Are you skeptical about natural toilet bowl cleaners? If so, you’re not alone. 

After all, toilets are among the germiest places in the home, which can make using harsh disinfectant cleaners feel justified (even if you use natural cleaners everywhere else).

But, believe it or not, those harsh chemicals in toilet bowl cleaners are not necessary to get a completely clean and germ-free bowl. Plus, their use has unintended consequences, especially for the chronically ill,  babies, toddlers, the elderly, and pets.

The key to breaking the toxic toilet cleaner habit is knowing how to remove germs and disinfect effectively with natural, human-safe products. And yes, it’s entirely possible.

Here we’re unpacking exactly how to do that using safe, natural germ-removers, disinfectants, and special tools for a sparkling-clean bowl and a healthier home.

Key Takeaways 

• Toilet bowl cleaners contain some of the most toxic and caustic cleaning chemicals, and are responsible for thousands of poisonings and injuries in humans and pets per year.
  
• Despite what you may have been taught, you can thoroughly clean and disinfect toilets using human-safe products, like Branch Basics, Oxygen Boost, and hydrogen peroxide.
  
• Using natural products for toilet cleaning is fast, easy, and often more affordable than buying traditional toilet bowl cleaners.
  

Why Avoid Toxic Toilet Bowl Cleaners?

Toilet bowl cleaners contain some of the most toxic and caustic chemicals in the cleaning industry, including:

• Bleach
  
• Ammonia
  
• Hydrochloric acid
  
• Isopropyl alcohol
  
• Synthetic fragrance
  
• Harsh chemical surfactants
  
• Quats

They’re especially dangerous for households with children and pets, who may accidentally splash or ingest the chemicals if left in the bowl.

Sadly, thousands of babies, children, pets, and adults are hospitalized due to injuries from toilet bowl cleaners every year.

Some side effects of toilet bowl cleaner ingestion, inhalation, or other exposure include:[1-4]

• Severe burns to the skin, internal organs, and tissues
  
• Organ damage
  
• Trouble breathing
  
• Burning of the throat
  
• Loss of vision
  
• Coma
  
• Headaches
  
• Microbiome disruption
  
• Diarhea
  
• Severe abdominal pain
  
• Pregnancy complications from disinfectants, including preterm birth
  
• A higher rate of chronic respiratory issues, including asthma, in children
  
• An increased rate of chronic disease in children
  
• Immune system suppression
  
• Developmental damage
  
• Seizures
  
• Blood in stool
  

What’s really important to realize is that some of these side effects result from passive exposure. So, even if you have a toilet bowl cleaner under your bathroom sink, the toxic VOCs constantly enter the home’s air, exposing you to the chemicals in the toilet bowl cleaner 24/7, as long as the product is in the house.

Also, if you’re not the one cleaning with the toilet bowl cleaner, the level of the VOCs rise in the home’s indoor air, increasing their harm to all family members, including pets..

Is it worth the risk? Absolutely not, especially with so many safe and effective alternatives, which we’ll explore next.

Related reading: 7 Toxic Cleaning Products To Avoid And Safe Alternatives

The Best Natural & Human-Safe Toilet Bowl Cleaners

Now that you know why harsh chemical toilet bowl cleaners are not worth the risk, let’s look at some of the best alternatives.

1: Branch Basics Bathroom + Oxygen Boost

This combo is our go-to for cleaning toilets because it cleans, removes germs and stains, and disinfects.

What You’ll Need:

• Branch Basics Bathroom Dilution
  
• Branch Basics Oxygen Boost

How To Use:

1. Flush once to wet the toilet bowl.
   
2. Spray Branch Basics Bathroom around the entire bowl and toilet surfaces.
   
3. Follow by sprinkling 1 to 1/2 scoops of Branch Basics Oxygen Boost around the sides of the bowl.
   
4. Scrub clean using a toilet brush.
   
5. If disinfecting is desired, let the Bathroom and Oxygen Boost dwell for 5-10 minutes with the toilet seat down.
   1. Although Branch Basics Oxygen Boost is a mineral-based product (sodium percarbonate, aka: powdered peroxide + baking soda), it is not intended for ingestion, which is why we recommend putting the toilet seat down to keep pets and children out.
      
   2. After the dwell time, scrub clean with a toilet brush and flush.

New to Branch Basics? Check out How To Use The Branch Basics Starter Kit for all the details on our all-in-one, MADE SAFE Certified, EWG-verified, human-safe, refillable plant- and mineral-based cleaning system.

2: Liquid Castile + Baking Soda 

For a DIY option that removes germs and stains, try this simple combination.

