Best Toilet Bowl Cleaner that is Safe for Septic Systems

Looking for the best toilet bowl cleaner that will not affect your septic sewer system?

You can kill your septic system if you use a lot of the wrong cleaners in your toilet. The septic system uses bacteria and enzymes to help break down the solids in your septic tank. If you kill off the good bacteria along with the bad, you will hinder your system’s ability to break down waste. You need a toilet bowl cleaner that is safe for septic systems

Better Life Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner

2 bottles of Better Life all natural toilet bowl cleaner

Because Better Life is naturally powered by plants this toilet bowl cleaner is safe for septic systems. It deodorizes as it cleans, leaving behind a fresh crisp smell and with its thick gel formula it clings to the surface for fast, effective, and frustration-free cleaning.

Gently squirt gel under the rim and wait for it to coat the bowl. For extra cleaning power let stand for 10 to 15 minutes. Then brush and flush.

Disinfects	Not Disinfecting
Septic Safe	Safe for Septic
Hard Water / Stain Remover	Yes
Thickness	Clinging Gel
Aroma	Tea Tree & Peppermint

Method Antibacterial Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Two 24 Oz bottles of Method Antibacterial Toilet Bowl cleaner. Because germs and toxic chemicals are equally unwelcome on the toilet, Method is a disinfecting toilet bowl cleaner. It disinfects with citric acid to eliminate bacteria plus dirt. Powergreen technology is cutting-edge green chemistry that harnesses the strength of naturally derived, non-toxic ingredients to deliver a mighty cleaning punch.

This is the only natural toilet bowl cleaner that is safe for septic systems that we found with disinfecting properties.

Disinfects	Yes. Disinfectant kills 99.9% of household germs
Septic Safe	Safe for Septic
Hard Water / Stain Remover	No, but good for all-over cleaning including seat
Thickness	Thick Liquid
Aroma	Spearmint

Frosch Lemon Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Frosh Lemon Toilet Cleaner is a fast, strong, and efficient natural cleaner for your toilet bowl. Formulated with citric acid, this toilet bowl cleaner removes calcium deposits, limescale, and even urine scale, rinsing clean and leaving behind a fresh lemon scent. Imported this 750ml is equal to 25.3 Oz of lemon smelling gel. This cleaner is concentrated so you can use less to clean more.

Disinfects	Not Disinfecting
Septic Safe	Safe for Septic
Hard Water / Stain Remover	Limescale and Urine-scale remover
Thickness	Thick Gel
Aroma	Lemon

Eco-Me Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner

This natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner eliminates stubborn stains, mineral deposits, rust, and hard water spots without harsh fumes or harmful chemicals. Its bleach-free formula suds and scrubs its way through tough jobs leaving a brilliant shine behind. Eco Me’s mission is to remove harmful chemicals from your home. This is why it contains no sulfates (irritants); no perfumes or dyes (phthalates); no harsh preservatives (allergens); making it earth-friendly and rated No. 1 on the eco scale by GreenSeal.org. This Family safe product leads to a healthier and more sustainable planet.

Disinfects	Not Disinfecting
Septic Safe	Safe for Septic
Hard Water / Stain Remover	Hard water and rust stain cleaner
Thickness	Thick Liquid
Aroma	Herbal Mint

Unique Septic Enhancing Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Finally, a Toilet Bowl Cleaner focused on the needs of your septic system. Septic Enhancing Toilet Bowl Cleaner provides excellent cleaning results while infusing your septic system with septic enhancing microbes. Don’t settle for septic-safe, expect septic enhancing!

Apply Unique directly to toilet bowl and spread with cleaning brush to cover entire bowl. Wait for a few minutes while the bacteria activate, then brush until all stains are removed. Leave cleaner in toilet bowl until next use. This allows the bacteria to keep cleaning long after you are done. Once you flush, these hard working bacteria will make their way to your septic tank where they will continue cleaning and eating waste.

Disinfects	Not Disinfecting
Septic Safe	Safe for Septic, adding Enhancing Microbes
Hard Water / Stain Remover	Yes, breaks down hard water
Thickness	Thick liquid
Aroma	Natural Fragrance-free

Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Ecover natural plant-based cleaner is safe for septic systems and a little more budget-friendly than our other choices. Some have complained about a strong smell, but Pine is better than a smelly bathroom!

Disinfects	Not Disinfecting
Septic Safe	Safe for Septic
Hard Water / Stain Remover	Decalcifies if you have high calcium
Thickness	Thick Liquid
Aroma	Strong Pine Smell

Bad types of toilet cleaners

Drain Cleaner

Though not many people clean their toilets with chemical drain cleaner, it is on the top of the list because it has the most killing power! Even as little as a teaspoon can kill off bacteria in your septic system.  Find a drain cleaner that is safe for your septic.

Cleaners with harsh chemicals

Chlorine bleach, hydrochloric acid, petroleum solvents, lye, and sulfuric acid. Even though it would take a lot of bleach to kill off all the bacteria in your septic tank, why add any! Germ killing is an important part of toilet cleaning, so it is easy to grab that 99.9% germ-killer.

Good types of toilet cleaners that are safe for septic sytems

You need to look for cleaners that are marked as biodegradable, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. Bleach free is another thing to look for. Check if the natural product is disinfecting, or not.

Do I need to Add Good Bacteria to My Septic System?

What if I have been using bad cleaners? Do I need to add good bacteria?

If you have been using harsh cleaners, don’t freak out, in small amounts your septic tank has survived. Lots of cleaners are ok in small amounts, you can check your existing cleaners label.

Your bacteria levels ebb and flow, Laundry detergents, kitchen sink cleaners, and other cleaners with bleach kill off bacteria too. But a healthy system can handle this stress.

You do not need to add bacteria to your septic tank. Some septic tanks use an aerator, or air pump, to help Aerobic bacteria flourish. The aerator is used because aerobic bacteria are the most effective at breaking down materials in the wastewater. Even if you do not have an aerator, bacteria is present. Bacteria, algae, protozoa, fungi, rotifers, and nematodes are all present in a typical septic system.

You are already supplying good bacteria and enzymes when you flush, but it is safe to add more. If you feel that your system may be stressed, or you are starting a new tank, you can flush a packet of dry yeast into your tank, give it a bottle of beer, or a gallon of milk. If you would like to keep adding bacteria and enzymes to your septic on a regular basis, read our article on the best septic additives.

Maintaining your septic system and using a cleaner that is safe for septic

You need to schedule an inspection and /or pumping of your septic system every three to five years to remove sludge build-up. Use products made for septic, including toilet paper, drain clog clearer, and surface cleaners. Keep using green chemicals when you clean, just to make it easier on your septic system. You can sleep easy by using the best cleaners and not using large amounts of the wrong ones!