How to Make DIY Toilet Bombs for Easy Bathroom Cleaning

Keeping your bathroom fresh and clean doesn’t have to involve a cabinet full of cleaning products.

These DIY toilet bombs are simple to make with just a few ingredients, and you can prepare a batch ahead of time so they’re ready whenever your toilet needs a quick refresh.

Baking soda helps absorb odors, while citric acid provides the fizzing action that helps loosen buildup in the toilet bowl. Essential oil is optional, but it can add a fresh scent. Once the toilet bombs are made, simply store them in an airtight container and drop one into the bowl on cleaning day.

What You’ll Need

• Baking soda
• Citric acid
• Essential oil of your choice, optional
• Water
• Mixing bowl
• Fork
• Spray bottle
• Silicone mold, meatballer, or melon baller
• Airtight storage container

1. Combine the baking soda and citric acid

Add the baking soda and citric acid to a mixing bowl and use a fork to combine them thoroughly.

Citric acid can sometimes be a little difficult to find in stores. I found mine at Walmart near the Mason jars and canning supplies. If you can’t find it locally, it’s also commonly sold with canning ingredients.

2. Add essential oil

If you’d like your toilet bombs to have a fresh scent, add your favorite essential oil. I used approximately 35 to 40 drops for my batch.

Essential oil is completely optional, especially if you or your guests are sensitive to fragrances. Mix thoroughly to distribute the oil throughout the dry ingredients.

3. Lightly mist the mixture with water

Fill a spray bottle with water and lightly mist the mixture. Use your fork to fluff and mix everything together as you go.

The key here is to add the water gradually. You don’t want to soak the ingredients or cause the citric acid and baking soda to start reacting before you use the toilet bombs.

Continue lightly misting and mixing until the ingredients begin to clump together when pressed.

4. Press the mixture into a mold

Once the mixture holds together, transfer it to your mold. I used snowflake-shaped silicone molds for the holidays, but you can use virtually any shape you like.

Gently but firmly press the mixture into each section of the mold so the toilet bombs hold their shape once they’re dry.

You can also make round toilet bombs using a meatballer. Press the mixture firmly into the meatballer with your finger to create a compact ball. For smaller bombs, a melon baller works well.

5. Let the toilet bombs dry overnight

Leave the toilet bombs in their molds and allow them to dry overnight. Giving them plenty of time to dry helps them become firm enough to remove and store without crumbling.

Once completely dry, carefully remove them from the molds and transfer them to an airtight container. Keep the container somewhere dry so moisture doesn’t activate the ingredients prematurely.

6. Drop one into the toilet bowl

When it’s time to clean the toilet, drop one toilet bomb directly into the bowl and let it fizz.

Give it a little time to work, then use your toilet brush to give the bowl a quick scrub. Flush when you’re finished, and your toilet is clean and refreshed.

Try smaller bombs for the garbage disposal

These homemade cleaning bombs aren’t limited to the toilet. I also like to make smaller versions with a melon baller and use them to freshen the garbage disposal.

Just remember to store all of your cleaning bombs clearly labeled and safely away from children and pets.

An easy cleaning staple to make ahead

Making a batch of DIY toilet bombs ahead of time gives you a convenient option whenever the bathroom needs a quick clean and refresh. You can experiment with different molds, sizes, and scents, or leave out the fragrance entirely.

Make a batch, allow them to dry overnight, and keep them in an airtight container so you’ll always have a toilet bomb ready to go on cleaning day.

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