What You’ll Need:

• 3/4 cup baking soda
  
• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap, such as the following non-toxic, 100% pure, fragrance-free liquid castile soaps, which have all ingredients rated a 1-2 on EWG Skin Deep!
  • Vermont Castile Soap
    
  • Natural Way Organic Castile Soap
    
  • St. Clare Castile Soap
    
  • Carolina Castile Soap
    
  • Cove Castile Soap
    

How To  Use:

1. Flush the toilet to wet the toilet bowl.
   
2. Apply castile soap full strength to the toilet bowl.
   
3. Sprinkle the baking soda around the sides of the bowl.
   
4. Scrub clean.
   
5. Flush..

For disinfecting, see the next sections on natural disinfectants.

3: Liquid Castile Soap + Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is the clean-up crew after a soap has lifted and removed germs from a surface. It is a DIYer's best friend because there are no toxic VOCs, yet it gives peace of mind by killing any germs that may remain after removal with soap and water.

Hydrogen Peroxide is an EPA-recognized pesticide against a wide range of viruses and bacteria.

What You’ll Need:

• Liquid castile soap
• 3% hydrogen peroxide

How To  Use:

1. Flush the toilet to wet the toilet bowl.
   
2. Apply castile soap full strength and scrub
3. Spray or squirt hydrogen peroxide directly in the toilet bowl and on surfaces, let sit for 10 minutes. Scrub the toilet with a toilet brush.

For disinfecting, see the next section.

Related reading: How to Clean With Hydrogen Peroxide: Safe, Natural Uses for Disinfecting, Laundry, Mold, & More

4: Branch Basics + Baking Soda + Hydrogen Peroxide and Vinegar or Lemon Juice for a Final Flourish

Baking soda is an amazing non-toxic bleach alternative, cleaner, and gentle scouring agent. When combined with hydrogen peroxide, it creates a powerful cleaning paste for removing grime, germs, and stains. 

Follow up with acidic vinegar or lemon juice for a final deep clean*.

Note: Never combine hydrogen peroxide and vinegar, as it will create a toxic gas. You can use them on the same surfaces, including toilets, if they're used separately after flushing/wiping, as outlined in this post. 

What You’ll Need:

• Branch Basics Bathroom Cleaner
  
• 2 cups baking soda
  
• 3% hydrogen peroxide to make a paste
• A spray bottle of distilled white vinegar, cleaning vinegar, or lemon juice

How To Make & Use:

1. Carefully mix baking soda and enough hydrogen peroxide to make a paste. Place in a bowl.
   
2. Flush the toilet once to wet the bowl.
   
3. Spray toilet bowl with Branch Basics Bathroom Cleaner.  
   
4. Let it dwell for 5 minutes. Scrub with a toilet brush
   
5. Dip the toilet scrub brush into the baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste, then scrub the toilet bowl. If serious cleaning is needed, let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes with the lid down.
   
6. Flush.
7. Finish by spraying the toilet bowl liberally with vinegar, cleaning vinegar, or lemon juice, and do a final scrub and wipe-down.
8. Flush, and you’re done!

5: A Pumice Stone For Stubborn Stains

Nothing works better or is safer than a pumice stone for toilet stains, including hard-water stains.

Simply don some cleaning gloves and scrub away the stain with the stone.

You can find various options online; just be sure to search for “Pumice Stone Toilet Bowl Cleaner,” so you get the right grit.

Our favorite is The Pummie, which comes with a handle and works like a charm!

Explore more options in: How To Remove Toilet Bowl Rings Naturally

How To Disinfect A Toilet Naturally: 3 Ways

We’re not big fans of over-sanitizing, but we definitely recommend disinfecting your toilet at least once a week.

Here are some safe, natural options for a cleaner, safer clean.

1: 3% Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, is one of our favorite natural disinfectants because it’s cheap, super safe (it’s structurally similar to water), environmentally friendly (it breaks down into hydrogen and oxygen), and effective.

Its extra oxygen molecule makes it effective at oxidizing and killing germs, which is why it works well as a disinfectant. One study found that 3% hydrogen peroxide was more effective at killing germs than some quat-based disinfectants. 

To use: 

1. Clean toilet and surfaces with Branch Basics or your favorite natural toilet bowl cleaner.
   
2. Spray or wipe 3% peroxide onto the bowl and surfaces.
   
3. Let it dwell 3-5 minutes and wipe clean.

Related reading: How to Clean With Hydrogen Peroxide: Safe, Natural Uses for Disinfecting, Laundry, Mold, & More

2: Natural Steam

We love our Ladybug Dry Steam Cleaner for disinfecting all types of surfaces, but traditional wet steamers can also work here.

