Greenscents – bulk sizes, which can be returned to them for reuse, and refill stations. Standard size bottles made from biopolymer, from waste sugar cane The chemical, even though diluted, travels from your toilet bowl to our waterways. During this production process, bleach also ends up being released into surrounding canals. You can read more on bleach, its environmental impact and green bleach alternatives here. We have rated all the companies for their toxic chemicals policies. The companies which received a best rating had a policy because they had banned the use of parabens, phthalates and triclosan (see our feature on toxic chemicals for why we have chosen these chemicals) were: READ NEXT: Our guide to the best toilet brushes Are there more environmentally friendly cleaners available? Mix Clean Green toilet cleaner is not only one of the best plastic-free toilet cleaners on the market but also one of the most sustainable when it comes to active ingredients.

Hydrochloric acid is used for dealing with the most stubborn stains and limescale, as it’s perfect for breaking down all residues.

Animal testing and cruelty-free toilet cleaners

The stronger and more direct the product, the more likely it is to remove dirt and calcification with minimal scrubbing. However, some build-ups and stains can be incredibly stubborn and might even resist a strong cleaner and some intense scrubbing. If this sounds familiar, our top tip is to leave a product to sit overnight and then scrub down the bowl with (and we’re aware this may sound odd) a pumice stone. A recent Which? report (May 2021) stated that large bottles of household cleaning products used 47% less plastic and needed less space to be transported.

If you’re looking to run a more sustainable bathroom, one great swap you can make is with your toilet paper. Several others ( Bio-D, Fill Refill, Miniml, SESI, Sodasan, and Splosh) scored our best rating for stating that all of their palm ingredients, including derivatives, were certified by the RSPO. Promisingly, we have found a number of alternative products that offer a completely plastic-free solution to your dishwashing needs.Bleach does the job, but what is the job and is it necessary? As we live in the Age of Bacteria immunologist, Gerald N Callahan, sums up: 'Neither humans nor micro-organisms benefit from fully destroying the other. This is not a war, as it has often been described, even though we have an impressive array of weapons - bactericidal cribs and mattresses, toilet cleaners... If it were (a war), we would have lost long ago, overpowered by sheer numbers and evolutionary speed. This is... like a waltz that will last for all of human history. We must hold to our partners carefully and dance well.'"

Both hydrochloric acid and bleach are known for contributing to air pollution. Issues like acid rain and chemical fog, as well as producing airborne particles, leading to health concerns for both humans and pets. You can just add water at home, which significantly reduces carbon emissions during transport as well as high consumption of water during manufacturing.You can also look for bulk containers made from recycled plastics such as Bio-D’s 5 litre bottles or other innovative solutions such as Greenscents’ biopolymer bottles made from sugar cane waste. As toilets are naturally the perfect breeding ground for all sorts of germs and bacteria, it’s not surprising that many consumers find it hard to trust gentler cleaning solutions.