If you've noticed a pink or red slimy substance forming in your toilet bowl, you're not alone. It is bacteria known as Serratia marcescens, according to Roxanne Johnson, North Dakota State University Extension Service water quality associate.
Bacteria cause the pink or red substance you may find in your toilet bowl, sink, bathtub or shower stall. Bacteria caused this line of a pinkish-red substance to form in a toilet bowl.
What is the pink ring? This ring isn't rust, or mineral deposits like some may think. This ring of color is actually caused by a bacteria called Serratia Marcescens. This bacteria is usually considered harmless in the home, though all bacteria is generally something to remove.
If you're seeing pink stains in your bathroom, the problem is not usually water quality. Pink stains in bathtubs, toilets, and showers are caused by a bacteria called Serratia marcescens, which is found naturally in the environment. This bacteria is airborne and finds a home on moist surfaces.
The most effective way to rid your life of toilet bowl ring is to prevent it from growing in the first place. This can be accomplished by applying a small amount of cleaning agent each time you use the bathroom. The cleaning agent stays in the toilet between uses to maximize the cleaning time.
Serratia marcescens love a moist environment but cannot survive in chlorinated water. However, when tap water sits around, like in a toilet bowl, or on grout, or on a shower curtain, the chlorine evaporates and bacteria can take root and multiply, especially if soapy deposits are present which they use as food.
Serratia Marcescens Toilet Cleaning
If you need to scrub an area, Bob Vila.com recommends using a mixture of baking soda and dish detergent to scrub away all visible pink mold; then rinse it thoroughly with water before washing down the entire surface with a bleach-and-water mixture.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
If you are concerned about using harsh chemicals in your home, there are a few natural ways to get rid of a toilet ring. You can use baking soda and vinegar to scrub the ring away. You can also use lemon juice or Borax to remove the ring.
There is a chance your jewelry is lingering somewhere within your toilet. Most likely, you'll find it at the bottom of the toilet bowl and can easily retrieve your ring before flushing. However, if you do flush accidentally, your chances of finding your expensive diamond jewelry are minimal.
Bleach is highly effective in breaking down grime and removing discoloration in toilets. This cleaning method is recommended for old toilet ring stains that require heavy-duty cleaning.
S. marcescens has been shown to cause a wide range of infectious diseases, including urinary, respiratory, and biliary tract infections, peritonitis, wound infections, and intravenous catheter-related infections, which can also lead to life-threatening bacteremia.
If an infected hand touches the eye and natural immunity is unable to fend off Serratia colonization, the result might be conjunctivitis, keratitis or tear duct infections, for example. Once in the bloodstream, Serratia bacteria can cause endocarditis, bacteremia, meningitis, osteomyelitis and arthritis.
Today, Serratia marcescens is considered a harmful human pathogen which has been known to cause urinary tract infections, wound infections, and pneumonia. Serratia bacteria also have many antibiotic resistance properties which may become important if the incidence of Serratia infections dramatically increases.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa was killed in 10 seconds by all concentrations of ethanol from 30% to 100% (v/v), and Serratia marcescens, E, coli and Salmonella typhosa were killed in 10 seconds by all concentrations of ethanol from 40% to 100%.
Although extremely rare, it can also cause pneumonia and meningitis. Once s. marcescens has established itself on a surface, completely eliminating it can be very difficult. Total eradication of the bacteria can be only accomplished with a bleach-based disinfectant or cleaner.
MACROSCOPIC APPEARANCE. Colonies often appear opaque, somewhat iridescent, white, pink, magenta, or red. Cultures can produce two kinds of odors, a fishy to urinary odor or a musty, potato-like odor.
In order to wipe away germs, disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily and give the bathroom a thorough cleaning at least once a week. That should include scrubbing the tub and toilet bowl as well as handles and other surfaces. Dr.
Add one cup of baking soda to the clogged toilet or slow drain, then wait a few minutes. Follow with two cups of vinegar. Listen for bubbling and sizzling noises to indicate that the mixture is working. Wait another couple of minutes before either flushing the toilet or running water down the drain.
Vinegar is a great toilet cleaning solution. Not only is it free of chemicals and naturally antibacterial, it's also an acid, so it will remove minor lime and calcium deposits. All you need to do is pour a couple cups of vinegar in your tank and let it sit for an hour or so, then scrub and flush to rinse.
Those yellowy brown stains inside your toilet bowl look terrible. They're not what they look like. But your guests don't know that. What they are is a buildup of iron deposits from the water supply.
Over time your toilet water can cause an unsightly rainbow of stains and mineral build up in your toilet bowl. CLR® Calcium, Lime & Rust Remover helps you flush the filth away.
Leaving bleach in a toilet overnight is fine, but you shouldn't leave it any longer, or else it might corrode your toilet. If you do decide to leave it in the bowl overnight, let other members of your household know so that they don't use the toilet and accidentally mix the bleach with ammonia from urine.