn stains try to leave it overnight.

                        Do You Have to Remove the Water from the Toilet for the Coke to Be Effective?

                        No, but it will work better if you do. Excess water will dilute the soda.

                        Is Coke Safe For Septic Tanks?

                        Yes, you are only using a small amount so it will be fine.

                        What do you do if there are scratches in the toilet?

                        You can re-glaze or paint your toilet. Get full instructions on how to paint a toilet here.

                        How do I make Cleaning a Toilet with Coke work Even Better?

                        You can heat the Coke in the microwave. Heat makes chemical reactions work faster. Pour the soda in a heat safe bowl and microwave for one minute.

                        Never place a metal can in the microwave or a bottle of coke (even if is is glass or plastic) Use bowl or other dish that will allow the steam to escape.

                        Be careful when removing the Coke from the microwave. It is a HOT liquid.

                        You may also like: The Easiest Way to Clean Your Microwave

                        You can also scrub the toilet before and after pour in the Coke to help loosen stains.

                        Yield: 1 clean bowl

                        How to Clean a Toilet with Coke

                        How to Clean a Toilet with Coke

                        Learn how to clean your toilet bowl with Coke to remove rust and limescale.

                        Prep Time 5 minutes
                        Active Time 2 hours
                        Additional Time 5 minutes
                        Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
                        Difficulty easy
                        Estimated Cost $1

                        Materials

                        • 1 12 oz Can of Coke

                        Tools

                        • Toilet Brush
                        • Large Bucket

                        Instructions

                        1. First, empty the water out of the toilet bowl. Scrub the bowl with a toilet brush before you begin if necessary.

                        2. Next, pour a can of Coke in the bowl focusing on the toilet ring or mineral deposits.

                        3. Let the Coke sit for at least 2 hours or overnight.

                        4. Flush toilet.

                        5. Finally use your scrub brush to tackle and extra stains.

                        © adrienne
                        Project Type: cleaning recipes / Category: Cleaning
                        pouring coke in a toilet

                        Have you tried cleaning your toilet with Coke before? Let me know about your results in the comments.

                        · Cleaning, Household, Uncategorized

                        Welcome to Crafty Little Gnome

                        woman sitting at desk

                        Hi, I'm Adrienne. My mission is to help women to tap into their creativity and gain the confidence they need to tackle DIY projects around the home. I want women to realize they don't have to "wait for hubby" to do renovation projects around the home. They can teach themselves how to use power tools and create a home of their dreams on a budget. Click on my photo to learn more about me!

                        Visit my new travel blog

                        Backyard Camping

                        Reader Favorites

                        st patricks day ideas

                        10 St. Patrick's Day DIY Ideas

                        slow cooker garlic mashed potatoes on wooden countertop with soft squeeze spread

                        Garlic Mashed Potatoes Made in a Slow Cooker

                        diy mushroom craft pin image

                        Toilet Paper Roll Mushroom Craft

                        fun items to paint and decorate for football

                        Game Day Face Paint Station

                        DIY pine cone bird feeder graphic.

                        How to Make a Pine Cone Bird Feeder

                        15 recycled K cup crafts for kids.

                        15 Recycled K-Cup Crafts for Kids

                        painted heart friendship rocks

                        Friendship Rocks: Valentine’s Day Kindness Stones

                        COPYRIGHT © 2019 · CRAFTY LITTLE GNOME