If you’ve ever found yourself battling stains or mineral buildups in your toilet, you’ve probably heard about pumice stones.

It’s an awesome, natural cleaner that many people use for scrubbing away hard water deposits and stubborn grime.

But, understandably, you might be wondering: will a pumice stone scratch my toilet? After all, toilets are delicate and you want to keep them looking shiny and smooth.

In this post, I’ll explain whether using a pumice stone is safe for your toilet in detail.

Do Pumice Stones Scratch Toilet Bowls?

No, a pumice stone won’t scratch your toilet bowl if you use it correctly.

These stones come from volcanic rock, and they're naturally soft and porous enough to work safely on ceramic and porcelain surfaces like your toilet. 

They're actually great for getting rid of those annoying hard water stains, mineral buildup, and stubborn grime on porcelain toilets. 

Also Read: Blue Ring In Toilet Bowl

But you need to watch out if your toilet surface is worn down, damaged, or uneven - there's more chance of scratching in those cases. Plus, using a dry pumice stone or one that's too rough increases your chances of causing scratches.

Always get the stone wet first - this makes it gentler and reduces any chance of scratching. 

If you're not sure, try cleaning a small spot first to make sure everything's okay.

How To Clean Toilet With Pumice Stone

Cleaning your toilet with a pumice stone isn't complicated, and it works really well, especially on those stains that regular cleaners can't handle. 

Here's exactly what you need to do.

Gather Your Cleaning Supplies

First things first, you need to gather all the supplies. You’ll need :

• A pumice stone (better if it's a cleaning block made for toilets)

• Water or toilet cleaner (helps with tough stains but not required)

• Rubber gloves (if you want to keep your hands clean)

• Paper towels or a microfiber cloth to dry things off

#1 Prepare The Toilet Bowl

Start by giving your toilet a good flush to lower the water level in the bowl. 

This is important because you want to see what you're working with and have easier access to those problem areas.

If you're dealing with those really stubborn hard water deposits or serious buildup (you know, those brownish or grayish marks that just won't budge), here's a helpful tip: apply some toilet cleaner and let it sit for about 10-15 minutes. 

This gives the cleaner time to work its magic and soften up all that grime. You can even use this waiting time to gather your other supplies or tackle a different cleaning task nearby.

#2 Wet The Pumice Stone

Take your pumice stone and get it really wet. You can hold it under running water from the sink or dip it in a bucket. This step is super important - don't skip it!

Make sure it's completely soaked, not just damp.

If you're dealing with particularly tough stains, put a little toilet cleaner directly onto the wet stone.

This gives you some extra cleaning power without risking any damage to your toilet.

You need to keep the stone wet throughout the cleaning process - if it starts feeling dry, just wet it again.

#3 Scrub The Stains

Now comes the main part. Take your wet pumice stone and start working on those stains using gentle pressure. You can go in circles or back and forth - whatever feels most comfortable to you. 

Also Read: Can You Use Lysol On Granite?

Start at the top of the bowl and work your way down, kind of like painting a wall. 

Remember, you don't need to put your whole arm into it - gentle pressure is all you need. The pumice stone does the work for you as it glides over the surface. 

For those extra stubborn spots (we all have them), let the stone rest right on top of the stain for about a minute. 

This helps break down the buildup before you start scrubbing again. If you feel the stone starting to catch or drag, that's your signal to add more water.

#4 Check Progress

Don't just scrub away blindly - take breaks to check how you're doing. 

Every minute or so, splash some water over the area you've been cleaning or give it a quick flush. 

This rinse helps you see exactly what you've accomplished and what still needs work. 

You might notice some areas need a bit more attention while others are already sparkling clean. That's totally normal! Some stains are more stubborn than others. 

If you're working on a particularly tough spot and it's not coming clean as quickly as you'd like, don't worry. Take your time and keep at it gradually - pressing harder won't speed things up and might tire you out unnecessarily.

#5 Clean The Rest Of The Toilet

Once the main bowl is looking good, don't forget about those other spots that could use some attention. 

The pumice stone works great under the rim where mineral deposits love to hide. You can also tackle the back of the bowl where water streams down during flushes - this area often gets mineral buildup too.

If your toilet tank has visible mineral deposits or stains when you lift the lid, you can carefully use the pumice stone there as well. 

Just remember the golden rule: only use it on porcelain surfaces, never on plastic or metal parts. 

Take extra care around any caulking or seals too - you want to avoid those areas.

#6 Rinse And Dry

Give your toilet a couple of good flushes to wash away any debris or residue from your cleaning session. 

Watch how the water flows down the bowl - this helps you spot any areas you might have missed.

For a really thorough job (and this is optional but worth it), grab a microfiber cloth or some paper towels and dry off all the areas you cleaned. 

This final step lets you see your handiwork in all its glory and ensures you haven't missed any spots. Plus, a completely dry surface helps prevent new mineral deposits from forming as quickly. 

Take a moment to admire your work - a clean toilet is something to be proud of!

Also Read: Water streaks on painted walls

How To Store Toilet Pumice Stone

After you're done cleaning, rinse the pumice stone really well under water to get rid of anything stuck to it. 

Make sure it's completely dry before you put it away - this keeps bacteria and mold from growing on it. You can let it air dry somewhere with good airflow or use a towel to dry it off.

Once it's dry, keep it somewhere clean and dry. A plastic bag that seals or a small container works great to keep dust off it. But don't store it in wet places near your toilet or shower. 

Some people like to keep their pumice stone in a little dish on the bathroom counter - that's fine as long as air can get to it.

Taking care of your pumice stone helps it last longer!

Bottom Line

Pumice stones won’t scratch your porcelain toilets when you use them right. 

They are actually pretty great for cleaning toilets - they work really well on tough stains like mineral deposits and hard water marks.

Just remember the basics - keep the stone wet while you're using it, be gentle, and pay extra attention if your toilet's older or the surface isn't perfect anymore. 

Store your stone properly and it'll help keep your toilet clean for a long time.