Cleaning your home can be daunting, especially if you don’t have the appropriate tools or cleaning products. Of all the tasks you will need to complete, cleaning your toilet bowl could be the most unpleasant.
However, an automatic toilet cleaner will do much of the work for you, making it much quicker and easier to clean the bowl. This isn’t only a matter of choosing the most powerful cleaner you can find, as certain products are more suitable for cleaning and protecting specific materials.
To help you find the right product for your bathroom, we have reviewed seven of the best automatic toilet bowl cleaners available today. We chose these cleaners for their safety, eco-friendliness, and how they operate.
- Eco-friendly and organic
- Hygienic applicator
- Ocean Fresh scent
- Simple drop-in use
- Lasts about three months
- Deodorizes
- Fights rust and hard water elements
- 45 days of cleaning per tablet
- Safe for septic systems
- Hands-free use
- Clip-on design
- Lasts three to four months
- Non-toxic ingredients
- Each disc lasts a month
- Drop-in application
- Universal design
- Eco-friendly
- Each cartridge lasts three months
- Placed in toilet tank
- OxiClean Stain Fighters
- Lasts for three months
Review Methodology: At Sensible Digs, we pride ourselves on our thorough and objective analysis of products to provide you with reliable information you can trust. Our expert team conducts hands-on testing of automatic toilet bowl cleaners, using a comprehensive range of criteria to measure their performance and effectiveness. We compare and rank each product based on our findings, taking into account key factors such as hygiene, ease of use, durability, and value for money. By evaluating design choices and their impact on users, we identify what sets each product apart from its competitors. Our professional review process is underpinned by solid data and evidence from our own experience, ensuring that our recommendations are based on facts, not just opinions. Trust our assessment – we’re here to simplify your decision-making process and help you find the best automatic toilet bowl cleaner for your needs.
The Best Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaners of 2024
There are a lot of automatic toilet bowl cleaners to choose from, which is why we have reviewed seven of the best you can buy today. We chose these cleaners based on how they are dispensed, how safe they are, and their eco-friendliness.
Lysol Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaning Click Gel
Best Eco-friendly Auto Toilet Bowl Cleaner
If you want a safe, sustainable toilet cleaning solution, this Lysol cleaning click gel is an excellent option. Lysol is committed to making its cleaning products as environmentally friendly as possible.
It primarily uses hydrogen peroxide as its active ingredient — a chemical combination of hydrogen and oxygen (1). This is known to be an eco-friendly, organic option for sanitation and safer than the harsh bleach used in many other cleaning agents.
As the cleaner is less toxic, it is also more suitable for people who are sensitive to chemical cleaners. You won’t need to worry about chlorine sensitivity.
If you want to avoid coming into contact with your toilet bowl, this is an excellent option. The click-gel design allows minimal contact with germs. You simply press the applicator onto the inside of the bowl and the gel will stick to its surface, where it will clean your toilet with each flush
This product sanitizes the toilet bowl and releases a pleasant, deodorizing ocean fresh scent. Each gel application should last about seven days.
Pros
- Eco-friendly and organic option
- Hygienic applicator
- Ocean fresh smell
Cons
- Needs to be reapplied weekly
Product Specs
| Main ingredients | Water, oil, carbaldehyde, glycerin, citral, fragrance |
| Design | Gel |
| Longevity | Up to three months |
| Warnings | Keep out of the reach of children, avoid skin contact |
| Accessories | Applicator, gel |
Our Ratings
User Experience
Clorox Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Best Classic Auto Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Clorox states that “cleaner spaces can make a happier home”. It also claims that this automatic cleaner will kill 99.9% of bacteria, work to prevent future stains, and deodorize your toilet.
This automatic toilet bowl cleaner will significantly reduce how often your toilet needs to be cleaned. Once it is in place, you will be able to enjoy its benefits for months before it needs replacing.
The tablet should be dropped into the rear of the toilet tank when the water level is low. Its ingredients then quickly begin disinfecting the toilet bowl. Each time you flush, the cleaner releases powerful bleach into the water, minimizing the chance of water stains and toilet bowl rings.
