Slightly OT: HCl for Descaling Toilet

gremlin_95 · 2015-12-19T17:06:36+00:00

Was wondering around B&Q the other day when I came across some 'Super Powerful Toilet Cleaner': The label had some information on how it is better than HCl based toilet descaling products because HCl 'damages the glaze on porcelain toilet bowls' AND 'fumes from the HCl will eventually damage sanitaryware such as chrome taps' This is the first I've ever heard something like this, does HCl really damage the glaze? And how would the fumes damage chrome taps? Is there any truth in their statement or is it just some sort of marketing ploy? I usually use a commercial descaler for my toilet when required and looking at the data sheet, it is indeed HCl based, it is significantly cheaper than the HG product though. IIRC, I only paid around £6.50 for 5 litres. Data sheet: It works very well but I wouldn't want to cause any long term damage to the toilet.

Dec 19, 2015 42 Replies

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stuart noble 10 years ago

I'm no chemist but IME limescale is soluble in any acidic solution. Doesn't mean there's a quick fix if you've allowed it to build up over months, but overnight in vinegar does the kettle nicely

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Thomas Prufer 10 years ago

Yebbut overnight in "a place where the acid runs off" HCl is better than vinegar, phosphoric or sulphamic acids, becuas eit is much faster, IME. This is for places like the thick scale in the plastic bits and pipes of a cistern, round the bend, etc.

I find HCL works so much faster that runoff is less of a problem. Any splashes on chrome will leave a permanent mark, though.

Thomas Prufer

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tabbypurr 10 years ago

ISTR H2SO4 eating brushes more slowly. Could be wrong though, it's been a while.

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