Let’s be honest – cleaning the bathroom isn’t very fun. It’s hard to keep your bathroom sparkling clean when you’re busy with other important tasks (like soaping, of course!) These Fizzy Toilet Fresheners are a great way to freshen your bathroom in between cleanings.
The combination of sodium bicarbonate and citric acid help fight stains. Once the freshener hits the water, it starts to fizz and release a fresh and clean scent from Lemon Essential Oil and Peppermint Essential Oil, 2nd Distillation. You can store them in an airtight container, like the Tall 8 oz. Plastic Bail Jar, and use them whenever your bathroom needs a pick me up.
These fizzies are great for freshening your toilet, but are not intended for use in the bathtub. Because they are strongly scented to mask bathroom odors, the excess amounts of essential oil can cause skin irritation.
What You’ll Need:
1/2 cup Sodium Bicarbonate
1/4 cup Citric Acid
Witch Hazel
12 mL Lemon Essential Oil
6 mL Peppermint Essential Oil, 2nd Distill
Droppers
Spiral Flower Wax Tart Mold
Optional: Tall 8 oz. Plastic Bail Jar
TWO: Add 12 mL of Lemon Essential Oil and 6 mL of Peppermint Essential Oil, 2nd Distillation.
THREE: Stir the essential oils into the baking soda and citric acid mixture. Using your hands is the easiest method. Wear gloves if you want to protect your manicure, as citric acid will dull nail polish.Note: These fizzies may smell quite strong as you’re mixing them together. They’re heavily scented so the fresh smell fills your whole bathroom!
FOUR: Check the moisture level of your fizzies. The mixture should be wet enough so when you squeeze the powder in your fist it holds its shape when you open your hand. If it doesn’t hold its shape, spritz with witch hazel. You want to spray enough so that the powders stick together and aren’t crumbly. Be careful though, because spraying too much can cause the mixture to fizz prematurely and ruin your fizzies. How much witch hazel you use depends on a number of factors, including the humidity in your area. We used about 6-8 spritzes of witch hazel on a rainy day in Washington state. Read more in the Sunday Night Spotlight: Witch Hazel post.
FIVE: Once the mixture holds its shape, pack it tightly into the mold. Make sure to pack the powder into the flower shape so the details are clear when they’re unmolded.
SIX: Leave the fizzies in the mold until they’re set up, which can take several hours or up to overnight. After they’re unmolded, drop a freshener into your toilet and let it fizz. When it’s done fizzing, flush and enjoy the clean scent!
What is your favorite quick and easy cleaning trick?
Fizzy Toilet Fresheners
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Sodium Bicarbonate
- 1/4 cup Citric Acid
- Witch Hazel
- 12 mL Lemon Essential Oil
- 6 mL Peppermint Essential Oil 2nd Distill
- Droppers
- Spiral Flower Wax Tart Mold
- Optional: Tall 8 oz. Plastic Bail Jar
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add the baking soda and citric acid and mix to combine. The baking soda and citric acid mixture may have clumps. You can use your fingers to break them up, or sift the powders through a strainer.
- Add 12 mL of Lemon Essential Oil and 6 mL of Peppermint Essential Oil, 2nd Distill.
- Stir the essential oils into the baking soda and citric acid mixture. Using your hands is the easiest method. Wear gloves if you want to protect your manicure, as citric acid will dull nail polish. Note: These fizzies may smell quite strong as you're mixing them together. They're heavily scented so the fresh smell fills your whole bathroom!
- Check the moisture level of your fizzies. The mixture should be wet enough so when you squeeze the powder in your fist it holds its shape when you open your hand. If it doesn't hold its shape, spritz with witch hazel. You want to spray enough so that the powders stick together and aren’t crumbly. Be careful though, because spraying too much can cause the mixture to fizz prematurely and ruin your fizzies. How much witch hazel you use depends on a number of factors, including the humidity in your area. We used about 6-8 spritzes of witch hazel on a rainy day in Washington state.
- Once the mixture holds its shape, pack it tightly into the mold. Make sure to pack the powder into the flower shape so the details are clear when they're unmolded.
- Leave the fizzies in the mold until they're set up, which can take several hours or up to overnight. After they're unmolded, drop a freshener into your toilet and let it fizz. When it's done fizzing, flush and enjoy the clean scent!
I can’t wait to try making these!! What would your advice be on adding borax to the recipe? Do you think it would be helpful? Thanks in advance!!
