Eco-Friendly Toilet Bowl Cleaners
After years of cleaning my toilet with bleach, I became curious whether there was a less toxic, eco-friendly option for cleaning my toilet bowl that would work just as well. After some trial and error, I was pleased to discover several amazing options for eco-friendly toilet bowl cleaners. So if you’re curious about gentler toilet bowl cleaners, trust that you too can break up with bleach.
- Castile Soap or Sal Suds
- Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Mrs. Meyer’s Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Lemi Shine Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Nature Clean Toilet Bowl Cleaner Strips
- Blueland Tablet Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Foaming Powder
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Why Switch to an Eco-Friendly Toilet Bowl Cleaner?
Toilet bowl cleaners are meant to disinfect and clean and often use incredibly harsh chemicals. Toxic chemicals in toilet bowl cleaners can cause a whole host of health problems, not to mention they can damage your actual toilet. I used to dump bleach in the tank to clean my toilet bowl, and I had to replace several parts in my toilet tank that had worn away from the constant bleaching.
Eco-Friendly toilet bowl cleaners are an easy swap in your bathroom to eliminate the risk of damage to your toilet, the environment, or your health.
Best Eco-Friendly Toilet Bowl Cleaners
Castile Soap or Sal Suds
- THIS VARIETY PACK INCLUDES: (1) 32 Ounce Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner & (1) 32 Ounce Peppermint Pure-Castile Liquid Soap
- VERSATILE ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER: Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner is powerful & concentrated enough to clean floors, laundry, dishes, furniture, & cars—but gently formulated so it…
- 3X MORE CONCENTRATED THAN MOST LIQUID SOAPS: Dilute! Dilute! Multiple uses for just one product: laundry, mopping, hand-washing dishes, all-purpose cleaning, washing pets & more. More soap per bottle…
Castile Soap and Sal Suds are amazing options for cleaning your toilet bowl (and a million other things around your house). These cleaners are super concentrated, so the tiniest amount goes a long way, meaning these 32-ounce bottles last a long time, leaving you with less packaging and product waste.
Castile soap and Sal Suds not only do a great job of cleaning the toilet but they can be used in other cleaning projects and cleaning recipes around the house, which means they’re a great investment for any household.
For a versatile, powerful, all-around clean, Castile Soap is always a reliable option. It’s made with all organic ingredients; most are also fair trade and packaged in recycled bottles. This cleaner is cruelty-free and vegan, with a Leaping Bunny certification.
Pros:
- Concentrated formula
- Versatile and can be used elsewhere in the home
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- Packaged in recycled bottles
- Organic ingredients
Cons:
- Packaging is occasionally prone to leaking during shipping
Specs:
- Price (at time of publishing): $37.99
- Active Ingredient(s): Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
- Form: Liquid
- Safe for Septic System: Yes
- Ethics: Leaping Bunny Certified, Fair Trade, No animal testing, Vegan, Non GMO Project Verified, OTCO
Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Plant and mineral based ingredients; Including fragrances from essential oils
- Removes tough stains; Decalcifies and freshens
- This product’s bottle is made from 100% plant plastic and is 100% recyclable
Ecover toilet bowl cleaner is an excellent choice for cleaning and decalcifying your toilet bowl. It’s easy to use, just squeeze a generous amount of formula and let it sit for five minutes before scrubbing the bowl.
The biodegradable formula is made with plant and mineral-based ingredients and comes packaged in a recyclable plastic bottle. Some users note that this product has a powerful scent, so if intense scents aren’t your thing, there may be better choices for you.
Pros:
- Plant and mineral-based ingredients
- Recyclable plastic bottle
- Biodegradable formula
- Decalcifying formula
- Not tested on animals
Cons:
- Very strong scent
Specs:
- Price (at time of publishing): $7.00
- Active Ingredient(s): Citric Acid, Lauryl Glucoside
- Form: Liquid
- Safe for Septic System: Yes
- Ethics: Leaping Bunny Certified, Plant-based biodegradable ingredients, packaged in recycled plastic
Meyer’s Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Effective and powerful toilet cleaner formula freshens and removes stains
- Toilet bowl cleaner is made with essential oils, plant derived, and other thoughtfully chosen ingredients
- Made without phthalates, chlorine or mineral acids
Mrs. Meyer’s toilet bowl cleaner is a pleasantly scented, biodegradable formula that is gentle on your wallet. Flush the toilet to wet the bowl, apply the product around the rim, let it sit for 5 – 10 minutes, and then scrub for best results.
When used regularly, this product does a great job of maintaining a clean toilet bowl, but the product description does warn that it doesn’t have the longevity of some ingredients with harsher ingredients. If you have severe hard water stains or other set-in rings in your bowl, this may not be the best option for removing them.
If your toilet bowl is already pretty clean and you’re looking for a non-toxic maintenance option that will leave your bathroom smelling fresh and clean, this cleaner is a great choice.
