Toilet Cleaning Tools

By
Sarah Aguirre
Sarah Aguirre
Sarah Aguirre is a housekeeping expert with over 20 years of experience cleaning residentially and commercially. Over that time, she has been writing about tips and tricks for housekeeping and organizing a home for national publications.
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Updated on 10/31/22
Reviewed by
Becky Rapinchuk
Becky Rapinchuk headshot, cleaning RB
Reviewed by Becky Rapinchuk
Becky Rapinchuk is a natural cleaning expert, homekeeping expert, and founder of the lifestyle brand, Clean Mama. She has published 4 books.
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Fact checked by
Sarah Scott
SS
Fact checked by Sarah Scott
Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.
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toilet cleaning tools
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Automatic or Drop-In Toilet Cleaners:

Automatic or Drop-In Toilet cleaners usually consist of a disc of cleaner that you deposit into the toilet tank. Some other models suspend from the toilet tank or rim of the toilet. They automatically dispense a cleaning solution into the water when the toilet is flushed.

Pros

  • An automatic cleaner is easy to use and easy to maintain.

  • Automatic cleaners keep your toilet fresh between scrubbings.

  • You'll need to scrub less often.

Cons

  • The toilet will still need to be scrubbed occasionally.

  • These cleaners aren't a good idea if you have pets or children who are likely to have access.

  • Ingredients are usually environmentally unfriendly.

Powder Toilet Cleaners:

Powder Toilet cleaners are designed to scrub a toilet without scratching it. These cleaners are a good choice when staining of the toilet bowl is an issue.

Pros

  • If you have rust or water deposit stains in your toilet bowl, using a powder cleanser offers enough scrubbing power without scratching your toilet.

  • Powder cleansers are available from environmentally friendly companies.

Cons

  • Be careful not to scratch the surfaces of the toilet, which will allow future staining to occur more easily.

  • Abrasive cleaners also require the use of an additional brush.

  • It can be tough to completely rinse away powder after cleaning.

Toilet Brushes:

Toilet brushes are bristle brushes that usually come with a storage container. Many companies market the toilet brushes to match bathroom decor.

Pros

  • A good toilet brush with stiff all-plastic brush and bristles does a great job at scrubbing a toilet.

  • Toilet brushes are inexpensive and easy to find.

  • Toilet brushes used with non-toxic cleansers are environmentally friendly.

Cons

  • Brush with wire bristles can damage toilets.

  • A toilet brush needs to be thoroughly disinfected and/or kept away from areas where it could cross contaminate with bacteria.

  • Can rust or weaken in especially humid environments.

Eye and Hand Protection:

Even the most experienced toilet cleaner can occasionally splash water and or cleaner during a good scrubbing. Protect your eyes with goggles and your hands with gloves. This is one of the filthiest places in your home. You do not want the contents or the cleaner anywhere near your eyes and hands.

Disposable Toilet Cleaning Systems:

Almost every cleaning product company has some form of a disposable toilet cleaning system on the market. These systems allow you to have disposable prefilled cleaning heads or automatic cleanser triggers that keep you from relying on a reusable brush and separate cleanser.

Pros

  • These systems save time because there is little cleanup.

  • Lowers or eliminates the need to keep a dirty toilet brush in the bathroom.

  • You can buy disposable wipes with pleasant fragrances.

Cons

  • Toilets with staining may still need a brush.

  • Disposable cleaners and cloths are environmentally unfriendly.

  • This approach is relatively expensive.

Paper Towels vs. Rags:

Sometimes it seems as though the outside has become dirtier than the bowl. Using paper towels, rags, or sponges along with a spray cleaner will get the outside as gleaming as the bowl. Use rags if you prefer, but wash right away in hot water. Otherwise, go with paper towels, and never use sponges.

Pros

  • Paper towels can be thrown away.

  • There is no risk of contaminating other surfaces or laundry.

  • Paper towels are absorbent and can soak up extra water in the area.

Cons

  • Paper towels aren't the most environmentally friendly choice for cleaning.

  • Paper towels can get costly when you have multiple bathrooms to clean.

  • Few paper towels have enough texture to remove stains.

Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Abney, S.E. et al. Toilet hygiene—review and research needs. Journal of Applied Microbiology, vol. 131, no. 6, pp. 2705-2714, 2021. doi:10.1111/jam.15121

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