We have well water that is hard and have both a water softener and acid neutralize installed to help keep the blue water stains from the copper pipes building up as well as other minerals. However, I still get mineral build up at the water line in the toilet bowls, regardless of regular cleaning (these are 30 year old, American Standard toilets). I will periodically use a pumice stone to remove the ring, but don't like to do this often because of possibly scarring the toilet surface. Additionally, I don't think it ever fully gets all of the buildup off so that it is easier for future buildups to start. I read an article that said muriatic acid could be used; being a liquid sloshed around the toilet, I think it would do a better job of removing the mineral buildup. My question is would this hurt the PVC pipes as it is flushed from the toilet. Here are the instructions I found:
"I always start the cleaning project by using the standard toilet bowl cleaners to sanitize the bowl. Once this is complete, I rapidly pour 5 gallons of water into the bowl to simulate a flush. This leaves a small amount of water in the bottom of the bowl. Then I slowly pour about 12 ounces of muriatic acid into the bowl.
Be sure you have the bathroom well ventilated, preferably with a window open to exhaust the acid fumes. Wear tight-fitting goggles, rubber gloves, old clothes with long sleeves, etc. so that you have virtually no skin exposed. Carefully use a toilet brush to spread the acid solution under the rim of the bowl. Do this multiple times over a period of 30 minutes.
Let the acid solution work for up to an hour or two. If you have to leave the room always put the toilet lid down to prevent animals from getting into the acid solution. If children are in the house, never leave the toilet alone. Work until the job is finished."
"I always start the cleaning project by using the standard toilet bowl cleaners to sanitize the bowl. Once this is complete, I rapidly pour 5 gallons of water into the bowl to simulate a flush. This leaves a small amount of water in the bottom of the bowl. Then I slowly pour about 12 ounces of muriatic acid into the bowl.
Be sure you have the bathroom well ventilated, preferably with a window open to exhaust the acid fumes. Wear tight-fitting goggles, rubber gloves, old clothes with long sleeves, etc. so that you have virtually no skin exposed. Carefully use a toilet brush to spread the acid solution under the rim of the bowl. Do this multiple times over a period of 30 minutes.
Let the acid solution work for up to an hour or two. If you have to leave the room always put the toilet lid down to prevent animals from getting into the acid solution. If children are in the house, never leave the toilet alone. Work until the job is finished."