Not many of us look forward to cleaning the toilet.
We spend about 3 years out of our entire lives on the toilet, but we’d rather not spend as much time getting up close and personal with the bowl.
However, cleaning the toilet is an essential part of bathroom maintenance. Otherwise, you’re risking unpleasant odours, dirty porcelain, and even bacteria or mould growth.
A good cleaning product can make the job easier, since it can disinfect surfaces and remove stains or rings. You’ll want a toilet cleaner that’s safe, effective, and fast-acting.
Getting down and dirty with the dunny? Here are our picks for the best toilet cleaners in Australia – from automatic systems to eco-friendly formulas.
With any of these products, a pristine porcelain throne won’t be a pipe dream.
Different Kinds of Toilet Cleaners
The best toilet bowl cleaners come in a variety of types – from different types of cleaners to application methods.
Here’s a quick overview of the different kinds you’ll find on the market.
Cleaning location
Traditional toilet cleaners are the type you apply directly inside the toilet bowl, often right under the rim.
Some cleaners, however, are placed inside the cistern. These can be attached to the interior components or simply dropped inside the tank.
Types
Most in-toilet bowl cleaners come in one of these four types:
- Liquid
- Gel
- Tablet
- Foaming
Liquid, gel, and foaming cleaners typically require scrubbing to fully clean toilets. There are some gel types that you can “stick” to the side of the bowl to provide continuous cleaning with each flush.
A typical liquid, foaming, or gel toilet cleaner will be “squirted” underneath the rim or into the toilet bowl.
However, some products are applied through a simple spray. Others (like tablets or toilet bombs) are dropped into the bowl.
Tablet cleaners are often used in “automatic” toilet cleaners, which are installed either in the tank or the bowl.
And then there are cleaning wands, which have a cleaning head at the end of a handle. The head is soaked in a cleaning product that activates in the water. Then you can simply dispose of the cleaning head afterwards.
Formula
Some toilet cleaners have special formulas to tackle different toilet problems.
For example, certain cleaning products may contain bleach (either oxygen or chlorine). It kills germs very effectively, but is a harsh and corrosive chemical. It also releases strong fumes.
Other formulas include descaling products, stain cleaners, and plant-based ingredients.
The Best Toilet Cleaner In Australia
From hardworking gels to automatic cleaning systems, there’s a toilet cleaner for everyone.
Here’s our round-up of the best toilet bowl cleaners in Australia.
Best Overall Toilet Cleaner: Lysol Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Lysol is widely considered one of the top cleaning brands on the market, and their Toilet Bowl Cleaner packs a punch.
This toilet cleaner combines a germ-killing formula with a fresh scent to leave your toilet clean and pristine. It can power through even the most stubborn stains and rings – above and below water level.
The thick “clinging gel” adheres to all surfaces in your toilet bowl, while the angled bottle lets you get into all the hard-to-reach areas.
Then once you’ve scrubbed the toilet and flushed it, you’re left with clean porcelain and a refreshing scent.
Best Gel Toilet Cleaner: Duck Foaming Bleach Gel Toilet Bowl Cleaner
As the brand says – toilet cleaning isn’t rocket science, it’s Duck science.
Duck’s Foaming Bleach Gel comes in a powerful gel formula that helps the cleaner cling to every centimetre of your toilet’s surface. The product will coat the surface evenly, from under the rim to the bottom of the bowl.
Moreover, Duck’s unique gel formula will start foaming up as you scrub the bowl. The suds will remove mineral deposits and any build-up of dirt, bacteria, and limescale.
In four easy steps, you’ll have your toilet fresh and clean thanks to Duck power.
Best Toilet Rim Cleaner: Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush
Many people forget to clean under the rim of their toilet. The bowl is the obvious part, but the spray jets are located under the rim – and they can get dirty or blocked over time.
The Scrubbing Bubbles Fresh Brush comes with an ergonomic handle and flushable cleaning pads that let you get up and under to scrub the rim thoroughly. Just swish the pad in water to activate the cleaner and get scrubbing!
Best of all, there’s no need to touch any dirty pads. Simply click to release the pad and flush it down – it’s entirely biodegradable and septic-safe.
Best In-Cistern Toilet Cleaner: Harpic White & Shine Toilet Cistern Cleaner
No fussy installations here – just drop in one Harpic White & Shine Toilet Cistern Cleaner and let it work.
