Our 5 Tried and True Septic-Safe Toilet Cleaners | Branch Basics

Looking for septic-safe toilet cleaners that really work?

I know when I moved to a rural area, I had a lot to learn about septic system maintenance (and made a few mistakes along the way!). 

Fortunately, I quickly learned when it comes to cleaning, what’s safe and healthy for us is typically safe and healthy for our septic systems.

Here are our five tried and true septic-safe toilet cleaners that will remove germs and toilet messes without harming your septic system.

5 Effective Septic-Safe Cleaners

Septic systems rely on a specific balance of bacteria to break down waste in the tank before the water is released into the drain field.

From there, the drain field filters the water using several layers of rocks and gravel so it can safely go back into the ground.

Although these systems are brilliant for safe human waste management, they are not designed to filter harmful chemicals or petroleum products from cleaning products, detergents, etc.

This means those chemicals will leach into the ground from the wastewater and wind up in the environment.

This is no good for soil health, groundwater, fish, insects, wildlife, or human health.

Additionally, antibacterial and antiseptic chemicals disrupt the bacterial balance in the tank, which can lead to costly repairs.

This is why using septic-safe cleaners made from natural, human-safe, and biodegradable ingredients is essential.

1. Branch Basics

Branch Basics is a plant- and mineral-based 100% biodegradable cleaning system designed to be safe for septic systems.

Our Concentrate, Oxygen Boost, Dishwasher Tablets, Gel Hand Soap, and Laundry Detergent are all made without harmful synthetic chemicals, phosphates, petroleum products, harsh disinfectants, or other ingredients that can damage septic systems.

For toilets, we recommend Branch Basics Bathroom solution paired with 100% mineral-based Oxygen Boost.

To use:

1. Spray Branch Basics Bathroom on the seat, sides, and floor around the toilet. 
2. To clean inside, flush the toilet to wet, spray, and sprinkle Oxygen Boost around the bowl. 
3. Let sit for 5-10 minutes
4. Scrub and flush to clean.

Optional: For septic-safe disinfecting, use 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (in the brown bottle) to wipe down the seats, handle, and base. 

3% Hydrogen Peroxide is a highly diluted biodegradable disinfectant (3% peroxide and 97% water) and is therefore considered safe for septic systems (more on this to come).

You can also use peroxide to disinfect the toilet bowl, either alone or paired with distilled white vinegar (used separately—spray one on, let dwell, scrub, and flush, and repeat with the second product. If combined, these will create a toxic gas, so use and store separately!).

Toilet cleaning is only one use of many for Branch Basics Bathroom. Discover them all in: How To Use Branch Basics Bathroom Solution.

2. White Vinegar + Baking Soda

Vinegar’s natural dirt, grime, and grease-busting acetic acid combined with baking soda’s gentle scouring, deodorizing, and bleaching properties make them an awesome septic-safe toilet-cleaning combo.

To use:

1. Flush the toilet to wet the sides of the bowl.
2. Sprinkle baking soda around the bowl.
3. Spray distilled white vinegar on the baking soda (this will create a fizzing effect).
4. Let dwell for 1-5 minutes or for at least 15 minutes for stubborn stains.
5. Scrub with a toilet brush, flush, and you’re done.

Discover more ways to clean with distilled white vinegar in:

• 12 Ways To Use Vinegar In Your Home

3. Lemon Juice + Baking Soda

Lemon juice shares many of the same septic-safe properties as white vinegar for breaking up dirt, grime, grease, and stains. 

It also has a mild bleaching and antiseptic effect and is terrific for deodorizing.

For toilets, we recommend pairing it with baking soda for additional cleaning, scouring, deodorizing, and bleaching power.

To use:

1. Flush the toilet to wet the sides of the bowl.
2. Sprinkle baking soda around the bowl.
3. Spray pure lemon juice on the baking soda.
4. Let dwell for 1-5 minutes or for at least 15 minutes for stubborn stains.
5. Scrub with a toilet brush, flush, and you’re done.

Get more tips on cleaning with baking soda in: 12 Uses For Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda) Around The House.

4: Liquid Castile Soap

Health-conscious DIYers typically love multi-purpose castile soap, which is also septic-safe!

You can use it to clean your toilet bowl by making a custom dilution based on the product recommendations.

A couple of words of caution when using liquid castile soap to clean your toilets:

Make sure you’re buying a safe 100% liquid castile soap that has all ingredients rated a 1 or 2 on EWG Skin Deep,and not a cheap brand cut with petroleum products or lesser ingredients.

Castile Soaps that have all ingredients rated a 1 or 2:

• Vermont Castile Soap
• Natural Way Organic Castile Soap
• St. Clare Castile Soap
• Carolina Castile Soap
• Cove Castile Soap

Avoid scented castile soaps. Even those with essential oils may be contraindicated for septic systems (essential oils have powerful antibacterial properties) and not safe for every person, including babies or people sensitive to scents.

