Best Overall
Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner Gel
- The hydrogen peroxide-based formula doesn’t contain bleach.
The hydrogen peroxide-based formula doesn’t contain bleach.
- Ocean Fresh is the only scent available for this cleaner.
Ocean Fresh is the only scent available for this cleaner.
Affordable, effective, and easy to use-what more do you need in a toilet cleaner? We love that the formula on the Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner Gel does not rely on bleach to clean. Instead, the cleaner is made with a hydrogen peroxide-based formula.
The benefit of a non-bleach formula is that it’s not harsh, doesn’t require gloves, and won’t irritate skin, hands, or eyes like bleach-based cleansers can. Plus, this formula can still power through stains and claims to kill just about all of the bathroom bacteria.
A gel-based formula, this cleaner comes in a plastic bottle with an angled top and a childproof lid. When turned upside down to use, the angle of the bottle is made to fit right under the rim of the toilet bowl.
To use, simply squirt the gel around the rim of the toilet. Since the formula is a gel, we like that it slowly coats the toilet bowl and doesn’t immediately drip into the water like some other solutions.
To clean the toilet bowl, squirt around four ounces of cleaner around the rim of the bowl and then use a toilet brush to scrub and clean. If you want to sanitize or eliminate limescale or rust stains, apply the cleaner and let it stand for five to 10 minutes before scrubbing the toilet.
The only drawback is there’s only one scent available, so if you’re not a fan of Ocean Fresh but want a bleach-free cleaner, this isn’t the best toilet cleaner.
Product Details: Type: Gel | Size: 24 ounces | Contains Bleach: No | Scent: Ocean fresh
Best Budget
Scrubbing Bubbles Bubbly Bleach Gel
- It features a long neck that makes it easy to reach under the rim of a toilet.
It features a long neck that makes it easy to reach under the rim of a toilet.
- This cleaner contains bleach, so it depends on your preferences.
This cleaner contains bleach, so it depends on your preferences.
You can count on the budget-friendly Gel Toilet Bowl Cleaner by Scrubbing Bubbles to effectively clean your toilet. The product features a long neck that makes it easy to reach under the rim of a toilet, so you’ll get a thorough clean.
To use the cleaner, you’ll need to remove the cap and tilt the special angled bottle under the toilet bowl rim to use this cleaner. Squirt some of the cleaner around the toilet bowl and then brush the perimeter and waterline with a toilet brush to distribute the product effectively. For stubborn stains, the brand recommends allowing the product to sit on the toilet bowl surface for a few minutes before washing.
In addition to the rainshower scent, the cleaner is also offered in a citrus scent and floral option.
No matter which of the scents you pick, they’re all made with a bleach-based formula, so you’ll want to be mindful of using protective measures when using the product.
Product Details: Type: Foaming gel | Size: 24 ounces | Contains Bleach: Yes | Scent: Rainshower, citrus, and lavender
Best Automatic
Lysol Automatic Toilet Cleaner
- It fastens to your toilet and will continue to clean with each flush.
It fastens to your toilet and will continue to clean with each flush.
- Each unit lasts about four weeks, so you may have to replenish your supply often.
Each unit lasts about four weeks, so you may have to replenish your supply often.
These Lysol Automatic In-The-Bowl Toilet Cleaners are the best toilet cleaners to consider if you prefer continuous cleaning. Each pack comes with two clip-on cleaners that will clean your toilet with each flush, so you won’t have to worry about it.
To use, simply open the pack and securely clip the cleaner onto the rim of the toilet and aim to put it where the maximum water flow is. The cleaner needs the water to flow over it to spread any cleaning solution and the scent from the clip. With each flush, the cleaner’s smell gets activated and spreads through the toilet and likely your bathroom.
It’s worth noting that each clip-on is meant to last for four weeks, so you may have to replenish your stock more often than with other options.
Product Details: Type: Clip on | Size: Two pack | Contains Bleach: No | Scent: Atlantic fresh
Best Natural
Tru Earth Eco-Strips Toilet Bowl Cleaners
Why You Should Get It: The strips lay flat in a small packet, so they don’t take up much storage space.
Keep in Mind: The pack is more expensive than other cleaners.
Whoever says toilet bowl cleaning products can’t be innovative has never tried the Eco-Strips Toilet Bowl Cleaners by Tru Earth. Unlike other options, this toilet bowl cleaner is a dissolving, mess-free strip that can be flushed once you’re done cleaning with it.
The strips are offered in either a 24 or 48-pack, each of which should last for a few months at a time. To use these cleaners, place the strip in your toilet bowl and watch (or walk away) as it dissolves in just a few minutes. Once dissolved, the cleaning solution is in the toilet bowl, and you can use your standard toilet bowl brush to clean the bowl. Once cleaned to your satisfaction, flush the toilet, wash your bowl brush, and you’re all set.
The cleaning strips have a high initial cost than some other options, but you can subscribe and save for an even lower cost. Instead of having bottles and large packages of tablets, these lay flat in a small packet. With no chance of spills, this slim packet can be stored in an under-sink cabinet and barely takes up any room.
Product Details: Type: Dissolving strips | Size: 24 or 48 strips | Contains Bleach: No | Scent: Not listed
Best for Hard Water Stains
Lysol Lime and Rust Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- This thick gel formula can be used for regular cleaning and deep clean rust removal.
This thick gel formula can be used for regular cleaning and deep clean rust removal.
- The formula has to sit for 10-15 minutes with each use, which is longer than some other options.
The formula has to sit for 10-15 minutes with each use, which is longer than some other options.
Hard water stains can be stubborn and require a lot of elbow grease to remove, especially since constant exposure to hard water puts you at risk for repeat stains. This specialized Lysol Lime and Rust Toilet Bowl Cleaner Gel is uniquely formulated to tackle the toughest hard water stains, and it exceeded our expectations in that regard.
The formula is safe for septic systems and does not contain bleach, but protective gear should be worn and avoid contact with skin, eyes, or clothing and this formula. Since it’s a gel-based formulation, it’s pretty easy to see it on the toilet bowl, and thankfully doesn’t drip immediately right down the rim.
For deep cleaning, the brand recommends that users apply a generous amount directly to the stain, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then follow by brushing and scrubbing. For everyday cleaning and superficial hard water stains, coat the bowl with cleaner, let it sit for up to 10 minutes, and then scrub and flush the toilet.
Product Details: Type: Gel | Size: 24 ounces | Contains Bleach: No | Scent: Fresh scent
Best for Mold
RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover
- A multi-purpose cleaner, it can be used in your toilet and other places in your home.
A multi-purpose cleaner, it can be used in your toilet and other places in your home.
- This cleaner is much more expensive than other standard cleaners.
This cleaner is much more expensive than other standard cleaners.
If your toilet (or whole bathroom) is plagued by mold, getting a cleaning product specially designed to tackle that issue is helpful. The RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover is more expensive than other options but is a versatile pick that can be used in a few different ways around the house.
In addition to effectively cleaning a toilet, this 32-ounce bottle can be used in other moldy spots in your house, such as a washing machine ring, shower, caulk, shower curtains, and more.
This formula doesn’t require any scrubbing. To use it, just shake the bottle well, spray onto the moldy areas, and wait 15 seconds before your wipe it off.
Product Details: Type: Spray | Size: 32 ounces | Contains Bleach: Yes | Scent: Modern orchard