Available means for cleaning the toilet from urinary stone. How to clean the toilet from urinary stone with home remedies and household chemicals Acetic acid urinary stone in the toilet bowl

Few people like to wash the bathroom and the bathroom, but the question of how to clean the toilet bowl regularly arises among housewives. After all, this plumbing product is most polluted due to many factors. In addition to its main purpose, and, accordingly, soiling with feces, rusty and dark stains, limescale often appear on the inner surface of the toilet bowl, microbes accumulate and multiply under the rim.

To simplify the cleaning process, you need to understand how to properly wash the toilet, and how you can clean it quickly and efficiently. Moreover, in addition to store-bought cleaning products, you can use a lot of homemade tools that will cope with the task of cleaning no worse than expensive powders and liquids. It is also important to know how to prevent the appearance of pollution, which will help to always keep it clean.

Causes of deposits on the surface of the toilet

Before you figure out how and with what to wash the toilet from stone and plaque, you need to understand why it gets dirty so quickly and often. Moreover, ugly dirty marks appear not only under the rim and on free surfaces, but even where a certain level of water is constantly located. There are several reasons for the appearance of deposits:

  1. Hard water. It is its composition, which is supplied to houses and apartments, that affects the color of the inner surface of plumbing. Even if it seems that the water there is clean, the ceramics gradually turn yellow and red.
  2. Rust. Poor water quality can cause rusty stains to form on plumbing surfaces. As a rule, they occur if the pipes have not been changed or cleaned for a long time, and it is difficult and long to wash them out.
  3. Urinary stone. The composition of human urine and feces also affects the color of the inside of the toilet. Thorough rinsing after yourself and cleaning your plumbing regularly will minimize this contamination, but it will show up over time.

The reason for the constant appearance of dirty marks can be the use of metal brushes or coarse abrasives that scratch the surface of the faience and provoke deposits in these scratches. It is better to take a strong detergent, but apply it with a soft brush.

There is an opinion that a clean sink and a clean toilet bowl are the face of the hostess, however, in fact, not only the reputation of the woman caring for him, but also the health of the household depends on cleanliness. The toilet bowl is a place where pathogenic bacteria constantly accumulate, and the presence of limescale and urinary stone in the drain pipes contributes to this.

There is an opinion that a clean sink and a clean toilet bowl are the face of the hostess, however, in fact, not only the reputation of the woman caring for him, but also the health of the household depends on cleanliness. The toilet bowl is a place where pathogenic bacteria constantly accumulate, and the presence of limescale and urinary stone in the drain pipes contributes to this.

Causes of the appearance of a urinary stone on the walls of the toilet

The appearance of a urinary stone depends on many factors. The cause may be poor water quality in the cistern, infrequent flushing while using the toilet, a broken cistern, old plumbing and poor drain enamelling, or all of these reasons together.

Urinary stone is a plaque consisting of lime and mineral deposits. To a greater extent, the amount of these deposits will depend on the regularity of cleaning the plumbing and on the condition of the pipes, the more rough places in the drain pipe, the easier it will be for mineral deposits to settle there, the thicker the stone layer will be.

What is necessary

To remove limescale from the drain pipe, you will need:

  • rubber gloves;
  • a container for removing water from the toilet or vantus;
  • cleaning agent.

How to clean the toilet from a urinary stone

To clean the toilet from corrosive plaque, you first need to remove all available water from the drain pipe, for this you need to block the access of water and remove the existing one, this can be done using an old ladle, or a can, a large syringe, a plunger or any other container that you can remove excess fluid from the drain hole.

The presence of water will reduce the effectiveness of stone removal products, so for maximum effect, it is worth a little fiddling to get the desired result.

Then, carefully protecting your hands from aggressive agents, you need to apply them to the urinary stone, leaving for a long time, ideally overnight. After some time, the stone is removed with a hard sponge, brush, brush, spatula, plastic or knife, or other thing with a fairly hard surface. However, it is worth considering, injuring the surface of the drain, that the problem with the urinary stone will form more often.

Folk remedies

The choice of means to combat stone plaque is quite large, you can use a special solution or gel purchased at the store, you can choose a tool from improvised materials available at home.

What can be used to clean the drain pipe from the stone?

Vinegar

Vinegar is in almost every home, its use is not limited to culinary needs. The scope of its application is quite wide and one of such applications is cleaning the toilet bowl.

