When you’re in the nitty-gritty of your weekend cleaning routine, you’ll pull out all the stops: a powerful vacuum (perhaps a Dyson or robot vacuum), your house cleaning products, and then, you’ll arrive at your bathroom.
What some may consider to be the most disgusting room to clean in your house isn’t all that bad — granted, you’re using effective and easy-to-use products, especially for your toilet.
“According to our survey data, cleaning the bathroom is the most dreaded cleaning task,” Jessica Ek, senior director of digital communications at the American Cleaning Institute — with more than five years of experience — told the New York Post. “Given that, a product that is effective and saves time will get this chore done right the first time, making it as convenient as possible.”
Yes, the New York Post put toilet cleaners to the test in this all-encompassing review (that’s right, we cleaned our toilets during lunch break, in between shopping reporting, of course).
RELATED: Best all-purpose cleaners
Ahead, you’ll find the small yet mighty list of toilet cleaners you didn’t know you needed — but surely do. You’ll be glad you read through this guide when scrubbing away that grime and leftover filth.
Additionally, be sure to check out our in-depth FAQ section with cleaning expert-granted tips.
Click to jump to a specific section:
- Best Toilet Cleaner Overall: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day lavender toilet bowl cleaner ($8)
- Best Toilet Cleaner for Stains: Method AntiBac Toilet antibacterial toilet cleaner ($5)
- Best Tablet Toilet Cleaner: Blueland toilet bowl cleaner tablets ($18)
- Best Plant-Based Toilet Cleaner: Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner ($5)
How we tested
While it’s not rocket science to clean your toilet (or, is it?!), there were a few characteristics I kept in mind when using these products for a testing period of at least six months. How did I do it? I cleaned my toilet bowl once a week, alternating between products to then discern the following criteria checkpoints:
- Efficacy: First and foremost, you’ll want your toilet bowl cleaner to work properly — or else, there’s no sense in using it. If I didn’t see a sparkling clean — or if I ended up finding a certain toilet bowl cleaner to remove *way* more than initially anticipated, I took note.
- Ease of use: When using a toilet scrubbing brush, some toilet cleaners were easier to maneuver away tough, set-in-stains and other debris. For this point, specifically, some toilet bowl cleaners were a bit easier (in terms of formulation) to give my toilet bowl that sparkling clean.
- Value: These days, cleaning products come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Of course, the saying, “You get what you pay for,” still rings true, but it shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg to be able to clean your toilet. For this reason, I recognized the size of each cleaner and compared it to its per-unit price.
Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day lavender toilet bowl cleaner
Pros:
- Formulation disperses clear to naturally brighten the toilet bowl
- Wonderful at treating heavy-set, tough-in stains
- Easy to use and septic-safe
Cons:
- None to speak of
When I first used Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day lavender toilet bowl cleaner, I didn’t realize I’d enjoy cleaning the toilet as much. After months of testing, it’s my most-used toilet bowl cleaner and the best one yet — words I remain firm on.
Since initially using it, I’ve spread the word to others who clean their bathrooms regularly (because yes, when I find a good product, everyone pretty much knows about it). I love its angled dispenser arm to squeeze out cleaner in hard-to-reach places and — the best part — it naturally brightens your bowl thanks to its clear color.
Not only does the lavender smell lovely but it’s offered at an excellent value, too. Specifically, I found myself using this product once weekly to clean the center of my bowl well, along with the interior. Overall, it’s a product worth grabbing for only $6 or $7 online.
Best Toilet Cleaner for Stains
Method AntiBac Toilet antibacterial toilet cleaner
Pros:
- Ergonomic packaging
- Versatile cleaner that tackles your toilet bowl, toilet seat and interior rim
- Disinfectant cleaner to help prevent germs
Cons:
- While effective at tackling stains, it requires a bit more scrubbing than our Mrs. Meyer’s pick (which is also good for tough stains)
I’ve been using Method’s all-purpose cleaners for years now but never branched out into its toilet bowl-cleaning formula until a few months ago. Flash forward to today, and it’s an effective option that never lets me down.
Working well for tough stains, its bottle operates in a twist-and-apply motion, allowing you to lock it when it’s not in use. This is unlike anything I’ve used before and is a nice touch. Additionally, it has the all-around-clean feel of those turn-your-toilet-blue-cleaners I’ve used in the past, only this one doesn’t leave a harsh, colored residue (side note: I have always disliked these because they began to stain my toilet bowl over time).
With the Method AntiBac Toilet antibacterial toilet cleaner, you can disinfect against staphylococcus aureus, influenza a flu virus, rhinovirus, escherichia coli, enterobacter aerogenes and salmonella enterica. Of course, I didn’t test for each of these bacterial infections in a lab, but it’s reassuring to know that this toilet bowl cleaner does more than just clean — it also disinfects. Not all toilet bowl cleaners are disinfectants, so it’s nice to know this one helps prevent certain strains of bacteria.
