Have you tried a scouring poweder like Comet? I've taken black scouring marks from scrubby pads off my kitchen sink with it.

You have an iron toilet???

Contact the mfr about what may have happened and what products are safe to use.

Hope it's just some sort of stain! How about a photo, lol ; )

Sounds like you might have damaged the finish. I hope not. Sandpaper on a toilet? I know you can get sand if you have a well, but otherwise I wouldn't think so. The septic system is where your water goes from the toilet, not what comes into the toilet.

tina

Pumice stone is what I use to remove hard water lines in my toilet. You can generally find it at the grocery store.

I hope you didn't ruin it!

Okay, it was black steel wool I used, not sandpaper. It's one of the softest they make in steel wool so I knew it wouldn't scratch the bowl.

tina, being in the country, sometimes we get dirt sitting in the tank from the rural water system.

It's lightened quite a bit but still there. I don't have comet but I'll put it on my grocery list.

My new sink is cast iron also, is comet safe for that too? I usually ues Soft Scrub because I had a SS sink before this.

I'm in the country also and in the past have had a well. Never had dirt in the tank. We had trouble with the well once, and got sand. Just wondering, but do ya'll have your water tested periodically? Or do you just not drink it?

I can't picture a cast iron toilet, what is is coated with? Porcelein? Fiberglass?

tina

I'd get whatever it is off asap, since the steel wool residue could rust.

Tina, it's a regular cast iron toilet like kitchen sinks are. It's in a glossy beige color, about 30 years old. Cast iron will last forever.

Yes, our water is tested by the state all the time, several times a year. It's only a tiny bit of dirt that gets in there, not enough to have to clean it out.

I can't see how the steel wool could possibly scratch it, since it's as soft as a ball of cotton. lol.

Well, at least it looks better than it did. I'll buy some Comet in the next few days.

Echoing what Goldust said...Pumice is the answer.

I purchase my pumice sticks at Home Depot. In the link below, you can see what the packaging looks like.

ML

Here is a link that might be useful: different Pumice-Toilet sticks

One of those Mr. Clean magic sponges should do the trick unless you removed the finish -

oakley your toilet is not cast iron it's vitreous china - that's what they all are. The steel wool is what made the black marks on the glazed surface of the china - you basically need to polish it out. I second jen9's suggestion with the Magic Eraser - that's a very fine abrasive and your safest bet. You don't want to further damage the glaze. It's much like the black marks you can get on your plates from knives and when I get those I use the ME - works like a charm

I had the Mr. Clean and it did nothing. I felt the area with my fingers and it's as smooth as can be, so I don't think a pumice would help because it gets hard spots/rings off the toilet.

But this isn't a residue. I'm wondering if I actually took some of the finish off?

Vitreous china! Thanks. I knew the tub and kitchen sink is cast iron so I assumed the toilet was too. lol.

Ten bucks this is a first. :)

You could try Bar Keeper's friend. I like it better than comet and use it for my iron sinks, tubs, and the toilets too.

Done it myself. When we bought this house (the druggy house of the neighborhood), the toilet and bathtub were beyond scuzzy with all the neighborhood teens using this house as their hang-out, 24/7.

Turn off the water line in the back of the toilet and flush one last time.
Don't bother drying the bowl.
Make a paste of Comet or Ajax cleaner with a bit of water.
Smear the paste on the stain and let it set a bit.
Using a sponge, the gentler type used for Teflon pans, gently scrub the stain in a cirrcular motion.

Pour a little clear water over the paste/stain to see how much has come off.

Repeat.

It works!

Once the stain is removed, Don't forget to turn back on your water line. (don't ask. lol)

Not disregarding the above, but I wonder if denture tablets would work. They're supposed to be great for that kind of stuff. Easy, too!

LOL, squirrel! Amity, I can't believe you did it too! Gosh, I don't think we've turned the water off from the valve behind the toilet EVER. WE always turn it off outside.

I'll try it later when I get some comet.

Next time I'll use fine sandpaper, which is pretty much what pumice stones are in various strengths.

This is true, Oakley! Maybe it would be a good preventative measure also.

I wouldn't keep sanding the porcelain finish unless you really want to just ditch that old toilet ;) They actually warn about leaving cleaning chemicals in there. It not only has the potential to stain, with the colors, but the warning is more about breaking down the finish, I think. Don't want to break that water barrier!

Here is a link that might be useful: Extraordinary Uses for Denture Tablets