How To Get Rid Of Purple Stains On Toilet Seat?
Though you regularly clean your toilet, you notice purple or pink stains on the toilet seat after using it. Isn’t it irritating, and don’t you know why this discoloration appears?
Relax, you aren’t alone in this group. Every day a large group of people faces this unpleasant situation.
To get rid of the stains, you have to know the reason and how to remove these purple stains on the toilet seat.
Here, we’ll discuss the reasons for these stains and how to remove them with homemade solutions and commercial cleaners. At the end of our discussion, we’ll share some valuable tips to stop these nasty stains from coming back. So keep with us till the end.
Table of Contents
Why Does Your Toilet Seat Turn Purple?
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Chemical Reaction | Exposure to certain cleaning chemicals containing bleach or ammonia can cause toilet seats to turn purple due to a chemical reaction with the plastic or finish. |
| Bacterial Growth | Purple or pink stains on toilet seats can be a result of bacteria like Serratia marcescens thriving in moist environments, often found in bathrooms. |
| Mineral Deposits | Hard water with a high mineral content can leave behind mineral deposits, which may appear purple or pink when they accumulate on the toilet seat. |
| Dyes or Fabric Transfer | If you have clothing or fabrics that frequently come into contact with the toilet seat, dyes from these materials can transfer and cause discoloration. |
| Age and Wear | Over time, older toilet seat materials or finishes may naturally discolor or change color due to wear and exposure to bathroom conditions. |
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There are no fixed or specific reasons for this discoloration. Let’s see some common reasons for these stains so that you can easily identify why your toilet seat turns purple.
- Usually, you use toilet cleaning detergent to clean it, and if you don’t properly clean the detergent residue, it causes purple marks on toilet seat.
- During pregnancy, the levels of hormones increase. When a woman uses the toilet, such purple stains might appear after a while. The reason is the coating of the toilet seat.
- Airborne bacteria or Serratia Marcescens (the name of a specific bacteria) grows in a moist area. In the washroom, it attacks almost every surface. These airborne bacteria enter the bathroom through a person who uses the washroom after being out all day.
Basically, the bacteria feed on mineral and iron deposits of water and soap or shampoo residue in the bathroom. As the days go by, this purple mold becomes deeper as it mixes with the urine and feces stains. And then it seems more disgusting.
How To Get Rid Of The Purple Stains From The Toilet Seat?
It’s time to get rid of these purple stains on the toilet seat. Yes, we will try to offer you some solutions that don’t cost you. So first, we’ll share some homemade solutions to save your buck. If you can remove the stains with these remedies, you don’t need to buy commercial-grade cleaners.
Method 1 – Using Homemade Solutions
You should proceed step by step when you use homemade solutions to effectively clean the toilet. Let’s go through.
Step 1: Taking preparation
Prepare yourself by getting all the necessary tools to remove this mold before starting cleaning.
The things you need
- Rubber Gloves.
- Mask.
- Spray Bottle.
- Scrubbing Pad / Sponge / Cleaning Brush.
- Vinegar/bleach/dish soap and baking soda.
Step 2: Make The Solution And Apply
First, wear hand gloves and a mask to protect yourself from contamination. Making a solution is first to kill the bacteria and then remove the stains. It’s so easy to make such a disinfectant cleaning solution. There are several types of solutions you can make. Such as –
For Vinegar Solution
- Take 1 cup white vinegar + ½ cup baking soda + ½ teaspoon essential oil.
- Mix all of them properly to make a powerful disinfectant solution and fill it in a spray bottle.
- Spray it on the affected surface of your toilet seat and wait for 2 minutes.
- Gently scrub the surface with an old toothbrush/scrubbing pad.
- Clean the loosened stains with warm and soft water.
- Finally, wipe the surface with a dry cloth or sponge. You may use Lysol Disinfectant Wipes as well. (If you already have it)
In addition, this solution is also effective in cleaning the urine stain on the toilet seat. So if your toilet has these stains, don’t forget to use them.
For Bleaching Solution-
- Mix bleach and water in a 1:10 ratio. That means with 1 liter of water, add 100ml bleach.
- Fill the solution in a spray bottle and apply it to the surface.
- After waiting 1-2 minutes, gently scrub the stained area with a toilet cleaner pad or a sponge.
- Complete your task by cleaning the surface with soft water and wiping it down.
If your toilet has porcelain surfaces, a mild solution is preferable not to cause discoloration. So you may also use a soft bleaching solution by adding more water.
For Dish Soap Solution-
- Take 1 and ⅔ cups of baking soda + 1/2 cup of dish soap + 1/2 cup of water.
- Mix properly with a spoon and pour it into a spray bottle.
