Homemade Toilet Cleaner: How to Make an Eco-Friendly Gel for Toilet

I know what you’re thinking — cleaning the toilet is one of those dreaded tasks that just never gets easier.


But what if I told you there’s a homemade toilet cleaner that not only tackles the grime but leaves your bathroom smelling fresh with zero harsh chemicals?


Today, I’m excited to introduce you to an incredible natural toilet bowl cleaner recipe that transforms toilet bowl cleaning into a much easier task.

Tools and Materials:

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Limescale build up in toilet bowl

1. Mix Up Your Homemade Toilet Cleaner

Before we tackle the toilet, let’s whip up our citric acid cleaner.


Citric acid is a powerhouse for breaking down calcium deposits, and the dishwashing liquid helps cut through any dirt or grime that’s been lingering in the bowl.

Prepare the citric acid, xantham gum and dish soap cleaner

Start by pouring 3.5 ounces of citric acid into a bowl and slowly add about 2.5 ounces of warm water.


Mix until the citric acid dissolves.

DIY cleaning supplies

Next, add 2 teaspoons of dishwashing liquid and stir gently.


Now comes the xanthan gum, which can be tricky. You will need 1/2 a teaspoon.


While using a whisk or stick blender sprinkle it in slowly while mixing to avoid clumps. You want a smooth gel-like consistency.

Xantham gum is great for thickening your homemade cleaning recipes

Finally, add a few drops of lemon essential oil for that fresh, clean scent — trust me, this makes all the difference!


Let the gel sit for a few minutes to thicken properly.


Decant into a squeeze bottle.

Watch this gel transform your toilet in just minutes

2. Apply the Gel to the Toilet Bowl

Now that your cleaner is ready, it's time to get to work. The beauty of this gel is that it clings to the toilet bowl, giving the ingredients extra time to break down all that grime.


Pour a generous amount of the cleaning gel around the rim of the toilet bowl.


Make sure it coats the entire surface, especially the areas with tough stains.


Let the gel sit for about 10 minutes. This will allow the citric acid to work its magic on any mineral deposits or scale build-up.


I didn’t have a squirt bottle on hand, so I added a bit more hot water to the mixture and poured it into a spray bottle instead. While the consistency isn’t perfect for spraying, it’s a quick fix that still gets the job done in a pinch!

Eco-Friendly gel for toilet

3. Scrub and Rinse

Now, this is the part where you can really feel the satisfaction of a job well done — and the cleaner does most of the heavy lifting for you!


Take your toilet brush and give the bowl a good scrub, focusing on any stained areas. You’ll notice the gel lathers up nicely, making it easy to clean every nook and cranny.


Don’t forget to clean under the rim — that’s where a lot of the grime likes to hide!


Once you’re satisfied with your scrubbing, flush the toilet to rinse away the cleaner and enjoy that sparkling, fresh-smelling bowl!

Don't Forget the Rest of the Toilet

While you’re at it, why not wipe down the exterior of the toilet as well?


Use the leftover cleaner on a sponge or cloth to clean the toilet lid, handle, and sides.


It’s gentle enough for these surfaces and will leave the whole toilet looking spotless.

A homemade solution for removing stains and grime in your toilet

Clean Toilets the Natural Way

For a greener clean, check out this DIY Natural Toilet Cleaner + 6 Bathroom Toilet Cleaning Tips guide and ditch the chemicals for good.

How to Make a Natural Toilet Cleaner that Really Works

And that’s it! Your toilet is clean, fresh, and free of harsh chemicals, thanks to the citric acid cleaning gel.


I love how easy this DIY cleaner is to make, and the best part? It uses everyday ingredients you probably already have around the house!

Homemade toilet bowl cleaner for a sparkling fresh result

Now that you’ve tackled the toilet, why not try the cleaner on your faucets or shower doors? It works wonders there, too!


If you try this cleaner, I’d love to hear how it worked for you!

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  • Beth Beth on Sep 17, 2024
    Please be careful with muriatic acid. It is a serious acid. Please research fully before using.
  • Ahe122607355 Ahe122607355 3 days ago

    I don’t understand the fuss with cleaning the toilet! If you clean your toilet regularly, like I do, you won’t get these heavy buildup of grime which is when you would need these extra powerful cleaners. Clean often people, that’s the secret to a clean house!!

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