Toilet Seat Turned Yellow! (Causes, Fixes, & More)

A yellowed toilet seat is one sight you don’t want to face. Wherever you see this, whether, at school, office, petrol stations, restaurants, or the airport, you can never get used to it.

So, this makes you want to keep your toilet clean and presentable to others. As we continue to advance in this article, we will identify the reason for the yellowing and the solutions.

Toilet seats turn yellow if you abandon them, use hard water on them, or expose them to sunlight for too long. And also, this occurs after subjecting them to the constant use of strong cleaning chemicals. The best way to fight this is to create a regular cleaning schedule and clean them as frequently as possible.

Why Does My Toilet Seat Turn Yellow?

The yellow seat is a stain that occurs for various reasons, and undoubtedly, you have come across it at least once, even if not in your own home. Well, the point is that this is a general problem everywhere.

Below are five reasons why your toilet seat turns yellow:

#1. Abandonment 

As regards abandonment, more than 80 percent is due to individuals neglecting that they are supposed to clean the toilet after urinating.

As they continue with this attitude, again and again, they keep giving room for the stain to establish itself.

As the urine splashes on the toilet seat, it eventually gets exposed to air, allowing oxidation.

#2. Hard Water

I know many people are skeptical about this reason, but after going through a personal experience with this, I can assure you that it is true.

Unlike soft water, hard water carries mineral deposits that, after flushing, the ones left on your toilet seat evaporate living limescale (the mineral deposit).

#3. Sunlight 

Sunlight is harmful not just to food and the skin but also to your toilet seat, and this is so because of the UV rays that the sun contains.

Just as sunburn will turn your skin red, it changes your toilet seat from white to yellow.

To avoid condemning the look of your toilet, whenever you see the sun in your toilet, try to block the source of the sunlight.

#4. Time

Another factor that results in toilet seats turning yellow is time; as time goes by, your toilet seat begins to change color.

It generally starts as white and gradually changes to light yellow, then brown. And because it’s plastic in the make, the color loss tends to be even faster.

The good news is that you can always replace the seat once you get tired of it.

#5. Strong Cleaning Chemicals

Unlike the toilet bowl, some powerful chemicals you use in cleaning plastics, like the toilet seat, will completely change the color.

The color changes over time from white to yellow, and this is very common with strong undiluted bleaches.

The table below shows harsh toilet cleaners and those that are mild:

Harsh Cleaners	Mild Cleaners
Scrubbing Bubbles Power Stain Destroyer	DRAINBO Septic System Treatment & Cleaner
Harpic Toilet Cleaner	Continuous Clean Drop-Ins
Dana Professional Strength Max Gel	Method Toilet Cleaner

You won’t need a solution for many of these problems if you already have good maintenance culture.

Below are some of the preventive measures against yellow stains appearing on your toilet seat;

1. Establish and make it a routine to clean the toilet regularly, which is the first and most important prevention technique for handling stain issues.
2. Always flush the toilet after use, whether for defecating or urinating.
3. Ensure that you scrub the toilet regularly with the brush to remove residues.
4. Always disinfect your toilet and bathroom; this will boost your hygiene.
5. Refrain from using hard water, but apply a carbon filter to the water if you cannot.
6. Refrain from using toilet cleaners that are too harsh on toilet seats (plastics).

Is a Yellow Toilet Seat Normal?

No, it is not; however, if you are moving into a house and discover a yellow toilet seat in the toilet, it is one of three things.

The change we see in the toilet seat color can result from its lasting for a long time, from the effects of powerful cleaners, or from the effect of the sun.

The one with the sun could be possible from the toilet window. Or perhaps the landlord installed a toilet seat that has stayed under the sun for quite some time.

But, whatever the reason, you can not know unless you try to reach out and speak to your landlord concerning the matter.

If, in the end, you cannot accept it, you can kindly ask your landlord to replace the toilet seat, or you can personally get a cheap one on amazon.

Last update on 2024-01-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

But suppose you choose to stick to the yellow toilet seat; there is no point in worrying over it from a sanitary point of view at all.

