Toilet bowl cleaners are among the most harshly rated household products on EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning. The Environmental Working Group (EWG), an independent nonprofit, rates cleaning products A–F. Many conventional toilet bowl cleaners score C, D, or F due to chlorine bleach, fragrances, and surfactants with limited safety data. We've identified the best EWG-rated alternatives — liquid cleaners — all available on Amazon. We make no disinfection or germ-kill claims; those are EPA-regulated. NonToxicFinder is not affiliated with EWG.
Data deep-dive: We analyzed 2,500+ EWG-rated cleaning products — many cleaning categories score far worse than shoppers expect. See the full breakdown.
Our Top Picks: Best EWG-Rated Toilet Bowl Cleaners
| Product | EWG Status | Format | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aunt Fannie's Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Eucalyptus (24 oz) | EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning: A Rating | Liquid | Check price → |
| Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Pine Fresh (25 oz) | EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning: B Rating | Liquid | Check price → |
| Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Fresh Mint (4-Pack, 24 oz each) | EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning: B Rating | Liquid | Check price → |
Why Toilet Bowl Cleaners Score Poorly on EWG (Chemicals to Avoid)
EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning gives many conventional toilet bowl cleaners D or F ratings for two main reasons: chlorine bleach, which is a high-concern ingredient in EWG's assessment, and synthetic fragrance, which can mask undisclosed chemical ingredients. Some conventional cleaners also use hydrochloric acid and certain quaternary ammonium compounds. The products on this list avoid these flagged substances and earn EWG "A" or "B" ratings. Remember: EWG's ratings reflect ingredient hazard assessments — not clinical safety determinations.
Best EWG-Rated Toilet Bowl Cleaners
Aunt Fannie's Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Eucalyptus (24 oz) — EWG "A" Rating
EWG Status: EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning: "A" Rating (not EWG VERIFIED™)
Aunt Fannie's earns an "A" from EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning for its vinegar-powered formula. Bleach-free and eucalyptus-scented, it relies on vinegar as the primary cleaning agent rather than synthetic acids or chlorine compounds. A good pick for households avoiding both bleach and petrochemical surfactants. Around $13–14 for 24 oz on Amazon.
Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Pine Fresh (25 oz) — EWG "B" Rating
EWG Status: EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning: "B" Rating (not EWG VERIFIED™) — view on ewg.org
Ecover is a European-origin cleaning brand with strong EWG ratings. Their toilet bowl cleaner earns a "B" from EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning with a plant-derived formula and pine-based fragrance. No chlorine bleach. Ecover has not enrolled in EWG VERIFIED™, but their "B" rating reflects a favorable ingredient assessment with low overall concern. Around $6–9 for 25 oz.
Seventh Generation Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Fresh Mint (4-Pack, 24 oz each) — EWG "B" Rating
EWG Status: EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning: "B" Rating (not EWG VERIFIED™)
Seventh Generation's Fresh Mint toilet bowl cleaner is rated "B" by EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning. Plant-derived formula, no chlorine bleach, no ammonia, biodegradable. The fresh mint scent comes from 100% essential oils. The 4-pack on Amazon (around $19–20) brings solid per-bottle value — approximately $4.85 per 24 oz bottle — for households that prefer to stock up. A mainstream-accessible option for families transitioning away from conventional chlorine cleaners.
DIY-Friendly Options: What EWG Says About Baking Soda and Citric Acid
For households interested in the simplest possible approach, baking soda and citric acid are both rated very low hazard on EWG's ingredient database. A combination of citric acid (which descales mineral deposits) and baking soda (which provides gentle abrasion and fizzing action) can clean toilet bowls without any synthetic chemicals. These aren't EWG-rated commercial products — they're raw ingredients — but their individual hazard profiles are favorable. This DIY approach trades convenience for ingredient simplicity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do most toilet bowl cleaners rate poorly on EWG?
EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning gives many conventional toilet cleaners C–F ratings primarily due to chlorine bleach (a high-concern ingredient in EWG's assessment), certain quaternary ammonium compounds, and synthetic fragrance. The products on this list avoid these flagged substances.
Can EWG-rated toilet cleaners be used in septic systems?
Many EWG top-rated toilet cleaners, including those on this list, are formulated to be septic-safe — the plant-derived cleaning agents break down more readily than chlorine bleach. Check individual product labels for septic system compatibility confirmation.
Is there an EWG VERIFIED™ toilet bowl cleaner?
As of 2026, there are very few EWG VERIFIED™ toilet bowl cleaners. The VERIFIED™ program for cleaning products is smaller than the personal care VERIFIED® program. Most strong options are EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning "A" rated, not VERIFIED™. Check ewg.org/cleaners for the current list.
What's the difference between EWG "A" and EWG VERIFIED™ for cleaning products?
An EWG Guide to Healthy Cleaning "A" rating means EWG's ingredient assessment rates the product as low-concern. EWG VERIFIED™ requires the brand to formally apply, disclose all ingredients, and pass EWG's review. An "A" is a strong signal from EWG's assessment; VERIFIED™ requires active brand enrollment and a higher transparency bar.
The Bottom Line
For the best EWG-rated toilet bowl cleaner, Aunt Fannie's Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Eucalyptus is our top pick — "A" rated by EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning, bleach-free with a vinegar-powered formula. Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Pine Fresh earns a "B" from EWG's Guide to Healthy Cleaning (see ewg.org/cleaners) and is a solid plant-derived option. Seventh Generation Fresh Mint also earns a "B" from EWG and offers value in a 4-pack. For the broader bathroom cleaning category, see our non-toxic bathroom cleaner guide. To understand what drives the D and F grades on conventional cleaners like Lysol and Clorox — and see the ingredient-level breakdown — see our swap guide: swap conventional toilet bowl cleaner for EWG-rated alternatives. We earn a commission on purchases through our links. NonToxicFinder is not affiliated with EWG.
