In article ,
geoff writes:


Is there any realistic way of "rejuvinating" the enamel of a toilet?

The debris tends to be a mixture of limescale, with embedded organic
matter for colouring.

Brick acid (Hydrochloric) is excellent at dissolving limescale at even
quite weak dilutions (a few splashes into the U-trap water will sort out
a loo which isn't too bad). The organic matter simply comes free when the
limescale is gone - literally one wipe with the toilet brush after it's
been standing for a while, and it's as good as new.

You shouldn't use brick acid regularly as it may attack cast iron drains,
mortar joints, etc. Also, don't use it on an antique Victorian crapper,
but on a reasonably modern pan with undamaged glaze, it should be fine.
Flush several times to clear out pipework.
(Don't use it on enameled baths though - it will wreck the polished finish,
making the surface much harder to keep clean.)

With some weaker proprietry descalers, they seem not to work through the
organic matter, so you only remove the top layer of limescale and it
doesn't get any further. Bleach is good at temporarily making the organic
matter invisible, but much less effective at removing it. If you use a weak
descaler, you may need to alternate with something to tackle the organic
matter. Washing machine or dishwasher detergent (powder or liquid) work
very well for this, particularly if heated. Caustic soda is rather OTT.
In any event, don't use one cleaner after another without completely
flushing the first from the pan and sewer pipework.

--
Andrew Gabriel
[email address is not usable -- followup in the newsgroup]