It’s common for conventional toilet bowl cleaners not to disclose a complete list of chemicals because the companies want to keep their formulas “proprietary,” or a trade secret. If there is a list of ingredients on the label, it’s usually vague, such as “water, thickener, cleaning agents,” leading us to think: Which thickener(s)? And which cleaning agents? Since most of these cleaners contain warnings such as “Danger: Corrosive. Harmful or fatal if swallowed. Causes irreversible eye damage and skin burns. Wear protective eyewear, gloves, and protective clothing. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. Do not breathe vapor or fumes. Use in well-ventilated areas,” it’s reasonable to think that their ingredients can be dangerous when mishandled. Some common toilet bowl cleaner ingredients have indeed been found to be corrosive to the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes when mishandled. They can also be irritating to the respiratory system in large doses. Here’s a list of a few common ones: Here are my two favorite recipes—both of which use simple, accessible ingredients and are a breeze to put together. Most importantly, they really work! She is Board Certified in Holistic Nutrition, has a Master’s degree in holistic nutrition from Hawthorn University, and holds multiple certificates in the environmental health field. She is the author of the forthcoming book: The Slightly Greener Method: Detoxifying Your Home Is Easier, Faster, and Less Expensive than You Think, which will release summer 2021. As a childhood leukemia survivor and mother of three (including one with multiple learning disabilities), Tonya helps parents learn how toxins in the home can affect their family’s health.
