Cleaning Toilet Bowl With Vinegar: The Ultimate DIY Gel Cleaner

by Hometalk Recommends

Published: July 5th, 2025

What if your next toilet bowl scrub didn’t involve worrying about toxic fumes?

I stumbled on a pantry hack that turns plain old vinegar into a clingy, grease-busting gel—perfect for those hard-to-reach rim spots.

All it takes is an empty toilet-cleaner bottle, a splash of Dawn, a sprinkle of xanthan gum, and a few drops of tea tree oil for extra germ-fighting oomph.

Whip up this homemade toilet bowl cleaner gel

Tools and Materials:

White distilled vinegar (1 cup)
Xanthan gum (¼ tsp)
Dawn dish soap (1 tsp)
Tea tree or thyme essential oil (5–8 drops)
Warm water (¼ cup)
Empty toilet-cleaner bottle (for under-rim access)
Funnel
Small whisk or jar with lid
Soft toilet brush
70% isopropyl alcohol spray (optional follow-up)

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DIY non-toxic toilet cleaning

1. Whisk Your Gel Base

In a small jar, combine 1 cup vinegar, 1 tsp Dawn, and 5 drops tea tree oil.

Vinegar, Dawn, and xanthan gum for a sparkling throne

Sprinkle in ¼ tsp xanthan gum and whisk until lump-free. Let sit 5 minutes to thicken.

No harsh chemicals, just natural ingredients

Whisk vigorously until the xanthan gum dissolves completely—no white specks or clumps. This ensures your gel sprays evenly and clings where you need it.

Clingy vinegar gel toilet cleaner tutorial

2. Prep & Pour into Bottle

Rinse an old cleaner bottle thoroughly. Use a funnel to transfer your gel, then add ¼ cup warm water. Seal and shake until it sprays like light syrup.

Refill your old toilet-cleaner bottle with this eco-friendly vinegar gel for zero-waste bathroom cleaning

Step-by-step guide to making a long-lasting gel toilet cleaner

3. Clean the Toilet Bowl

Give the bottle a vigorous shake each time. Test-spray onto paper towel—aim for a syrupy consistency, not a watery drip.

Spray generously under the rim so the gel clings to hidden spots. Aim for full coverage.

Let your gel sit 30–60 minutes (or overnight for tough rings). The vinegar and tea tree oil dissolve scale and inhibit microbes.

Gently scrub with your toilet brush—rings should wipe away.

Flush twice, then optionally spritz 70% isopropyl alcohol and let air-dry for true disinfecting.

More Toilet Gel Recipes

Homemade Toilet Cleaner: How to Make an Eco-Friendly Gel for Toilet

Find out how to mix a powerful citrus-powered gel that hugs every curve of your bowl, giving those stubborn rings a serious run for their money. You’ll learn how to whisk up the right consistency, apply it under the rim for maximum contact time, and even reuse an old squeeze bottle for zero-waste cleaning. By the end, you’ll have a sparkling, fresh-smelling toilet without reaching for any toxic sprays.

Try This DIY Gel

Danielle

FAQs

Will it smell like vinegar? No—the short dwell time and added tea tree oil leave only a faint, fresh scent.
How long does it keep? Store in a cool, dark spot for up to 3 weeks. Add 5 drops grapefruit seed extract for extra preservation.
Safe for septic? Yes—vinegar is biodegradable and won’t harm good bacteria.
What if I skip xanthan gum? It’ll still clean, but the gel won’t stick—it’ll rinse away faster.

How to sanitize and descale your toilet bowl naturally

Say Goodbye to Stains: Cleaning Toilet Bowl with Vinegar Gel

With pantry staples plus Dawn and a splash of essential oil, you’ve created a clingy, effective toilet bowl cleaner that tackles grime, cuts grease, and even inhibits microbes. Ready for a sparkling throne?

Try it today—and don’t forget to share your before-and-after snaps!