I stumbled across this DIY toilet bowl cleaner tablets recipe thanks to one of my kids. Does anyone else have a child who throws things in the toilet?? It may have been unintentional, but this happy accident saved me a lot of trouble over the years.
How I (accidentally) discovered DIY bathroom cleaner
Once upon a time, I made a large batch of sea salt bath soda and postpartum bath soda that I use regularly. I have friends who are about to give birth, so I wanted to give it to them as a gift.
I planned to save the few broken ones when I took them out of the mold and use them myself. I left it in a bag next to the bathtub and my then one year old got into it (in true one year old fashion). She was going through a phase of putting everything in the toilet and this was no exception.
My first reaction was to suppress my irritation at yet another item being thrown down the toilet. And I was upset that I couldn’t use my own bath soda.
I didn’t want to flush the toilet until it was done bubbling because I wasn’t sure if it would be good for the pipes. As I stood there watching them lather and mourned the loss of a relaxing bath, I noticed that the more they lathered, the cleaner the bathroom seemed to get.
I used a toilet brush to make sure it was all dissolved and when I flushed the toilet I was surprised at how clean it was. I realized that bath sodas contain a lot of natural detox ingredients, and that these ingredients are also effective in detoxifying and cleaning the toilet.
effective toilet bowl cleaner
It’s not necessarily gentle enough for the skin, so I tried using a recipe to make it a little stronger. The result is a toilet cleaning tablet that is cheap, easy to make, and highly effective. The best part? Little kids loved using this because it was fun. So my bathroom was cleaned frequently.
These toilet cleaner tablets will refresh your bathroom and make it sparkle. I keep it in an airtight glass jar in my bathroom and use it as needed. I’ve found that if stored properly they can last for months.
Baking soda is great for gently scrubbing and deodorizing messes. Citric acid is found naturally in citrus fruits and helps dissolve mineral deposits. Used together, they make an effective natural toilet bowl cleaner.
And now that I’ve found a healthier version, I don’t make as many homemade vacuum cleaners anymore, but I still like to whip them out every now and then.
natural toilet cleaning
If you’re still using “call poison control if you drink, inhale or see this wrong thing” type cleaners, try this product instead. All ingredients are food grade and can technically be used in cooking. But I would never eat it because of the concentration of baking soda and citric acid.
This post provides more toilet (and bathroom) cleaning options. And if you don’t want to DIY, there are some really great pre-made options out there right now. One of my favorite natural cleaners, Branch Basics, also works on the toilet. And if you need something a little stronger, you can also add Oxygen Boost powder.
Note: I’ve never flushed this stuff down the toilet before it was completely dissolved, but I wouldn’t recommend trying. I don’t think it’s the best idea to put that kind of pressure on the pipes! Toilet bowl cleaner tablets also take some time to operate and clean the toilet.
In case you’re wondering, these aren’t the kind of toilet tablets that go into the toilet tank. Dive directly into the bowl to clean as needed.
Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner Tablets Recipe
Make your own natural toilet bowl cleaner using food-grade ingredients like baking soda, citric acid, and essential oils.
produce: 40 toilet tablets
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Mix baking soda and citric acid together in a glass bowl. We recommend wearing a mask and latex gloves to protect your skin and eyes.
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Slowly add water to the dried powder and mix. You want to barely wet the powder so it sticks together in the mold. I used a small fine mist spray bottle and about 8 sprays. Too much may cause foaming.
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Add essential oils and continue mixing.
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Using 1 teaspoon (or more), scoop out and place on parchment paper until dry. You can also use silicone molds for this step.
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Let the cosmetic tablets dry overnight and then carefully place them in an airtight container for use as needed.
- I’ve never flushed this down the toilet before it’s completely dissolved, but I don’t suggest trying. (I don’t think putting pressure on the pipes is the best idea!)
- I usually use a 1 teaspoon measuring spoon, but I have also used 1/2 tablespoon. You’ll get fewer toilet tablets, but using a larger scoop will give you more cleaning power.
Tips for making toilet cleaner tablets
The biggest mistake people make when using bath bombs or similar recipes is adding too much water. The mixture should feel like damp sand when compacted. Too much water can cause the citric acid to react prematurely and cause foaming.
I use water, but some people use a mixture of alcohol and water. The alcohol adds a little moisture and helps the powder stick together without getting too wet. If it’s a really humid day or you live in an area with more humid air, this can also affect your recipe.
Even if the toilet tablets break apart after drying, the pieces are still cleanable!
More cleaning methods
Want more natural cleaning recipes? Here are a few DIYs I’ve used in my bathroom over the years.
What do you use to clean the bathroom? Please leave a comment and share below!
