When it comes to keeping your toilet fresh and clean, conventional toilet cleaners might seem like the easiest option. But have you ever stopped to check the ingredients list? Many commercial toilet cleaners are packed with harmful chemicals that can impact your health and the environment. Fortunately, making your own toilet bombs is not only safer but also incredibly easy and effective. Let’s dive into why you should consider this low-tox alternative and how to make your own toilet bombs at home.
The Hidden Dangers in Conventional Toilet Cleaners
Conventional toilet cleaners often contain harsh chemicals such as:
Chlorine Bleach: A common disinfectant that can cause respiratory irritation, skin burns, and harmful fumes when mixed with other cleaning agents.
Hydrochloric Acid: Used for removing tough stains, but it’s highly corrosive and can damage plumbing over time. It can also irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory system.
Synthetic Fragrances: These are designed to mask odours but often contain phthalates and other harmful chemicals that can disrupt hormones and cause allergic reactions.
Ammonium Quaternary Compounds (Quats): Found in many disinfecting cleaners, quats can contribute to asthma and irritate the skin and respiratory system.
These chemicals don’t just impact your health—they also end up in waterways, affecting aquatic life and the ecosystem. Choosing a natural cleaning alternative like DIY toilet bombs is a safer, eco-friendly solution.
The Ease and Effectiveness of DIY Toilet Bombs
One of the best things about DIY toilet bombs is how simple they are to make and use. They’re also highly effective, thanks to a powerful combination of natural cleaning ingredients that:
Clean and deodorise the toilet bowl
Break down dirt and grime with a fizzy, scrubbing action
Leave a refreshing, natural scent without any synthetic chemicals
Unlike traditional cleaners, these bombs don’t require any scrubbing (though an occasional deep clean is recommended). Just drop one in, watch it fizz, and flush. It’s really that easy!
How Do Homemade Toilet Bombs Work?
When you drop a toilet bomb into the bowl, the baking soda and citric acid react with water to create a fizzing action. This fizzy reaction is more than just fun to watch—it actively breaks down dirt and grime while deodorising your toilet.
The reason for using as little water as possible when making these bombs is to prevent them from fizzing prematurely. By keeping the mixture dry, the fizzing action is preserved until it hits the water in your toilet bowl, ensuring maximum cleaning power.
While these bombs are effective for regular maintenance, a deep scrub with a toilet brush is recommended occasionally. I like to use my homemade foaming toilet bowl cleaner for a thorough clean every now and then.
The Power of Natural Ingredients
Each ingredient in this DIY recipe is chosen for its natural cleaning power and safety. Here’s why they work so well:
1. Citric Acid
Citric acid is a must in toilet cleaning bombs. Naturally found in lemons and limes, it’s what gives them their tart flavour. In its manufactured form, citric acid is a powerful cleaning agent. It helps to:
Break down mineral deposits and limescale
Disinfect by killing bacteria and viruses
Create the fizzing action when combined with baking soda
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) gives citric acid an A rating for safety, making it a reliable and non-toxic choice for cleaning.
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a versatile cleaning hero. It:
Absorbs odours, leaving your toilet smelling fresh
Acts as a mild abrasive, gently scrubbing away stains without scratching surfaces
Maintains clean pipes and drains, even helping to prevent clogs
Its deodorising and stain-removing properties make it a staple in low-tox cleaning.
3. On Guard Cleaner Concentrate or Liquid Castile Soap
This ingredient acts as a binding agent to hold the mixture together while adding an extra cleaning boost. It:
Breaks down dirt and grease, ensuring a thorough clean
Enhances the fizzing action, helping the bombs to dissolve more effectively
Provides natural antibacterial properties, particularly when using On Guard Cleaner Concentrate, which contains essential oils known for their germ-fighting abilities.
4. Essential Oils
Essential oils add more than just a pleasant aroma—they also bring powerful cleaning properties. Depending on the oils you choose, they can:
Disinfect and kill bacteria and viruses (e.g., Tea Tree, Lemon, Eucalyptus)
Provide a natural deodorising effect (e.g., Peppermint, Lavender)
Uplift your mood or promote relaxation (because who doesn’t want their bathroom to feel like a spa?)
For this recipe, I love using doTERRA’s Lemon and Tea Tree oils for their powerful cleaning abilities and fresh scent.
DIY Toilet Bomb Recipe
Ready to make your own? Here’s what you’ll need:
Ingredients:
1 cup Baking Soda
¼ cup Citric Acid
1 tablespoon On Guard Cleaner Concentrate (or Liquid Castile Soap)
10 drops Lemon Essential Oil
10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
Instructions:
In a bowl, mix the baking soda and citric acid until well combined.
In a separate container, mix the On Guard Cleaner Concentrate (or Castile Soap) with the essential oils.
Slowly add the liquid mixture to the dry ingredients, one small spoonful at a time, stirring continuously to avoid premature fizzing. The mixture should feel like damp sand and hold its shape when squeezed. You might only need to use half the tablespoon so go slow here. Once the mixture can hold it's shape in your hand, stop adding liquid. If you find the mixture is expanding, you've added too much.
Pack the mixture tightly into silicone moulds or ice cube trays.
Allow the bombs to dry before removing them from the moulds. Store them in an airtight container.
How to Use Your Toilet Bombs
Using these toilet bombs couldn’t be easier:
Drop one bomb into the toilet bowl.
Let it fizz and dissolve completely.
Give the toilet a gentle scrub with your toilet brush
Flush to reveal a clean, fresh-smelling toilet.
For an extra boost, use two bombs at once or let the fizz sit for a few minutes before flushing.
Why Make the Switch?
By choosing DIY toilet bombs, you’re saying no to harmful chemicals and yes to a healthier home. They’re effective, affordable, and completely customisable. Plus, you’ll feel good knowing you’re reducing your environmental impact.
Ready to give your bathroom a low-tox makeover? Try these homemade toilet bombs and experience the power of natural cleaning!
Need essential oils? I'm your girl.
When you purchase through me you get SO MUCH MORE than just oils. You get 25% off RRP, access to a one-stop healthy lifestyle shop (think low tox skincare, cleaning products, nutritional products & supplements, and more) plus on going education & support through our exclusive customer hub Grounded Health Club (filled with eBooks, webinars, resources, customer forums & more). Click below to shop, you can become a customer from almost anywhere in the world.
Note: If you are outside of Australia & New Zealand, make sure you change your country location before adding products to your cart! (Yes, you can shop from anywhere in the world!)
Comments