I find that it works well on not only my toilet bowl but also my toilet seat and under the rim. For that reason, it’s quite versatile — and also offered at a wonderful value, too.
Though this product takes a bit more scrubbing time — as opposed to the best overall pick, the Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day lavender toilet bowl cleaner — it’s just as effective and offers that all-around spotless clean. On that note, its efficacy on not only tackling stains — but helping to completely disinfect — makes it a top pick.
Best Tablet Toilet Cleaner
Blueland toilet bowl cleaner tablets
Pros:
- Impressive design with a pleasing smell
- Plastic-free cleaner that’s effective yet gentle on the planet
- Incredibly easy to use
Cons:
- Not as wonderful of a value as others tested
I was most excited to use the Blueland Toilet Bowl Cleaner Starter Set namely because I’ve never used a tablet-based cleaner before. Like a toothpaste tablet, it pops right into your toilet bowl and all you have to do is brush and flush — it’s that easy.
With this toilet cleaner, you’ll be supporting a well-thought-out, plant-based brand to feel good about your purchase. It’s also “the first plastic-free toilet bowl cleaner tablet that’s tough on stains but gentle on the planet,” per its product description, with “no more harsh chemicals, harmful ingredients or plastic packaging.”
At first, I was a bit skeptical of the whole operation. But, I love how the tablets feel “natural” in my hands, allowing me to truly understand the gentle impact it has when cleaning my toilet bowl. While it’s not designed to clean your toilet seat, in particular, I love opting for the brand’s Bathroom Cleaner ($20) — another product where you can drop the tablet in, fill with water and spray.
As you can already tell, Blueland’s products pass with flying colors in both the ease-of-use and sustainability departments, two check pluses in my favor. I love using these and, despite the brand’s higher price point, it’s truly impressive.
Best Plant-Based Toilet Cleaner
Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Pros:
- Plant-based
- Accessible price point
- Wonderful for a fresh clean that’s not too abrasive
Cons:
- Not as great for tough stains
- The applicator could be a bit more ergonomic, perhaps with an extended dispenser arm like some others tested
- Packaging could be plastic-free, granted its formulation is plant-based
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been using Seventh Generation’s products for years now — from its all-purpose cleaners to disinfectant wipes. Naturally (literally and figuratively), it’s an effective product at an accessible price point.
If you’re a more conscious shopper — specifically in regard to your environmental impact — this toilet bowl cleaner is yours for the taking. I love its minty scent because, let’s be real, fresh mint is one of those aromas that simply smells extremely fresh, whether found in a cleaning product or a shampoo. Additionally, you can order it from a variety of places online, allowing you to never run out.
While its applicator could be a bit more ergonomic, perhaps with an extended dispenser arm like some others tested, I’m not too upset about it. Given how it’s a budget-friendly and impressively fresh option, it’s one of the most effective while still upholding a plant-based nature.
An FAQ on Toilet Bowl Cleaners
Ahead, Ek shares her cleaning expert tips about toilet bowl cleaners — including what ingredients to look for, how to properly use them and more.
What different types of toilet bowl cleaners can I buy?
Of course, plenty of toilet cleaners exist on the market — so, you’ll want to find the best for you. Ek details some options you may find online.
“Toilet cleaners are usually used with a toilet brush, but some options come with a disposable scrubber built in and others are intended to be left in the bowl to clean over time,” she told The Post.
For my testing, I used a scrubber brush — one that’s widely available on Amazon.
What ingredients should I look for in a toilet bowl cleaner?
“Due to the potential for spreading germs, an important ingredient in a toilet cleaner is a disinfecting agent, like a bleach or bleach alternative,” Ek advises.
As far as what product formulation is right for you, you may want to look for cleaning product certifications that match your priorities and values as well. The American Cleaning Institute’s website has a list of them that can help.
What toilet cleaners are septic-safe? How can you tell if one isn’t?
Ek’s pro tip? Always use a cleaning product formulated for cleaning toilets.
“When used in moderation and according to the directions, toilet cleaners should not impact septic systems,” she assures.
How to clean your toilet, according to a cleaning expert
The golden question, huh? Here, you’ll find the 411 from a cleaning expert herself.
Always read and follow the directions on the label, first and foremost. “Usually, the most important part of using a toilet cleaner will be giving the product time to work between application and cleaning to get the most effective clean with the least amount of elbow grease,” Ek explains. “After cleaning, be sure to flush.”
For best results, Ek also recommends using a disinfecting wipe or disinfectant and cloth for the exterior of the toilet.
How often should I clean my toilet?
Of course, this will depend on how frequently it’s in use, but Ek recommends toilets to be cleaned at least weekly. “If someone in your household is sick, aim to clean the toilet every few days,” she adds.
What’s the best way to clean a badly stained toilet?
“Choose a toilet cleaner formulated specifically to fight tough stains,” Ek says. “Apply a generous amount of the product and let it sit before cleaning. It may not all come off in the first cleaning, so have patience and repeat the process.”
Never mix cleaning products together. Always store them up and out of reach of children.
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