Fix That Yellowing Toilet Seat in 7 Simple Steps

Have you ever looked down at your toilet seat and discovered it stained yellow? It can be an embarrassing problem but rest assured, you are not alone. Many people have experienced this problem, and it’s an easy one to fix with the right tools and know-how. 

There are several reasons your toilet seat has turned yellow, and in this post, I will explore what they are and what you can do to get rid of the unsightly discoloration. The good news is if you follow this guide and stick to a regular cleaning schedule, you will never have to deal with an embarrassing yellow toilet seat again.  

Let’s get started, shall we?

Is It Normal For Toilet Seats To Discolor

Discoloration is a common issue when it comes to toilet seats. Failure to clean a toilet regularly or at all can cause urine and hard water to build up, some of which can be difficult to remove. Luckily, if you clean your toilet seat regularly, you likely won’t have to deal with unsightly yellow stains. 

Why Is My Toilet Seat Turning Yellow

If your toilet seat has a yellow tinge to it, you need to identify the cause of the discoloration so you can address it correctly. There are many reasons your toilet seat is turning yellow, so keep reading to find out which one might be the culprit. 

1. Hardwater Stains

Hard water is loaded with minerals, calcium, iron, and magnesium. When in high doses as they are in hard water, these minerals build up, damaging pipes, appliances, and your toilet. Hard water buildup could be the reason you see yellow stains in your toilet bowl and on your toilet seat. 

2. Detergent or Bleach Damage

Let’s face it, the toilet is not sanitary, and many people dread cleaning it. As such, we often use harsh detergents and chemicals in an effort to destroy the odor and stains that are common with this household appliance. 

Some of these cleaners can be damaging to a toilet seat’s finish. For example, despite being known for its whitening properties, excessive bleaching of a toilet seat may cause it to turn yellow over time. 

3. Urine Stains

Urine stains are the most common reason toilet seats turn yellow. If you don’t clean your toilet seat after every use, urine could be building up and causing the seat to discolor. This is because oxidation occurs when urine is exposed to air. The result of this oxidation process is the yellow or orange stains you see on your toilet seat. The good news is that this cause is very preventable with a regular cleaning schedule. 

4. Sunlight Bleaching Toilet Seats

Sunlight bleaching is a common problem in households, especially on furniture and other fabrics in homes with large windows. The same thing happens with toilet seats, especially those made of plastic. The sun is powerful, and the reality is, almost any toilet seat material can be affected by the sun’s UV rays to some extent. The only way to prevent toilet seat staining from sunlight is to stop the sun’s rays from entering the bathroom. 

Why not check out this great article Standard Height vs Comfort Height Toilets | Which To Choose

How To Fix A Yellowing Toilet Seat

There really is no right way or wrong way to clean a toilet, but the following seven steps guide you through removing yellow stains from your toilet seat, so you won’t be embarrassed the next time a guest needs to use your bathroom. 

Step 1: Choose Your Cleanser

Which type of cleanser you use to clean your toilet is up to you. Some people are environmentally conscious and prefer to use natural, gentle cleaners, I like to use baking soda mixed with white vinegar or water. Other people like more powerful, store-bought cleaners, which often require less elbow grease when removing stains. Avoid using bleach as this can cause yellowing. For the most demanding cleaning I would recommend using a hydrogen peroxide cleaner. You may even choose to use a combination of the two depending on how severe the yellow staining on your toilet seat is. 

Step 2: Let the Cleaning Product Soak

Many people make the mistake of applying a toilet cleaner and then wiping it off right away. This rarely gives the product time to do its job, especially if removing stains is your ultimate goal. Regardless of the type of cleaning product you are using, apply it and let it sit on the stain for several minutes before wiping it away. This gives the cleaner time to dissolve the stain and you won’t have to scrub so hard to remove it. 

Step 3: Remove the Cleanser

Using a wet cloth, wipe away the cleanser you left to soak it on the toilet seat. The yellow stain may or may not start to come off at this point, but even if it doesn’t, you at least have a sanitized surface to continue working with. 

Step 4: Get Tough

If the yellow stain(s) aren’t showing signs of lifting, or they’ve begun to dissolve but are still visible, you are going to need to put some elbow grease into it. Apply your cleaner again, let it soak for a few minutes, then scrub. Use small, circular motions, covering every inch of the stained area and slightly beyond to ensure you remove it all. If you need, use the hottest water possible to further encourage the stain to lift. Finally, don’t use an abrasive sponge for this process as it can damage the finish on your toilet seat, which leaves it vulnerable to even more staining in the future. 

