Posted by Toilet Seat Turned Yellow After Bleaching
If you’ve ever accidentally left a white towel in a bleach solution for too long, you know how disheartening it can be to see yellow stains form. The same is true of toilet seats. While you may not be as attached to your toilet seat as you are to your favorite pair of jeans, it can be frustrating to see it turn yellow after you’ve put in the effort to bleach it.
We will explore the surprising and concerning phenomenon of a toilet seat turning yellow after bleaching. We will look at why this is happening and what steps can be taken to prevent or reverse the discoloration.
Why Does Bleach Turn Toilet Seats Yellow?
Bleach is an invaluable tool in many households’ cleaning arsenals. Its powerful stain-removing capabilities and ability to eradicate mold and bacteria, as well as disinfect surfaces, make the bleach a necessity for many. Keeping some on hand for occasional use will often prove extremely useful.
However, if not used properly, bleaches can be damaging to the items you are attempting to clean, despite their effectiveness.
Sodium hypochlorite – more commonly known as chlorine bleach – is one type of bleach that is often used as a household cleaner.
Unfortunately, using undiluted sodium hypochlorite can be corrosive and can cause the polymers in your toilet seat to change color.
The use of this particular bleach on a toilet seat can alter its color, even after just one application. However, the risk of discoloration increases with repeated uses or if it is used in higher concentrations.
So if this happens, there are some steps that you can take.
Yellow stains on toilet seat – Causes
Bleach is one source of yellow stains, but it’s not the only one. In fact, it’s possible that the stains on your toilet seat are not the result of the bleach. Therefore, it’s wise to conduct your own inquiry into what could have actually drawn those yellow markings to your toilet.
Other potential origins of yellow stains besides bleach include;
Urine, hard water, and sunlight
1. Urine
The other likely reason for yellow stains on toilets is urine. Toilet seats turn yellow as a result of urine residue that accumulates over time from drops and splashes. Bacteria are more likely to exist here and can spread from person to person.
However, once more, pee stains will only appear if you don’t wash your toilet more frequently. So certainly, if you maintain good toilet hygiene, the yellow coating is probably the result of something else.
2. Hard water
The majority of homes flush their toilets with hard water. But it doesn’t necessarily imply it’s the greatest choice. Hard water will cause yellow stains on your toilet seat over time, just like bleach does.
Hard water contains calcium, magnesium, iron, and other contaminants, in contrast to soft water. Every one of these minerals adheres to the toilet’s surface. The deposit won’t be anything you notice for the first few days. However, it will accumulate over time and ultimately become more noticeable if you keep using hard water for your toilet.
So, no, yellow stains on a toilet don’t always signify improper maintenance. Not at all, no! The reason for the toilet’s gradual color change may be related to the water you use.
3. The Sun
You may have heard that exposure to sunshine can result in sunburns. You might not be aware of the fact that sunshine can cause toilet seats to turn yellow. Even though it’s the least likely source of yellow stains, toilet seats may nonetheless collect these stains.
Sunlight can leave yellow stains on a toilet that is direct across from a window. Therefore, if it applies to your toilet seat, bleach is probably not to blame for the yellow deposit you notice.
Therefore, similar to bleach, urine, hard water, and sunlight can likewise turn white toilet seats yellow. As a result, always take a closer look at any yellow stains on a toilet.
What can you then do to remove these stains? This leads us to the next stage,
How to fix a yellowed seat
Unfortunately, the color of your toilet cannot be undone because the discoloration caused by bleach is not actually a stain.
The bleaching has caused a permanent change in the color of your toilet seat, leaving you with only two choices: either replacing it or painting it
1. Replacing Your Toilet Seat
Replacing the toilet seat can be a wise decision, as it is a simple task and does not need to be pricey.
In addition, you can explore some stylish toilet seat designs that can add a unique flair to your bathroom.
However, if some people feel this is a big hassle, painting over the stain may be a viable alternative.
2. Painting Over The Stain
To paint over the stain, first remove the seat and clean it, then spray it with a paint primer designed for this purpose.
Once the discolored areas are dry, you can paint them with suitable paint for the material of your toilet seat to bring it back to its original look.
How to remove yellow bleach stains from toilet seat
1. Vinegar
Acetic acid, a mild acid yet still strong enough to eradicate a variety of stains, bacteria, and mold, is the main component of vinegar, making it an ideal natural cleaning agent.
Using vinegar may produce a pungent odor, but it will quickly disappear after being applied.
Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle for an easy way to use vinegar.
Spray the desired area with the mixture, let it sit for about 30 minutes, then use a cloth, rag, old towel, or sponge with warm water to wipe it away.
2. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice, just like vinegar, contains an acid – citric acid – and it has the same effect as the acetic acid in vinegar.
Pure lemon juice can be utilized as a cleaning agent, similar to vinegar, providing a naturally pleasant scent. To further enhance the aroma, a few drops of your choice of essential oil can be added prior to using it.
3. Bicarbonate of Soda
Baking soda, or bicarbonate of soda, is a widely used household cleaning product.
Mix a paste of baking soda and water, apply it to stained surfaces with an old toothbrush, leave it to act, and then rinse off – this is how to use baking soda to clean.
4. Coca-Cola
If you don’t have a more conventional toilet cleaner, Coca-Cola can be used as an alternative. Its acidity and carbonation can help remove hard water stains, providing you with a clean toilet seat.
How To Avoid Bleach Stains
As you have probably realized, changing the color of your toilet seat by bleaching it is something you probably want to avoid – so what can you do to make sure it doesn’t happen?
The safest way to ensure that your toilet seat does not become discolored is to not use bleach on it. But if you feel you must use bleach on your toilet seat, there are ways to minimize the risk.
- Avoid using chlorine bleach when cleaning your bathroom.
- Check the label on the packaging to determine if the bleach is suitable for cleaning your toilet seat.
- Do not combine bleach with any other cleaning products.
- When using a cleaning product containing bleach, make sure to mix it with water in a dilute solution, as undiluted bleach should never be used.
- Do not leave the toilet seat immersed in a bleach-based cleaning solution for an extended period.
Maintaining your toilet seat stain-free
It is not possible to find toilet seats that are stain-free. Porcelain and fireclay-made toilet seats, however, are bleach stain-free, but proper precautions should still be taken. Avoid plastic-built seats.
For best results, it is recommended to clean the toilet seat, particularly the underside, on a regular basis – at least once a week or more often if needed.
You can use any of the cleaning methods above, but if there is no staining, you can also use antibacterial wipes or warm soapy water.
Keep your toilet seat away from direct sunlight, as UV radiation can degrade the plastic material of the seat and result in color changes.
Double-paned windows can be installed to reduce the effects of UV damage, or you can opt for a curtain or full window decals to cover the glass and prevent the light from reaching inside.
Toilet seat yellow stains – maintenance of toilet seat
The most typical cause of a yellow toilet seat is urine and limescale accumulation. If you do not maintain a regular cleaning plan, the pee will gradually accumulate and discolor your toilet. You may avoid this discoloration by maintaining your toilet seat clean.
Regular cleaning
Yellow stains on toilet seats are disgusting and sadly, they are common. It is common knowledge that if toilets aren’t cleaned frequently, they can harbor a variety of germs and odors. Salmonella actually likes gathering behind toilet seats, where it can live for up to 60 days, according to research. Given how frequently you clean the toilet, it is doubtful that the yellow discoloration they are noticing is caused by the pee. They are more frequently caused by limescale, powerful chemicals like undiluted bleach, or sunshine. So, how can yellow stains be removed from a toilet seat?
A certain way to clean grout and prevent harm is to stay away from bleach. Yellowing of plastic toilet seats is a common occurrence. If hard water is the problem, it’s also typical to notice yellowing in the bowl, especially at the water level line. However, under the correct circumstances, a variety of toilet seat materials can become stained.
Toilet seat stains can be a frequent and annoying occurrence, and locating the source of the issue takes time and effort.
Baking soda is a cleaning agent that works well to remove these stains and is something that most people already have in their kitchen cabinets.
Making a paste of baking soda and using a bunch of elbow grease is one of the best ways to get rid of these yellow stains off a toilet seat.
Dirty toilet
Bleach only completes half the job. The best method for removing yellow stains from toilet seats
Using bleach will only partially remove limescale from a toilet bowl, for example. The problem’s source will no longer be visible, but the stains will always be there, returning fast and setting deeper into the seat’s surface.
The cleaning solution created by baking soda paste can be used to clean the toilet bowl and lid in addition to the toilet seat.
White vinegar can disinfect surfaces, therefore householders might want to wash the seat after using baking soda because it doesn’t get rid of the bacteria.
Conclusion
If you want to keep your toilet seat looking clean and fresh, it is best to opt for alternative cleaning methods instead of using bleach. We have provided several suggestions, so there is no need to resort to using bleach to avoid the yellowing of the seat.
If you must use bleach, dilute it according to the instructions, ensure that it is thoroughly cleaned off the toilet seat afterward, and you will lessen the chances of yellow staining appearing.
