The Best Way to Clean a Toilet (without Paper Towels)

Cleaning

January 19, 2023 | Kathryn Kellogg

Last Updated on November 20, 2024

The best way to clean a toilet is without using any paper towels at all! Cleaning the toilet isn’t glamorous, but it’s something that has to be done. While paper towels are certainly convenient for cleaning toilets, there are plenty of other eco friendly alternatives that work just as well, if not better.

Zero waste cleaning is one of the easiest ways to reduce your household waste. Trading paper towels for sustainable cleaning materials is a simple but effective way to prioritize a zero waste lifestyle. My 4 tips for cleaning toilets will leave your toilet super clean with no stains or residue. The best way to clean a toilet is with materials that you probably already have!

image of a toilet next to a plant titled (and shown): 4 ways to clean a toilet bowl without paper towels

Table of Contents

cleaning toilets without paper towels

Did you know it takes 12 trees and 20,000 gallons of water to make one ton of paper towels? In the US, we currently use more than 13 billion pounds of paper towels each year, and unfortunately most end up in a landfill.

Paper towels also cannot be recycled, especially once soiled. And if you’re using them to clean, you don’t want to compost them. Most cleaners have questionable ingredients that don’t belong in a compost heap.

In the US, cleaning companies aren’t legally required to disclose the ingredients in their products. That includes toilet cleaners and all-purpose sprays you use to clean the outside of the toilet.

These products can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs, the building blocks of smog) which can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms.

Many cleaning products are also not biodegradable which is a problem because many of our products (especially toilet cleaners) get into our waterways. You want to make sure the products break down, not hang around forever.

If products contain phosphates, they can build up in the environment over time and cause eutrophication (aka, big algae blooms that can deplete the water of oxygen and kill off fish).

For these reasons, it’s important to learn how to clean a toilet bowl without paper towels or harsh chemicals. The best way to clean the toilet, and to clean in general, is with sustainable materials. Here’s everything you need to know.

image of a roll of paper towels next to a bottle of cleaning spray

best ways to clean your toilet

The best way to clean a toilet without paper towels is to use cloth rags or cloth wipes. Scrap fabric can easily be upcycled into free rags.

You can also buy organic cotton cloths specifically for cleaning. Just make sure to wash them after each use, and they’ll be ready to be used again. This method works best if you have access to a washer/dryer at home.

If the idea of cleaning a bathroom with reusable cloth wipes bothers you, there’s also the option to use compostable wipes, like the ones Biom creates.

Biom is a refillable wipe system (you buy the dispenser once, then buy the refills as you need them). The wipes themselves are biodegradable, compostable, and plant-based. They’re the most sustainable alternative to wipes and great for cleaning messes. Another perk is that they’re skin-friendly too!

image of reusable microfiber cleaning rag

how to clean a toilet without using paper

Since using paper towels is not the best way to clean the toilet, you can use reusable/upcycled items for cleaning instead.

Here’s how to clean the toilet bowl without paper towels:

Microfiber cloths: I personally don’t use these, as they shed microfibers in the wash, but they are reusable and good for picking up dirt and dust.
Rags: You can make these out of anything: old T-shirts, bed sheets, flannels, pillowcases, worn bath towels + dish towels, etc. You can reuse them until they get too worn out (but at the least you extended their life through upcycling).
Cloth washcloths: Buying organic cotton washcloths for the sole purpose of cleaning a bathroom is a great idea. These are reusable, washable, and plastic-free, so no microfiber pollution to worry about.
Biom: These home compostable wipes will do an excellent job of cleaning the outside of your toilet if there is no serious grime there. This is one of the best ways to clean your toilet if you don’t like the idea of using a reusable rag. Just be mindful that this is ideal for a quick refresh rather than a deep clean.

image of a toilet with an open lid and clean toilet bowl

what is the easiest way to clean a toilet bowl?

One of the best ways to clean a toilet is by using toilet cleaner tablets. These zero waste cleaning tablets act similar to bath bombs. All you have to do is drop them into the toilet, let them fizz up, swish the water around, wait about 5 minutes, then scrub and flush.