- Shake thoroughly and apply on the ringspot.
- Scrub appropriately with an old toothbrush or scrubbing pad.
- Rinse with water and wipe down.
For Lemon juice Solution-
Start by sprinkling approximately 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice directly onto the purple stains on your toilet seat. Lemons, due to their intrinsic acidity, are supremely effective at disintegrating tough stains.
This acidic action degrades the structure of the stain, making it easier to remove. Once the lemon juice is applied, allow it to rest on the stain for a duration of 10 to 15 minutes.
During this period, the acidic qualities of the lemon have time to fully infiltrate the stain, maximizing its effectiveness. After this waiting period, grasp a stiff-bristled cleaning brush and commence with vigorous scrubbing. If the stain persists, feel free to repeat the entire process until the stain is completely banished.
For Baking soda Solution-
If the previous cleaning methods like vinegar, soap, or commercial cleaners have not been successful, a homemade baking soda paste can be your alternative.
For this DIY method, proportion a mixture of one part baking soda to three parts water. The resulting paste is your cleaning agent.
Start by applying the paste to the stubborn stains on your toilet seat. Ensure you're equipped with protective gloves, as prolonged contact of baking soda might cause skin irritation. Once the paste is spread evenly over the stain, begin to scrub.
It's essential to dedicate adequate time for effective scrubbing. Continue to scrub the stained area for approximately 5 to 10 minutes. This scrubbing time can give the paste enough time to actively work on the stains.
This baking soda method especially works wonders on mineral deposits and dye-based stains. However, diligence is required to see visible results.
Upon completion of scrubbing, follow with a proper after-treatment. Rinse the scrubbed area thoroughly with water. Make sure all residual paste is washed off. Then, using a soft, clean cloth, pat the area dry.
Implementing this baking soda paste process could potentially save you from the trouble of enduring persistent purple stains on your toilet seat.
Remember, however simple the method may seem, taking proper precautions and exact measures will yield the desired results.
For Magic eraser Solution-
Looking for a great way to eradicate stubborn purple stains on your toilet seat?
We want to introduce you to the magic eraser sponge, specifically effective on pesky marks such as mineral deposits and dye stains.
This tool is rather powerful yet benign, thus guaranteeing an effective result without the worry of any abrasive harm.
As you commence the stain removal process, it's crucial that you gently scrub the tarnished area using the magic eraser sponge. Be careful not to apply too much force;
we don't want to risk any undesired scratching or damage to your toilet seat. You could find that a few repetitions may be essential to garner a notable difference, but remember that results could vary based on the severity of the stain.
Finally, once you're satisfied with the scrubbing, what's the next step? Refresh the area with a quick rinse or thorough wipe-down.
Ensure to dry the area completely afterwards to stave off any potential water spots or additional staining. Using a magic eraser sponge can revolutionize your cleaning routine, helping bring about a pristine, stain-free toilet seat!
For Toothpaste Solution-
To begin the process of eradicating those unsightly purple stains from your toilet seat, start by applying a dollop of toothpaste.
However, it's not just any toothpaste. The fluoride-rich, non-gel variety is preferred for its superior cleansing properties. This may seem unexpected, but the reason behind toothpaste's efficacy in tackle such tasks is the abrasive ingredients it possesses which are designed to scrub off plaque from our teeth and can work equally well on stains.
Once the toothpaste is generously applied, allow it to sit and work its magic for a few minutes. During this time, the effective ingredients in the toothpaste penetrate the stains, breaking the bonds of discoloration and rendering them easier to scrub away. However, this does not imply that all stains are equally vulnerable to toothpaste.
The success may vary depending upon the nature and depth of the stains.
Next, with a sense of vigour and consistency, scrub the stain off. Over here, illustrations could provide clarity.
Start with circular movements in a small area before expanding outward. Continue the scrubbing process until the stain begins to fade.
Remember, the success of this method largely depends on the scrubbing techniques employed. Hence, tenacity is key
Upon the completion of the scrubbing task, an essential next step entails thoroughly rinsing the paste off from the toilet seat.
It's imperative to perform this step with utmost care, as remnants of toothpaste left to dry could lead to a residue that often proves harder to clean than the original stain.
Therefore, your last move in this stain removal process is to rinse the area with warm water, completely washing off the toothpaste.
By considering the aforementioned advice and performing these steps, you may soon be looking at a toilet seat as pristine as new!
For Ammonia Solution-
Mix ammonia with water and use it to clean the purple stains on the toilet seat.
For Rubbing alcohol Solution-
Dampen a cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe the stains until they disappear.
These solutions also effectively clean the poop stains from the toilet seat.