Once you’ve placed the product inside the tank, the wrapper will dissolve and it will create cleaning foam. Flushing releases the powerful detergent to clean inside the tank and toilet bowl.
Each toilet cleaning tablet helps deodorise the tank and prevent a build-up of limescale and other stains. Get “360º toilet care” with Harpic’s bleach-powered blocks that clean your toilet from tank to bottom.
Best Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Kaboom Scrub Free! Toilet Bowl Cleaner System
No more dirty brushes or hands-on cleaning. The Kaboom Scrub Free! Toilet Bowl Cleaner System works from inside the tank to clean your toilet with every flush.
It’s easy to install the Cleaner System inside the tank – just attach the inlet tube to the device, then connect the device to the overflow pipe. Drop in Kaboom’s OxiClean tablets and you’re all done!
Kaboom’s bleach-based formula is safe for septic systems and all interior components of your toilet tank. Each pouch of product will work for up to 3 months, and refilling the device is super easy!
Best Toilet Descaler: 4TH Pumice Stone with Handle
If you have hard water stains in your toilet, one easy and all-natural way to clean the toilet bowl is with a pumice stone!
The 4TH Pumice Stone is the perfect way to clean without chemicals. Pumice stones can scrub limescale, rust, and hard water stains off of the toilet bowl without scratching the porcelain surface.
Moreover, the stone leaves no residue or odour in your toilet. The ergonomic handle provides a comfortable grip and the stone itself is made of recycled materials.
No more water rings in the bowl – just scrub with the stone, then flush to rinse!
Best Value Toilet Cleaner: Bref Ultimate Gel Power Toilet Cleaner
The White King Toilet Gel comes with added stain remover to deal with tough stains inside your toilet bowl.
The specially-formulated liquid works in 30 seconds to kill 99% of germs – even under the rim, around the bowl, and in the S-bend.
White King’s gel works to clean rust stains, hard water stains, and other dirt, all while being safe for septic systems. Plus, it comes in several refreshing scents such as lavender and eucalyptus.
Best Natural Toilet Cleaner: Zero Co Toilet Cleaner Combo
Zero Co’s Toilet Cleaner Combo has an antibacterial formula made with plant-based ingredients. It’s vegan, and both greywater and septic-safe.
This eco-friendly product cleans your toilet, prevents limescale build-up, and eliminates any nasty odours. It comes in a pleasant lemon aspen and pepperberry scent – so yes, you can have a toilet that smells good!
Zero Co provides you with a Forever Bottle and a refillable pouch of cleaner. You can choose to return the empty pouch to be refilled and reused, all on your chosen schedule, to minimise your environmental impact.
Best DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Baking soda and citric acid
If you want to save some money, or just want to go all-natural when cleaning, you can make homemade toilet cleaner!
This easy recipe will let you make your own natural toilet cleaner bombs.
You’ll need:
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 1/4 cup of citric acid
- 1/2 tsp vinegar
- 1 tbsp hydrogen peroxide
Combine the baking soda and citric acid in a bowl, then very slowly add the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. Be careful or you’ll make a bubbly mess!
As an optional step, you can add your essential oil of choice – eucalyptus or tea tree are great options.
Fill a silicone mould with the mixture, then let the mould sit in the fridge overnight to harden. Store them in an airtight container.
To use, take out one “bomb” and drop it into the toilet. Wait for it to fizz up, then get your brush ready for work!
Best Toilet Cleaning Wand: Clorox ToiletWand Cleaning System
Streamline your toilet cleaning routine with the Clorox ToiletWand Cleaning System.
It’s extremely easy to use – just click a disposable pad onto the wand, then swish in the water to activate the Clorox cleaner. Scrub your toilet clean, then click again to remove the pad.
Make sure you dispose of the pad in the rubbish, though – these aren’t flushable!
The ToiletWand Cleaning System uses Clorox’s top-of-the-line cleaner to kill bacteria and remove stains. And don’t be afraid to go hard – these cleaning pads can take the scrubbing!
Best Toilet Cleaner for Tough Stains: White King Toilet Gel
White King Toilet Gel is a common Aussie go-to for tackling stains in the toilet. Thanks to its added stain remover, it can remove everything from urine stains to soap scum.
The product also contains hospital-grade disinfectant that kills germs and bacteria that often linger in the humid environment of a toilet.
