Cleaning the toilet is a necessity when keeping a happy home – that doesn’t mean the job is one we enjoy. The silver lining is that a thorough scrubbing doesn’t need much manpower once we find a cleaner to ease the load. But, how do you sift through all the toilet cleaners on the market to find one that suits your tastes? That’s where we come in.
How We Selected Our Products
Through extensive research and customer reviews, we gathered the best toilet cleaners on the market so that you can make an informed decision. We poured over the solutions currently available in order to give you the products that actually get those bowls clean. We’ve also listed out any potential downfalls you may need to be aware of before purchasing.
Best Toilet Cleaners Available
1. Lysol Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner – $1.86
Lysol has been a household name for decades and for good reason. Their products have been helping us lift grime from our homes with ease for years. Lysol’s toilet cleaners are no exception. Its easy-to-use nozzle ensures you won’t need to get too close to the action and it lifts any stains when used on a regular basis. The nozzle also allows you to squirt the cleaner on an angle so you can get the entire bowl.
It’s also really cheap to grab and if you can’t locate it in your local department stores, you can probably find it in a dollar store.
2. Clorox Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner – $8.93
Clorox is another company that has been blessing our homes with effective products for years. Their automatic toilet bowl cleaner is your new go-to item when you don’t want to worry about giving the bowl a deep scrub. These little guys can last for up to three months, keep the bowl clean, and even rid any offensive odors. It also helps to lift any stubborn stains over time. Just be sure you’re handling these tablets with gloves on in order to protect your skin.
The good news is that these are also modestly priced and readily available in local department or hardware stores in your area.
3. Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Gel – $11.43
We’ve all seen the adorable little bubbles cleaning our showers and toilets in the commercials. Turns out those cute little guys weren’t just pretty faces – they really can get your toilet clean. All you need to do is place one of the disks on your toilet bowl and let them get to work. They’ll keep the bowl sparkling, remove and prevent any grime, and freshens the bowl. The package usually comes with a few months’ supply and you’ll need it since one disk only lasts about a week.
These little guys are available just about anywhere they sell cleaning supplies like Walmart or even some drugstores.
4. Clorox ToiletWand – $8.53
If just getting close to the bowl makes you a little squeamish, Clorox is here to save the day again with their toilet wand. The package comes with six disposable wand heads that are pre-loaded with product. Simply use the wand to clean the buildup from your bowl and under the rim. They also give you the chance to finally ditch those toilet brushes for something much more sanitary. Chuck the heads in the garbage when done and replace – do not flush.
The toilet wands and replacement heads are easily found in your local department, hardware, or drugstores.
5. Seventh Generation Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner – $18.65
Not everyone wants to use harsh chemicals or bleach on their bowls. Enter the natural toilet cleaners that still give you a helping hand while keeping things a bit safer. This product doesn’t have any ingredients like ammonia, bleach, or dyes that can stain the bowl. However, it works equally well in keeping the bowl clean and easily lifting stains without having any offensive odors associated with harsher chemicals.
It’s not as readily available as the more commercial brands, but that shouldn’t stop you from finding it in local stores. It might not be as popular as Clorox, but as far as green toilet cleaners go, this one is fairly well-known.
6. Lysol No Mess Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner – $18.60
Here’s another option for an uncomplicated clean. All you need to do is hang the pods from the toilet bowl and let them do their thing for up to four weeks. They secure pretty easily to just about any bowl, keep things smelling fresh, and will help to maintain the cleanliness of the bowl. It’s also a product best reserved for those who’d prefer to put off cleaning the toilet for another month. The thing with this one is that it doesn’t necessarily help to lift any stains, but it also won’t make any new ones either.
You should have no issues finding these guys anywhere that toilet cleaners are typically sold.
7. Lime-A-Way Liquid Toilet Bowl Cleaner – $10.95
This is a great product to use for removing any tough stains and buildup in just a few minutes. The nozzle and thicker gel consistency ensures it clings to the bowl and gets in those tough to reach places. If you’ve been putting off cleaning the toilet for a while and the grime is pretty thick, you may need to apply multiple coats. An added bonus is that you won’t need to scrub anything with a brush – simply let the solution sit and then flush away any grime.
Keep in mind that this is a harsher product. So, use with caution, follow the instructions, and protect yourself with a mask and gloves. That being said, this is still something you can find where toilet cleaners are sold.
8. Greenworks Toilet Bowl Cleaner – $7.98
Greenworks produces toilet cleaners that are eco-friendly, so you won’t need to deal with any harsh chemicals or smells with this guy. Its green ingredients lift water stains, give the bowl a little sparkle, and leave things smelling nice and fresh. Bear in mind that it’s not as strong as others and depending on the dirtiness of your toilet, you may need to leave the solution to sit for a few minutes before flushing or tackling with a toilet brush.
Bottles of this stuff are available anywhere that toilet cleaners are typically sold.
DIY Toilet Cleaners
Maybe you’re someone who prefers to brew your own cleaners – at least then you’ll know you can trust the maker! There’s no shame in that. Gathering a few simple ingredients will give you an easy toilet cleaner you can rely on time and time again.
Lighter Solution
Say your toilet isn’t as bad as it could be. Maybe you just want something natural to lift a few stubborn stains or maintain cleanliness. No problem. You’ll need:
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- 1/2 cup of baking soda
- 5-7 teaspoons of lavender oil
Once you have everything together:
- Mix the lavender oil and vinegar in a spray bottle
- Spritz the toilet bowl with your cleaner and leave the solution to sit for a 5-10 minutes
- Sprinkle some of the baking soda over the top of the solution and then scrub with a toilet brush
- Flush everything away
Heavier Solution
Sometimes our bowls need a deeper clean and we have just the solution you’re looking for.
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- 1/2 cup of borax
- 6-8 drops of lavender oil
Once you have everything together, all you have to do is:
- Combine the ingredients together in a spray bottle
- Spritz the solution into the toilet and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes
- After the allotted time, scrub the bowl with a toilet brush to remove any tough stains
How Often Should I Clean My Toilet?
In order to keep things thoroughly clean, you should aim to clean your toilet once a week. This is why a lot of people opt for something like the Lysol or Clorox discs in order to put off cleaning the toilet for a longer period of time. But, if you don’t want to spend money on the discs you can still keep the bowl from becoming stained by wiping it down once a week with a toilet brush.
The Bottom Line
Choose the cleaner you think is best for you and your personal needs. Get the heavier solutions if your toilet has seen better days but if you’re just looking for something to maintain the weekly upkeep, there are toilet cleaners that will make your chores much easier. Bare in mind that some of the solutions also have harsher smells due to the chemicals they use, so you’ll need to use them with caution.
