Keeping the home clean can be a challenge. Dust, debris, and mold can accumulate quickly on any surface, but one area that demands special attention is the toilet. Toilet bowls can get pretty dirty with use, and flushing is simply not enough. You need a commercial-grade toilet cleaner that effectively scrubs off stains and disinfects the area to eliminate germs. Here are the best toilet stain removers you can consider buying.

Clorox® Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach
Clorox® provides all-round solutions for cleaning and disinfecting toilet bowls. One of the brand’s popular products is the Clorox® Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Bleach. It has a unique formula with active bleach that helps eliminate stains, odor, and bacteria. The solution comes in a nozzle bottle that easily reaches corners inside and under the toilet bowl. Unlike many other toilet stain removers on the market, its scent isn’t overpowering, making it suitable for regular use. The cleaner comes in two fragrances: Fresh Scent and Rain Clean.

Another product from the brand is the Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach with CLOROMAX®. It uses a concentrated formula that kills 99.99% of germs and bacteria. This is an inexpensive option for cleaning porcelain surfaces, including toilet bowls, washroom floors, and even counters. A 121 fl. oz. bottle is available for around $8 across major retail websites.

Lemi Shine Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Hard water is a common problem in urban areas, mainly because of groundwater contamination and industrial runoffs into water sources. The hard water stains and limescale buildup on washroom surfaces are twice as difficult to clean. The Lemi Shine Toilet Bowl Cleaner can help in such cases. Its citrus-enriched formula effectively removes the layer of dirt, discoloration, and bacteria buildup on porcelain surfaces. The formula is also EPA-certified and biodegradable, making it an environment-friendly cleaner. However, the liquid scent doesn’t contain an active disinfectant. So, you may have to spray an additional disinfectant after cleaning the toilet bowl. A 24 fl. oz. bottle of the Lemi Shine Toilet Bowl Cleaner is available on the brand’s official website for around $7.

Lysol Power Toilet Bowl Cleaner
This gel-based formula from Lysol is widely used for removing stains. It doesn’t contain bleach but features an active hydrogen peroxide base that dissolves easily and leaves no residue. The gel instantly reacts with water to release bubbles and foam that rinses the bowl and neutralizes bacteria with a single wash. Odor, if any, is also eliminated, leaving behind a clean and bacteria-free bowl. The bottle has a nozzle that squeezes out the correct amount of gel necessary for a single wash. You can leave it for 15 minutes to disinfect before scrubbing off the coating and finally flushing down the remnants. The Lysol Power cleaning gel is available on the brand’s website for just $3 per 24 oz. bottle.

Scrubbing Bubbles® Drop-Ins™
Cleaning becomes challenging with multiple family members using the restroom back-to-back. If you don’t want to go fishing deep into the toilet bowl scrubbing on all fours, consider the drop-ins by Scrubbing Bubbles® . They clean the toilet bowl after every single flush. While the product may not guarantee the deepest cleaning and disinfection, it’s still suitable for a frequently used washroom. It dissolves and releases the potent formula inside the septic tank with every flush. One drop-in keeps the toilet bowl clean and fresh for up to four weeks depending on the frequency of use. A single five-count pack of Scrubbing Bubbles® Drop-Ins™ can be bought for under $6 on popular online retail outlets mentioned on the official website. Prices can vary depending on the order quantity and shipping options.

How to choose the right toilet cleaner?
Every product and formula presents different results based on their application and intended use. Irrespective, here are two tips to chose the best product:

Consider the type
The best toilet stain removers are available in gel, liquid, powder, and drop-in formulations. The type of product you need will depend on your primary use and the ease of application you desire. Some products require a hands-on approach, while others do the job automatically without requiring you to approach the bowl.

Compare formulas
Active bleach formulas are potent but can leave an overbearing odor. You can alternatively consider bleach-free toilet stain removes that come with additional disinfection minus the scent.

Those who don’t want to spend unnecessarily on commercial brands can try home remedy solutions like lime juice, baking soda and white vinegar solution, and hydrogen peroxide formula to clean the toilet bowl periodically. These solutions are easy to make and are pretty affordable.