In order to clean the toilet drain pipe from plaque, you will need vinegar, about a glass and old rags. It is desirable to heat the vinegar, although a room temperature solution can be used. Then, with warm vinegar, after putting on gloves, we abundantly soak the old rags and lay them on the affected areas of the drain. The toilet is closed with a lid and left for a while. Plaque under the action of vinegar softens and is easily separated from the surface with a spatula or knife.

Lemon acid

Citric acid should be applied with a damp sponge or cloth in a thick layer to the affected areas, left for several hours, and then sting with a hard sponge or brush. Sometimes the procedure should be repeated until the plaque is completely eliminated.

Oxalic acid

The principle of working with oxalic acid is the same as when working with citric acid. Oxalic acid crystals are applied to a wet surface in a thick layer and left for some time, then the surface is cleaned with a hard sponge.

Please note that oxalic acid is very caustic and gloves must be worn when working with it!

Food grade and soda ash

Soda, both food and soda, for cleaning the drain pipe, can be used both in pure form and in company with acetic acid, and some housewives also attract chlorine bleach.

In the case of choosing chlorine for cleaning the toilet, care should be taken to protect the lungs from the release of corrosive gas, for these purposes it is worth taking care of good ventilation of the toilet room and the ability to close the toilet tightly.

Baking soda, in proportion to soda ash, is converted with water into a thick slurry, which is applied to damaged surfaces. If desired, after a while, the soda gruel is sprayed on top with vinegar and / or chlorine bleach. Then, with a stiff brush, the mixture is removed along with the plaque. If necessary, the procedure should be repeated.

Coca Cola or Sprite

Due to the fact that imported soda contains a large amount of citric acid, it is often used to eliminate various deposits and scale. Coca-Cola has proven itself in cleaning the toilet.

Such a tasty and not the cheapest method is quite effective, if necessary, soda can even be heated. The effect occurs in about 3-4 hours.

White

White contains in its composition a caustic ingredient that removes lime deposits well, while it dissolves it entirely. The effect of whiteness can be compared with the effect known to many housewives, Domestos.

Bleach

One of the most unhealthy ways to remove stone deposits is to use chlorine. Working with this tool requires special care, since in case of inept handling, you can get a burn of the respiratory tract. Due to its properties, which allow not only to remove plaque, but also to kill all possible germs, bleach is still one of the most common products used to clean toilets.

store funds

Modern household chemicals allow you to quickly and effectively eliminate any problem, including eliminating limescale that has formed in the toilet bowl.

Domestos

This tool has already been mentioned above. Domestos dissolves limescale in the drain pipe, softens it and makes it easy to fix the problem. The tool usually has a gel structure and does not immediately drain from the surface, which allows you to exclude additional elements, such as old rags, when using. Contains chlorine!

Dressing Duck

Another remedy for fighting plaque and bacteria is toilet duck. In its composition, the main component is hydrochloric acid. The method of application is the same. It is necessary to apply the product in a thin layer on the damaged areas and leave for a while, if necessary, repeat. Then clean the drain with a stiff brush or sponge and rinse with plenty of water.

Cillit

The composition of this tool also contains hydrochloric acid. According to users, it has proven itself in cleaning toilet bowls from lime build-up.

comet

Another modern tool in the fight against bacteria and limescale under the rim of the toilet bowl and in the drain holes. The tool has proven itself in the fight against limescale and rust. How to use - apply the product to the damaged areas, leave for 15-20 minutes and then remove with a brush or a hard sponge.

Sanoks

Cleaning agent manufactured by Aist. Differs in reasonable price and fast cleaning effect.

Mister Muscle

To remove limescale in the toilet, choose Mister Muscle in granules. The crystals are applied to a damp damaged surface, which is subsequently cleaned with a brush and washed with water.

Anticalc

Specially formulated limescale remover for plumbing fixtures. Apply in accordance with the instructions.

Powerful chemistry

If the pollution is very old and the layer of calcareous growths is very thick, then potent substances come into play.

It should be noted that their frequent use is contraindicated!

Hydrochloric acid

The use of hydrochloric acid requires compliance with safety rules. It is not recommended to inhale acid fumes! It is forbidden to use acid in the presence of plastic pipes. Be sure to use protective gloves!

