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Toilet Bowl Cleaners

What To Look For

Ingredients

Although manufacturers aren't required to disclose cleaning product ingredients, avoid products containing the worst offenders and choose those made with plant-based, instead of petroleum-based, ingredients. And keep in mind that even safer ingredients may not be problem-free. Here's a quick breakdown of potentially harmful ingredients in products listed above:

Citric acid: Derived from citrus fruits, citric acid is used as a preservative and is considered safe, except for in extremely large doses. High concentration of fumes and of dust particles containing citric acid can irritate the nose and throat, and contact can irritate eyes.

Ethanol: Ethanol is a type of alcohol made from plants, usually corn. Because it is a volatile solvent, it can irritate eyes, skin and respiratory tracts.

Phosphoric acid: Though relatively safe in toilet bowl cleaners, phosphoric acid can be irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract when it enters the air as a spray or mist, so avoid aerosol products containing this ingredient. Avoid splash contact with phosphoric acid, which can irritate eyes and skin.

Sodium Percarbonate: A powdery agent derived from sodium carbonate and hydrogen peroxide; it works as a mild antiseptic.

Surfactants: Surfactants lower water surface tension, enabling cleaning chemicals to spread and penetrate more easily. Manufacturers usually don't disclose the type of surfactant used, instead using vague terms such as "nonionic surfactant," "anionic surfactant" or "wetting agent." Some surfactants are safer than others, such as alklyl polyglycoside, which is made from cornstarch and a plant fatty alcohol. On the other hand, anionic linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) is derived from the non-renewable petroleum byproducts benzene (which the EPA has classified as a human carcinogen) and paraffins. Sodium laureth sulfate (also SLES and sodium lauryl ether sulfate) is another anionic surfactant that may contain 1,4-dioxane, a probable human carcinogen. Manufacturers can remove dioxane through a process called vacuum stripping, but a small amount usually remains. Even though we recommend avoiding SLES in personal care products, finding a cleaner without it can be difficult. Finally, production of the nonionic surfactant alcohol ethoxylate, derived from plant and vegetable oils, can also release 1,4-dioxane.

Packaging

Choose products in packaging that's recyclable in your area, and whenever possible, choose packaging with at least some post-consumer waste recycled content.