Natural Toilet Cleaning Recipes You Can Make at Home

Keeping your bathroom sparkling clean doesn’t have to mean relying on harsh chemical cleaners or expensive commercial toilet bowl products. With simple ingredients you likely have in your pantry, you can learn how to make DIY toilet bowl cleaner that’s safe and natural. 

These homemade toilet bowl cleaners are non-toxic, budget-friendly, and eco-friendly, offering a powerful cleaning alternative to maintain a spotless toilet without toxic fumes or petrochemicals. Below, you’ll find natural toilet cleaning recipes, tips for removing stains, and comparisons to help you achieve a clean, odour-free bathroom while maintaining a healthy home environment.

Why Choose Homemade Toilet Cleaners?

Commercial cleaning products often contain chlorine or acids that can irritate skin, lungs, and plumbing. In contrast, a DIY toilet bowl cleaner lets you control what goes into your cleaning routine. Using natural cleaning staples like sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), cleaning vinegar, and essential oils, you can create effective products that rival store-bought options. These recipes are customizable, letting you add a natural scent like lavender essential oil or adjust the cleaning power to tackle grime, mildew, or mineral deposits. Plus, they’re plastic-free and septic-safe, making them a sustainable choice.

Recipe 1: Baking Soda and Vinegar Toilet Bowl Scrub

This DIY toilet bowl scrub uses the fizzing power of vinegar and baking soda to clean your toilet effectively. The reaction breaks down toilet stains, while baking soda’s mild abrasiveness whitens without scratching porcelain.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cleaning vinegar
• ½ cup baking soda
• 10 drops tea tree or lemon essential oil (optional, for fragrance and antibacterial properties)

Instructions

1. Pour vinegar into the toilet, focusing on the sides of the bowl where stains form.
2. Let it sit for 5 minutes to loosen dirt.
3. Mix baking soda into the bowl. Watch it fizz as it reacts.
4. Add essential oils for a fresh, natural scent.
5. Use a toilet brush to scrub thoroughly, especially under the rim.
6. Flush the toilet to rinse away residue.

This natural toilet bowl scrub is great for regular cleaning and mild stains. For tougher marks, let the mixture sit longer before using the toilet brush to scrub. 

Pro Tip: Buy baking soda in bulk for a cost-effective way to clean sinks, drains, and more.

Recipe 2: Citric Acid Toilet Cleaning Bombs

Toilet cleaning bombs are a fun, convenient way to clean the toilet bowl. Citric acid dissolves hard water stains and adds a refreshing zing, making it a great ingredient to make a DIY toilet bowl cleaner.

Ingredients

• 1 cup baking soda
• ¼ cup citric acid
• 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide
• 15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• Silicone mould or ice cube tray

Instructions

1. In a glass bowl, combine baking soda and citric acid.
2. Slowly add hydrogen peroxide, stirring to form a damp mixture that holds together.
3. Mix in eucalyptus oil for a crisp scent and disinfectant properties.
4. Press the mixture into a mold or ice cube tray.
5. Let dry for 6–8 hours, then store in an airtight jar.
6. To use DIY toilet bowl cleaner, drop one bomb into the bowl, let it fizz for 5 minutes, scrub lightly, and flush.

These bombs are perfect for quick clean-ups and leave a sparkling clean toilet without the chemical odour. They’re also safe for septic systems, unlike some commercial tablets.

Recipe 3: Castile Soap Liquid Toilet Cleaner

For a liquid option, this castile soap cleaner cuts through grease and leaves your toilet spotless. It’s gentle enough for frequent use and doubles as a cleaner for the toilet’s exterior, offering a versatile way to keep your bathroom clean.

Ingredients

• ½ cup liquid castile soap
• 1 cup distilled water
• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 10 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions

1. Combine castile soap, water, and baking soda in a squeeze bottle. Shake gently.
2. Add lavender essential oil and shake again.
3. Squirt the solution around the toilet bowl and under the rim.
4. Use a brush to scrub, then flush.
5. Wipe down the toilet seat and tank with the same mix for a full clean.

This cleaner is a strong alternative to commercial liquids, which may include artificial fragrances. Castile soap is biodegradable, making it an eco-friendly toilet cleaning choice. Store for up to a month, shaking before use.

Recipe 4: Borax and Lemon Juice for Stubborn Stains

For hard water stains or rust rings, borax and lemon juice deliver powerful cleaning. Borax acts as a mild abrasive, while lemon juice’s acidity tackles mineral deposits and germs.

Ingredients

• ½ cup borax
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 cup hot water

Instructions

1. Mix borax and hot water until mostly dissolved.
2. Add lemon juice and stir.
3. Pour into the toilet bowl.
4. Let sit for 30 minutes, or overnight for tough stains.
5. Scrub vigorously with a toilet brush and flush.

This recipe outperforms many commercial toilet bowl cleaners for deep cleaning, offering a way to say goodbye to harsh chemicals.

Pro Tip: Wear gloves when handling borax and keep it away from kids and pets.

Tips for Maintaining a Clean Toilet Naturally

To keep your toilet fresh, adopt these habits:

• Daily Maintenance: Sprinkle baking soda into the bowl nightly and scrub in the morning to prevent build-up.
• Odour Control: Drop essential oil-soaked cotton balls into the tank for a continuous freshener.
• Brush Care: Rinse your toilet brush with hot water and vinegar after use to kill germs.
• Tank Cleaning: Monthly, pour 2 cups of vinegar into the tank, let sit for an hour, and flush to clean internal parts.

These steps reduce the time to clean and enhance your DIY cleaners’ effectiveness.

Common Questions About Natural Toilet Cleaning

Are homemade cleaners safe for septic systems?

Yes, ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap are septic-friendly. Limit essential oils to avoid disrupting tank bacteria.

How do I remove tough stains without chemicals?

Use the borax and lemon juice recipe or a pumice stone for gentle scrubbing. Test a small area first.

Can I use these recipes in older toilets?

Yes, natural cleaners are gentle on older plumbing and won’t corrode pipes.

Final Thoughts

Switching to a DIY toilet bowl cleaner is an easy way to create a safer, greener home. These non-toxic recipes are affordable, effective, and customizable, letting you clean the toilet bowl without relying on harsh chemical cleaners. Whether you’re using baking soda and vinegar to whiten or citric acid bombs for a quick refresh, you’ll enjoy a sparkling clean toilet that’s free of germs and odours. Try these recipes to keep your bathroom fresh and eco-friendly.

Image Caption: A bright bathroom with a gleaming toilet, surrounded by natural cleaning ingredients in glass jars. Design suggestion: Use natural light and earthy textures for a fresh vibe.

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References

• https://www.diynatural.com/homemade-toilet-bowl-cleaner
• https://www.thespruce.com/homemade-toilet-bowl-cleaner-1387930
• https://wellnessmama.com/5173/toilet-cleaning-fizzies
• https://www.bobvila.com/articles/homemade-toilet-bowl-cleaner
• https://livesimply.me/diy-toilet-bowl-cleaner
• https://www.reddit.com/r/ZeroWaste/comments/9d5f0z/homemade_toilet_bowl_cleaner
• https://www.reddit.com/r/Frugal/comments/2n7z8k/what_is_the_best_household_cleaner_for_a_toilet
• https://www.mom4real.com/homemade-toilet-cleaning-bombs