The toilet bowl, a notorious breeding ground for bacteria, has long held the infamous title of being one of the dirtiest spots in our homes. As such, cleaning it frequently with the right products is crucial.
In our article, we share about the different types of toilet bowl cleaners you can find on the market and reveal the 9 best products to consider. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about the safety of certain toilet cleaning solutions.
Table of Contents
Types Of Toilet Bowl Cleaners
There are 4 main types of toilet cleaners – liquid, gel, drop-in/tablet, or rim blocks.
Liquid
The thin, watery consistency of toilet cleaning liquids make them the ideal choice for tackling larger surface areas. Even though they flow down the sides of the toilet bowl quickly, they’re able to get rid of dirt, stains, and unwanted residues effectively.
Gel
With their thick and luxurious consistency, gel-based toilet bowl cleaners are the go-to solution for penetrating tough stains and grime. They cling to the surface, working their way through all sorts of unwanted residue, so that you can achieve a spotless finish!
Drop-in/tablet
Drop-in toilet cleaners, otherwise known as toilet cleaner tablets, are placed into the toilet bowl or water tank. Upon contact with water, these tablets dissolve and release cleaning chemicals that banish dirt and stains – no scrubbing is required!
Rim blocks
Rim blocks are another type of toilet bowl cleaner that doesn’t require scrubbing – all you have to do is attach the blocks to the rim of the toilet bowl. When the flushing system is activated, water will flow through the blocks, carry the cleaning chemicals around the toilet bowl and clean the entire surface in one swift action.
Toilet Bowl Cleaners Without Bleach
Not a fan of cleaning products that contain bleach? Here is a list of bleach-free toilet bowl cleaners that are just as effective in removing dirt and stains!
1. Selleys Toilet Cleaner
Type of cleaner: Liquid
Selleys Toilet Cleaner effectively eliminates odours and leaves a refreshing scent, ensuring your bathroom stays fresh. It features a powerful anti-bacterial cleaning formula that interacts with and removes stubborn stains without causing any harm to the surface – that includes persistent urine stains too!
To tackle normal and light stains, simply leave the solution on for 2 minutes before flushing it away. For tougher stains, leave the solution on for 5 minutes before brushing and flushing with water.
Product details
Size: 500ml
2. Bref Power Active Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Type of cleaner: Rim blocks
The only rim block on the list, Bref Power Active Toilet Bowl Cleaner provides a simple and fuss-free solution to cleaning your toilet bowl. It can effectively remove limescale, stains and dirt, all while emitting a pleasant and fresh scent. These blocks can be used for up to 250 flushes and can be replaced easily.
Product details
Fragrance: Lavender, lemon
Size: 50g
3. Harpic Toilet Cleaner Gel
Type of cleaner: Gel
With the Harpic Toilet Cleaner Gel, you won’t have to worry about bacteria, tough stains and unpleasant odours! Its powerful formula kills 99.9% of bacteria and eliminates any traces of limescale. It also comes in 3 refreshing scents – lavender, lemon and mountain pine.
Product details
Fragrance: Lavender, lemon, mountain pine
Size: 500ml
4. Krafter 99.9% Anti-Bacteria Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Type of cleaner: Liquid
Krafter’s Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner is unlike any other type of toilet cleaner liquid. The entire bottle is submerged in the water tank, where it’ll release chemicals designed to clean, disinfect and deodorise. Its powerful formula can also guard against tough stains and limescale. Each bottle can last up to 3 months on average.
Product details
Size: 150g
5. Mr Muscle Toilet Cleaner
Type of cleaner: Liquid
Mr Muscle Toilet Cleaner aims to make the cleaning process as efficient and fuss-free as possible. With this product, you can eliminate stains and dissolve traces of limescale beneath the water line and under the toilet bowl rim.
Product details
Fragrance: Lavender, citrus, pine
Size: 500ml
Toilet Bowl Cleaners With Bleach
Bleach is known to whiten and disinfect surfaces. Hence, toilet cleaners containing bleach are often a popular choice among homeowners.
6. Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Type of cleaner: Liquid, gel
Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner comes in 2 variations – liquid and gel. Its formula is designed to eliminate 99.9% of germs and dissolve the toughest stains. With this cleaning solution, your toilet bowl will be left clean and shiny.
Product details
Fragrance: Fresh, rain
Size: 709ml
7. Magiclean Toilet Bleach Power Cleaner
Type of cleaner: Liquid
Despite being a toilet cleaning liquid, the Magiclean Toilet Bleach Power Cleaner doesn’t require any scrubbing. Simply apply it on all sides of your toilet bowl and leave it on for 2 minutes before flushing away the solution. Achieving a pristine and spotless toilet bowl has never been this easy!
Product details
Fragrance: Regular, lemon
Size: 500ml
8. Mr Muscle Toilet Cleaner Foaming Bleach Gel
Type of cleaner: Gel
By combining bleach with their cleaning formula, Mr Muscle Foaming Bleach Gel is able to clean and disinfect the surface effectively. It lightens any dark stains and leaves your bathroom with a fresh scent.
Product details
Fragrance: Lavender, citrus
Size: 500ml
9. Vim Ultra Thick Bleach Toilet Cleaner
Type of cleaner: Gel
Vim’s Ultra Thick Bleach Toilet Cleaner is known for its powerful cleaning formula that protects against germs while effectively cleaning surfaces. As the product is free of acid, it won’t damage or corrode your toilet bowl.
Product details
Fragrance: Original, lemon
Size: 500ml
FAQs About Toilet Bowl Cleaners
Are drop-in toilet bowl cleaners safe?
No, drop-in cleaners tend to damage toilet bowls. They can lead to a number of issues including:
• Damage to plastic and rubber parts
When the tablet cleaner dissolves in water, it reacts with the plastic and rubber parts of the toilet such as the gaskets, washers, and flappers. This reaction can cause the components to become brittle or crack over time, eventually resulting in water leaks.
• Corrosion and rust
Prolonged exposure to chemicals found in toilet cleaners can cause metal parts to corrode and rust. As time goes by, the bolts that hold parts of the toilet together may weaken, increasing the risk of water leaks.
• Clogs and improper flushing
At times, drop-in toilet cleaners can break into pieces and become lodged in the pipes, resulting in clogs. They can also wear down the flushing valve, preventing your toilet from flushing properly.
• Strong fumes
Some tablet cleaners release strong fumes that sit in your toilet bowl for long periods of time. Prolonged exposure to these fumes can be detrimental to your health, especially if you suffer from asthma or skin allergies.
If you’re still keen on trying a drop-in toilet bowl cleaner, here are 2 popular products that you can find in most supermarkets around Singapore:
• Clorox Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• Clorox Tru-Blu Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Are toilet bowl cleaners with bleach safe?
Yes, they are! Toilet bowl cleaners containing bleach are formulated to have a safe amount of bleach so you won’t have to worry about damaging the surface of your toilet bowl. For your safety, however, it’s crucial that you flush your toilet before and after using the cleaning solution.
