Black Spots In Toilet Bowl: Cause, Prevention And How To Fix It, The Causes & Prevention

Last Updated on July 24, 2023 By Emma W. Thomas

Black spots in the toilet bowl are likely due to mold or mineral deposits. Prevent them by regularly cleaning them with a toilet cleaner containing bleach or vinegar. To fix, scrub the affected areas with a toilet brush or pumice stone. Use gloves and ensure proper ventilation while cleaning.

How To Fix Toilet Bowl With Black Spot Caused By Molds

It’s best to remove molds when you notice them as soon as possible. Black mold removal needs to be done correctly, and we will take you through the steps one by one for better understanding.

Step 1: Before you begin, gather all the necessary material you may need for removing the black spot and make your work easier. Some of these materials include;

• Gloves
• Breathing protection
• Borax/ baking powder
• Distilled white vinegar
• Cup
• Spray bottle
• Toilet brush
• 3% of hydrogen peroxide
• Cream of Tartar
• Toothbrush
• Goggles
• Boots
• Bucket
• Rags
• A cup of bleach

Step 2: Open the windows and doors for the bathroom area to make sure the room has proper ventilation.

Step 3:  for safety purposes, wear your boots and goggles. Also, cover your hands with gloves and put on breathing protection.

Step 4:  Start by flushing the toilet and drain more water out as possible for a clear view of the mold spots.

Step 5:  You can decide to rinse out all water inside your toilet bowl to view the base of the toilet and waterline.

Step 6: First, add the drain cleaner at the far end of the bowl to go down the drain.

Step 7:  sprinkle some borax or baking powder in the bowl with more attention to the waterline.

Step 8:  Spray distilled white vinegar continuously over the baking powder while scrubbing gently with a wet toilet brush, toothbrush, or nail brush. Continue scrubbing for some time to loosen the fungus inside the bowl.

Step 9: Let the vinegar and baking powder/ borax sit for some hours. Don’t use your toilet during this period.

Step 10: Take your toilet brush and continue scrubbing the black spots, then flush the toilet for a clean rinse.

Step 11: Add some bleach to the water, confirm its effectiveness by tasting it in other places first. Then leave for at least an hour.

Step 12:  Pour in sparkling hot water after one hour of a lapse to the bowl to further activate the bleach. Then flush your toilet.

Step 13:  Repeat the process several times if you’re unsatisfied with the results. Afterward, clean all your cleaning items when you are done.

The procedure is only suitable if you’re dealing with molds at their early stages. If the mold-killing technique doesn’t remove all the black spots, proceed to the manganese removal technique.

How To Fix Toilet Bowl With Black Spot Caused By Manganese  

If you still have black spots after several attempts via the mold-killing technique, progress to this other manganese technique to clear the remaining stains. Since you already have the materials needed ready, you can proceed by following these steps;

• Step 1:  Turn off the water to your toilet first if the black stains are below or at the water level.
• Step 2:  Flush your toilet to lower the water until you can view and access the spot. Use a cup to bail more water out if necessary.
• Step 3:  Mix cream of tartar and 3% hydrogen peroxide, adding the peroxide slowly until the paste is formed. Scoop some of these pastes onto your old toothbrush.
• Step 4:  Keenly, coat all the black spots with paste and let it stand for about 15 minutes.

Step 5:  Rinse the paste off the black spot with water in the bowl and a toilet brush if you didn’t have to drain the bowl.  If you empty your bowl, fill a cup with water in the bucket and pour it over those spots while scrubbing with the brush gently.

Step 6: Now, check your toilet bowl carefully; repeat the process if the black spots are still there. This time, leave the paste to stand on the stains for longer.   After all the black spots are gone, turn the water to your toilet back on if need be and flush to rinse the bowl once more.

What Causes Black Molds In Your Toilet

Black spots that appear on our toilet bowl are normally linked to moisture and look disgusting. Some have a bad odor and pose a potential risk to your health. The most common causes of the black mold in your toilet include;

Infrequent Use Of The Toilet- is the most obvious cause of mildew in your lavatory. Since it provides warm and moist conditions, pretty warm sets up a breeding ground for molds; reduced flushing cuts off chlorination that help destroy the mold.

Mineral Deposits– Mineral deposits on surfaces like tank walls, toilet bowls, and hard water may help supply mold with nutrient sources. If the water stays put in the same spot, more deposits will gather in the tank causing molds to infest even more. The conditions may worsen due to the type of water because hard water contains more minerals than soft water.

• Stagnant Water– if the area is not cleaned more often, it leaves it safe for the mold to grow, leaving them to feed on nutrients found in the stagnant water like algae and others.
• Darkness- yes, when the lid is added to your toilet bowl or tank, the molds will get the opportunity to thrive since the fungus doesn’t need chlorophyll acquired from sunlight.
• Cracks– if there is a crack on your ceramic bowl or other bathroom fixtures, it can cause mold. They provide the fungus conducive environment to stick, grow and flourish more.
• Human Waste- if this waste is left for a long in the toilet, it encourages mold growth. Mold is known to love sugar, so more sugar on your waste can lead to more mildew in the bowl.
• Water Supply From Pipes– these pipes can be the source of the black molds in your bathrooms. Also, the rust on the pies causes condensation, thus enabling a breeding ground for the fungus. It’s the cause of recurring black residues in your bathroom, especially the tank.

How Can You Keep Your Toilet Bowl From Staining?

