Black Mold? in our toilets
November 9, 2024 10:32 AM Subscribe
So recently we started seeing black stuff in our toilets. What is it, and how do we fight it?
Is under the rim, but is also in the areas where the water flows in on a flush. Which would seem the least likely place for any kind of mold to actually be able to grow.
We have been pouring boiling vinegar down the return spout in the tank, but that hasn't helped. And we are not big on dumping nasty chemicals down the drain on every flush.
But any ideas appreciated.
Is under the rim, but is also in the areas where the water flows in on a flush. Which would seem the least likely place for any kind of mold to actually be able to grow.
We have been pouring boiling vinegar down the return spout in the tank, but that hasn't helped. And we are not big on dumping nasty chemicals down the drain on every flush.
But any ideas appreciated.
Any chance you have a black rubber seal in the toilet tank that's deteriorating?
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 10:44 AM on November 9, 2024 [6 favorites]
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 10:44 AM on November 9, 2024 [6 favorites]
Is anyone diabetic? My partner had this issue with fluctuations in blood glucose. https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/mold-in-toilet-diabetes.
posted by Chalks-n-Locks at 11:57 AM on November 9, 2024 [3 favorites]
posted by Chalks-n-Locks at 11:57 AM on November 9, 2024 [3 favorites]
Seconding blood glucose as a possibility. Ever since I started taking Synjardy (Empagliflozin/Metformin), cleaning the toilet has been ewww.
posted by scruss at 12:07 PM on November 9, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by scruss at 12:07 PM on November 9, 2024 [1 favorite]
I had this and after googling and trying a few things, I found the answer: Citric Acid. Disclaimer: at least, the answer for me.
You buy it as crystals, and you can cook with it or clean with it, so it’s safe. I can’t remember the proportions (look it up using your favorite search engine), but it gets mixed with water and put down the tube inside the tank. You’ll see the water flow down the inside of the bowl as the water is replaced by the mixture. Let it sit for a couple of hours and then clean the rim and flush.
Many of the sites I found said to use warm water and/or turn off the water and drain, but I didn’t do any of that, and most of it disappeared. I had to do it a few times, but I think the gross black stuff is all gone.
posted by AMyNameIs at 5:01 PM on November 9, 2024
You buy it as crystals, and you can cook with it or clean with it, so it’s safe. I can’t remember the proportions (look it up using your favorite search engine), but it gets mixed with water and put down the tube inside the tank. You’ll see the water flow down the inside of the bowl as the water is replaced by the mixture. Let it sit for a couple of hours and then clean the rim and flush.
Many of the sites I found said to use warm water and/or turn off the water and drain, but I didn’t do any of that, and most of it disappeared. I had to do it a few times, but I think the gross black stuff is all gone.
posted by AMyNameIs at 5:01 PM on November 9, 2024
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posted by jessamyn at 10:35 AM on November 9, 2024 [1 favorite]