Does anybody like scrubbing toilets? I don’t think so. I mean, I certainly appreciate indoor plumbing, but that doesn’t mean I have to like cleaning the toilet bowl.
And those conventional toilet bowl cleaners have some not so nice chemicals in them. Some are made with strong acids or caustics that can cause burns on the skin. Some have synthetic scents that contain hormone disrupting phthalates.
But, an easy way to clean the toilet is to use my favorite homemade soft scrub followed with a vinegar chaser. I talked about this non toxic option for cleaning toilets on CBS’ The Talk.
So, first, to make the soft scrub. Take an empty squeeze or squirt bottle – be green and re-use a ketchup or mustard bottle (cleaned out of course) and add some baking soda. Now, how much depends on the size of your squirt bottle. Try 1/4 cup to start and add to the bottle with a funnel. Then add liquid castile soap. My fave is Dr. Bronner’s rose scented, but you can use whatever castille soap (a vegetable based liquid soap) you like. Just add until you like the consistency.
I happen to like this soft scrub a little runny. Okay, you can use the soft scrub for counters, sinks, etc. but you can also use it to clean the toilet. Just squirt up under the rim to coat the bowl (like your typical toilet bowl cleaner), let sit, and then follow with some distilled white vinegar. The vinegar and baking soda will react, cleaning your toilet without scrubbing. If your toilet is in bad shape to start, then you can just sprinkle in baking soda to start, followed with vinegar, and allow to foam for 10 minutes or so before flushing.
Another option is 2 parts Borax to 1 part lemon juice.
Here’s a video showing how to make the soft scrub if you need it:
Where do you find castille soap
Can this be used on granite counter tops?
You can get it at Target! Or google Dr Bronner and you will get their website. I can’t wait to try this too!!
I would like to know where to buy castille soap
Yes, you can get castille soap at Target. In my area, the Dr. Bronner’s is located in the natural beauty aisle, and not in the cleaning aisle. You can also purchase castille soap online, or at many healthy/natural type stores.
Yes, you can get castille soap at Target. In my area, the Dr. Bronner’s is located in the natural beauty aisle, and not in the cleaning aisle. You can also purchase castille soap online, or at many healthy/natural type stores.
You can use castille soap and baking soda on grante counter tops. However, you should not use vinegar on any natural stone, including granite, as it may etch the finish.
You can use castille soap and baking soda on grante counter tops. However, you should not use vinegar on any natural stone, including granite, as it may etch the finish.
Hi AmynYou can by castile soap at Trader Joes, Whole Foods, New Seasons and Food Front, People’s Coop and Alberta Coop (Portland). Most places have it and you can find it in bulk online. From Michelle – EcoRemedi.com
Ok the video clip says add glycerin, but not the paragraph above?
Glycerin is only necessary if going to store for an extended period of time – the mixture will harden up over time. If going to use w/n 3 or 4 days, will not need glycerin.
great post!!! will try it on Sunday. Thanks!
Great info-thanks! I like Dr. Bronner castille soap-I use it for everything.
Great info-thanks! I like Dr. Bronner castille soap-I use it for everything.
I just tried this today. Love it! I got the castille soap at my local grocery store in the organic bath and beauty section.
The toilet is one place I still haven’t gone totally green yet. I am going to have to give this recipe a try. I don’t have any squirt or squeeze bottles though. Maybe I can ask around…
There’s a site http://www.cathysparkle.com that sells kits that have bottles with recipes right on the them, and ingredients like Castile Soap and essential oils you need to make all your own household cleaners. It makes it really easy to do all this.
Target sells Dr. Bronners too, it’s in the same cosmetic isle as Burts Bees.
this a great tip
I’ve tried similar mixes before. The Queen of Clean uses those ingredients. But if you have hard water, the castile soap leaves a residue. I have used this in my sinks and tub and had to scrub it out afterwards with plain baking soda to get rid of the soap scum.
Good tip. I did it and it worked. Thanks.
Love this idea, and it’s so simple! How much glycerine would you add if you’re making a batch to last more than a couple days? Drops? teaspoons? Tablespoons? I have no clue.
At health food stores you can buy Dr. Bronner’s in the gallon size which is more economical. My favorite is peppermint.
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the pictures on this blog loading?
I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the
blog. Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.