The best toilet cleaners, according to cleaning experts
Nobody likes to do it, but make toilet cleaning easier with these expert-approved formulas.
“This is one of my favorite toilet bowl cleaners,” says Coca. “It is a plant-based formula that is effective against stains without harsh chemicals.” This cleaner has a pine scent and an angled spout for easy application around the bowl. The formula utilizes citric acid to help clean, and the bottle is made from 100% plant plastic and is fully recyclable.
This spearmint-scented cleaner is recommended by Bossart, who likes that it is eco-friendly and really works. According to the brand, the formula kills 99% of household germs, and the main active ingredient is citric acid. The bottle has an angled spout, and it can be used on both the bowl and the seat of the toilet.
These toilet cleaning tablets (you get 14 per set) made our list of the best eco-friendly cleaning products. Simply place a tablet in your toilet bowl, and it will fizz and foam. You can then use a toilet brush to scrub the sides of your bowl to get it clean. The plant-based formula is free of dyes and harsh chemicals, and the cleaner leaves behind a fresh lemon scent.
This has been my go-to toilet bowl cleaner for years. It kills germs, eliminates stains and leaves my toilet bowl extra sparkling. One thing to note: The fresh rain scent is pretty strong, so if you are not a fan of fragranced products, this may not be for you. At under $3, this option is good for those on a budget.
If you are dealing with tough stains, consider this cleaner — which comes in a pack of two from Amazon. According to the brand, it contains bleach to help whiten your toilet bowl, and it kills almost all possible germs. To use, apply it all around your bowl using the angled nozzle, let it sit for five minutes and then scrub with a toilet brush. Finally, flush to wash away the cleaner (and the bacteria with it). This cleaner has a 4.8-star average rating from over 11,780 reviews on Amazon.
This cleaner, which has a 4.6-star average rating from over 4,745 reviews on Amazon, is a thicker formula that clings to the side of your toilet bowl to clean it. According to the brand, it can remove bacteria, rust, hard water marks, and stains. The angled top makes it easy to get under the rim, and it leaves behind a wintergreen scent.
Another plant-based formula uses lactic and citric acid to eliminate bacteria and dirt. It also contains lavender essential oil to leave behind a relaxing scent. It has a 4.7-star average rating from over 1,720 reviews on Amazon. To use, flush the toilet to wet the sides of the bowl. Then, squirt the bottle around the rim and wait five minutes. Use a toilet brush to scrub and flush to rinse away the cleaner and dirt.
It’s time to get to business once you have the right toilet bowl cleaner. Bossart says you should clean your toilet once a week to deal with bacteria so that too much grime doesn’t build up, making it harder to clean down the line. But what’s the best way to clean your toilet? Follow these steps from our experts:
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Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed cleaning experts about the best toilet cleaners.
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