The toilet bowl is probably one of the most contaminated parts of the house. However, we use it every day, which means it’s vital that we keep it clean. Not only for the sake of cleaning it but also for our own health.
There are many toilet bowl cleaners out there but most of them are full of toxic chemicals. When you inhale too much of these, your health may be adversely affected. Fortunately, due to sustainable and organic trends, eco-friendlier alternatives are now available.
In this article, I will list the best non-toxic toilet bowl cleaners. I will discuss what makes a toilet bowl chemically hazardous, which ingredients to avoid, and how to choose a non-toxic toilet bowl cleaner.
Factors to Consider When Buying Non-Toxic Toilet Bowl Cleaners
Now, if you prefer ready-to-use toilet bowl cleaners, here are things you should remember when buying one from the store. The goal is not only to find eco-friendly toilet bowl cleaners but also to make sure that the product you like is easy to purchase and affordable.
Ingredients
You should avoid the following ingredients of toilet bowl cleaners due to their toxicity:
- Triclosan
- Hydrochloric acid (HCl)
- Cetrimonium chloride (CTAC)
- Sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
- Sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
- Sodium lauryl ether sulfate (or Sodium Laureth Sulfate, SLES)
- Ammonia
Read more about toxins in toilet bowl cleaners.
Instead, you should look for a non-toxic toilet bowl cleaner that is:
- plant-based cleaning agent
- natural fragrance – usually made from essential oils
Type
There are two different types of toilet bowl cleaners: regular soap that goes on the bowl and pods that go into the toilet water tank.
I haven’t found a toilet cleaner pod that is eco-friendly. Thus, I recommend you stay away from those. The pods could also clog your water pipe from the tank to the toilet and could cause build-up inside the water tank.
Brands/Companies
Support companies or brands that are sustainable. If the product has a leaping bunny logo (a logo for cruelty-free products), it is a good sign. You should also support brands that are actively looking for ways to be more sustainable such as bottles made of recycled materials or packaging with no print or plastic so it can be recycled.
Availability
You also want a product that is easy to buy. This means something you can find in your nearest store or major grocery stores. If the product has to be shipped from another continent or you have to drive hours to get it, you are not being eco-friendly.
Reviews
The best thing you can do is to read reviews from people who have used the product. You can also watch videos and make sure to read reviews from multiple sites to get different insights.
Best Non-Toxic Toilet Bowl Cleaners
Using a non-toxic toilet bowl cleaner is one of the best eco-friendly cleaning tips. The following options are the best cleaners on the market:
1. Better Life Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Made with plant-based ingredients and carrying a leaping bunny logo, this product is a truly eco-friendly and non-toxic toilet bowl cleaner. You can use 2 different scents (tea tree or peppermint). We featured Better Life on multiple occasions, for example, their non-toxic dish soaps. This product is safe to use and doesn’t release strong fumes.
2. Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner
This brand is also one of my favourites. We also featured Seventh Generation in this article on eco-friendly paper towels. It is climate-pledge friendly on Amazon. This means that the company is continuously promoting and creating eco-friendly products. Their cleaner is made without chlorine, ammonia, strong acids, or any petroleum-based ingredients. You can choose between powder or liquid.
3. Lysol Bleach-free Hydrogen Peroxide
I was so happy when I found out that Lysol is making a bleach-free toilet cleaner. This brand is undoubtedly one of the most popular brands when it comes to cleaning products. The fact that they can reach so many customers and offer safer products will be great progress for sustainable life.
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the ingredients in creating bleach. But here, it’s being used as a stand-alone ingredient. The entire bleach part has been removed. Hence, it’s safer to use than a traditional toilet bowl cleaner. Please note that Lysol still produces highly-toxic products.
4. Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Ecover is also one of my go-to sustainable brands. We often feature them, including in our article about organic laundry softeners. This product is made of plant and mineral-based ingredients and uses fragrances from essential oils.
The bottle is also made from 100% plant plastic and can be recycled. Ecover also does not test on animals. There are a few scents you can choose from like pine fresh and ocean waves. It’s definitely one of the best non-toxic toilet bowl cleaners.
5. Biokleen Bathroom Cleaner
This bathroom cleaner is cruelty-free and made with biodegradable ingredients. It doesn’t contain phosphates, chlorine, ammonia, brighteners, artificial colours, and artificial fragrances. It can be used all around the toilet and of course, in the bowl.
It is a must-have for your eco-friendly bathroom.
6. Sonett Organic Toilet Cleaner
This brand is a german brand conscientious trying to produce cleaning products that are safer for the environment and the people. This toilet cleaner is made with essential oils, plant-based ingredients, and without petrochemicals. It is biodegradable and certified organic cultivated.
7. Mrs Meyer’s Clean Day Toilet Cleaner
This brand has been one of my favourite brands for non-toxic toilet bowl cleaners. They don’t test on animals and their products are biodegradable. This product does not contain artificial colours, it is made from essential oils and plant-based ingredients. It is also safe for septic tanks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Should You Clean a Toilet Bowl?
How often you should clean a toilet bowl depends on a few factors. Firstly, how many people use this toilet and number two (pun intended), if there are sick or vulnerable people who use this toilet.
For example, if the toilet is used by 1-2 people in a house, cleaning once a week is fine. However, if there are people who use it who are unwell or are young children, the toilet bowl should be cleaned every day.
Are Toilet Cleaners Bad for the Environment?
There are actually about 1-2 ingredients in toilet bowl cleaners that are harmful to the environment. One is called triclosan and the other is chlorine (which is mixed with small quantities of hydrogen peroxide, calcium hypochlorite, and sodium hydroxide).
If you prefer not to buy any toilet cleaners, you could simply make your own. A mixture of white vinegar, baking soda, salt, and some lemon juice. With these ingredients, you can easily clean your toilet bowl. Soak your toilet with the mixture, let it sit for about 10 minutes, and scrub before flushing it all down.
Best Non-Toxic Toilet Bowl Cleaners Summary
These organic toilet bowl cleaners just prove that cleaning chemicals don’t have to be harmful to the planet, plants, animals, and humans. We could actually have a world that is sustainable. If you are still using traditional cleaning products in your home, start by looking up products that are sustainable.
The best non-toxic toilet bowl cleaners include:
- Better Life Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Lysol Bleach-free Hydrogen Peroxide
- Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Biokleen Bathroom Cleaner
- Sonett Organic Toilet Cleaner
- Mrs Meyer’s Clean Day Toilet Cleaner