Keeping your toilet squeaky clean is a simple process if you have reliable toilet brush to scrub all the crevices that need cleaning.

My favorite zero waste toilet cleaner tablets are from Blueland.

You can buy a reusable tin to store them in and order refills that come in compostable paper whenever you’re ready. Each refill packet comes with 14 tablets. They are vegan, cruelty-free, and utilize natural ingredients (aka no chlorine bleach, hydrochloric acid, or cetrimonium chloride).

For a full list of sustainable cleaning brands, check out my blog post 16 All-Natural and Eco-friendly Cleaning Products.

image of a modern bathroom shower, rugs, and toilet

best way to clean a toilet with zero waste

To clean your toilet bowl, I recommend using two things: an all-purpose cleaning spray for the outside of the bowl, and toilet cleaner for the inside of the bowl.

CleanCult makes refillable all-purpose cleaning sprays. The refills come in paper cartons that CleanCult will take back and recycle for you.

Blueland also sells toilet bowl cleaner tablets and bathroom cleaner. The toilet tablets can be used to clean the inside of the toilet — just drop them in, let them fizz up, then use a toilet brush to clean it. Blueland’s refillable bathroom cleaner can be sprayed on the outside of the toilet to clean the exterior.

My natural DIY all-purpose cleaning spray can also get the job done for cleaning the toilet bowl’s exterior.

Keep a set of rags, a washcloth, or microfiber cloth around to avoid paper towels. You’ll need these to wipe down the toilet’s exterior after spraying it with cleaner. Look for a reusable paper towel with a wide weave — this won’t just push water around, but absorb it.

You’ll also need a toilet cleaning brush. You can find a plastic-free toilet brush on Earth Hero made by ZWS Essentials. The handle and stand are made from untreated beechwood, the bristles from tampico plant fiber, and the tray (which catches any excess water) from terra cotta.

You’ll need the toilet brush to clean the inside of the toilet, so make sure you choose one that will last a while. As always, use what you have before buying new — then replace it with something more sustainable when it’s worn out.

image of a modern bathroom with a toilet cleaning brush next to the toilet

best ways to clean a toilet with stains

If you have a very badly stained toilet bowl, here are the steps I recommend you take:

step 1: toilet exterior

Clean your toilet exterior using an all-purpose cleaner and wipe it down with a thick washcloth or several rags. Avoid paper towels and use a reusable option.

step 2: toilet interior

Use toilet tablets like the ones from Blueland. Or make your own DIY toilet cleaner fizzies. Once you plop them in, let them dissolve and wait a few minutes. Then, give it a good scrub with your toilet brush and flush.

step 3: hydrogen peroxide

If your toilet still needs to be cleaned more thoroughly, pour a half-cup of hydrogen peroxide into the toilet and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, use your toilet brush to scrub the stains.

step 4: baking soda

Stains persisting? Sprinkle on some baking soda, scrub again, then flush away.

faqs for cleaning toilets

how often should you clean your toilet?

It’s a good rule of thumb to clean your toilet at least once a week to stay healthy and germ-free. Plus, I’ve found that doing a little bit of cleaning regularly makes cleaning feel like a small and manageable task rather than a big chore!

what causes stains in toilets?

Aside from the obvious things that leave stains in toilets, many people live in a constant battle with hard water staining, rust, and calcium deposits. The above tips will remove even the toughest hard water stains.

how do I clean my toilet brush?

Taking care of your toilet brush is an important last step in the cleaning process. Once the toilet bowl is clean, I always flush again to give the brush a good rinse in clean water. Soaking your brush in vinegar or hydrogen peroxide is another way that you can give your brush a deeper clean without sending harsh chemicals down your plumbing.

will natural cleaners disinfect your toilet?

Yep! No one wants to leave bathroom bacteria all over their toilet. When we clean, we want to kill germs and know our space is hygienic, but you actually don’t need harsh chemicals or toxic ingredients to disinfect and effectively clean. Cleaners made with natural ingredients are fully capable of appropriately disinfecting your toilet.

So, are you inspired to clean your toilet without paper towels? What are some of your tips and tricks for the best ways to clean your toilet? Let me know in the comments!