Theresa's Happy Toilet Cleaner Recipe

For some reason, when it comes to toilets, we have been conditioned to believe that a cleaner has to be dangerous for it to kill all the nasties. This is simply not true. Commercial toilet cleaners contain chlorine, ammonia, or hydrochloric acid to burn away the bacteria. Perhaps this would all be necessary if toilets were only cleaned once a year or so, but thankfully, that is not the case!

For the average household, the dangerous chemicals in the toilet cleaner are overkill. One of their bad side effects it that they kill the helpful bacteria in the the sewer lines that help to break down the waste (especially important for those with septic tanks). They often contain ingredients that are bad for the soil and animals, should they find their way into the groundwater. Also, the in-tank toilet cleaners are notorious for causing the untimely demise of flappers and valves.

So save the earth and save money by mixing up a batch of this all natural, nontoxic toilet cleaner. This is a two part cleanser, consisting of the scouring powder and the vinegar spray. To use, sprinkle the no scratch scouring powder on and in the toilet, then spray on the vinegar spray. Use a rag and/or brush to scrub it clean.

Theresa's Happy Toilet Cleaner Recipe

Scouring Powder:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 3 drops tea tree oil (a disinfectant, optional)
• 4 drops blue food coloring (optional)

Place all ingredients in a bowl with lid and shake vigorously until thoroughly mixed. The coloring is optional, I use it to make my cleaning mixture easily recognizable as not food -- while the ingredients aren't poisonous, someone would be sorely displeased to sprinkle the stuff on French toast thinking it was confectioner's sugar. That is why I use blue, a non food color. Plus, children think the coloring part is fun!

Pour the scouring powder into a sugar shaker (available at your local restaurant supply store) or into a jar with holes punched in the lid.

Vinegar Spray:

• 2 cups vinegar
• 2 cups water

You can get more great green cleaning tips and recipes and lots more from The Urban Homestead: Your Guide to Self-sufficient Living in the Heart of the City (Process Self-reliance Series). I love this book!