Urinals are plumbing fixtures mostly used in public places. The urine crystals can block the p-traps of these urinals and produce bad smells there.
How to Dissolve Urine Crystals in Urinals? You can dissolve the urine crystals in urinals with mild acidic cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, enzyme-based cleaners, vinegar, lemon, baking soda, citric acid, and carbonated beverages. You can also use hydrochloric acid, chemical descalers, bleach, denture cleaners, and borax.
The clogging of urinals occurs when minerals, salts, and uric acid crystals build in their traps. Moreover, you can also see yellow stains because of poor cleaning. Therefore, installing the auto flush systems in these fixtures is better so these cannot cause blockage.
Mild acidic cleaners
Acidic cleaners are available in markets that can dissolve the uric acid crystal and sediments built up in the urinals. These cleaners have different pH ranges from high to mildly acidic, depending on the situation.
The acidic cleaners can work for 12 to 15 minutes, making the containers neat and clean. In addition, these can also remove stains, and you can see the shiny porcelain surface.
It is better to use those with pH ranges from 3 to 4 because these are mildly acidic and cannot damage the porcelain materials.
Avoid using highly acidic because it can produce cracks in them. Instead, flush the residues with water before applying any cleaners to them.
Use the cleaners, swipe the surface for toilet brushes, and leave it for a few minutes. Then, flush them with tap water to remove the urine crystals and acidic cleaners.
Hydrogen peroxide and bleach
Hydrogen peroxide is available in the market, and you can use them to remove stubborn stains and crystals.
The hydrogen peroxide alone is harsh, so you can dilute them with water to make a less concentrated solution. Pour the cup of hydrogen peroxide solution into the urinal bowls and leave it for distribution of uric acid salts and minerals build up.
Flushing is necessary to remove the hydrogen peroxide residues because long-term exposure causes color fading. You can also use commercial bleaching cleaners because these also contain hydrogen peroxide as the active chemical.
Moreover, ammonia is also present in bleach, which helps in the breakdown of minerals and proteins present in urine.
You can also get rid of smells that are coming from these fixtures because hydrogen peroxide kills the smell causing bacteria and their colonies.
Baking soda and vinegar
Baking soda and vinegar are safe and environment-friendly options for cleaning urinals. It is helpful to dissolve the uric acid and calcium crystals by breaking them.
It contains neutrons that can react with these particles and damage them. However, these are also safe for ceramic and porcelain bowls because they are less toxic.
You can use simple baking soda powder for this purpose. Sprinkle the powder on the surface of the urinals and allow them to sit it for a few hours because of their slow action.
You can increase the efficiency of baking soda by mixing them with vinegar and lemon juice. Sprinkle the baking soda and spray it with lemon juice or vinegar solution.
Remove the residues with water; you can see a clean and shiny surface.
Carbonate beverages and citric acid
The carbonated beverages are mildly acidic, which can break the protein and urine crystals that cause smells in the areas where urinal fixtures are installed.
Pour the carbonated beverages into the bowls, and removing the smell and blockages from the traps is helpful. Moreover, you can use pure citric acid to break organic particles.
You can squeeze the lemon in the bowl and leave it overnight because of its slow action. These are safe to use because they cannot produce scratches and negatively affect the surrounding environment.
It makes bathrooms more inviting because of their specific smells. Moreover, you can use grapefruit juice and oranges for this purpose because these also contain high content of acetic and citric acid.
Commercial Descalers and enzyme-based cleaners
Commercial urinal DESCALERS contain harsh chemicals that are mildly acidic. These sit on the traps and remove the clogs that cause blockages and smells.
It is helpful to dissolve the uric acid crystals and calcium salts that build on the traps when you do not clean them for a longer time.
These are safe; you can use them twice weekly for better results. Moreover, it is also better to use heavy-duty DESCALERS when clogging is severe but avoid their frequent use because of toxic fumes.
The non-toxic ones are the most suitable option for frequent cleaning practices. Pour the liquid solution directly into the P-traps slowly, and it removes the uric acid, calcium, greases, and rust that builds up on their surfaces.
You can also use enzyme-based cleaners for this purpose because these do not damage the ceramic and porcelain material.
These cleaners contain specific enzymes that are helpful in the breakdown of urine proteins and lipids. Shake the bottle, spray it on the affected surface of the urinal, and wait 3 to 5 minutes.
Flush them with water to remove the residues and check the removal of stains and blockages.
Denture cleaners and hydrochloric acid
Denture cleaners are specifically used for cleaning dentures when you take them out of the mouth. These can kill the bacteria, fat, and protein in human feces and urine.
It acts as the dissolving agent for urine salts because of harsh chemicals. Sodium hypochlorite and baking soda are the active ingredients of denture cleaners.
These can react with fat, protein, and uric acid and break the urine crystals completely. These can remove the yellow stains and stinky smells by killing the bacteria.
You can use the denture tables to unclog the p-traps of the urinals. Then, fill them with hot water by closing the traps and adding one or two tablets, depending on the blockage severity.
Leave it for 12 to 14 hours to react with the organic ingredients. Flush the bowl and repeat the procedure if stains remain there.
It is also necessary to cover your face and hands using denture tablets because these are mildly acidic. Most people use hydrochloric acid for cleaning purposes within a few minutes.
These have strong actions and can free the traps from the urates within 2 to 3 minutes. However, avoid using them frequently because they can damage the ceramic bowls.
Moreover, frequent use is damaging because it releases chloramine gas that is intense and harmful to the environment and humans.
Borax
Borax helps break down urine crystals and minerals like calcium that build up in urinals from excessive use and long-term exposure to urines. It is also used to disinfect things that fell in the toilet.
It contains sodium borate and sodium tetraborate, which act as the cleaning agent and break the urates preset in bowls.
It comes mainly in powdered form, and you cannot sprinkle the powder direct because you can inhale them with air. In addition, borax powder inhaled is poisonous for humans because it is toxic and causes allergic reactions.
Mixing them with warm or soapy water is better for their proper usage. Turn off the ceiling and exhaust fans of public placing while making the mixture.
Add the mixture, use the brush to spread it completely on the inner side, and leave it for 5 to 6 minutes. Flush with water approximately two times to remove the borax residues.
You can increase borax’s efficiency and working action by mixing them with liquid vinegar.
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