|

The Best Septic Safe Toilet Cleaners

This page may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of our affiliate links, we’ll earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. For more details, please read our disclosure.

Septic Safe Toilet Cleaners

If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t give much thought to the toilet cleaner that you use. However, if you have a septic tank, it’s important to make sure that you’re using a septic safe toilet cleaner. 

Many traditional cleaners can harm your septic system, so it’s important to seek out products that are safe for septic tanks. In this article, we’ll look at the details you need to consider, and we’ll highlight the best septic safe toilet cleaners.

Related: The Best Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner

ImageProductOur RatingPrice
Method Antibacterial Toilet Bowl CleanerMethod Antibacterial Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  • 2 pack, spearmint scent
  • Uses citric acid for powerful cleaning of bacteria and cleaning
  • Natural, non-toxic, and formulated with green technology
9.7
Check Price on Amazon
Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl CleanerSeventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  • 8 pack, emerald cypress and fir scent
  • No ammonia, chlorine, or other chemicals
  • Septic safe, biodegradable, non-toxic, and no-fumes
9.6
Check Price on Amazon
Mrs. Meyer's Liquid Toilet Bowl CleanerMrs. Meyer's Liquid Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  • Lavender scent, formulated with plant derived ingredients
  • Powerful cleaner, septic safe, biodegradable, and eco-friendly
  • No harsh chemicals
9.6
Check Price on Amazon

What Makes Toilet Cleaners Safe for Septic Tanks?

The chemicals or ingredients used in cleaning products and personal care products can have an adverse impact on the performance of your septic system. The products, including toilet cleaners, should not include any chemicals that prevent waste breakdown in the tank.

For a septic tank to function properly, bacteria must be able to break down or dissolve the waste. When this happens, the solid waste or sludge settles at the bottom and the liquid waste flows out. 

Some chemicals or enzymes may destroy the bacteria that are needed to properly break down the waste. If that happens, clogs and backups can occur. Your septic tank may need to be emptied more frequently, or it may not flow and drain as it should.

If you have a septic tank, natural plant-based cleaning solutions are frequently the best choice, and they’re also generally safer for the environment and your family.

Fortunately, some cleaning chemicals are labeled as “septic safe,” so the search for a suitable product may not be as difficult as you thought. And to make your life simpler, we’ve compiled a list of our top selections below in our Best Septic Safe Toilet Cleaners list.

When it comes to choosing a toilet cleaner, it should be natural and biodegradable. These eco-friendly cleaners are made from plant-based ingredients and do not contain harsh chemicals. Plant-based formulas are organic, which makes them biodegradable as well. This type of cleaner is less likely to damage your septic tank or the surrounding environment.

What’s more, natural and biodegradable cleaners work just as well as traditional cleaners, if not better.

And finally, when you use a natural cleaner, you can feel good knowing that you’re doing your part to protect the environment.

The types of ingredients or chemicals you’ll want to avoid include bleach, ammonia, and phosphates.  All of these can be harmful to your septic tank by destroying the bacteria that is needed to break down the waste.

The Best Septic Safe Toilet Cleaners

Here’s a summary of our top recommendations, with detailed descriptions below.

  1. Method Antibacterial Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  2. Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  3. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  4. Better Life Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  5. Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner

1. Method Antibacterial Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Method Antibacterial Toilet Bowl Cleaner - Spearmint - 24 Ounce - 2 PackMethod Antibacterial Toilet Bowl Cleaner – Spearmint

The impressive formula of Method Antibacterial toilet bowl cleaner convinced us that it is the best septic-safe toilet bowl cleaner on the market. It is a powerful, disinfecting cleaner that uses citric acid to eradicate bacteria and dirt from your toilet.

The Method Antibacterial Toilet Bowl cleaner features power green technology and green chemistry to efficiently clean toilets using nature-based, non-toxic ingredients that are safe for your home’s septic tank. The formula contains lactic acid and cornstarch-derived decyl glucoside that dissolves and prevents soap scum and lime deposits.