Acid is applied to the inside of the toilet bowl and under the rim, left for 15 minutes and washed off with a brush and a large stream of water.

Battery electrolyte

The main component of the battery electrolyte, which is the main active element in a car battery, is sulfuric acid. It is known from the school curriculum that this substance is extremely dangerous and must be used with extreme caution and only in the most extreme cases.

Orthophosphoric acid

This substance will allow you to get rid of the urinary stone in just 10-15 minutes. It can be used even in the presence of plastic elements and pipes. Be sure to use rubber gloves!

How to clean the rim of the toilet from a urinary stone

The principle of cleaning the toilet bowl from plaque under the rim is the same as cleaning the drain pipe, only in this case the cleaning agent is applied directly under the rim of the toilet bowl. It is better to choose liquid, products that are easily applied under the rim. For example, use household chemicals in convenient plastic containers with a curved spout. Then you should use a toilet brush to remove dirt. For washing, you can use a powerful syringe.

What to do if the toilet is clogged with urinary stone

It happens that a urinary stone forms on the walls of the drain pipe, in places inaccessible to the human eye. In these cases, residents often encounter periodic blockages.

To eliminate this problem, you can use special tools to eliminate blockages, which help to corrode not only the blockages themselves, but also the stone from which they arose. With frequent blockages, it may be worth calling a professional to fix the problem.

Features of cleaning toilet bowls from various materials

When cleaning the toilet, consider the materials from which it is made. Nowadays, the toilet bowls themselves are most often made of ceramic or faience, but the pipes can be made of different materials, plastic, metal, metal and plastic at the same time. Pipe connections can be made of plastic or rubber. These nuances should be taken into account when choosing means to eliminate pollution.

If the toilet is made of porcelain. When cleaning porcelain toilet bowls, it is important not to damage the enamel with which it is covered, extra scratches on the surface lead to the destruction of the toilet bowl and contribute to the rapid clogging of damaged areas with limescale, and urinary stone forms even faster. Here you should avoid cleaning with abrasive products, powders. For cleaning porcelain toilets, it is best to choose acidic and alkaline cleaners.

Ceramics and faience. When cleaning ceramic and earthenware toilet bowls, a hydrochloric acid solution is ideal. Metal brushes, spatulas should be excluded, as they form scratches. When processing the toilet bowl, it is not recommended to use boiling water if there is no desire to change the burst toilet bowl.

Polymer concrete. For toilets made from polymer concrete, gel cleaners and liquid cleaners are well suited.

Stainless steel. The most unpretentious toilet bowls are made of this material, however, they are quite rare. When cleaning stainless steel toilet bowls, any cleaning and auxiliary products will do. A spatula, iron brushes, all this will not cause any harm to the toilet. You can also use boiling water in processing.

Stone Prevention Methods

Any problem is easier to prevent than fix. In order for the urinary stone to be deposited less often, some rules should be followed.

Simple ways to keep your toilet bowl clean:

  1. Clean the toilet bowl regularly, without waiting for the accumulation of stony deposits on its walls.
  2. Use tablets or gels to soften the water in the tank.
  3. Change old plumbing in a timely manner.
  4. Avoid stagnant water in the toilet, if you plan to leave for a long time, pour a small amount of cleaning agent into the drain pipe.
  5. Check the condition of the drain tank.

Whatever material the toilet is made of, over time, deposits in the form of yellow plaque and urinary stone will appear on it. These contaminants do not pose a threat to human health. But since they exude an unpleasant odor and look far from aesthetically pleasing, it is recommended to remove the urinary stone immediately after the appearance.

Why does plaque appear on the toilet?

The main factors of urinary stone deposition are:

  1. Rare and poor-quality cleaning of the toilet bowl. If you do not wash the toilet thoroughly, at least once a week, then plaque will constantly settle under the rim. And, over time, its layer will only thicken.
  2. A common cause of contamination is irregular flushing. It concerns families with small children, or very frugal people. If flushing is not carried out after each trip to the toilet, then the mineral plaque becomes so dense that it will be extremely difficult to wash the stone with a simple brush and household products.
  3. Constant maintenance of plumbing can lead to such an unpleasant phenomenon as damage to the protective coating. When the integrity of the anti-mud coating is broken, the plaque settles in the cracks, and there it is almost impossible to wash it off.