The toilets do not come with toilet seats, and the plumber is the person who buys and installs them.

So, the next time you want a toilet seat, you need to think about which one you want since there are two types: the round seat and the elongated seat. And then take the measurements before purchasing.

How Do I Get the Yellow Off My Toilet Seat?

If you want to hold your head high when your visitor requests to use your bathroom, you must prepare well.

Selection of a good toilet cleaner, patiently washing with baking soda and vinegar, and proper scrubbing will do just fine.

The following six steps will help you achieve a sparkling clean toilet:

#1. Step 1: Select Toilet Cleaner

Here your decision will be based entirely on how you view toxic and non-toxic products. If you have concerns about using chemical cleaners, you can always go for non-toxic products.

For instance, you can even use undiluted vinegar directly in your toilet without any adverse effects. Or you could perhaps prefer something even more powerful.

#2. Step 2: Give Your Cleaner Time

When speaking with the New York Times, scientists say that many people today fail to give their cleaners the time required by their products to clean surfaces.

Instead, people are always in a hurry to spray and clean up surfaces with a cloth. So the best thing to do is to allow the cleaners time to soak the stains on the surfaces.

One good thing about this method is that it reduces the stress of scrubbing, and gentle scrubs will remove the stains.

All homemade cleaners, like vinegar, allow 5 to 10 minutes before cleaning. While those you purchase from stores, you should follow the time recommended by the manufacturer on the label.

#3. Step 3: Clean Up the Toilet Seat

Use a damp cloth or rag to wipe up the surface of the toilet seat. And now, because I do not know the cleaner you are using, the stain tends to go or remain. But the point is you have established cleaning already.

#4. Step 4: Create a Paste of Baking Soda

You can create this baking soda paste by mixing up the following;

• ¼ cup of baking soda

• ½ cup of water and vinegar

To make toilet seat yellow stain removal easy, mix it up with warm water, or you may even use vinegar instead of water.

Next, apply the paste to your toilet seat and let the paste soak the stain from the toilet seat. You should allow this for at least 17 to 20 minutes.

#5. Step 5: Begin to Scrub

Now you are to pick up a sponge and begin to scrub on the baking soda to remove the stains away from your toilet seat. While you scrub, make sure of the following;

• Use warm water

• Keep scrubbing in a circular pattern

• Do not use a sponge with a rough sandpaper-like surface

Not using such a sponge will help protect the surface of your toilet seat from scratches and remove the yellow stains. Then make sure to repeat this step.

#6. Step 6: Final Cleaning

As soon as you are free of the stains, you will move to the final step, where you would then use vinegar or some other disinfectant to clean the surface of the toilet seat.

The final cleansing will also remove any baking soda remnant from the seat.

Can I Use Bleach on My Toilet Seat?

Yes, of course, you can use bleach to clean your toilet; after all, it is a well-recommended disinfectant and sanitizer for cleaning toilet seats.

The following steps will help you clean the toilet seat with bleach;

• Pour into a cup ¼ of bleach.

• Then pour the bleach at the edge of the toilet seat

• Form a solution by pouring ⅓ of the remaining bleach into the bucket of water

• Dip the seat into the bucket for 10 to 15 minutes

• Use the toilet brush on the seat until all the stains come out

• Repeat step 5 again

• Rinse and dry up the toilet seat with a towel

• Carefully return the toilet seat to its position

How Do I Fix a Discolored Toilet Seat?

There are various ways to fix your discolored toilet seat, but from all you have gathered here, there are three significant ways.

The main ways you can fix your discolored toilet seat are;

1. Cleaning with bleach
2. Cleaning with baking soda paste and elbow grease
3. Cleaning with vinegar

Note that although the three above are the main ways to fix discolored toilet seats, there are other ways that you can refer to as unconventional ways, like bleach-free toilet cleaners and cleaning with cola.

Conclusion

Toilet seats turn yellow because of some factors, but an excellent way to avoid this is to establish a good maintenance culture.

And now you know the six steps to take to get the yellow stain out of your toilet seat, as well as the eight steps if you clean using bleach.

Sharing is caring! Spread The Love!