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Toilet cleaner buying guide: How to find the best toilet cleaner
We'll help you find the best toilet cleaner to keep your loo looking as good as new.
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Key facts about toilet cleaner:
- A good-quality toilet cleaner can help you keep your loo in pristine condition with minimal scrubbing and polishing.
- From liquids and gels to automatic toilet cleaners, there's a wide range of toilet cleaning products available.
- To decide which one is right for you, consider the cleaning performance of a range of products, as well as their price tag and environmental friendliness.
Compare some of the best toilet cleaners
Data obtained December 2018. Prices are subject to change and should be used only as a general guide.
What types are available?
You've got a few options to consider when wandering down the cleaning aisle of your local supermarket. Toilet cleaners come in the following forms:
Liquids and gels
If you want to give your toilet a really deep clean, this is the sort of product you'll need. These products can be sprayed into the bowl, left to sit for a while and then scrubbed clean. These are the most commonly available toilet cleaners and often come with an upwards-angled nozzle to help you spray under the toilet rim.
In-tank toilet cleaners
These automatic toilet cleaners come in the form of tablets that can be placed in the cistern, which release cleaning agents every time you flush. The idea is that your toilet stays sparkling for longer without the need for excess scrubbing.
In-bowl cleaners
These cleaners are also designed to clean the toilet as you flush. They typically take the form of a gel held in a cage suspended from the edge of the bowl, or that can be attached directly to the wall of the bowl. These cleaners remove bacteria and stains and reduce the time and effort required to scrub the bowl clean.
How to compare toilet cleaners
While buying toilet cleaner is relatively straightforward, there are still a few important factors that you should consider before deciding which product is right for your bathroom:
Price
Most products fall within the $2 to $10 price range, but some products are priced as high as $20 or even $30. Remember to consider the amount of cleaner you're purchasing so that you can work out the price per 100mL or per litre and compare products on a like-for-like basis.
Effectiveness
Don't automatically assume that spending big bucks on a toilet cleaner will produce the best results. We recommend checking out independent reviews online from people who have actually used the product in question. What sort of results does it produce? How much scrubbing is required? Does it have an unpleasant or overpowering odour?
Ease of use
Read the label to find out exactly how to apply the cleaner to your toilet. Most liquids and gels require you to flush the toilet, spray the cleaner around the bowl, leave it for a specified period of time – usually 10 or 15 minutes – and then scrub clean. Many products can be used straight from the bottle, but some need to be diluted with water.
Fragrance
From lemon or citrus to sandalwood and eucalyptus, toilet cleaners come in a variety of fragrances. There's not really any way to tell whether you'll find the odour bearable until you use it, but many manufacturers offer a choice of fragrances so that you can at least pick the one that sounds the best.
Disinfectant
Check the label to find out whether the cleaner you're using also disinfects or whether its main use is removing stains.
Environmentally friendly
If you're an eco-conscious cleaner, check the ingredients on the label to find out exactly what sort of chemicals you're using. Some manufacturers use entirely plant-derived formulas and recycled packaging.
Design
Many toilet bowl cleaners come with an angled neck that allows you to spray the liquid under the rim, where all sorts of nasty stains and bacteria tend to gather. However, others may only have a straight neck or nozzle which may make them difficult to apply and may require a little extra elbow grease on your part.
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