The formula is free from bleach, sulfates, parabens, and other synthetic chemicals that are known to cause damage to septic tanks. Despite being an all-natural cleaner this product will give your bathroom a disinfecting jolt using ingredients like citric acid that eliminate dirt as well as germs. In fact, This toilet bowl cleaner can kill 99.9% of common household germs like staphylococcus aureus, influenza a flu virus, rhinovirus, escherichia coli, enterobacter aerogenes, and salmonella enterica.

  • Cleans dirt and bacteria from toilet bowl using citric acid
  • Formulated with green technology to be safe for the environment
  • Natural, non-toxic for effective clean
  • Factory is platinum LEED and platinum ZERO Waste Certified

Check the price on Amazon


2. Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Emerald Cypress and Fir Scent, 32 oz, Pack of 8 (Packaging May Vary)Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Another great option on our septic safe toilet cleaners list that you can buy for your home is the Seventh Generation Toilet bowl cleaner that delivers a powerful clean without damaging the septic tank or the environment.

The Seventh Generation Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner has a non-toxic formula that effectively eliminates stubborn stains and cleans your bowl quickly without releasing harsh fumes. Its biodegradable formula is free of chlorine, ammonia, strong acids, and petroleum-based ingredients making it safe for septic tanks as well as the environment.

This natural toilet bowl cleaner contains a plant-derived cleaning agent called caprylyl/myristyl glucoside that cleans efficiently without harming the environment. The formula also contains lactic acid which is a versatile descaling and antimicrobial agent that removes soap scum and lime. It also acts as a disinfectant that kills common household germs.

Another benefit of this gentle cleaner is that it has a refreshing scent of emerald cypress and fir that has been extracted from natural essential oils and botanical extracts. Also, this product is USDA Certified 97 percent Bio-based and also Leaping Bunny Certified.

The Seventh Generation toilet bowl cleaner comes in a recycled bottle manufactured from a high percentage of post-consumer recycled plastic which makes it an eco-friendly product you can buy guilt-free. 

  • Formulated to be biodegradable, non-toxic, and safe for the environment
  • Fume free, strong cleaner without chemicals
  • Septic safe

Check the price on Amazon


3. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Liquid Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Mrs. Meyer's Liquid Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Lavender Scent, 24 ounce bottleMrs. Meyer’s Liquid Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day liquid toilet bowl cleaner contains powerful and effective cleaning agents, and also provides a pleasant, singular scent for your bathroom. The clean floral scent of this cleaner comes from lavender essential oil considered to have a calming effect.

This biodegradable toilet cleaner has been formulated with plant-derived cleaning agents that clean and deodorize the toilet bowl effectively without harming the environment like chemical-based cleaners tend to do. The formula comes with natural cleaning and disinfecting agents like lactic acid and citric acid that deliver a sparkling clean without harming the environment. This product does not contain any phthalates, chlorine, or harsh mineral acids which means that it is safe for septic tanks.

The brand has added other beneficial ingredients and essential oils as well that make this formula more effective. This septic-safe toilet bowl cleaner also comes in other floral scents so you have different options to choose from.  

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day toilet bowl cleaner is a Leaping Bunny Certified cruelty-free product meaning that it has never been tested on animals.

  • Formulated with essential oils and plant-based ingredients
  • No harsh chemicals
  • Biodegradable and septic safe
  • Leaping Bunny Certified to be cruelty-free

Check the price on Amazon


4. Better Life Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner

The Better Life toilet bowl cleaner is packed with plant-derived cleaning agents and deodorizing ingredients so that it flushes away stains and keeps the toilet smelling clean. This quality stain buster features all-natural ingredients that clean the toilet bowl effectively while being gentle on the planet.

The formula contains various cleaning and disinfecting agents like citric acid, lactic acid, and alkyl polyglucoside derived from natural sources like corn, coconut, and citrus. You can easily remove rings and build-up with this gel cleaner that is harmless to the planet. This cleaner is easy-to-use so you just have to squirt the bottle around the rim of the toilet. Let it coat the toilet bowl for a few minutes, then brush and flush out the stains.

The Better Life natural toilet bowl cleaner is free of harsh chemicals like parabens, sulfates, and dyes. It is a color-safe and septic-safe product that has never been tested on animals. An additional benefit is that this toilet bowl cleaner has been scented with refreshing essential oils and botanical extracts that naturally neutralize the unpleasant smell of toilets.