Simply hold over the toilet bowl and surfaces, and release the steam according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Note: Use extreme caution around children and pets, who may find the steamer fascinating and could get badly burned.

3: Branch Basics Oxygen Boost (Sodium Percarbonate)

As mentioned previously, Branch Basics Oxygen Boost contains sodium percarbonate, a mineral-based disinfectant considered safe enough to use in organic aquaculture.

In our product, it’s combined with baking soda for extra natural bleaching, scouring, deodorizing, and cleaning power.

To Use: 

1. Clean toilet and surfaces with Branch Basics or your favorite natural toilet bowl cleaner.
   
2. Flush
   
3. Sprinkle Oxygen Boost in the toilet bowl.
   
4. Wet Oxygen Boost with the Bathroom spray
   
5. Let it dwell 3-5 minutes. Close the toilet lid.
   
6. Scrub clean with your toilet brush.
   
7. Flush

Learn more in: The Power Of Sodium Percarbonate For Cleaning

Try Branch Basics For All Your Bathroom & Whole-House Cleaning Needs!

If you’re looking for a human-safe, plant- and mineral-based bathroom cleaner that can also tackle any other cleaning job in the home, you have to check out Branch Basics Starter Kits.

Our all-in-one, human-safe, refillable, biodegradable formula was designed to replace every single synthetic cleaner in your home with just one Concentrate plus optional Oxygen Boost.

All you do is add the designated amount of Branch Basics Concentrate to a spray bottle with water to create All-Purpose, Bathroom, Streak-Free, Foaming Wash, and Laundry.

Our Starter Kits come with everything you need, including refillable glass or recycled plastic bottles, to make multiple rounds of cleaners, saving you time, headspace, and money!

If you’re new to Branch Basics, we recommend our Premium Starter Kit (all the basics plus Laundry dilution) or Ultimate Starter Kit (all the basics plus water-free Laundry Detergent and plastic-free Dishwasher Tablets).

Click the links to learn more and start creating a human-safe bathroom cleaning routine today!

Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner FAQs

Almost convinced to go synthetic-chemical-free for toilet cleaning, but need more info? Check out these FAQs.

Q: Can Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaners Really Work As Well As Harsh Chemical Cleaners?

A: Yes! 

First: Natural surfactant-based cleaners like Branch Basics and Castile Soaps work by removing germs from toilet surfaces, so they can be flushed away.

Next: You’ll get the same disinfecting results as a harsh toilet bowl cleaner, without the risks and potential side effects, with the following additional options:

• Oxygen Boost
  
• Hydrogen peroxide 
  
• Other combinations, as described above, using baking soda, vinegar, or lemon juice, add more scouring power and deodorization.
  

Q: What’s The Best Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipe?

A: Any of these recipes will clean your toilet bowl thoroughly, so it’s really up to you.

If you prefer a semi-premixed product that removes germs and sanitizes, then Branch Basics Bathroom and Oxygen Boost, plus dwell time, fit the bill.

If you like DIY, any of these other recipes will do the trick; just be sure to disinfect for maximum cleanliness.

Q: Is It Safe To Use These Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaners Around Babies?

A: Yes, these are safe to use around babies. However, no one, including babies, should ingest them as even concentrated plant- and mineral-based products can cause harm, especially to delicate skin, eyes, and internal systems.

As mentioned previously, take extreme caution when using steam cleaners and always store them well out of reach of babies and children.

Always monitor your baby when cleaning, and be sure to close the toilet and lock it if allowing dwell time.

Q: Is Branch Basics Safe To Use Around Pets?

A: Yes! Branch Basics Concentrate (used to make all our signature cleaning products, including Bathroom) is very safe to use around pets to clean floors, surfaces, bathrooms, toilets, windows, etc. It has been third-party tested and found to be non-irritant to the skin, eyes, or lungs.

Like all synthetic and natural cleaning products, including natural soaps, Branch Basics Concentrate should not be ingested by pets or humans.

It’s so gentle you can even use it to wash your dog (and if a bit of lather gets in their mouth while washing, it’s not a problem, just don’t let them drink the straight Concentrate)!

Oxygen Boost is also safe to use around pets, with a couple of exceptions:

• Like all powdered products, it should not be inhaled.
  Like all cleaners, it should not be ingested.

This is why we recommend closing the toilet lid if you’re leaving Oxygen Boost to dwell.

See Our Guide To Pet Safe Cleaning Products for more information.

References:

1. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/poison/toilet-bowl-cleaners-and-deodorizers-poisoning 
   
2. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002743.htm 
   
3. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/reproductive-health/prevention/disinfectants.html  
   
4. https://oem.bmj.com/content/72/8/602