This is one of the most low-maintenance toilet cleaning solutions. Clorox claims it will clean for up to three months or about 900 flushes.
Pros
- Quick and easy to use
- Should last about three months
- Deodorizes and releases a pleasant smell
- Kills 99.9% of bacteria
Cons
- Contains bleach
- Must be stored out of reach of children and pets
Product Specs
| Main ingredients | BCDMH 51.0%; DCDMH 23.3%; DCEMH 9.0% |
| Design | Dissolving tablet |
| Longevity | Up to three months |
| Warnings | Keep away from children and pets. Eye/skin irritation. Do not swallow. |
| Accessories | None |
Our Ratings
Personal Perspective
Iron Out Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Best Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner for Rust
If you live in a hard water area, rust and corrosion can be significant problems. Even if your toilet bowl is ceramic, it is important to protect any metal components and your pipes. The Iron Out Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner tablets are an excellent rust solution.
This formula is designed specifically to fight rust and other hard water elements. Each time you flush your toilet, the tablet will automatically release its cleaning power to keep your toilet bowl looking fresher.
The long-lasting formula means a single tablet will last for up to 45 days! Every six weeks or so, simply drop one of these tablets into the tank and it will take care of the majority of the cleaning work.
This product is also safe to use. Despite being powerful enough to combat tough rust stains, it won’t damage your toilet, internal components, plumbing, or septic system.
Pros
- Fights rust and hard water elements with each flush
- Up to 45 days of cleaning per tablet
- Safe for septic systems
- Very easy to use
Cons
- May need to clean the toilet bowl beforehand for the best results
- Won’t make an immediate difference
Product Specs
| Ingredients | Dodecanamide 10-30%, Sodium hydrosulfite 10-30%, Sodium lauryl sulfate 5-10% |
| Design | Dissolving tablet |
| Longevity | 45 days |
| Warnings | Don’t let pets drink toilet water, causes skin/eye damage |
| Accessories | None |
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
Vacplus Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Best Long Lasting Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner
If you want a product that provides optimal results with minimal effort, the Vacplus Toilet Bowl Cleaner is an excellent example. It has been carefully designed to give its users a hands-free, long-lasting cleaning solution.
The cleaner simply clips onto the back of the toilet tank. When you flush, the concentrated cleaning solution automatically circulates through the overflow pipe.
Vacplus claims the cleaning agent should continue to work for three to four months before it needs to be replaced.
Pros
- Hands-free
- Clip-on design
- Long-lasting
Cons
- The cleaner can leave a deep blue residue
Product Specs
| Ingredients | Not specified |
| Design | Tank clip-on |
| Longevity | Three to four months |
| Warnings | Avoid contact with eyes/skin. |
| Accessories | Not available |
Our Ratings
First-Hand Impression
Scrubbing Bubbles Vanish Continuous Clean
Safest Austomatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner
This Scrubbing Bubbles drop-in toilet cleaner is designed with safety as a top priority. The manufacturer is very open regarding the ingredients it contains, so there won’t be any unpleasant surprises.
Each ingredient is carefully selected based on effectiveness and necessity, with an emphasis on non-toxic formulas (2). This leaves the water in your toilet safer than many of its competitors, so it won’t put your children and pets at risk.
The Scrubbing Bubbles team also designed this product to be easy to use. The drop-in application is very simple and means every flush will help you kill 99.9% of germs in your toilet bowl and reduce the chances of limescale and hard water stains.
Pros
- Safe ingredients
- Each disc lasts about a month
- User-friendly drop-in application
Cons
- Gives off a strong smell
Product Specs
| Ingredients | Water, sodium sulfonate/sulfate/borate |
| Design | Drop-in |
| Longevity | Includes three discs lasting up to four weeks each |
| Warnings | Keep out of the reach of children and pets |
| Accessories | None |
Our Ratings
User Experience
Fluidmaster 8102P8 Flush 'n Sparkle
Most Adaptable Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Fluidmaster has successfully created a universal product; one compatible with every toilet. This automatic toilet bowl cleaning system has an effective, hands-free design. A cleaning solution is passed through the overflow tube and released with each flush.
