Toilet bowl cleaner contains a number of active ingredients which help to remove germs and stains from the inside of the toilet, as well as unwanted odours. It varies from brand to brand, but the standard ingredients in toilet cleaner include hydrochloric acid, chlorine bleach, citric acid and sodium lauryl sulfate.
Hydrochloric acid is used to remove stains and leave a sparkling finish, while chlorine bleach kills germs and bleaches stains. Sodium lauryl sulphate is a wetting agent, reducing the surface tension of water so that the other ingredients can get rid of dirt more effectively. Citric acid is a benign agent that offers slightly acidic cleaning properties, as well as a pleasant scent.
The ingredients in toilet cleaners tend to be hazardous to health, so you should always follow safety instructions before cleaning.
Toilet bowl cleaner is usually sprayed around the rim and into the bowl of the toilet. It is left for a short while to go to work on stains and germs, before a toilet brush is used to remove stubborn marks.