In order for the toilet to last as long as possible and look well-groomed, it must be cleaned carefully, regularly and only with special means.

How to get rid of plaque with cleaning products?

To remove a urinary stone, you can use simple cleaning powders, for example, Pemolux or Comet. To do this, you need to scoop out water from the toilet, pour a small amount of powder inside and rub it with a brush. It may take a long time to achieve the desired result and this method cannot be called the most effective. In addition, the powders scratch the coating and leave behind microcracks, into which dirt clogs over time.

Due to its composition, which includes sodium hydroxide, alkaline agents show high efficiency in the fight against urinary stone.

You can use "Whiteness" or "Domestos". Water should also be scooped out, applied to the surface of the selected gel and left for 30 minutes. After the specified time, clean the inside of the toilet and rinse off the remnants of the product and plaque with water. Alkali dissolves unwanted deposits well, so products based on it cope even with old pollution.


Means "Sanita-gel", "Silit" and "Toilet duck" contain various acids. They are perhaps the most effective toilet cleaner. In addition, such gels often have a disinfecting effect. With their help, you can not only wash the stone, but also get rid of infections. They should be used in the same way as alkaline products.

How to get rid of urinary stone using folk methods?

Stone plaque can be easily dissolved with folk remedies. Among them are:

  • vinegar and baking soda;
  • lemon acid;
  • oxalic acid;
  • bleach;

To clean the toilet with vinegar, the liquid must be heated to 30-35 degrees and mixed with 0.5 tsp. soda. The resulting solution should be evenly distributed over the entire surface inside the toilet and left overnight. By morning, the stone will completely dissolve and it remains only to wash it off with water. Perhaps this is the best remedy for getting rid of the stone at home.


Citric acid helps to remove plaque that has not had much time to petrify. You need to purchase 4 sachets of acid, mix with a drop of water and apply to deposits. Leave on for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight. In the morning you need to drain the water and, if necessary, walk with a brush.

Oxalic acid is not an expensive and effective remedy, but it is not available to everyone. Now in its pure form it is sold much less often. The acid is easy to use and works quickly. It is poured onto contaminated areas and left for 30-60 minutes. After the specified time, the acid will already corrode the stone and all that remains is to wash it off with water. Another plus of oxalic acid is the absence of an unpleasant odor.

Chlorine not only dissolves urinary stone, but also disinfects it. The product must be poured into the toilet and left for half an hour, and then rinsed with water. For best results, you can walk with a brush.


What measures to take in advanced cases?

If the toilet bowl is already quite old, then roughness, chips and cracks can be found on its surface. In such cases, even regular cleaning with powerful tools will not help to avoid the appearance of deposits. Most often, only replacing the toilet helps, but if this is not yet possible, you can resort to unconventional methods to remove a urinary stone in the toilet:

  • electrolyte (battery fluid).


To wash the stone, you need 1 liter. carbonated drink. It is poured into the toilet and left for 2 hours. Coca-Cola will corrode deposits, and they can be easily removed from the surface, all that remains is to lightly rub with a brush and rinse everything off with water.

If all of the above methods do not help, then you can use the electrolyte.

Attention! Under no circumstances should the electrolyte be used in systems with plastic pipes.

The electrolyte quickly corrodes not only the urinary stone, but also the sewer wiring. If the sewer pipes are made of iron, then this method can be applied.

The use of electrolyte requires special care and accuracy. He can easily clean the toilet from the stone, but can also leave burns on the body. Therefore, before starting work, you need to take care of your uniform. A person must wear a rubber apron, gloves, and a respirator. Eyes also need to be protected with glasses and only after that take on acid.


Pour the electrolyte carefully and slowly so that it does not splatter. To do this, hold the container so that it is as close to the toilet as possible. After the liquid has been applied to all the necessary areas, you need to wait 15 minutes, then simply wash off the electrolyte, and with it the urinary stone. No need to feel sorry for the water, it is worth rinsing at least 6 times.

Regardless of what means a person uses, he must always take care of his safety.

Gloves should always be on the hands, and a respirator on the face. If it was not at hand - you can not bend low over the toilet. Inhaling the fumes from the reaction of the funds is completely useless.

How to prevent the formation of deposits?

In order not to resort to the use of strong means, a number of simple measures can be taken to prevent the problem.


