The Paper Towel Trick That Makes Cleaning The Toilet A Breeze

It's not that we don't clean our toilets. We do, and likely more frequently than we'd like to. But for some reason, those yellow stains keep appearing like unwanted visitors who never seem to get the message. Few stains are as stubborn as those caused by hard water. They stick to the surface of the toilet bowl, particularly under the rim. It's that one spot that's difficult to see and even more difficult to reach. But there's a cleaning trick that claims to get rid of all that gunk without breaking a sweat. All you need are some paper towels dipped in a versatile cleaning tool: white vinegar. From there, you'll carefully pack the rim with the towels so the vinegar can start doing what it does best. Besides paper towels and vinegar, a little patience is required, too.

Hard water contains high levels of minerals, such as magnesium and calcium. Once it dries, it leaves behind mineral deposits that accumulate over time, aging your toilet more quickly. Cities like Las Vegas, Tampa, San Antonio, and Indianapolis are known for having some of the hardest water in the U.S., so many residents there are constantly fighting this silent saboteur. But once you learn what works, you don't have to.

To start, turn off the water valve. This simple step keeps drips from messing up your progress and soaking the paper towels with water, which can gradually move them down the water line. Once your toilet bowl is dry, it's time to put vinegar to work. Soak a bunch of paper towels in it. Make sure they're nicely saturated. Then, press them gently along the inside edges of the bowl to banish hard water stains. Don't forget the underside of the rim. It's the area where those yellow stains like to hang around most.

Once done, give it some time to work. Ideally, let the vinegar and paper towels work overnight. The acidity of vinegar will dissolve tough mineral deposits, while the paper towels trap the loosened gunk and lift it off the surface. In the morning, remove the towels and brace yourself for a satisfying reveal. If you spot any remaining residue at this point, you can easily scrub it away using a nylon toilet brush. A few quick swirls, and you're basically done. Finally, turn the water supply back on and give your toilet a good flush. That's it, time to admire that sparkling white porcelain!