Homemade Toilet Cleaner: How to Make an Eco-Friendly Gel for Toilet
I know what you’re thinking — cleaning the toilet is one of those dreaded tasks that just never gets easier.
But what if I told you there’s a homemade toilet cleaner that not only tackles the grime but leaves your bathroom smelling fresh with zero harsh chemicals?
Today, I’m excited to introduce you to an incredible natural toilet bowl cleaner recipe that transforms toilet bowl cleaning into a much easier task.
Tools and Materials:
- Citric Acid
- Dishwashing Liquid
- ½ tsp Xanthan Gum
- A few drops of Lemon Essential Oil
- A toilet brush
- A cloth
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Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner Strips
1. Mix Up Your Homemade Toilet Cleaner
Before we tackle the toilet, let’s whip up our citric acid cleaner.
Citric acid is a powerhouse for breaking down calcium deposits, and the dishwashing liquid helps cut through any dirt or grime that’s been lingering in the bowl.
Start by pouring 3.5 ounces of citric acid into a bowl and slowly add about 2.5 ounces of warm water.
Mix until the citric acid dissolves.
Next, add 2 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid and stir gently.
Now comes the xanthan gum, which can be tricky. You will need 1/2 a teaspoon.
While using a whisk or stick blender sprinkle it in slowly while mixing to avoid clumps. You want a smooth gel-like consistency.
Finally, add a few drops of lemon essential oil for that fresh, clean scent — trust me, this makes all the difference!
Let the gel sit for a few minutes to thicken properly.
Decant into a squeeze bottle.
2. Apply the Gel to the Toilet Bowl
Now that your cleaner is ready, it's time to get to work. The beauty of this gel is that it clings to the toilet bowl, giving the ingredients extra time to break down all that grime.
Pour a generous amount of the cleaning gel around the rim of the toilet bowl.
Make sure it coats the entire surface, especially the areas with tough stains.
Let the gel sit for about 10 minutes. This will allow the citric acid to work its magic on any mineral deposits or scale build-up.
I didn’t have a squirt bottle on hand, so I added a bit more hot water to the mixture and poured it into a spray bottle instead. While the consistency isn’t perfect for spraying, it’s a quick fix that still gets the job done in a pinch!
3. Scrub and Rinse
Now, this is the part where you can really feel the satisfaction of a job well done — and the cleaner does most of the heavy lifting for you!
Take your toilet brush and give the bowl a good scrub, focusing on any stained areas. You’ll notice the gel lathers up nicely, making it easy to clean every nook and cranny.
Don’t forget to clean under the rim — that’s where a lot of the grime likes to hide!
Once you’re satisfied with your scrubbing, flush the toilet to rinse away the cleaner and enjoy that sparkling, fresh-smelling bowl!
Don't Forget the Rest of the Toilet
While you’re at it, why not wipe down the exterior of the toilet as well?
Use the leftover cleaner on a sponge or cloth to clean the toilet lid, handle, and sides.
It’s gentle enough for these surfaces and will leave the whole toilet looking spotless.
Clean Toilets the Natural Way
How to Make a Natural Toilet Cleaner that Really Works
And that’s it! Your toilet is clean, fresh, and free of harsh chemicals, thanks to the citric acid cleaning gel.
I love how easy this DIY cleaner is to make, and the best part? It uses everyday ingredients you probably already have around the house!
Now that you’ve tackled the toilet, why not try the cleaner on your faucets or shower doors? It works wonders there, too!
If you try this cleaner, I’d love to hear how it worked for you!
Comments
Join the conversation
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I use baking soda and vinegar and Dawn just shake and pour into toilet bowl let sit then scrub. I don't measure and this is septic safe.
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I don’t like the smell of chemicals so I put a dishwasher pod in the toilet and wait 20 minutes. Works fine and smells great.
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Is this septic safe?
There are almost 1,000 cleaning products available. I find it hard to believe that one of them isn't capable of cleaning your toilet! Pine-sol? Soft-scrub?
Is this mixture for cleaning the toilet safe for septic systems