Who wants to clean the toilet? Hardly anyone. But a fresh, sparkling bathroom without harsh fumes or chemicals is worth it. Many turn to homemade cleaners because they’re tired of paying for products with ingredients they can’t even read. Plus, it’s better to avoid extra chemicals in your home and the environment. A good DIY toilet cleaner lets you get a clean toilet without giving up safety or quality.
Let’s explore a few tried-and-true methods, experiment with recipes, and discover just how easy it can be to keep your bathroom both clean and safe.
Why Make Your Own Toilet Cleaner?
Store shelves are lined with products promising clinical levels of clean. Yet most come packaged with warnings: “keep out of reach of children,” “avoid skin contact,” “use in well-ventilated areas.” Those red flags should be enough to push anyone to consider making toilet cleaners at home.
Top reasons to try homemade toilet cleaners:
- Avoid harsh chemicals: Most store-bought cleaners rely on bleach, ammonia, or acids that can irritate skin, eyes, and lungs.
- Control your ingredients: You know exactly what you’re using, down to the drop.
- Cheaper: Common kitchen staples cost far less per use than any big-brand cleaner.
- Eco-friendly: No unnecessary plastic bottles, less chemical waste, and septic systems thank you.
Soap maker and chemist Natalie Asplund says, “Homemade cleaning solutions can be just as effective, with fewer side effects. The trick is using combinations that break down grime and kill bacteria, without the headaches or the hazards.”
Essential Ingredients and Supplies for DIY Toilet Cleaner
The backbone of almost any DIY toilet cleaner is surprisingly simple. Take a peek into most kitchens and you’ll find half the ingredients already.
Common ingredients and what they’re good for:
- Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate): Gentle abrasive and deodorizer; lifts grime and neutralizes odors.
- White Vinegar: Cuts through lime scale, mineral deposits, and even some bacteria; a superstar against toilet ring stains.
- Borax: (A natural mineral) Adds heavy-duty cleaning power, especially for toilets with persistent buildup. Best used with gloves.
- Castile Soap: Mild, plant-based soap that helps break up stains and adds a touch of suds.
- Essential Oils (e.g., Tea Tree, Lavender, Lemon): Offer fragrance, antimicrobial effects, and a subtle mood boost.
Cleaning supplies that come in handy:
- Toilet brush (get one with stiff bristles)
- Squeeze or spray bottle (for liquid cleaners)
- Old toothbrush (perfect for hinges and tight spots)
- Cleaning gloves
- Measuring cup and spoons
- Muffin tin or silicone mold (for fizzing tablets)
Baking Soda and Vinegar: The Classic Combo
If you’ve ever poured baking soda down the drain and chased it with vinegar, you’ve seen the fizzing magic. This isn’t just for show. Baking soda loosens dirt and deodorizes, while vinegar’s mild acid dissolves mineral stains and kills some germs. Together, they put up a one-two punch against a dirty toilet bowl and make the whole process oddly satisfying. The fizzing also helps dislodge particles clinging to porcelain—like a mini spa treatment for your bathroom.
Boosters: Borax, Castile Soap, and Essential Oils
Sometimes, you need more cleaning muscle or a touch of luxury. That’s where boosters come in:
- Borax: When the regular mix doesn’t cut it, a sprinkle of borax ups the cleaning power without the sharp smell of bleach. Just keep it out of reach of little ones and pets.
- Castile Soap: This liquid soap, often made from olive oil, brings extra grease-cutting ability and a bit of silky lather.
- Essential Oils: Some oils double as natural disinfectants (think tea tree or lavender), while others simply leave behind a crisp, inviting scent.
Step-by-Step DIY Toilet Cleaner Recipes and Application
Ready to trade your store-bought cleaner for something fresher, cheaper, and safer? These recipes can handle day-to-day cleanups and the occasional deep scrub.
Powder Toilet Cleaner Recipe
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup borax
- 15 drops tea tree or lemon essential oil
How to use:
- Stir ingredients together in an airtight jar.
- Sprinkle a heavy dusting (about 1/4 cup) around the inside of the toilet bowl.
- Let it sit for 15 minutes (for tough jobs, wait an hour).
- Scrub with a toilet brush and flush.
When to use: Great for regular weekly cleaning, especially if you’re tackling hard water stains or a stubborn ring around the bowl.
Liquid DIY Toilet Cleaner Recipe
What you’ll need:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 cup liquid castile soap
- 10 drops lavender or eucalyptus oil
- Squeeze or spray bottle
How to use:
- Pour vinegar into the bottle, then add castile soap and essential oil.
- Gently shake to blend.
- Squirt along the inner rim and sides of the toilet bowl.
- Scrub and let sit 10-20 minutes, then flush.
Pros: Easy to apply, works fast, and leaves the bathroom smelling fresh. Cons: Not as abrasive as powder, so you’ll need to let it soak if facing heavy buildup.
Blue Dawn Toilet Cleaner
You’ll need:
- 1 1/2 cups white vinegar
- 4 drops blue Dawn dish soap
- 5-10 drops lavender essential oil
- Squeeze or spray bottle
Instructions:
- Fill your bottle with vinegar.
- Add dish soap (blue Dawn is famous for cutting grease, even in cold water).
- Drop in lavender essential oil for extra germ-killing and a pleasant scent.
- Screw the lid on tight and shake gently.
- When ready, squirt around the toilet bowl, scrub, let sit a few minutes, and flush for a streak-free shine.
Lavender oil’s subtle floral notes do more than smell nice. According to several studies, its compounds can weaken bacteria cell walls—giving you a little extra backup against germs (plus, it’s calming if cleaning gets stressful).
Fizzing Toilet Cleaning Tablets
You’ll need:
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup citric acid
- 20 drops essential oil (lemon, eucalyptus, or lavender)
- Water in a spray bottle
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix baking soda and citric acid.
- Add essential oil.
- Lightly spritz the mix with water while stirring—not too much, or the fizzing starts early.
- Press mixture into silicon molds or an old muffin tin.
- Let tablets dry overnight. Pop them out and store airtight.
To use: Drop a tablet into the bowl, enjoy the fizz, and brush after it dissolves. These are perfect for mid-week maintenance or a quick “guest’s on their way” touch-up.
Tips for a naturally clean toilet:
- Sprinkle baking soda at night for ongoing freshness.
- Keep a batch of fizzing tablets in a jar, ready for a quick drop-in clean.
- Add vinegar around trouble spots for a deep clean every week.
- Use a designated, stiff-bristled brush—rinse and dry it after every use.
- Leave essential oils nearby for a quick scent refresh.
Try one recipe, or mix and match based on your needs. Once you swap those scary chemical bottles for natural, homemade cleaners, you may never want to go back. And that’s something you can feel good about every time you flush.
