Toilet cleaners all promise a fresh bowl, but what goes into them — and how well they work — can vary a lot. In this side-by-side, we’re comparing the top-performing eco and non-eco options at a similar price point, to see which really delivers.
Each product is ranked using our core scoring criteria:
- ✨ Cleaning Power
- 🫧 User Experience
- ⭐ Customer Feedback
We also show:
- 💷 Cost per Use — for context, not scored
- ♻️ Eco Rating — transparency only
This isn’t about branding, bottle shape, or who shouts loudest. It’s about which cleaner gets the job done — and whether the eco option can truly hold its own.
Eco Pick: Ecover Toilet Cleaner – Pine & Mint
- ✨ Cleaning Power: 3.9 / 5
- 💷 Cost: £1.80 (750ml)
- 🫧 User Experience: Mild pine-mint scent, bleach-free, easy to use
- ⭐ Customer Feedback: A favourite in eco households, praised for scent and gentleness
- ♻️ Eco Rating: 3.8 / 5
- ⭐Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.2
Non-Eco Pick: Harpic Active Fresh Toilet Cleaner
✨ Cleaning Power: 4.3
🫧 User Experience: Strong scent, thick formula, but occasional overpour
⭐ Customer Feedback: Widely used, trusted for value and reliable results
♻️ Eco Rating: 2.0 – Contains synthetic surfactants, no refill, not biodegradable
💷 £1.30 (600ml) – Standard size, widely stocked
⭐ Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3
Final Verdict: Two Very Different Paths to a Clean Toilet
Both Harpic Active Fresh and Ecover Pine & Mint deliver reliable everyday cleaning — but they take very different approaches.
Harpic offers strong performance in a familiar format. It’s fast-acting, widely available, and trusted for regular maintenance. But it relies on harsher ingredients, has a stronger chemical scent, and offers no refill option.
Ecover, by contrast, delivers a gentler clean using biodegradable ingredients and refillable packaging. And despite its eco-first design, it’s competitively priced — in fact, it’s slightly more cost-effective per 100ml than Harpic when refills are considered.
With cleaning power this close and price no longer a barrier, it raises a clear question: is there really any reason not to go green for your everyday toilet cleaner?
❓ FAQs
Do eco toilet cleaners actually work?
Yes — the best ones do. While they may not match harsh chemical products for deep grime, they’re often just as effective for regular use and general maintenance.
What do you score and what don’t you?
Only Cleaning Power, User Experience, and Customer Feedback are scored.
Eco Rating and Cost per Use are shown for transparency, but don’t affect the final score.
What does it mean that Ecover is owned by SC Johnson?
Ecover’s parent company, SC Johnson, has a mixed environmental record. While the Ecover product remains refillable and biodegradable, we cap its Eco Rating at 3.8 / 5 due to corporate ownership concerns.
⚠️ Disclaimer
All product scores are based on editorial testing, customer feedback, and publicly available reviews.
Prices, availability, and product formulas may change over time.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click through and buy, we may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. This helps support the site and keeps comparisons like this free to read.
Always follow product usage and safety instructions. Products listed are intended for UK households.
Consumers Lens 