Pros:
- Biodegradable
- Cruelty-free
- Pleasant scent
- Budget-friendly
Cons:
- Have to use it more often to maintain the clean
- Not great at removing hard water or other set-in stains
Specs:
- Price (at time of publishing): $5.99
- Active Ingredient(s): Citric Acid, Lactic Acid
- Form: Liquid
- Safe for Septic System: Yes
- Ethics: Biodegradable ingredients, Leaping Bunny Certified, packaged in at least 25% post-consumer plastic
Lemi Shine Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- AWARD-WINNING THRONE CLEANER: At Lemi Shine, we’re all about making your porcelain throne sparkly clean and fit for a king or queen! Thanks to our best friend citric acid, our household cleaning…
- FIGHT BACK WITH FUNKGUARD: Fight the funk and get your bathroom set up to impress your guests! This powerful toilet cleaning gel features our very own FunkGuard technology that eliminates and prevents…
- 100% GUARANTEED HARD WATER CLEANER: Lime, rust, hard water stains, and grime? Goodbye! Our toilet power cleaner is here to get rid of mineral deposits and bring back the sparkle! Just squirt under the…
If you have hard water in your home, you know cleaning those mineral deposit stains out of your toilet bowl can be a huge pain. This cleaner is the eco-friendly solution to that pesky problem. Formulated with citric acid, it breaks down stains without the side effects of harsher chemicals. Lemi Shine Toilet Bowl Cleaner is made without bleach, ammonia, quats, or formaldehyde – harsh ingredients common in many commercial cleaners.
To remove stains, clean, and deodorize your toilet bowl, apply the cleaner around the bowl, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, and scrub.
Lemi Shine Toilet Bowl Cleaner is an EPA Safer Choice Partner and Climate Pledge Certified, so you can feel good about what you’re using in your bathroom. It’s also made in the USA.
Pros:
- Great on Hard Water
- Made without bleach, ammonia, quats, or formaldehyde
- Made in the USA
Cons:
- High price per clean
Specs:
- Price (at time of publishing): $25.87
- Active Ingredient(s): Citric Acid
- Form: Powder
- Safe for Septic System: Yes
- Ethics: EPA Safer Choice Partner, Climate Pledge Friendly, Biodegradable ingredients, made in the USA
Nature Clean Toilet Bowl Cleaner Strips
- Safe and Non-Toxic: Our eco-friendly toilet bowl cleaner strips are free from harsh chemicals, phosphates, and chlorine. They are septic-safe and biodegradable, making them a responsible choice for…
- Powerful Cleaning: Our Toilet Bowl Cleaner Strips are specially formulated to tackle tough stains, mineral deposits, and odors, leaving your toilet bowl spotless and smelling fresh
- Easy-to-Use: Simply drop a strip into the toilet bowl, let it dissolve, stir, brush and flush. No plastic bottle and messy liquids required.
These cleaning strips are amazing when it comes to eco-friendly packaging. There is no plastic, and the cardboard box is fully recyclable. My favorite thing about these cleaner strips is how easy they are to use. They’re pre-measured, so there’s no guesswork on how much you need. They’re also cruelty-free and vegan.
Reviewers say that the advertised lime scent is very light. Several customers also noted that these strips are not very effective against hard water. With a higher price per use, these are important factors to consider before purchasing.
Pros:
- 100% zero waste
- Plastic-free recyclable packaging
- Easy to use, pre-measured
- Cruelty-free and vegan
Cons:
- Higher price per use
- The advertised lime scent is very light
- Not super effective against hard water
Specs:
- Price (at time of publishing): $16.99
- Active Ingredient(s): Sodium Coco-Sulfate
- Form: Strips
- Safe for Septic System: Yes
- Ethics: Plastic-free, biodegradable ingredients, cruelty-free, vegan
Blueland Tablet Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- PLASTIC-FREE, ECO-FRIENDLY TOILET CLEANER TABLETS. The first and only plastic-free Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tablet that’s tough on stains, but gentle on the planet. No more harsh chemicals, harmful…
- EFFECTIVE. Ultra concentrated tablet is proven to power away a range of toilet stains including rust, mineral deposits, limescale and hard water. Tested alongside leading competitors. Scientist…
- EASY TO USE: Just drop, brush, and flush! Drop one tablet into your toilet bowl and watch it fizz and foam. Give it a flush, admire the shine, and refill your Forever Tin when empty.
I love Blueland products, and these toilet cleaning tablets were the first I tried on my journey to find a more eco-friendly toilet cleaner. They boast all-natural ingredients and zero waste packaging, with a fully compostable paper container. The Blueland tablets are super easy to use, just drop one in the toilet and wait for it to dissolve before scrubbing it clean.
Ultimately, I started trying other options after I went through my first order of Blueland toilet cleaners because they have no disinfecting ingredients. They also were relatively ineffective against my hard water stains, although, to be fair, the hard water in my house is a fierce battle to combat. These tablets are better for maintaining and refreshing your toilet bowl rather than a full deep disinfecting clean.
