Keeping the toilet clean is essential for any home. However, in some cases, the regular cleaning products we use to maintain our toilets can do more harm than good. Most toilet cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that are harmful to our health. Hence, we should ask ourselves, is using a non-toxic toilet cleaner a better and healthier way to clean?
Absolutely! Making a non-toxic cleaner is a great way to avoid exposure to toxic chemicals. Non-toxic cleaners are not only efficient cleaners, but they are also safe, environmentally-friendly, and affordable. But how can you make a non-toxic cleaner?
In this post, we will discuss non-toxic cleaners, how you can make them, and some tips for using them.
Does a Non-Toxic Toilet Cleaner Work?
A quick answer is yes. Non-toxic cleaners can clean your toilet like chemical cleaners. You can use it to clean away dirt and stubborn stains. Non-toxic cleaners like vinegar also contain some disinfectant properties. Hence, you can use it to disinfect the toilet bowl and the whole bathroom.
Some common non-toxic cleaners are vinegar and baking soda. Vinegar has acetic properties, perfect for removing dirt and killing viruses. Baking soda can also remove stains because it is mildly abrasive.
Non-toxic cleaners can be used daily or whenever necessary without harming you, your family, or your pets. When using to clean toilet bowls, make sure to clean under the rim as this is where the bacteria and germs like to hide.
Benefits of Non-Toxic Toilet Cleaners
See the list below for the benefits of non-toxic toilet cleaners:
- Avoid harsh or toxic chemicals around your home including spills
- Safe for pets, children, and pregnant women
- Safe for those who have sensitive skin or allergies
- Helps save the environment
Can You Use Chemical-Based and Non-Toxic Cleaners to Clean Toilets?
It’s a no-no to combine chemical-based and non-toxic cleaners to clean toilets. For instance, you can never mix bleach with vinegar. The mixture of the two creates chlorine gas, which is harmful to your health. Even if you only use small quantities of bleach and vinegar together, the result can be dangerous.
Also, avoid combining bleach and rubbing alcohol because it can form chloroform, a harmful carcinogen.
Does a Non-Toxic Toilet Cleaner Work on Pee Stains?
Toilets that are not cleaned regularly are prone to pee stains. And while you can use store-bought products to clean away that yellowish mess, you can also opt for household ingredients to remove them.
Follow these steps to remove pee stains:
Things you’ll need:
- Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Water
- Plastic Wrap / Towel
Instructions:
- Use vinegar to wet the pee stain.
- Sprinkle some baking soda on top of the pee stain. You should hear the bubbling sound as baking soda and vinegar solutions are mixed.
- Cover the stain with plastic wrap or a clean towel and wait for them to dry completely.
- Once it has dried up, remove the plastic wrap or towel.
- Rinse and wipe away the excess baking soda and vinegar mixture with water. Let it dry.
Does a Non-Toxic Toilet Cleaner Work on Hard Water Stains?
If your toilet contains hard water stains, you’re not alone because 85% of the US population has hard water. Don’t worry, though. You can remove hard water stains with non-toxic cleaners.
Here’s a guide on how you can make a homemade hard water stain remover with natural ingredients:
The things you’ll need:
- Baking Soda
- Water
- Bowl
- Old Clean Toothbrush
Instructions:
- Mix water and baking soda in a bowl to create a paste.
- Apply the paste to the affected area and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
- Use a clean brush to scrub the affected area.
What are Natural Cleaners for Toilets?
There are many natural ingredients you can use to clean your toilet. Some popular ones are below.
White Vinegar
We have written many articles stating how effective white vinegar is in cleaning home surfaces. We are here to remind you of that again. Vinegar has acidic properties that make them an effective cleaning product. It can clean away dirt, disinfect, and eliminate foul odors on its own.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice consists of citric acid. Citric acid can help remove mineral deposits. It can also remove hard water stains on your toilet bowl or bathroom surfaces.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is commonly used as a toilet bowl cleaner. It can deodorize and scour your toilet bowl naturally. While it doesn’t have germ-fighting benefits like vinegar, it’s worth noting that it can remove dirt, stains, and ugly rings on toilet bowls.
How Do You Make a Non-Toxic Toilet Cleaner?
You can always buy eco-friendly cleaning products at stores or online to clean your toilet. Or, as mentioned, you can also use natural household products like vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and water to clean them
Here is a step-by-step guide to making non-toxic toilet cleaner with household ingredients available at home:
Things you’ll need:
- Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Warm water
- Bucket
- Sponge
Instructions:
- Mix warm water and vinegar in a bucket.
- Sprinkle baking soda all over the toilet bowl.
- Dip a sponge into the vinegar and water mixture and scrub the baking soda into the toilet surfaces. For stains, apply some pressure when scrubbing the toilet with a sponge.
- Let the mixture sit for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Rinse the toilet with warm water and flush it.
Tips for Using a Non-Toxic Toilet Cleaner to Clean the Toilet
Now that you’ve created your homemade natural and non-chemical-based cleaner for your toilet, it’s time to know how to use it effectively. Use these tips to maximize the product’s cleaning power:
Disinfect the Cleaning Supplies
So, you finally made a non-toxic toilet cleaner, but how about the cleaning supplies you use to clean the toilet? Make sure that the brush or sponge is clean.
To stop the spread of bacteria, disinfect your cleaning tools. You can use hydrogen peroxide to ensure your cleaning supplies are clean and germ-free.
Clean the Tank
The toilet tank is a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. The nastiness will spread throughout the toilet bowl if you forget to clean it. You can use vinegar or your homemade cleaner to disinfect the toilet tank. Let the cleaner sit for a few minutes, then wipe the tank.
Use a Pumice Stone
If the homemade cleaner is ineffective enough to remove stubborn hard water stains, use a pumice stone to eliminate that mess. There are hard water stains that standard cleaners may not remove, so you may need to level up your cleaning tools.
Conclusion
Making a non-toxic toilet cleaner is a safer, more affordable, and environmentally friendlier way to clean your toilet and remove stains than using harsh chemical-based cleaners.
For your safety also remember that mixing non-toxic cleaners and toxic cleaners is dangerous. And disinfect your cleaning supplies before and after using them on your toilet.
To know more about non-toxic cleaning, read our article – “How to Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaning Wipes?”