5 Hydrogen Peroxide & Powdered Peroxide (Sodium Percarbonate)

People are always asking us, “How can I naturally disinfect my toilet, surfaces, baby toys, etc.”

3% hydrogen peroxide (in the brown bottle) is perfect for this and is 100% biodegradable septic safe, so long as it’s not over-used.

Other disinfectants like ammonia, bleach, or Quats are not considered septic-safe because they disrupt the microbial balance in the tank and are horrible for the environment when reintroduced into the water table via the drain field.

However, 3% hydrogen peroxide breaks down into water and hydrogen and is already highly diluted (3% hydrogen peroxide to 97% water), making it an ideal disinfectant for septic systems.

Remember, what’s good for us is also (typically) good for our septic systems. So, don’t over-sanitize, but do use it on your toilets (after removing germs with a natural cleaner) and in other areas of the home where disinfecting is warranted.

Sodium percarbonate is the powdered version of peroxide found in Branch Basics Oxygen Boost and other natural oxygen-based cleaners and is also considered 100% biodegradable and septic-safe. 

However, it must be used in warm or hot water to activate its disinfectant properties, so we recommend using 3% hydrogen peroxide to disinfect your toilet.

Learn more about why we love using peroxide for natural disinfecting in: 

• How To Use Hydrogen Peroxide As a Safer Alternative for Cleaning, Disinfecting, Laundry, & More.
• The Power Of Sodium Percarbonate For Cleaning

The Importance Of Biodegradable Products

When vetting toilet bowl cleaners for septic systems, it is essential they only contain 100% biodegradable ingredients.

Although you can also look for labels like “septic safe,” bear in mind this doesn’t necessarily mean they contain 100% human-safe ingredients, which is why we recommend the products above.

And remember, toilet bowl cleaner isn’t the only thing that goes down your drains! 

Therefore, be sure to also look for 100% biodegradable, septic-safe, and human-safe laundry detergent, stain removers, dish detergent, dish soap, produce wash, shampoos, conditioners, hand soaps, drain cleaner…you get the idea.

Related reading: 

• Natural Drain Cleaners: 5 Safe Options For Your Home
• Is Natural Laundry Detergent Better?
• The Best Phosphate-Free Dishwasher Detergent: 4 Options

What About Septic-Safe Toilet Paper?

Believe it or not, what you wipe with matters—to you, the environment, and your septic system.

In this case, buying “septic-safe” toilet paper is not near enough.

Why?

Because toilet paper isn’t just soft paper. 

Most of it also contains various sneaky chemicals designed to create a bright white product that’s also strong and comfortable.

What kinds of chemicals?

We outline this in detail in What You Wipe With Matters, but some include bleach, BPA, dyes, PFASs (aka: forever chemicals), phthalates, and 1-4 Dioxane (among others).

So, for your septic system and everyone’s sake, look for natural toilet paper made from plants that’s free from BPAs, chlorine bleach, fragrance, and dyes.

Toss the Toxins With Branch Basics

It may seem like a small thing, but using the right septic-safe toilet and household cleaners will save you a ton of money in repairs in the long run.

Plus, you’ll be doing something incredible for your health and the environment.

If you’re looking for an all-in-one, human-safe, biodegradable, earth-friendly, septic-safe cleaning system that does it all, consider Branch Basics Starter Kits.

Our plant-based Concentrate was designed to replace every single cleaner and laundry product in your home with just one product. 

Simply add water to the refillable plastic or glass bottles (or use your own) to create All-Purpose, Bathroom, Laundry, Streak-Free, Foaming Wash, and custom dilutions for floors, cars, garages, carpets, dishwashing, and much more.

Talk about simple!

We also offer:

• Oxygen Boost: A laundry booster, bleach alternative, stain remover, and soaking aid.
• Dishwasher Tablets: Plastic-free, phosphate-free, bleach-free dishwasher tablets.
• Gel Hand Soap: Long-lasting, skin-nourishing, and ideal for sensitive skin types. 
• Laundry Detergent: A water-free laundry detergent that lifts stains, freshens, and cleans your clothes without phosphates, bleach, optical brighteners, fragrance, or other harsh ingredients.

All Branch Basics Products are Made Safe Certified, EWG-Verified or rated “1-2” on EWG Skin Deep, Leaping Bunny Certified, and third-party tested as non-skin or eye irritants.

Want to learn more about how it all works? 

Check out: How To Get Started With Your Branch Basics Kit for a detailed description and video.

Ready to start cleaning? Order your Branch Basics Starter Kit here and start creating a healthier home, and septic system, today.