8 Best Toilet Bowl Cleaners

In our tests, toilet grime disappeared within minutes of applying the Clorox With Bleach toilet bowl cleaner, which meant very little scrubbing to turn the toilet bowl white again. This cleaner contains bleach, so it kills 99.9% of germs and deodorizes the toilet, too. Take note: Because the liquid is light in color, we found it hard to see where it was applied and ended up putting on more to make sure the entire toilet bowl was covered.

In-tank toilet bowl cleaners work by dissolving in the water in the tank and filling the bowl with cleaner after every flush for continuous freshness and to help keep stains from sticking to the sides of the bowl. We found these tablets were easy to drop in the tank but it did take a few flushes to start to see them working. While these tablets were not a substitute for regular deeper cleanings in our tests, they will help cut down on the number of cleanings your toilet needs.

Take note: While the manufacturer claims that the toilet water with these drop-in tablets is not harmful to kids or pets or that the tablets won’t damage plumbing or septic systems, it’s best to be sure pets don’t drink from toilets where any tablets are used and that tablets are only placed in toilets that are flushed regularly so the concentration of cleaner doesn’t build up in the tank and risk damaging the parts. 

You’ll never have to wonder where you poured the Lysol Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner. This liquid gel cleaner clung to the bowl and the dark blue color made it easy to see where it was applied. With a little scrubbing, it removed stains and left the toilet bowl sparkling. It kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria and has an angled neck for easy application under the toilet rim.

If you don’t like the idea of a used toilet bowl brush laying around, then this Clorox Toilet Wand System is for you. It’s an all-in-one toilet brush preloaded with cleaner, which means no extra cleaner required. In our tests, it was easy to dip the scrub pad in the toilet water to activate the cleaner, and start cleaning. After cleaning it was easy to dispose of the scrub pad by simply pressing the button on the handle and releasing it in the trash. We love that it’s a hands free disposal, but on occasion the cleaning pad did stick to the handle when pushing the button, requiring some extra effort to get it off.

You’ll know the Scrubbing Bubbles Power Stain Destroyer is working when it changes from green to blue as it gets rid of limescale and rust. The curved neck on the bottle made it a cinch to apply under the toilet rim and tackle those hard-to-see stains. After letting the cleaner sit for 15 minutes the marks scrubbed away with ease. Stubborn stains may require longer treatment time or re-application. It’s even safe to let the product sit overnight, if needed.

This gel cleaner was simple to use and comes in individually wrapped packets to make application and disposable germ-free. Simply dispense one dose of gel so it clings to the inside surface of the bowl where it dissolves slowly to help clean and freshen with each flush. One application lasts up to two weeks. The Click Gels can’t replace the need for a good scrubbing in a toilet that’s already stained; however, they will help reduce the number of cleanings needed and help keep the toilet fresh. The Atlantic Fresh scent was also not overpowering. 

Not only does this brush leave your toilet sparkling clean, but it also has angled bristles that are specifically designed to clean under the rim, making the job easier. During testing, it took a few tries to get the hang of using the angled bristles correctly, but the bristles on the head were strong enough to scrub away tough build-up. 

After cleaning, the brush was easy to put back in the caddy where the built-in drip tray caught the excess water. It also has ventilated slots for quick drying, so you’re not left with a wet, messy caddy or brush.

The Clorox Toilet & Bath Cleaning makes getting rid of toilet rings a breeze. It’s made of crushed and compressed glass and can scrub away toilet rings without scratching porcelain fixtures. Simply wet the stone and the bowl, then gently scrub the line inside the toilet bowl to loosen and wipe it away. The stones can be used over and over again and gradually wear down over time.