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While cleaning the toilet may never be fun, it’s an infinitely better experience with the right tools. This guide covers the best toilet cleaners to keep the toilet germ-free and eradicate toilet bowl rings, rust damage, and mineral deposits.
Natural or harsh chemicals, store-bought or homemade, neutral and retiring versus bold and eccentric – this guide has it all. Read on to find the ultimate cleaning supplies needed for a shiny, spotless commode:
Best Toilet Bowl Brushes
This toilet wand is the perfect solution for homeowners who like to keep their distance and immediately dispose of whatever touched their toilet. It’s so hygienic and easy to use that users may actually find themselves looking forward to cleaning their bathrooms. The only downside is that the Clorox cleaning pads that attach to the wand are only good for one use each.
Unlike traditional toilet brushes, silicone brushes don’t get deformed or turn colors with use. They’re efficient, easy to clean and last much longer than conventional brushes. This particular brand comes with a stylish blue container that can be mounted on the wall. It also comes with a diatomite mat that soaks up excess water and absorbs odor.
Sometimes, simple is the best way to go. This commercial toilet brush comes in packs of four and features bright green bristles and a white stand. Models come with both straight and curved handles, depending on user preference. Unlike many store models, this brush is very sturdy and made in the USA.
This semispherical brush combines a unique shape with a bent handle perfect for reaching under the toilet rim. A sturdy handle and firm bristles make cleaning the toilet easy and efficient. According to users on Amazon, the reach on this brush is so good equestrians could even scrub a pony’s teeth with it!
Best Automatic Toilet Cleaners
Make cleaning the toilet as easy and hands-free as possible with this automatic toilet cleaner. These antibacterial tablets are added to the toilet tank after flushing and before the toilet fills back up. As the name implies, they last for approximately 2000 flushes before needing to be replaced. This tablet also works to deodorize the toilet and keep the bathroom smelling as fresh as it is clean.
Unlike tank cleaners, this automatic cleaner is applied with an applicator tool to the side of the toilet bowl above the waterline. Each time the toilet is flushed, the gel works to clean and freshen the toilet bowl. If buildup or stains are causing an issue, simply apply multiple gels at once for extra cleaning action. Amazon reviews say this cleaner smells so good that your husband may start cleaning the toilet so that he can smell it more often!
This scrubbing bubbles vanish automatic toilet bowl cleaner is perfect for families and health-conscious individuals. It doesn’t include harsh chemicals like phosphates and doesn’t dissolve rubber flappers when dropped in the toilet tank. Vanish also goes easy on septic systems. Because of its bright blue color, it works best in toilets that see heavy use.
This automatic toilet bowl cleaner is as cute as it is effective. Like other automatic cleaners, it’s dropped into the toilet tank and works for around 2000 flushes. However, this toilet cleaner stands out because of its presentation – it’s encased in a cute ceramic elephant, which trumpets the cleaner out through its trunk after being immersed in water.
Best Natural and Homemade Cleaners
- Vinegar and Baking Soda
Combine vinegar and baking soda to clean the toilet bowl without using harsh chemicals. This natural combo will eliminate odors and fight stains and toilet bowl rings. It will also kill some bacteria, including E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. To kill all the germs lingering in the toilet bowl, add some bleach or hydrogen peroxide as well.
If the toilet stains are toughing it out, incorporate borax. This naturally occurring mineral can be dissolved into a vinegar solution or caked over tough stains as a paste. Although it’s a natural product, it can adversely affect health if swallowed or following extensive exposure.
- Grapefruit and Salt
Yes, this is a valid toilet cleaning option! Cut the grapefruit in half, and cover the inside with salt. Wet the toilet by flushing it, then scrub the toilet bowl with the inside of the grapefruit. Recoat with salt as often as needed. The combination of acidic juice and gritty salt will take off stains and leave the bathroom smelling fresh and clean.
Not every natural toilet cleaner has to be homemade. The Better Life company is committed to no synthetic fragrances, dyes, bleach, or sulfates. Cruelty-free and scented with natural materials, this cleaner is safe for septic systems and effective against tough stains. It combines time-saving efficiency with natural ingredients homeowners can feel good using.
Best Toilet Cleaner Plungers
This stylish – yes, stylish! – toilet plunger has excellent reviews and is mounted to a stainless steel rod. A magnetic collar syncs the plunger and caddy when stored so that tipping isn’t a possibility and drips can be eradicated. The same company also sells a matching toilet brush for a heightened bathroom aesthetic.
Another good option is this solid plunger featuring a wooden handle. Although this plunger may not be as high quality as vintage models, it’s pretty close. The rubber section is thick and has good suction power, according to user reviews. Its shape also prevents it from turning wrong-side-out and splashing water everywhere.
Made in the USA, this toilet plunger has a T-handle style and is powerful enough to clear difficult clogs. User reviews suggest this plunger is more powerful than usual and can get homeowners out of all kinds of jams. It’s also splashproof and guaranteed to fit all toilet bowl styles.
To save space and be fully equipped for bathroom emergencies, purchase this plunger and brush set. The plunger is also available as a single unit. Unlike many other toilet plungers, this model is made of thick, sturdy rubber that suctions effectively and clears blockages before the toilet overflows. Both cleaning tools come equipped with solid aluminum handles.
Eccentric Toilet Bowl Cleaners
Because of its high acidity, coca-cola is an ideal toilet cleaner. Simply pour a can of coke into the toilet over stains, and let sit for an hour. Brush away stains, flush, and the toilet should be sparkling clean. If this isn’t enough to make homeowners rethink the health effects of drinking coke, nothing will be.
Coke isn’t the only drink that doubles as a toilet cleaner. The acid in Gatorade can also remove rust stains and mineral deposits in the toilet bowl with minimal scrubbing. Follow the same protocol as Coca-Cola to enjoy the benefits of this affordable toilet cleaner.
Alka seltzer is another common household item that’s handy for cleaning toilet rings and stains. The acid and fizziness help remove toilet bowl stains without intensive scrubbing, and this method smells fresher than many chemically-laden cleaning products. Toss a few into the toilet bowl and come back in about half an hour to finish the job.
Cleaners aren’t the only eccentric toilet accessories out there. This toilet brush is shaped like a cherry stem and stored in a container resembling brightly-colored fruit. Rather than hide away toilet hygiene products, this toilet brush set celebrates them and could elevate the look of the entire bathroom. This is the perfect toilet brush for a bathroom with no closets.
The Best Toilet Cleaners For a Shiny Toilet
A homeowner’s bathroom cleaning plan is only as strong as their tools. Use this guide to create a strong arsenal that can fight toilet bowl stains and smells while achieving the fresh, clean feel their bathroom deserves.
Who knows – after purchasing the right tools, users may even find themselves looking forward to this previously household dreadful chore.
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About The Author
Rose is the managing editor of Renovated and freelance writer with over 5 years of experience.
She's most interested in researching topics on sustainable construction, such as new technologies and innovations in the built environment. She also loves sharing home projects and inspiration for the most novice of DIY-ers, values she developed growing up in a family of contractors.
When she isn't writing, you'll find her baking something to satisfy her never-ending sweet tooth. For more articles from Rose, you can follow her on Twitter.