Today I propose to find the answer to the question of how to clean the toilet from urinary stone at home. First, let's figure out what a urinary stone is and where it comes from.

The answer is very simple: such plaque is formed due to the mineral composition of human urine and untimely cleaning of the toilet bowl.

Popular:

How to clean

If the toilet bowl is covered with a plaque of urinary stone, there is nothing left but to find a quick and effective way to clean it.

Method number 1

This method will tell you how to deal with the problem with the usual "Whiteness". To use it you need:

wipe the toilet place from the inside with a rag to drain the faience from moisture;

pour "Whiteness" on problem areas: the more, the better;

leave for 12 hours;

after the “sagging” of the plaque, wash off the remnants of the product with warm water.

Method number 2

This method will show you how to clean the toilet from a urinary stone with vinegar. For this you need:

measure out one glass of table vinegar and pour it into the pan;
put on fire and heat up to 40 degrees;
add two teaspoons of soda;
pour the solution on problem areas and leave for 8 hours;
wash off the remaining plaque and solution with warm water.

If not all the stone has come off at once, repeat the procedure.

Method number 3

Coca-Cola is not only for drinking

The third way to clean the toilet from a urinary stone is Coca-Cola:

take 4 liters of drink;

fill with this amount of deposits and leave to "sour";

after 4 hours, clean and polish the faience with a brush.

Method number 4

For cleaning, you can try using oxalic acid, the powder of which is commercially available.

To use you need:

put on gloves and apply the powder to a damp sponge or rag;
wipe problem areas;

leave the applied powder for one hour;

rinse with water and brush.

Method number 5

Citric acid kills urinary stone.

Many housewives are wondering how to clean the toilet from urinary stone with citric acid. To do this, you need to buy several bags of funds. Essence can also be used.

To use this tool you need:

pour the powder or pour the essence on the places of deposits;
close the toilet lid and leave for two hours;
open the lid and wash off the residue with water and a brush.

running case

In especially advanced cases, when all of the above methods do not help, you can use battery fluid. This is the most radical and effective way, but it is also the most dangerous.

If you watch a video on how to clean the toilet from a urinary stone with electrolyte, you will see how effectively the acid dissolves plaque. But with the same success, battery fluid will leave chemical burns on your skin.

Therefore, to work with this tool, you must follow safety measures. Be sure to use a rubberized apron and thick rubber gloves. Protect your eyes with goggles or a shield. For respiratory safety, use a respirator.

So, after you have prepared, you can start cleaning:

carefully pour the electrolyte on the places of plaque deposits, avoiding any splashing;

leave the toilet with liquid for 15 minutes;

wash off the electrolyte with the remnants of plaque and deposits with plenty of water.

Every woman dreams of perfect cleanliness in her home. However, the too active pace of life of a modern person does not allow this to be achieved: work, caring for children practically do not leave time for high-quality cleaning. This is especially true for toilet cleaning. If it is not cleaned in time, urinary stone accumulates on it. It is formed from the minerals contained in human urine. The most favorable environment for the formation of a urinary stone is the place of stagnant water and the rim of the toilet bowl. Therefore, the problem of how to clean the toilet from urinary stone is very relevant for modern housewives.

Urinary stone is formed due to the following factors:

  1. Poor and irregular cleaning.
  2. Untimely or insufficient flushing is especially relevant for families with children who rarely remember to always flush after themselves. As a result, minerals gradually eat into the walls of the toilet bowl and form a yellow coating.
  3. Broken tank.
  4. Defects on the surface of plumbing are a favorable environment for the accumulation of bacteria.
  5. Very old plumbing.

If the toilet is not cleaned in a timely manner, stone plaque in the toilet bowl accumulates very quickly, increases in size, and as a result, the outlet is greatly narrowed. If this problem is found, do not delay with its solution - immediately begin the fight against urinary stone. If the plaque has become very dense, it will be very difficult to remove it and no household tools will help you. As a result, only a complete replacement of plumbing will help solve the problem.

Cleaning instructions

If the hostess constantly monitors the cleanliness of the toilet bowl, its condition always remains good. It is necessary not only to follow the operating instructions, but also to use the necessary means for cleaning.

