Stains on toilet seats are a common sight, not just in public restrooms but also in our own homes. These unsightly marks can be caused by various factors, including urine, limescale, exposure to sunlight, and even the use of strong cleaning agents such as bleach.

Diane Watt, after an unsuccessful attempt with white vinegar to remove the stains, sought advice on the Mrs Hinch Army Cleaning Tips Facebook group. She posted: “I have a toilet seat that is only six months of use, and there are stains already under the seat despite cleaning three to four times a week. White vinegar is not doing anything for it. What else can I use? Do I need bleach?”

However, fellow group members warned against using bleach, suggesting it might actually be the culprit behind the staining.

Sarah Jayne Judy advised: “If you use bleach in the pan then close the lid, the bleach fumes make the under seat/lid go yellow.”

Susan Dailey recommended: “Don’t put bleach down the pan, then close the lid, the fumes cause stains and make them worse.”

Many contributors to the group have instead praised the effectiveness of a “magic eraser sponge” for tackling such blemishes.

Karla Taylor shared her experience: “Magic erasers, I use them all the time. Like new every time.”

Fran Jenkins echoed this sentiment, saying: “My new go-to product is a magic eraser. This is brilliant on stains.” Claire Watson agreed: “Magic eraser was the only thing to work for me.”

Joanne Ellis also endorsed the product: “Magic eraser, cut them up into small pieces and throw them away once used. It was the only thing that worked for me, I tried all of the natural methods.”

Sharon Allinson shared her cleaning revelation, asserting: “You don’t need any sprays with a magic eraser. It’s game-changing. You just need to wet it, and the stains will go with five minutes of rubbing.”

A magic eraser is a melamine foam sponge designed to remove marks from most surfaces without much effort.