Pros:
- All natural ingredients
- Zero waste packaging
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Not disinfecting
- Not meant for hard water stains
Specs:
- Price (at time of publishing): $35.99
- Active Ingredient(s): Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid
- Form: Powder tablet
- Safe for Septic System: Not tested
- Ethos: EPA Safer Choice, Leaping Bunny Cruelty-Free, Vegan, B Corp Certified, Climate Neutral, USDA Bio-Preferred
Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Foaming Powder
- Fundamentally clean toilets with Water-activated foaming and expanding cleaning power
- Zero plastic packaging: Container made of steel, the most recyclable and recycled material in the world
- ingredients
Seventh Generation Foaming Powder comes in a recyclable steel tin to minimize plastic waste, although the reviews say the tin can be a little tricky to open. This cleaner has no dyes or fragrances, and it’s formulated without harsh chemicals. Even without the heavy-duty cleaning agents, the foaming action in this powder delivers a heavy-duty clean.
Reviewers note that this cleaner’s longevity isn’t the longest, so you’ll have to use it more often to maintain a sparkling clean. At a high price per use, this is an important factor to consider before deciding on what cleaner to use.
Pros:
- Plastic-free packaging that’s recyclable
- No dyes or fragrances
- Heavy foaming action gives a powerful clean
Cons:
- The tin can be hard to open
- Longevity isn’t great
- High price per use
Specs:
- Price (at time of publishing): $27.99
- Active Ingredient(s): Sodium Bicarbonate, Citric Acid
- Form: Foaming Powder
- Safe for Septic System: Yes
- Ethos: EPA Safer Choice, Climate Pledge Friendly, plastic-free, not tested on animals
What to Look for in Eco-Friendly Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Ingredients
When it comes to ingredients, it’s important to look for labels that don’t have vague terminology and list the exact ingredients in the product. Non-toxic ingredients are best; if you need a fragranced product, look for one with a natural fragrance. Some options for eco-friendly toilet bowl cleaners do not have disinfecting ingredients, so if that’s important to you, double-check before making a purchase.
Type
There are several different types of toilet bowl cleaners: powder, sheets, and liquid. All of them are effective and have their pluses and minuses.
The liquid is a classic, easy to use, and easy to ensure it coats the whole bowl. But it’s also easy to accidentally use too much product when using a liquid.
The powder can be more difficult to ensure it gets in every crevice, and you have to be careful not to breathe it in, but it packs a powerful clean.
Sheets and tablets are the easiest to use because they are pre-measured. Just throw them in the bowl and scrub. The only con is that fewer options are available in these forms on the market.
Longevity
An important consideration for toilet bowl cleaners is how long the cleaning power lasts. Some eco-friendly toilet bowl cleaners have to be used more often to maintain the cleanness of your toilet bowl, thanks to the absence of harsh chemicals.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner Best Practices
- Never mix chemicals, or you can end up accidentally creating toxic gas. Only use one cleaner at a time.
- Use a good toilet brush, and replace it about every six months or if the bristles look damaged.
- Avoid bleach or other harsh cleaners in your tank. It can corrode the elements of your toilet (trust me on this, I learned this the hard way and spent a weekend at Home Depot trying to match replacement parts)
- Maintain a regular cleaning routine so filth doesn’t build up in your toilet bowl, making it harder to clean.
Product Comparison Chart
FAQs
Toilet bowl cleaners are generally easy to use, but usage tips will vary depending on the type. For a liquid toilet bowl cleaner, squeeze just enough to make a ring around the bowl under the rim. For a powder or sheet, drop one inside the bowl and wait for it to dissolve or foam per manufacturer instructions.
Once that’s done, all you have to do is scrub your toilet bowl with your toilet brush. I usually leave the brush to dry and let the toilet cleaner sit while the brush dries, usually for about 15 to 20 minutes before flushing.
If you run out of toilet cleaner or are just looking for an inexpensive natural alternative, use castile soap, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. Sprinkle baking soda all over the surface of the toilet bowl and follow with a little castile soap or dish soap. Scrub, flush, and then spray a generous amount of hydrogen peroxide all over the bowl. See a full video tutorial here.
Yes. Vinegar is a great ingredient for cleaning toilet bowls because its acidity can help combat lime and calcium deposits that leave stains in your toilet. It’s also naturally antibacterial. To use vinegar as a toilet bowl cleaner, pour one or two cups into the tank, let it sit for an hour or so, scrub and then flush to rinse. The only problem with using vinegar as a toilet bowl cleaner is it can leave a strong vinegar scent behind, so if that bothers you, there might be a better method for you.
No. Toilet bowl cleaner is formulated with chemicals specifically designed to clean and disinfect your toilet. Not only will it be ineffective in really getting your shower grout clean, but you generally want to avoid getting toilet bowl cleaner on your skin. So if it’s in your shower and you don’t rinse it away completely, it can end up on your skin, causing problems. There are better options out there for cleaning grout.