Method 2 – Commercial Cleaning Product
Have no time to make a cleaning solution? There are enough commercial cleaning products to make your home cleaning task easy and swift. Here are our best recommendations that you may use to get rid of the bacterial pink or purple stains from the toilet seat.
From Lysol, there are Lysol Bathroom Cleaners and Lysol Multi-Purpose Cleaners for cleaning and disinfecting your toilet seat. They also have Lysol Disinfectant Wipes for cleaning up. You can choose any one from the list based on your requirements, especially for Lysol toilet bowl cleaner, which turns purple.
From Clorox, there are Clorox Disinfectant Bleach and other bathroom cleaners. They also have Clorox Disinfectant Wipes for soaking the surface. If you can’t collect Lysol cleaners, you can choose any cleaner from Clorox.
Moreover, these commercial cleaners are adequate to clean black, red, orange, blue, and purple stains from the toilet seat. You may use them either alone or by mixing them up with water.
No matter which cleaner you choose, both use processes are almost the same. Here we describe a straightforward step-by-step process. But we’ll also suggest you read the cleaner’s label to follow the process more effectively.
Step 1: Apply the solution
What cleaner you have, apply it to the stains and wait a few minutes. Apply more cleaners on the deepest space and less cleaner on light stain space. Otherwise, the cleaner’s chemical may damage your toilet color permanently.
Step 2: Scrubbing and cleaning
When the cleaner loosens the stains, start gently scrubbing the affected space with a soft bristle brush, microfiber cloth, or toilet sponge. After scrubbing, clean the cleaner’s residue and stain’s dirt with clean water.
Step 3: Wiping
Lastly, wipe the entire toilet surface, including walls, toilet bowl, seat, and basin with a dry cloth. Because when you clean the purple stains, the water will spread all over the toilet.
Tips Not To Cause The Purple Stains On The Toilet Seat
- Soften Water System
Hard water contains so many minerals, which help bacteria grow. In that case, you need to soften the water used in the bathroom. In that case, you may install a Faucet Water Filter System instead of the regular water tap.
- Ventilation System
Bathroom surfaces are ideal for viruses and bacteria for moisture. So, it is essential to set up a ventilation mechanism in the washroom. You may install an exhaust fan in your bathroom.
If you don’t have an exhaust fan, keep the ventilation window open. Moreover, keep the door open for a while after using the washroom.
- Dry Surface
After cleaning the toilet seat, don’t forget to dry it. Here, you may wipe it with a dry cloth or any disinfectant wipes.
FAQs
Which essential oil is good for toilet cleaning?
Essential oil is used for smell reduction. It smells good. For an effective toilet cleaning, Tea Tree Essential Oil is preferred.
What are the blue stains on the toilet bowl?
Either copper or the disinfecting tablets in the pipes or water supply cause blue stains in a toilet bowl.
Check this post to learn how to Remove Blue stains from Toilet seats.
What causes pink stains on toilet seat?
An airborne bacteria named Serratia Marcescens builds on your toilet if most of the time you keep it moist and wet. When you use the toilet, it gets attached to the hard water of your supply line. Ultimately, this interaction develops a pinkish, purple, or slightly orange ring around the toilet bowl and seats.
Why is my toilet turning purple?
Basically, a pregnant woman has to go through a lot of hormonal changes throughout her entire pregnancy period. When she uses the toilet, the increased hormonal level of her skin interacts with the toilet seat’s or bowl’s coating, and it can result in the toilet seat turning pink during pregnancy.
Why is there purple on my toilet seat?
The most common cause of purple stains on toilet seats is the presence of bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Why is my toilet water purple?
Your toilet water may appear purple due to a reaction between certain cleaning products or additives in the water supply, causing a temporary discoloration.
Why you should close the toilet lid?
Closing the toilet lid is important for hygiene and safety. It helps prevent the spread of germs and bacteria when flushing, reduces the risk of items falling into the toilet, and keeps pets and young children safe from potential hazards.
What causes blue stains on toilet seat?
The blue stains are usually caused by the presence of copper or brass pipes that have corroded.
What causes stains on toilet seat?
Stains on toilet seats are usually caused by mineral buildup, hard water, or the growth of bacteria and mold.
How do you remove discoloration from a toilet seat?
You can remove discoloration from a toilet seat using a variety of cleaning methods, such as using bleach, vinegar, or baking soda.
Conclusion
Now you know how to get rid of the purple stains on the toilet seat. Follow all the steps accordingly to get the maximum results. Moreover, regular maintenance will help you not to cause such an issue further.
So, why are you waiting? Go, disinfect and clean your toilet seat. Don’t forget to share your thoughts and experience with us by hitting our comment section. We’ll love to know about your experience.