White King’s cleaning gel starts working in just 30 seconds to give you a sparkling clean dunny. And it works even without scrubbing (although you’ll need to put in the elbow grease for stubborn stains).
Best Toilet Cleaner for Mould: RMR-86 Instant Mold & Mildew Stain Remover
Bathrooms are hotbeds for mould and mildew thanks to their enclosed, humid environment.
Black or green rings in a toilet bowl are a sign of mould. The spores will often grow on mineral deposits or other grime inside the toilet bowl.
RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover contains a “contractor-grade” product that tackles mould even below the surface. And you don’t need to scrub – just spray the product and let it work its magic.
Wait about 15 minutes before you wipe the toilet bowl clean.
One big advantage of this product is its versatility – you can use it to get rid of mould in the shower, on bathroom walls, and more.
Best Cleaner for Clogged Toilet: Green Gobbler Clog Remover
If the toilet’s backed up and your toilet plunger isn’t working, you might need a drain clog remover.
The Green Gobbler Clog Remover can tackle most clogs – from hair to toilet paper to grease. And it’s safe to use in your pipes, so there’s no need to worry about your toilet and plumbing.
Additionally, the formula is septic-safe and contains no bleach or lye. Simply pour the product into your toilet, then wait 30 minutes (or overnight for best results). Flush to rinse, and that’s it!
Best-Smelling Toilet Cleaner: Euclove Toilet Cleaner
We’ll notice when our toilet smells bad, but you’ll also notice when your toilet smells oh-so-good.
And the Euclove Toilet Cleaner is one of the best-smelling toilet cleaners you can get in Australia.
The scent isn’t just for show, though. Euclove uses a combination of lavender, grapefruit, tulsi, and bergamot essential oils for both a heavenly smell and cleaning properties.
These all-natural and eco-friendly ingredients are antimicrobial and odour-removing. Moreover, the formula is child and pet-safe, greywater and septic-safe, and certified vegan.
Additional Top Toilet Cleaning Products
A great toilet cleaner is complemented by great cleaning tools!
Here are some other essentials to help keep your toilet in top shape.
Best Toilet Brush: OXO Good Grips Compact Toilet Brush and Canister
The OXO Good Grips Toilet Brush and Canister emerged as the champion in our best toilet brushes round-up.
It’s got it all: an automatic canister door, tapered brush head, and ergonomic drip. The canister also features a drip tray with ventilation holes to let the brush dry and prevent mould or bacteria growth.
Cleaning the toilet has never been easier with OXO.
Best Toilet Plunger: Neiko Toilet Plunger (All-Angle Design)
If you’re staring down at a blocked dunny at three in the morning, you’ll need the best toilet plunger for the job.
The Neiko Toilet Plunger took top marks for us thanks to its unique suction cup that makes it a universal fit for all toilet shapes. The cup features a graduated flange design that forms a tight seal – no splashing allowed.
Additionally, the plunger features a rust-proof handle made of aluminium. This makes the entire plunger easy to clean after every use.
Best Bathroom Floor Cleaner: Koala Eco Floor Cleaner
You don’t just need to clean the toilet – you’ll need to clean the tiles around the toilet (and all over your bathroom) too!
Koala Eco’s Mandarin & Peppermint Floor Cleaner has a biodegradable, eco-friendly formula that works on any surface (even wood).
It’s all-natural and non-toxic, using plant-based surfactants to disinfect and clean your bathroom tiles. And when you’re using it, don’t forget the space behind your toilet as well!
Essential Toilet Bowl Maintenance
The most important part of maintaining good toilet hygiene is to clean the toilet regularly.
It’s an essential part of your bathroom cleaning routine, with the best toilet cleaner a powerful weapon in your cleaning arsenal.
You should clean your toilet at least once a week. Then clean the toilet tank every 3–6 months (or ASAP if it’s starting to smell funny).
Many toilet cleaners contain bleach (either oxygen or chlorine-based). It’s a very effective cleaner but can be quite harsh and hazardous.
Like with other bleach-based household cleaners, always work in a well-ventilated room with protective equipment (such as rubber gloves and a face mask). Never mix bleach with anything except water.
Make sure to take care of your tools as well – that includes cleaning the toilet brush and toilet plunger!
If you don’t want to get up close and personal with the dunny, check for reliable house cleaners in your area – they’ll get the job done, from the toilet to the floor!
