Affordable Toilet Cleaners Effective for Removing Grime from Surfaces and Furniture
In the latest issue of Stiftung Warentest's magazine (Issue 8/2025), 19 WC cleaners were put to the test. The results reveal some surprising findings about the effectiveness of these products, particularly in relation to their anti-calc claims and long-term usage.
Firstly, all test tiles sprayed with hard water showed visible calcite deposits after the specified number of flushes, indicating that no WC cleaner tested effectively prevented calcite deposits after a maximum of ten flushes. This suggests that the anti-calc effect of WC cleaners, as claimed by manufacturers, may not be reliable in the long run.
The test results also did not indicate any significant difference between the top-performing WC cleaners and those with lower ratings in terms of preventing calcite deposits. Similarly, they did not suggest that the top-performing WC cleaners were more effective than others in delivering on their anti-calc claims.
However, it's important to note that Stiftung Warentest did not specify if the effectiveness of WC cleaners on calcite and dirt, when left to work for longer, was part of their testing. Stubborn calcite and dirt, such as in the drain pipe, may require leaving a WC cleaner to work for longer, like overnight, according to Stiftung Warentest.
The three top-performing WC cleaners, with an overall score of 1.9, are Aldi Clinair Intensiv WC-Reiniger Fresh Lemondm, Denkmit WC-Reiniger Ozean, and Edeka Gut & Günstig WC Reiniger Zitrone. These cleaners clean well and are less harmful to waters. Each of these top-performing cleaners costs around 10 cents per 100 millilitres.
Rossmann Domol Urinstein & Kalklöser, with an overall score of 2.0, was rated "good" but cleans "very good" and is more harmful to waters. It's worth noting that the cost of Rossmann Domol Urinstein & Kalklöser was not specified in the article.
According to Stiftung Warentest, WC cleaners that advertise an "anti-calc effect" or promise long-lasting cleanliness can, over the long term, have some negative consequences. Specifically, these cleaners often contain strong acids or other aggressive chemicals that, while effective at preventing limescale and keeping the toilet clean, may:
- Damage toilet surfaces: Prolonged use can erode or dull the glaze of ceramic toilets, potentially leading to micro-cracks where dirt and bacteria accumulate more easily. - Harm plumbing components: Harsh chemicals might degrade rubber seals, plastics, and metal parts inside the toilet or adjacent plumbing, shortening their lifespan. - Promote chemical buildup: Some substances can leave residues that attract dirt or reduce cleaning efficiency over time if not rinsed properly.
Stiftung Warentest generally recommends using such products sparingly and following instructions carefully, opting when possible for milder cleaners or regular mechanical cleaning to avoid these long-term issues.
For precise details and test results, you may want to consult the latest Stiftung Warentest reports on toilet cleaning products. Six WC cleaners received a "good" rating, seven were "satisfactory", four were "adequate", and two were "deficient".
- In the realm of personal-finance and home-and-garden, one might consider switching to a less harmful WC cleaner that does not have an 'anti-calc effect' or promise long-lasting cleanliness to preserve the environment and one's home's longevity.
- When shopping for product-reviews on the latest Stiftung Warentest's magazine (Issue 8/2025), it's essential to consider the lifestyle implications of using WC cleaners containing strong acids or other aggressive chemicals that may harm the toilet surfaces, plumbing components, and contribute to chemical buildup, leading to long-term issues.
- In the pursuit of environmental-friendly choices and maintaining a sustainable personal-finance, one could opt for more eco-friendly WC cleaners with milder ingredients while keeping in mind the consumer reports from Stiftung Warentest, which judged six WC cleaners as 'good,' seven as 'satisfactory,' four as 'adequate,' and two as 'deficient.'