Cleaning the toilet comes down to the use of folk remedies and household chemistry. How to remove urinary stone from the surface of the toilet bowl? Consider the main stages of work:

Remember: the older and thicker the formation, the more aggressive means should be used. It is unlikely that you will be able to remove a thick yellow coating from the first dose. You can bring it out completely gradually. Important! Children should not be around while cleaning plumbing with chemicals, as most cleaning products are very toxic.

Basic Methods

The question of how to clean the toilet from a stone on your own worries many housewives. Consider the most effective means and methods:

"Domestos" and "Whiteness"

The composition of these alkaline agents includes caustic soda, which acts directly on the urinary stone, while dissolving it completely. First, wipe the surface to be treated dry, after removing the water. Apply the selected agent to the affected areas, hold for 30 minutes, rinse with plenty of water. If necessary, repeat the procedure.

Vinegar

You need to take 1 cup of ordinary vinegar, pour it into a bowl and heat it up a little on the fire. Then add soda (3 tsp) and mix well. With the resulting solution, treat the surface of the toilet bowl and leave to act overnight. Then rinse off the remaining product with water.

Lemon acid

The easiest and cheapest way. It is enough to pour 4-5 sachets of the product onto the walls of the toilet bowl and leave for 2-3 hours. You can use lemon essence. After that, also use a brush and rinse with water. This method will not completely remove the stone, but it can easily cope with a small plaque.

Bleach

With this tool, you can not only remove the urinary stone, but also destroy microbes. In addition, chlorine is an excellent whitening agent. It is necessary to treat the walls of the toilet bowl with bleach and leave for 12 hours. For the best effect, use a special brush. Important! Although effective, chlorine has a negative effect on health.

Carbonated drinks

Coca Cola, Sprite, and other high gas drinks are very effective in removing urinary stones. To clean the toilet, pour 2-3 bottles of the drink and leave for 12 hours. Due to the high content of citric acid contained in carbonated drinks, the urinary stone quickly dissolves and the surface becomes dazzling white.

Oxalic acid

Experienced housewives recommend cleaning the toilet from stone with oxalic acid. It can be purchased at any economic department, especially since it is inexpensive. Acid should be poured into the toilet and left for about 8 hours (with the lid closed). Then treat with a brush and water.

Caustic soda

This is a very popular tool that can clean pipes of almost any blockage. In addition to urinary stone, caustic soda cleans the surface of fat. Be sure to wear a protective mask and gloves before working.

Orthophosphoric acid

To clean the stone, you need to make a cleaning solution: dilute 150 g of acid in 1 liter of water, apply it to the contaminated surface and leave it to act for half an hour. Then carefully treat the surface with a brush and be sure to rinse with plenty of water.

Hydrochloric acid

With the help of 33% hydrochloric acid solution, a urinary stone can be removed very quickly. However, you need to use the tool very carefully, using all protective equipment. Pour 1 cup of acid down the toilet, rub it in with a special brush, and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Then use your usual cleanser and rinse with water. Remember that this method is not recommended if you have plastic sewer pipes in your house.

Battery electrolyte

This is a very strong tool for combating almost any deposits, thanks to its sulfuric acid. It is necessary to treat the contaminated surface with liquid electrolyte and leave for just a few minutes. Battery electrolyte is sold in any department of automotive chemistry.

Anticalc

An excellent tool that can remove any kind of pollution. It is necessary to pour one package of the product into the toilet and leave it to act for 12 hours. After that, you will see that the plaque fell off on its own. The remaining dirt on the walls of the toilet should be removed with a stiff brush, then rinsed with water.

Special funds

Today, hardware stores offer a huge range of products designed specifically for removing urinary stones: gels, solutions and creams. All of them have a very fast action - about half an hour. During this time, the entire plaque is completely dissolved. Liquid products should be applied to the rim of the toilet bowl, and after treatment, cleaned with a brush. Unlike abrasive powders, they do not leave scratches on the earthenware surface.

Pumice

Ordinary pumice stone in this case will not be very convenient, it is better to purchase a special pumice stone on a stick.

Soda

There are times when a person cannot use household chemicals for cleaning, for example, due to allergies. An excellent solution is to use ordinary soda: pour 1 cup of the product onto a dry surface and carefully brush it with a brush.

Prevention

To avoid the formation of dense plaque, there is no need to regularly use potent agents. It is enough to follow a few simple recommendations:


Remember that it is better to prevent any contamination than to clean it up afterwards.