This cleaning agent is a very safe option. The Fluidmaster 8100’s design avoids the possibility of harmful chemicals damaging other parts of the toilet. It is also eco-friendly and lacks the abrasive chemicals that many tablet toilet cleaners contain.
Each cartridge should last up to three months, with a simple refill process when the time comes.
Pros
- Durable design
- Each cartridge lasts three months
- Won’t damage other parts of the toilet
- Environmentally friendly
Cons
- The smell may be too strong for some
- Not suitable for septic systems
Product Specs
| Ingredients | Bleach, surfactant-based cleaning agent |
| Design | Tank application |
| Longevity | Up to three months |
| Warnings | Cancer and reproductive harm |
| Accessories | Cartridge holder, valve, tube, clip fastener |
Our Ratings
Personal Perspective
Kaboom Scrub Free! Toilet Bowl Cleaner System
The Simple Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner
For a classic, straightforward answer to toilet sanitation with minimal fuss, the Kaboom Scrub Free Toilet Bowl cleaning system is an excellent option. It is designed to be placed inside the toilet tank, where it will operate out of sight.
This system incorporates OxiClean Stain Fighters, which are very effective at removing tough grime. Each refill lasts for three months, so there is very little maintenance involved.
Pros
- Simple installation
- Sanitary use
- Lasts for three months
Cons
- Can damage the skin so you should avoid contact
Product Specs
| Ingredients | BCDMH, DCDMH, BCEMH, sodium chloride |
| Design | Clip-on |
| Longevity | Three months |
| Warnings | Corrosive, avoid contact with eyes and skin |
| Accessories | Clip device, tube |
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
| Product | Best | Main ingredients | Design | Longevity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lysol Cleaning Click Gel | Eco-friendly | Water, oil, carbaldehyde, glycerin, citral, fragrance | Gel | 1 month |
| Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner | Classic | BCDMH 51.0%; DCDMH 23.3%; DCEMH 9.0% | Dissolving tablet | 3 months |
| Haphome New Generation Toilet Cleaner | Rust Removal | Dodecanamide 10-30%, Sodium hydrosulfite 10-30%, Sodium lauryl sulfate 5-10% | Dissolving tablet | 1.5 months |
| Vacplus Toilet Bowl Cleaner | Long-Lasting | N/A | Tank clip-on | 3-4 months |
| Scrubbing Bubbles Vanish Continuous Clean | Safest | Water, sodium sulfonate/sulfate/borate | Drop-in | 1 month |
| Fluidmaster 8102P8 Flush ‘n Sparkle | Adaptable | Bleach, surfactant-based cleaning agent | Tank application | 3 months |
| Kaboom Scrub Free! Cleaner System | Simple | BCDMH, DCDMH, BCEMH, sodium chloride | Clip-on | 3 months |
How to Find the Best Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Toilet cleaners are a massive industry, with US-based companies having a market value of about $30 billion (3). While this gives you plenty of options, it also means you might struggle to choose from the leading brands. If you consider the following points, it should make your search easier:
Safety Is Important
Safety is particularly important when choosing an automatic toilet cleaner, as it will be dispensed frequently. The Organic Consumers Association suggests that there is an increase in air pollution caused by toxic cleaning products (4).
While you need your cleaner to be powerful, you should try to find a toilet bowl tablet that doesn’t contain chlorine bleach. This will usually be found in liquid or capsule form. Chlorine is an irritant at the best of times, so you should look for less potent chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide or lactic acid.
Products marked with warnings such as “danger” and “hazard” are usually the most harmful, so you should avoid these where possible.
Eco-Friendliness
By choosing eco-friendly products, you can help reduce the number of pollutants being released into the water and the environment as a whole. Look for automatic toilet cleaners that are stated to have a reduced environmental impact.
This will not only make your cleaning more eco-friendly, but it also means you won’t be exposed to as many harsh chemicals. Eco-friendly compounds are also more likely to be suitable for septic systems, which can be damaged by abrasive cleaners.