Here are some ways you can adopt to prevent your toilet bowl from staining;

Method 1: Use An Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner– to clean your toilet automatically from the inside out whenever you flash. Thus preventing and eliminating the growth of bacteria plus hard water stains on their way to the bowl. It will also prolong the time your toilet stays clean.

Method 2: Normalize Treating It With Baking Powder– remember to sprinkle baking soda at the end of the day when everyone has gone to sleep. With your toilet brush, swish it to get it above the waterline. Close the lid and leave it overnight. Then flush it in the morning.

Method 3: Don’t Leave Waste Sitting In The Toilet– always leave your toilet clean after using it by flushing it because waste can lead to mold infestation.

• Other methods
• Clean your toilet bowl once to twice a week using a scrub brush plus vinegar or Ec3 Mold Solution concentrate.
• Be sure to flush, every day the toilets that are not used often.
• Fix any bathroom leaks and cracks immediately.
• Ensure your bathroom is well-ventilated after taking a shower by opening windows or fans.

Methods Used To Remove Darker Stains In Your Toilet Bowl

The main agenda is to achieve better results, so you can try some of these methods to remove persistent stains in your toilet bowl;

• Lemon Juice And Fundamental Oils– they’re used to brighten surfaces, thanks to their acidic properties. It eliminates the stains and calcium developments eventually after scrubbing severally.
• Coca-Cola – This is not a natural bowl cleaner. However, it can still serve as the best solution for hard water stains, rust, or other stains. Just pour Coca-Cola inside your bowl; if there’s staining around the rim, ensure to cover that area too. Leave the liquid overnight and rinse in the morning.
• WD-40 – it’s used to clean your toilet bowl easier. Spray on the stains and wait for a few minutes before removing them by wiping them off using a clean cloth.

What Is Toilet Mold?

Toilet mold refers to the growth of mold and mildew in and around the toilet bowl and its surrounding areas. Mold thrives in damp and humid conditions, making the bathroom an ideal environment. It appears as black, green, or brown spots and can cause unpleasant odors and potential health issues if left untreated. Regular cleaning and proper ventilation are essential to prevent and eliminate toilet mold.

Why Is Mold Growing In The Toilet Bowl Only?

Mold is an unsightly problem that can not only be off-putting, but can also pose potential hazards to your health. So, when you spot mold growing in your toilet bowl and nowhere else, it’s puzzling and frustrating. Here’s why mold could be targeting your toilet bowl.

1. Constant Moisture
Constant moisture provides an ideal environment for mold to thrive. The toilet bowl has a continuous supply of water, which means:

• There’s mostly a damp surface within the bowl. This provides an excellent breeding ground for mold.
• Even when frequently flushed, the presence of water helps to promote the growth of mold spores.

2. Lack of Ventilation
Toilets are often enclosed and poorly ventilated areas which:

• Help mold spores to proliferate.
• Create a humid environment that further facilitates mold growth.

3. Infrequent Cleaning
Inadequate cleaning can lead to mold growth in the toilet bowl. This occurs when:

• Cleaning schedules are sparse or inconsistent, thereby giving mold ample opportunity to grow.
• Proper cleaning materials are not used, failing to eliminate mold spores effectively.

4. The Presence of Organic Material
A toilet bowl often contains organic material, a source of nourishment for mold, including:

• Human waste and toilet paper, which are organic matter.
• Bacteria feeding off these substances, which indirectly supports the proliferation of mold.

5. High Humidity and Various Temperature
The variance in temperature coupled with high humidity levels supports enhanced mold growth.

• Flushing causes a rise in temperature which enables certain types of mold spores to thrive.
• High humidity within the bathroom promotes a suitable environment for mold growth.

Factors Promoting Mold Growth	How They Apply to Toilet Bowls
Constant Moisture	The uninterrupted water supply provides a consistently damp environment.
Lack of Ventilation	Enclosed and poorly ventilated areas create a humid environment.
Infrequent Cleaning	Sparse and inconsistent cleaning provides ample opportunity for mold.
Presence of Organic Material	The organic matter in toilet bowls provides nourishment for mold.
High Humidity and Various Temperatures	High humidity and temperature variance in bathrooms offer a conducive environment.

Is Toilet Mold Dangerous?

The presence of mold is typically a concerning health issue that requires immediate attention. Toilet mold, in particular, is often underestimated and neglected due to its less-than-noticeable visibility. However, it’s crucial to recognize the potential hazards it can pose in a home setting.

Potential Dangers of Toilet Mold

1. Respiratory Issues: Regular exposure to different mold strains can lead to numerous respiratory problems. It may cause allergies, asthma attacks, and can also trigger chronic sinusitis.
2. Skin Irritation: Touching or coming into contact with specific types of mold can cause skin rashes, itching, and other kinds of irritations.
3. Eye irritation: Mold spores can cause redness, itching, and watering of the eyes.
4. Neurological Problems: There is evidence suggesting that long-term exposure to certain mold types like Stachybotrys chartarum can lead to neurological issues and mental health problems.
5. Immune system suppression: Mold exposure can potentially depress the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to various diseases.

Final Word

Black spots in your toilet bowl might be an alarming discovery at first, but it’s simple to fix it. With just home remedies such as white vinegar, baking powder/borax, you can apply it in your toilet and scrub until the spots are gone. Repeat the process severally if necessary, but you can also try other methods mentioned above. Prevention is better than cure; learn what causes the black stains and prevention measures in our article.

References:

https://waterdepot.com/what-causes-black-stains-in-your-toilet-how-to-fix-it/
https://toiletseek.com/remove-black-mold-tank-bowl-toilet/