Step 5: Repeat as Necessary

Don’t get discouraged if your toilet seat isn’t sparkling white after your first attempt at stain removal. It might take multiple applications and a lot of scrubbing to finally remove those unsightly stains. Having to repeat these steps might just be the motivation you need to adhere to a regular cleaning schedule that reduces the likelihood of yellow stains on your toilet seat. 

Step 6: The Finishing Touch

Once your toilet seat is free of all yellow stains, give it a final rinse with a disinfectant. This will ensure no cleanser is left behind and that the surface is sanitized. 

Step 7: Set Up a Maintenance Schedule

Regardless of the cause of the yellow stains on your toilet seat, you should set up a regular maintenance schedule to prevent the stains from occurring in the first place. Many people clean their bathrooms (including the toilet) at least once a week as it’s a fact that E. coli can spread up to six feet from the toilet and is often found in the sink and tub as well. 

Baking Soda and White Vinegar

Baking soda and white vinegar, when combined, create a powerful stain remover that works well to get rid of yellow stains on toilet seats. 

To use this combo effectively, mix ¼ cup baking soda with ½ cup white vinegar. You should end up with a thick paste that you then apply to the stains on your toilet seat. Let the paste sit on the stain for 20 minutes to break it up. 

Note: Don’t be alarmed at the foaming/fizzing action of the concoction as this helps remove the stains. 

Once you have allowed the paste to sit, begin scrubbing in a circular motion to work the cleanser into and away from the stain. Repeat the application and scrubbing process until the stain is gone. 

Clorox

Clorox is another powerful cleaning agent for toilets, but it must be used in moderation as excessive use can be what’s causing the yellow stains in the first place. Once your toilet seat is stained yellow from bleach, it is stained forever unless you paint the seat or replace it. 

If the surface of your toilet seat has scratches or chips in the paint, avoid using bleach as it can leave yellowing behind. 

Rubbing Alcohol

You might already know that rubbing alcohol is an effective cleaner and disinfectant and want to use it on your toilet seat to remove stains. As harmless as rubbing alcohol seems to be, it is actually hazardous if used incorrectly. 

First and foremost, rubbing alcohol is highly flammable, so don’t smoke or burn candles while cleaning your bathroom with it. Second, rubbing alcohol gives off fumes that can irritate the nose and lungs, and its powerful nature can also irritate the skin. As such, open windows and wear gloves when using rubbing alcohol to clean. 

Finally, you must be careful what other cleaners you use in conjunction with rubbing alcohol. For example, mixing rubbing alcohol with bleach creates chloroform, a toxic substance that, if inhaled, can cause liver, kidney, and central nervous system damage. 

Rubbing alcohol is an effective cleaner and disinfectant in the bathroom, especially on glass, tiles, and other hard surfaces. It even works great inside the toilet bowl, but you will want to avoid using it on a toilet seat as it can damage the painted surface. 

Preventing Your Toilet Seat Going Yellow

The easiest way to prevent the embarrassment and hassle of a yellowed toilet seat is to prevent it from going yellow in the first place. 

Only White Toilet Seats Turn Yellow

It’s only the white toilet seats that turn yellow. Knowing this fact, opt instead for a different color seat for your toilet like black or wood colored. Take a look around your bathroom and pick a color that will complement its décor or theme. No one says you have to have a white toilet seat anyway. 

Clean With White Vinegar Not Bleach

As stated earlier, yellow stains on your toilet seat caused by excessive bleach use are permanent. You will need to paint the seat or replace it to get rid of the stains. With that said, if your toilet seat isn’t already stained by bleach use, stop using bleach to clean it and try white vinegar instead. Vinegar provides a similar level of whitening power and disinfection as bleach but is much gentler on the surface of your toilet seat and is less toxic to boot. 

SOLVED: Yellowing Toilet Seat

After reading this post, you have probably identified the reason for your yellowed toilet seat. Whether due to urine buildup, mineral deposits, excessive bleach use, or sunlight exposure, you are now armed with several ways to get rid of the yellow stains and prevent them from happening again. 

Remember, yellow toilet seats are a common problem in many households, but with regular cleaning and prevention, you can avoid the embarrassment of a yellow toilet seat and stop worrying about guests needing to use your bathroom.

You may also be interested in reading Why Your Toilet Seat Is Turning Blue and How to Fix It

FAQs Yellowing Toilet Seat

If you still have questions about a yellowed toilet seat in your home, check out the Frequently Asked Questions below.