How to Make a Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner - Easy DIY Tips

You’re probably thinking you could just grab any commercially available cleaner on the market, and that’ll do the job even better than any DIY toilet bowl cleaner. But, have you taken the time to check the ingredients? Most toilet bowl cleaners found in the market contain harsh chemicals that can irritate your skin, eyes, and nose. 

For regular everyday upkeep, creating your own homemade toilet cleaner can be a fun and rewarding activity that leaves you with an effective solution that tackles grime while keeping your family safe from caustic ingredients. Plus, adding essential oils will make your bathroom and toilet bowl smelling fresh and clean!

How to Make Toilet Bowl Cleaners - The Natural Way

Believe it or not, you can make your own toilet cleaner using common household ingredients. These homemade cleaners are just as effective as commercial ones, can be made at a fraction of the cost, and is a safer alternative to ones available on the market. 

In this tutorial, we’ll be showing you how to make two toilet bowl cleaner DIYs: one for everyday use, and another for those tough, heavy duty cleaning days. All you’ll need are a few home staples, and equipment.

• Baking Soda - Sodium Bicarbonate, or more commonly known as baking soda, has been hailed as an essential cleaning ingredient as it does wonders in removing scum and water stains. The fine, white powder also kills molds, and deodorizes. 
• White Vinegar - White vinegar used for cleaning has a 20% acetic acid concentration, killing mold and mildew. Household vinegar has around 5%-8% concentration, which is a mild yet efficient cleaner when coupled with baking soda.
• Borax - Borax makes a great all-purpose cleaner, and is considered safe as long as you use it with caution. As it usually comes in a white powder form, borax can be blended with a dry scrub, or mixed with water or vinegar to create a liquid spray.
• Citric Acid - Though a less common household ingredient, citric acid is set to become a cleaning staple for its ability to remove scum, mineral deposits, water stains, grime, and even rust. Like borax, citric acid is commonly sold as a white powder and can be mixed into a dry scrub or liquid cleaning solution.
• Essential Oils - Essential oils are optional, but they provide a natural scent that will keep your bathroom smell invigorating. Common essential oils used in homemade toilet cleaners include citrus fruits like oranges, lemon, and lime, and natural forest scents like bamboo, tea tree, and lavender.

Daily Fresh DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner

For a DIY toilet bowl cleaner that is good for daily use, reach for some baking soda and citric acid. This base-acid mixture will form a reaction when wet, lifting dirt, and killing mold on contact. This DIY toilet bowl cleaner mixture is safe to use daily, and also works to unclog toilet pipes.

‍

What You’ll Need:

• Baking Soda
• Citric Acid
• Essential Oil (Optional)
• Clean Water
• Mixing Bowl (glass works best)
• Mixing Spoon or Whisk
• Plastic or Silicone Mold (an ice cube tray works perfectly)
• Air-tight Jars
• Toilet Brush (for cleaning)
  
  

Step-by-Step:

1. Sanitize your workstation and prepare your ingredients. Wear gloves and a mask if you have allergies or sensitivities.
2. Grab your dry mixing bowl and add in equal parts baking soda and citric acid. Make sure your bowl is completely dry so as to not trigger the chemical reaction.
3. Using a clean mixing spoon or whisk, mix ingredients together until fully blended.
4. Add in your essential oils drop by drop, if using. Go for clean scents like citrus, floral, and woodsy scents. Mix well until fully incorporated. Suggested blends:
   - 10-20 drops Lemon, 10-20 drops Bamboo
   - 10 drops Lemongrass, 20 drops Wild Orange
   - 20 drops Lavender, 20 drops Lemon, 10 drops Geranium
   - 30 drops Grapefruit, 10 drops Frankincense, 10 drops Patchouli
5. Slowly add in water by teaspoonfuls, carefully spreading out the pour. Your solution will form bubbles, which is alright as long as you incorporate the water slowly and evenly.
6. Mix or whisk the solution to incorporate the water. Keep adding water until the mixture gets the consistency of damp sand, or when the mixture pressed between your fingers will hold together. 
7. Tightly pack and press your mixture into molds. Ice cube trays, cupcake trays, and other silicone molds work best for easy release. Allow to dry for 24-48 hours.
8. Release pods from mold, and place in an airtight container. Keep the pods dry and away from humidity. Store for up to 6 months. 
   
   

To Use:

1. Flush your toilet bowl to remove any dirt or waste. 
2. Wait for the water to settle, and add in 1-2 pods of your cleaning mixture. For slightly heavier grime, add in 3-4 pods as an extra cleaning boost.
3. Allow the pods to bubble. Use a toilet brush to loosen the scum, and spread the mixture under the rim, and around the toilet bowl. Make sure to get into the hard to reach areas.
4. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes, or until dirt has loosened. Flush to rinse out. 

‍

Helpful Note: As long as the pods are kept in a dry, airtight container, they should last for up to 6 months. However, if the pods no longer bubble when wet, that means your toilet bowl cleaner mixture is old and it’s time to make a new batch.

Super Spray DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner

For the heavy duty cleaning of water stains, mold, and tough scum, you’ll need a super spray of borax and distilled vinegar to tackle those unsightly rings. With a little time and elbow grease, this tough solution will leave your toilet bowl squeaky clean.

‍

What You’ll Need:

• Borax
• Distilled Vinegar (20% Concentration) or Distilled Vinegar (5% Solution)
• Essential Oil (Optional)
• Mixing Bowl (glass works best)
• Mixing Spoon or Whisk
• Funnel
• Spray Bottle
• Sponge or Brush

Step-by-Step:

1. Prepare equipment and ingredients. Wear gloves and mask if you have allergies or sensitivities particularly to borax or vinegar.
2. Mix together 3/4 cup of borax and 1 cup of distilled vinegar in a clean bowl. Note that the vinegar concentration will determine the cleaning strength of your solution. Mix well.
3. Add in 20 drops of chosen essential oil. (Optional, but recommended) Vinegar has a strong odor that can be unpleasant, and essential oils help mask the odor while leaving you with a mild scent.
4. Use a funnel to transfer the mixture into a spray bottle.
5. Label and use spray weekly or as needed.
   
   

To Use:

1. Spray the solution around the toilet bowl, on and under the rim, in the drain, and on the toilet bowl lid. 
2. Use a sponge or brush to work the stained areas. Use a toilet brush to scrub the inside of the bowl. Do not flush.
3. Let the solution sit for a couple of hours or overnight. Do not rinse, flush, or use the toilet bowl during this time.
4. The next day, use a scrubber to lift the loosened dirt and debris. Flush the toilet to rinse out.
5. Wipe the rim and outermost areas of the toilet or use a hose to rinse out the solution if possible.
6. Repeat at least once a week to prevent ring and stain buildup.

‍

Helpful Tip: If using 20% cleaning vinegar, make sure to wear gloves and a mask to prevent irritation as acetic acid can be corrosive. Avoid spraying the solution around stone flooring and countertops, and keep away from children and pets.

Toilet Bowl Upkeep Made Simple

Due to the nature of its usage, it is important to clean your toilet bowl everyday. While there are vast options of easy-to-use cleaning supplies on the market, DIY toilet bowl cleaner alternatives provide an affordable, convenient, and safe way for you to upkeep your bathroom fixtures. Toilet bowls are constantly covered in germs, so daily sanitizing and maintenance is a must. 

With good maintenance, your toilet bowl will remain sparkly clean. No more will you have to deal with gross, dirty toilets again. 

For more handy tips and information about home and bathroom cleaning, visit our blog page!