Professional cleaners won't clean a bathroom without these 6 non-toxic bathroom cleaners – swapping will save your health

Bathrooms are full of germs, mold spores, watermarks, and strange smells, making them one of the toughest rooms to clean.

While it can be tempting to reach straight for the harsh chemicals to power through grime and kill bacteria, astringent products such as bleach can be detrimental to your health. That's why cleaning experts turn to non-toxic bathroom cleaners to get the job done instead.

Here, they share their top six favorite non-toxic products for cleaning a bathroom to help kill bacteria without risking serious illness.

Non-toxic bathroom cleaners

You do not need harsh chemicals to clean well, which means opting for bleach and ammonia-based products is pointless for cleaning a bathroom.

Building up an arsenal of non-toxic home essentials in your cleaning cabinet makes the process simple, and reduces the likelihood of skin, eye, airway, and lung irritation while ensuring sparking results.

1. Non-toxic toilet bowl cleaner

Of all the bathroom products to switch out, your toilet cleaner should be first.

A 2020 study found that bleach-containing toilet bowl cleaners are a source of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and are a carcinogenic risk.

To clean your home without harming the planet and your family, consider switching to a plant-based alternative. You can even clean a toilet tank with vinegar.

Maria Mooney, a non-toxic cleaning expert with Truly Free Home says, 'Truly Free Home’s Toilet Bowl Cleaner is a non-toxic, foaming cleaner that uses a plant-based formula to remove stains and bacteria, preventing the growth of mold and mildew. It delivers a fresh, peppermint scent through essential oils rather than endocrine-disrupting synthetic fragrances.'

When using plant-based toilet cleaners, your toilet should be the first thing you clean in the bathroom. Letting the product sit and soak in the bowl will help to break down odors, germs, and stains more easily, as well as reduce the need to scrub.

2. All purpose sprays for counters

Marla Mock, cleaning expert and president at Molly Maid USA says, 'Spray an all-purpose cleaner on the faucet, sink basin, and countertop. Scrub any stubborn residue, then wipe clean with a cloth.'

We like the Attitude all-purpose cleaner, available at Walmart, as it is certified non-toxic by the Environmental Working Group (EPA), ensuring it is chemical-free and safe for use in homes with children and pets. Alternatively, you can use the Attitude Live Consciously Bathroom Cleaner spray, also at Walmart, for a more targeted approach to bathroom cleaning.

Marla continues, 'You can also use an all-purpose solution to gently scrub dirt and grime from the shower or tub surfaces and rinse. Finally, use an all-purpose cleaner on the seat, lid, and exterior of your toilet, then wipe with a disinfectant cloth.'

3. Vinegar to kill mold

Cleaning with vinegar is one of the best ways to get rid of black mold. Its low water content makes it more effective than bleach for killing spores and is far less toxic for you and your family.

Aminah Vieira, of InspireClean Cleaning Services explains, 'Black mold can release spores that may lead to coughing, sneezing, or skin irritation, and it’s particularly problematic for babies, children, and the elderly, who are more sensitive to poor air quality.

'Luckily, it’s easy to manage. Clean grout regularly with pure, distilled white vinegar, available at Walmart, and keep your bathroom well-ventilated by running an extractor fan or opening a window. You can also use vinegar to clean bath toys. A weekly soak in warm, soapy water with a splash of vinegar can also keep toys mold-free and safe for kids.'

Better yet, a 2020 study found that vinegar can kill many household germs and pathogens, including some strains of E. coli, making it the perfect, affordable non-toxic option for homes.

4. Plant-based mirror cleaners

Bathrooms are full of mirrors and glass surfaces. To get them sparkling, Marla Mock suggests using a glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth, such as the Scotch-Brite 3-in-1 cloth from Target, to help remove staining and improve water runoff.

Studies have shown that many commercial glass cleaners contain VOCs such as glycol ethers and ammonia, so switching to a plant-based alternative is a must to clean a mirror without streaks, or the risk of airway irritation.

Punteha van Terheyden, Head of Solved at Homes & Gardens, cleans all glass, mirrors and stainless steel in her home with a homemade essential oil cleaner. She says, 'It leaves everything streak free and smells great too. I add 10-20 drops of pure geranium essential oil from Walmart to two cups of water, and add a dot of dish soap too, which acts as surfactant and helps the solution cling to the surface you're cleaning.

'I keep it in an amber glass bottle from Amazon. It's so cheap, effective and makes your bathroom smell like a spa, too.'

5. Baking soda for water stains

Cleaning with baking soda is a great option for delicate surfaces you don't want to damage, such as shiny faucets covered in watermarks.

Baking soda mixed into a paste with either warm water or white vinegar and buffed onto faucets using a fine-bristled brush such as the Up&Up Scrub Brush, from Target, or an old, clean toothbrush helps get rid of hard water stains by breaking down mineral deposits for gleaming surfaces. Better yet, because it is free from chemicals, you do not risk a cloudy finish afterward.

You might find you have to reapply or leave for longer when it comes to cleaning with natural products, but it doesn't make them any less effective overall. They are just gentler.

6. A powder cleanser for tubs

Cleaning a bathtub can be a back-breaking task. To make it a little easier on your arms, Hector Stewart, cleaning expert and CEO of Baltimore HCS Home Cleaning Services suggests using a non-toxic power cleaner.

He says, 'Bon Ami Powder Cleanser, available at Walmart, is a natural scouring powder that’s perfect for scrubbing sinks, tubs, tiles, and grout without scratching. Its ingredient list is impressively simple: just five mineral-based ingredients (including limestone, feldspar, baking soda, and a coconut-based surfactant) and no bleach, dyes, or toxic additives​.

'This powder is biodegradable and contains no harsh chemicals, yet it’s highly effective at tackling stubborn stains and soap scum​.

'To use Bon Ami, you simply wet the surface, sprinkle the powder, and scrub with a sponge or brush – it works wonders on grimy grout lines, rust rings, and hard-water deposits in tubs or sinks.

'There’s also no overpowering odor,' he adds. 'Bon Ami has no added fragrance, making it ideal for those sensitive to smells.'

Meet the experts

Maria Mooney

As a mother of three, Maria is committed to offering professional cleaning advice and product recommendations across health, wellness, lifestyle, to help families cultivate their happiest, healthiest homes.

Marla Mock

Marla has been with Molly Maids since 2021, helping to grow the company across the US, overseeing day-to-day operations.

FAQs

Are non-toxic cleaners effective?

Used correctly and according to manufacturer instructions, non-toxic cleaning alternatives are just as effective as harsh chemical cleaners. Plus, studies have shown that 'using green and home-made products may induce fewer risk for respiratory health than using conventional ones,' making switching a wise choice all around.

Non-toxic cleaning products aren't the only way to keep your bathroom sparkling. There are several things people with clean bathrooms always do, such as wipe down showers after every use, to make cleaning a bathroom at the end of each week a breeze.