These toilet bowl cleaners are so simple and easy to make! Plus, they are natural as well!

I can put up with a great deal of mess in my life, but a dirty bathroom really gets to me.  There are just so many unclean things that happen there, potentially leaving behind germs, residues, and smells that need to be appropriately tackled.

Our family gave up using toxic, chemical-laden cleaners years ago and began making our own cleaning products.  In general, I have been happy with how clean my bathroom gets using microfiber cloths and a vinegar-based spray, but the toilet bowl has always stumped me.

I have tried out many different recipes and ingredients and have narrowed them down to 3 favorites that I’d like to share with you today: a squeezable gel, spray, and a powder blend.  In my trials, I also learned 2 very important things…

Vinegar Just Doesn’t Mix

As much as I love cleaning with vinegar, it is important to know that it should not be directly mixed with hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, or Castile soap.  When any of these 3 ingredients are mixed with vinegar, they can become irritants or lose their efficiency.

• Vinegar + Hydrogen Peroxide = Peracetic Acid, which can be absorbed into the skin and can cause redness, pain, blisters, or skin burns, as well as affecting breathing if inhaled. (source)
• Vinegar + Baking Soda = Salt Water.  The two are strong cleaners on their own, but the alkalinity of baking soda with the acidity of vinegar ultimately crosses the other out. (source)
• Vinegar + Castile Soap = Unsaponafied, Curdled Soap. (source, Lisa Bronner, of Bronner’s Castile Soap)

Essential Oils Can Be Used Strategically

Some essential oils are known for their cleansing abilities.  Numerous studies (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, to name a few) have shown that many essential oils are a strong match against germs and harmful bacteria.  So, when you see essential oils on the toilet bowl cleaning recipes below, don’t just assume they are a fluff ingredient that can be bypassed.  Sure, they are “optional,” but they may actually add extra strength and power to your mix!

A few essential oils that are especially known to be good for cleansing are: Lavender, Bergamot, Rosemary, Oregano, Thyme, Peppermint, Clove, Tea Tree, Lemongrass, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Orange, and Basil.

3 Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaners

Squeeze Gel

• 2 cups Distilled Water
• 1 cup Baking Soda
• 1/3 cup Borax (or more Baking Soda) (find pure Borax here)
• 1/3 cup Castile Soap (find organic Castile Soap here)
• 25 drops Essential Oils (choose from the list above)

Mix the water, baking soda, and borax together in a bowl until powders dissolve.  Funnel this mixture into an empty squeeze bottle (from dish soap, honey, or an empty condiment container).  Slowly funnel in the castile soap and add essential oils of choice.  Shake the container well to combine all ingredients.

To use: Squeeze out some of the solution under the rim of the toilet bowl and leave to sit up to 5 minutes.  Brush the bowl well and flush.  Optional: Spray the bowl down with hydrogen peroxide or vinegar for extra disinfecting properties and flush again.

Textured Spray

• 2 cup Distilled Water
• 3 Tbsp Baking Soda or Borax (find pure Borax here)
• 1/3 cup Castile Soap (find organic Castile Soap here)
• 25 drops Essential Oils (choose from the list above)

Mix the water and borax until dissolved and funnel the mixture into an empty spray bottle.  Slowly funnel in the castile soap and add essential oils of choice.  Seal the bottle and shake well to combine.

To use: Spray solution generously along inner sides of toilet boil.  Leave to sit up to 5 minutes, brush the bowl well, and flush.  Optional: Spray the bowl down with hydrogen peroxide or vinegar for extra disinfecting properties and flush again.

Powder Blend

• 3/4 cup Baking Soda
• 3/4 cup Borax (find pure Borax here)
• 45 drops Essential Oils (choose from the list above)

Mix powders together and add essential oils, gently stirring until well combined.  Transfer the blend into a mason jar or other tightly sealable container.  Store at room temperature in a dry place.

To use: Flush the toilet (or use the toilet brush) to wet the inner sides of the toilet bowl.  Sprinkle a few spoons of the powder mixture onto the same area. Brush the bowl well and flush. Optional: Spray the bowl down with hydrogen peroxide or vinegar for extra disinfecting properties and flush again.

And the Winner Is…

All three of these recipes have worked well for me, but my favorite is definitely the squeezable gel recipe.  It is the easiest to apply, and the high amounts of baking soda help to agitate stains and residues on the bowl as well as lather up the castile soap.

What do you scrub your toilet bowl with?