Design and Operation
- Gel formula: A gel formula coats the inside of the toilet bowl on application. This will loosen rigid grime, making it much easier to wipe away.
- Capsule form: Automatic toilet bowl cleaners can come in capsule form. Also known as drop-ins, they provide a quick and easy solution for anyone who wants to avoid getting too close to dirt in their toilet. Capsules are dropped into the toilet tank, cleaning and deodorizing the toilet.
- Cartridge technology: If you want a more long-term cleaning solution, look for a product that uses cartridge technology. They are easy to install, and each cartridge could last for months before it needs to be replaced.
Blue Dye
FAQs
Are Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaners Worth It?
Despite how convenient they are, there is still some skepticism regarding automatic toilet bowl cleaners. It is easy to forget to replace the cartridge or the cleaner when required, which can ultimately leave your toilet dirtier than simply cleaning it regularly.
Even so, there are plenty of reasons to consider using an automatic toilet bowl cleaner. The most obvious advantage is that these devices help keep your toilet sparkling clean with minimal effort. If you want to spend less time on regular cleaning or simply forget to do it, an automatic toilet bowl cleaner will keep your toilet cleaner with far less effort on your part.
These cleaners also contain bacteria-killing agents that will prevent your toilet from becoming as dirty in the first place.
Where Do You Put an Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner?
Toilet bowl cleaners are used differently depending on the product, but there are some common application methods. Some are designed to hang from the rim of the bowl facing inwards so the water will collect the cleaning agent when the toilet is flushed.
Others must be placed in the toilet tank, keeping them out of sight and releasing cleaner into the flush water. Whichever type you choose, almost all automatic toilet bowl cleaners are very user-friendly.
How Do You Use an Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner?
Depending on your chosen product, there are different ways to use an automatic toilet bowl cleaner. Typically, these cleaners consist of activated oxygen or other oxidizing chemicals that break down stains and grime in your toilet without needing to scrub.
A common method is simply to drop a tablet or gel tablet into the toilet bowl itself. The cleaner will dissolve over a few hours and release powerful cleaning agents into your bowl to eliminate tough deposits.
Another option is to drop the cleaner into your toilet’s tank before filling it with water. This allows the cleaner to mix with the water, which then carries its active ingredients into your bowl when you flush.
Some automatic cleaners hang on the bowl’s rim and the cleaning agent is spread around the bowl when you flush the toilet.
Are Lysol Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaners Safe?
To protect your plumbing, especially if you have a septic tank, it is important to use a cleaner that won’t cause damage. There are numerous cleaners that are designed with delicate plumbing in mind, including Lysol cleaners.
These cleaners contain powerful disinfectants that kill the vast majority of harmful bacteria and germs that may be present in your toilet bowl.
Lysol automatic toilet bowl cleaners are safe for most plumbing systems. Always read a product description carefully before buying and using it, so your home’s system can remain in top condition for many years.
What Is the Most Effective Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner?
Lysol Click Gel Automatic Toilet Bowl Cleaner is an easy-to-use product with a one-click application that cleans and deodorizes your toilet, leaving it with a fresh scent. The applicator is easy to use and hygienic as you won’t come into contact with the toilet. It is available in multiple scent options to suit your preferences.
Hands-Free Toilet Cleaning
Household hygiene is important and this is particularly true when cleaning your toilet. A toilet can be an incubator for dangerous bacteria and other harmful microorganisms if not cleaned thoroughly.
Less than 1% of germs can cause sickness, but it is important to protect yourself from them by cleaning your toilet (5). An automatic toilet cleaner will significantly reduce your bathroom maintenance and should make your toilet much easier to clean when the time comes.
Depending on your toilet’s material, it could be delicate, so it is important to choose a product that is safe for your plumbing system. This is especially true if you have a septic tank, as these are particularly vulnerable to abrasive cleaners and very expensive to replace.
Look closely at a brand’s reputation and ingredients before you buy a cleaning product. This will protect you, your home’s plumbing system, and hopefully the environment.
