Even though it’s not a task you look forward to, it’s not really something you can skip. A dirty toilet is not only unsightly, but the bacteria that can grow in it are potentially harmful to your family’s health.
Similar to cleaning your shower, cleaning your toilet isn’t an exciting task, but you can make it less dreadful with the right supplies. The key is to make it as easy as possible, and one of the best ways to do that is by arming yourself with an effective toilet bowl cleaner. To help you find the best one, we asked experts for shopping tips and cleaning advice.
How we picked the best toilet cleaners
According to cleaning experts, here are the most important things to consider when shopping for a toilet bowl cleaner:
- Type: There are a few different types of toilet bowl cleaners. There are gels, foams, drop-ins, acid-based spray cleaners and cleaners that cling to the bowl, and each one is better at different things, according to Will Cotter, the owner of cleaning company FreshSpace Cleaning. Gels are good for weekly cleaning, drop-ins are best at preventing buildup, while sprays and scrubbable solutions are great for heavy-duty jobs, according to Cotter.. We focused mostly on liquid and gel cleaners for this list because they are more effective at eliminating debris and bacteria rather than simply preventing them.
- Ingredients: It’s important for toilet cleaners — and bathroom cleaners in general — to have disinfecting and/or antibacterial properties to kill bacteria. With this in mind, the majority of products we included are bleach free but also have disinfecting properties, according to the brands. Cotter also recommends making sure the product you use isn’t too abrasive, especially if your toilet is porcelain, which is prone to scratches. For the list below, we only included one scrub brush product that has a cleaning solution in it — all of the others are non-abrasive.
- Ease of use: Prioritize packaging that makes applying the cleaner to your bowl easy, says Vanessa Terra Bossart, owner of Green Terra Cleaning in San Francisco. An angled spout can help you get cleaner into the underside of the bowl’s lip, where grime tends to hang out. To help get rid of any funky smells, Bossart also recommends opting for a scented version.
The best toilet cleaners of 2026
We asked our experts for their top recommendations to round up the best toilet bowl cleaners. We also used the criteria they gave to source highly rated options.
This toilet bowl cleaner is made from plant-based ingredients, including biodegradable surfactants, according to the brand. It has a pine scent and an angled spout for easy application around the bowl. The formula utilizes citric acid to help clean, and the 100% plant plastic bottle is fully recyclable.
This spearmint-scented cleaner is recommended by Bossart, who likes that it is eco-friendly. According to the brand, the formula kills 99% of household germs, and the main active ingredient is citric acid. The bottle has an angled spout, and it can be used on both the bowl and the seat of the toilet.
While this product isn’t technically a liquid, gel or spray, it’s a multipurpose cleaner with a wand and caddy included. This set comes with a wand that you attach pods to — each of the pods are already infused with the toilet bowl cleaning solution, so all you have to do is activate it with water and scrubbing. When you’re done, you can dispose of the pad and then replace the wand in the holder until you’re ready to use it again. Plus, you don’t have to touch the pods to remove them — just press a button to release them from the wand.
These toilet cleaning tablets (you get 14 per set) made our list of the best eco-friendly cleaning products. Simply place a tablet in your toilet bowl, and it will fizz and foam. You can then use a toilet brush to scrub the sides of your bowl to get it clean. The plant-based formula is free of dyes and harsh chemicals, and the cleaner leaves behind a fresh lemon scent.
This has been my go-to toilet bowl cleaner for years. It kills germs, eliminates stains and leaves my toilet bowl extra sparkling. One thing to note: The fresh rain scent is pretty strong, so if you are not a fan of fragranced products, this may not be for you. At under $3, this option is good for those on a budget. For a more thorough clean, you could also try the Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner Clinging Gel, which Cotter recommends.
If you are dealing with tough stains, consider this cleaner — which comes in a pack of two from Amazon. According to the brand, it contains bleach to help whiten your toilet bowl, and it kills almost all possible germs. To use, apply it all around your bowl using the angled nozzle, let it sit for five minutes and then scrub with a toilet brush. Finally, flush to wash away the cleaner (and the bacteria with it).
This cleaner is a thicker formula that clings to the side of your toilet bowl to clean it. According to the brand, it can remove bacteria, rust, hard water marks, and stains. The angled top makes it easy to get under the rim, and it leaves behind a wintergreen scent.
Here is another plant-based formula that uses lactic and citric acid to eliminate bacteria and dirt. It also contains lavender essential oil to leave behind a relaxing scent. To use, flush the toilet to wet the sides of the bowl. Then, squirt the bottle around the rim and wait five minutes. Use a toilet brush to scrub and flush to rinse away the cleaner and dirt.
How to clean your toilet
Bossart recommends cleaning your toilet once a week to eliminate bacteria and prevent buildup, which could make it harder to clean later on. But what’s the best way to clean your toilet? Follow these steps from our experts:
- Wet the bowl: Soften any stuck-on dirt or debris and flush the toilet.
- Apply the cleaner: For a gel, use the tilted nozzle on the bottle to easily apply cleaner around the inside rim of your toilet bowl and let it coat the bowl.. Allow the cleaner to sit for 5-10 minutes, or for however long the directions say, before scrubbing and/or wiping. For a spray, apply it to the inside and outside of the bowl, including the toilet seat and around the tank.
- Scrub and rinse: Using a toilet brush, scrub the sides of the bowl to loosen any remaining debris and remove stains. Flush so that water runs down the sides and clears the toilet of dirt. For the outside of the toilet and bowl, use a spray and then repeat the process, but wiping with a paper towel instead of scrubbing.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Will Cotter is the owner of cleaning company FreshSpace Cleaning.
- Vanessa Terra Bossart is the owner of Green Terra Cleaning in San Francisco.
Why trust NBC Select?
I am a contributing editor at NBC Select, where I regularly cover beauty, home and lifestyle. I’ve written about the best drain cleaners, bathroom accessories and laundry products on Amazon. For this story, I interviewed cleaning experts about the best toilet cleaners.
Cory Fernandez is a commerce editor at NBC Select, where he writes about cleaning, home appliances and more. He’s written about the best way to clean pillows, how to descale a coffee maker and how to clean hardwood floors. He contributed to this article.
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