  • Formulated with plant-based ingredients
  • Harsh chemical-free
  • No animal testing

Check the price on Amazon


5. Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Pine Fresh, 25 OunceEcover Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Another notable, septic-safe toilet bowl cleaner is the Ecover toilet bowl cleaner which has plant and mineral-based cleaning agents. It effectively removes tough stains, and decalcifies and freshens the toilet bowl without being harmful to septic tanks or the environment.

The citric acid in this formula works by removing limescale while the plant-based surfactant lauryl glucoside cleans away stains from the toilet bowl.

This toilet bowl cleaner comes in 100% plant plastic and is 100% recyclable making it even more planet-friendly. Lastly, this product does not endorse animal testing so you can buy it guilt-free. One thing to note is that this product contains fragrance that is vegetable and petrochemical-based which although septic safe some people still like to avoid.

  • Developed with plant-derived ingredients
  • Eco-friendly
  • No animal testing

Related: The Best Toilet Brushes

Check the price on Amazon


Frequently Asked Questions

Is toilet bowl cleaner safe for septic systems?

Many toilet bowl cleaners include ingredients like bleach and ammonia that can be harmful to septic tanks. However, natural, plant-based toilet cleaners are safe for your septic tank, and they’ll clean just as well.

Is Clorox toilet cleaner safe for septic?

We recommend avoiding any cleaning products that include bleach if you live in a home with a septic tank.

Are Clorox toilet tablets safe for septic systems?

The Clorox toilet tablets also include bleach, so we recommend not using them.

Is Lysol toilet bowl cleaner safe for septic systems?

Lysol toilet bowl cleaner includes hydrochloric acid, which can destroy the beneficial bacteria in your septic tank. We recommend using a natural, plant-based product instead.

Is Mrs. Meyer’s toilet bowl cleaner septic safe?

Yes, Mrs. Meyer’s toilet bowl cleaner is septic safe. It is natural and biodegradable and does not include any ingredients or chemicals that can be harmful to septic systems.

Is Seventh Generation septic safe?

Yes, Seventh Generation is a safe choice for septic systems. Their products are natural and biodegradable and do not include any harsh chemicals.

Are Method products septic safe?

Yes, Method products are septic safe. They are made from natural ingredients and are biodegradable.

Can you use vinegar and baking soda with a septic tank?

Yes, baking soda and vinegar are both safe for septic systems. They’re also inexpensive and effective cleaners.

What is the best toilet cleaner for septic tanks?

There are many great septic safe toilet cleaners on the market. However, our top pick is Mrs. Meyer’s toilet bowl cleaner. It’s natural and biodegradable and works just as well as traditional cleaners.

Related: The Best Septic Leach Field Cleaner

ImageProductOur RatingPrice
Method Antibacterial Toilet Bowl CleanerMethod Antibacterial Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  • 2 pack, spearmint scent
  • Uses citric acid for powerful cleaning of bacteria and cleaning
  • Natural, non-toxic, and formulated with green technology
9.7
Check Price on Amazon
Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl CleanerSeventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  • 8 pack, emerald cypress and fir scent
  • No ammonia, chlorine, or other chemicals
  • Septic safe, biodegradable, non-toxic, and no-fumes
9.6
Check Price on Amazon
Mrs. Meyer's Liquid Toilet Bowl CleanerMrs. Meyer's Liquid Toilet Bowl Cleaner
  • Lavender scent, formulated with plant derived ingredients
  • Powerful cleaner, septic safe, biodegradable, and eco-friendly
  • No harsh chemicals
9.6
Check Price on Amazon

Final Thoughts on Septic Safe Toilet Cleaners

If you have a septic tank, it’s important to make sure that you’re using some type of septic safe toilet cleaners. Many traditional cleaners can harm your septic system by destroying the bacteria that are needed to break down the waste. 

We recommend avoiding any cleaning products that include bleach if you live in a home with a septic tank. Natural and biodegradable cleaners are made from plant-based ingredients and do not contain harsh chemicals. This type of cleaner is less likely to damage your septic tank or the surrounding environment in your yard. 

And finally, when you use a natural and biodegradable cleaner, you can feel good knowing that you’re doing your part to protect the environment.