Best and healthy way to clean a toilet?

[Terri Wilson]

I am not a domestic goddess by any chance, so I am not good at keeping up with cleaning the toilet. So it gets a tad bit nasty. Is there a healthier way of cleaning it other than some of the toilet cleaner that is out there?

[Cara Yara]

We use Dr. Bronner's Sals Suds for all the heavy duty cleaning in our house. It works as well as anything else I've tried. We aren't good about keeping up with the toilets either and so far this has gotten stains out.

[Meredeth]

I pretty much use vinegar and/or baking soda for all my cleaning now.

[Joette]

I have the book The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier. She lists 3 toilet bowl cleaner recipes. The first is for wiping around the toilet surfaces, the second is nasty ring in the toilet has not been cleaned in months. The third recipe is for general once a week (or two) cleaning. The third one is 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup white vinegar and 10 drops tea tree essential oil. I love the book and highly recommend it for all your cleaning.

Joette

[Pat]

So, what is the recipe for "nasty ring in the toilet has not been cleaned in months"?! LOL

(we have a water softener that leaves a ring, actually)


Pat

[Joette]

I knew someone would ask! LOL

It is the No Scrub Toilet Bowl Cleaner:

1 cup borax
1 cup vinegar
10 drops pine or lavender essential oil
5 drops lemon or lime essential oil

Combine all ingredients in a plastic bowl or bottle and pour all at once into the toilet bowl. Allow to sit overnight and flush in the morning.

Most of her recipes use castille soap, borax, vinegar, baking soda, salt, water and essential oils. I have about 6 oils and I can make most of her stuff. I have added them gradually. I have also been using them for aromatherapy, so they are serving a dual purpose for me as well. I have seen other recipes in there that use cream of tartar, glycerin and lemon juice but I have not used them yet and there are only a few. She also talks about growing and drying your own herbs instead of essential oils. I have just bought the oils at this point.

Hope this helps.
Joette

[Jessica Oakley]

I use Ecover or Seventh Generation to get most of the dirt off.

For the nasty ring, take a plunger and plunge most of the water out of the bowl. Fill the bowl with vinegar and let it soak overnight or all day while you're at work. The nasty ring scrubs right off!

[Pat]

Joette and Jessica, thank you for the ideas. I'll give those a try.

I assume the essential oils are just for aroma, or are they necessary for the cleaning aspect?

Pat

[Meredeth]

I would imagine in the case of the tea tree and citrus oils that they are included for their natural anti-bacterial properties.

[Pat]

Right. I forgot.


Pat

[Missy]

Backing up what others said...baking soda is the main cleaner I use. Get yourself a good scrubbing brush with a long handle and it should be easy. We use orange oil mostly for scent. I LOVE the citrus smell!