Toilet cleaning is probably the most hated job in my household. How about yours? It's just gross. And when I used store-bought cleaners, the harsh smell was almost as nauseating as the toilet itself. That's why I love this simple homemade toilet bowl cleaner.
It uses just four ingredients: white vinegar, baking soda, salt and tea tree essential oil (also called melaleuca). The vinegar and baking soda fizz together to loosen grime, the salt adds scrubbing power, and tea tree leaves a fresh, clean scent.
Vinegar and baking soda react and fizz, so keep them in separate containers until you're ready to clean.
Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipe
What You Need
- 8 oz glass spray bottle
- A container with a sprinkle lid (a large spice shaker works great)
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup baking soda (affiliate link)
- 1/4 cup salt (affiliate link)
- 10 drops Tea Tree essential oil
Directions
- Pour the vinegar and tea tree into the glass spray bottle and shake. Shake again before each use, since the oil floats on top.
- Mix the baking soda and salt together in the sprinkle container.
- Spray the inside of the toilet bowl with the vinegar mixture, then sprinkle in the powder. It should start to fizz. If not, spray a little more.
- Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, scrub with a toilet brush, and flush.
My kids love watching the fizz. It's made from simple pantry ingredients, but I still store the bottle and shaker out of reach and keep little hands away from the toilet while it sits.
Best Essential Oils for Toilet Cleaning
Tea tree is my favorite for this recipe, but you can swap or mix in these fresh, clean scents:
- Tea tree: fresh and medicinal, a classic for bathroom cleaning. Learn more in my tea tree essential oil guide.
- Lemon: bright and cheerful. See why it's a fan favorite for cleaning.
- Peppermint: cool and invigorating, like a spa bathroom.
- Eucalyptus: crisp and clean. Try it with tea tree in my tea tree pairing guide.
- Lavender: soft and relaxing if you prefer a floral scent.
Cleaning Tips and Safety
- Never mix vinegar with bleach, or use this right after a bleach-based cleaner. It can release harmful fumes.
- Keep pets out of the bathroom while the cleaner sits, and close the lid afterward. Dogs and cats sometimes drink from the toilet, and essential oils aren't safe for them.
- Use glass for your spray bottle, since essential oils can break down some plastics over time.
- Vinegar is great for cutting grime and mineral buildup, and baking soda and salt add gentle scrubbing action.
DIY Essential Oil Cleaning Recipes Guide
Cleaning isn't one of my favorite things, but homemade cleaners make it a little more fun. I love any excuse to use my essential oils! Once you make over your cleaning routine, you'll enjoy a fresh, clean home with simple ingredients.
Share on Pinterest