We haven’t given that a try, but it may help clean the toilet a bit more! I would recommend adding about 1/8th-1/4th cup to start. Make sure to use gloves when mixing, as the borax can irritate the skin. Then, you can test it in your bathroom to see if it works well. 🙂
Read more about borax here: https://soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/sunday-night-spotlight-borax/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I made these yesterday and left them out to dry overnight. Everything looked great, but, when I woke up this morning…………..I had golf balls, LOL. We just moved to South Mississippi from the Pacific Northwest and I guess trying this particular recipe in August, in the Deep South wasn’t my brightest idea. I’ve since read the comments about fizzies and humidity and will make more this winter. They’re a little strange looking, but, they work great. The fragrance in the bathrooms last for hours. I love them. Thank you for a great recipe.
Ha, humidity can definitely affect these fresheners! The great news is they will still work really nicely. Enjoy Pamela! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I can’t wait to try this recipe!
But before I give it a try, would it be safe to add a powdered bleach?
Like Ajax or comet?
We haven’t given that a try, so I’m not exactly sure! I would recommend making a small test batch (make sure to wear gloves). Then, you can give one a try in your bathroom to see how it works. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Do these go in the toilet bowl or the water tank? If they go in the bowl it doesn’t seem that it will clean the bowl above the water level.
Hi Nancy!
These fizzies go in the toilet bowl! They won’t clean above the water level. They are great for keeping the bowl fresh in between cleanings. They also leave a nice scent in the bathroom. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
It seems like that is a lot of Essential oils to put in them.. how much does this recipe make?
It is more essential oil than we usually add for recipes this size (6-8 fizzies)! That’s because they’re meant to add scent to a bathroom. If these were intended for use in the tub, you’d definitely want to use a lot less essential. The amount now makes your bathroom smell nice and fresh. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
can you add washing soda to this to make a freshener/cleaner?
Hi Cassandra!
We haven’t tried this recipe with washing soda, but I believe that would be OK! I would recommend starting off with about half as much washing soda as citric acid (1/8th cup). If you want more, you can add from there. More powder will make the fizzies a bit more dry, so you may need a couple more spritzes of witch hazel. I would also recommend a small test batch to see how they work. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
How can we wrap them to make sure they keep the fizziness for future uses?
Hi Farah!
We recommend wrapping the fizzies tightly with plastic wrap and placing them in an airtight jar. If left unwrapped, these fizzies can absorb moisture from the air and fizz too early. Plastic wrap will help keep them nice and fresh. 🙂
Read more about how to store your products here: https://soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I not sure what I doing wrong but my bombs start to “rise” in the mold. This has happened to be twice. Any suggestions?
Hey Kristie!
It sounds like the fizzies may be a bit wet! If the mixture is too wet, it will grow or expand out of the mold. This is especially the case if you live in a hot and humid environment.
What are you using to wet the fizzies? How much are you using? How long before the fizzies start to expand? Also, is your environment fairly humid? Let me know and we’ll get this figured out. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Silly question I am sure, BUT… do you drop these fizzies into the bowl or into the tank? If you drop them in the bowl I would think the scent and usefulness is done and over once you flush the toilet. If you drop them in the tank perhaps it would last a bit longer. How often do you use them in the BB bathrooms? Every day? Once a week? Thanks.
Hey Ronna!
That’s a great question! We typically drop the fizzies into the bowl of the toilet. We let them dissolve and remain in the toilet without flushing. That way, the fizzies have time to release lots of scent into the bathroom. Then, they are flushed when someone else uses the bathroom. We use our toilet fizzies several times a day.
We haven’t tried dropping them into the tank, so I’m not sure how that would work! I would recommend breaking off a small piece of fizzy to test in the tank and see how it works. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Can you use the toilet fizzles in an rv toilet/tank?
Hi Judith! I answered this question on the Top 10 Tutorials page as well. I’ll paste my answer below!
I’m not entirely sure! The toilet fizzies dissolve well in bathroom toilets, but I’m not sure about RV bathrooms. You may want to contact the RV dealership or a plumber to see if they’re OK to use. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I would like to know if you use fragrance oils (which I have lots of) on this how many drops of oil do you use? Also are the fragrance oils safe for your septic and toilet?
Hi Donna!
You can definitely use fragrance oils if you like! There are some great options out there that would make your bathroom smell nice and fresh, like Soapy Clean Fragrance Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Soapy-Clean-Fragrance-Oil-P3870.aspx
How much you use will depend on how strongly scented you want the fizzies! Because they won’t be used on skin, you can scent them strongly. I would recommend adding about 12 mL of fragrance and giving the mixture a sniff. If you want it a bit stronger, you can add more from there.
Also, I believe fragrance oils are safe for your septic and toilet! We have these fizzies in our office bathrooms and they work great. To be extra careful, you can check with your local plumber to make sure. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you so much! I did make these and just wanted to know are these supposed to be real hard or just to make sure they hold their shape or (easily breakable if you wanted to half them) when you remove them from silicone pan?
You’re welcome! So glad you got a chance to make them.
When you’re putting the mixture into the molds, they will be fairly soft and a little wet so they hold their shape nicely. When they’re fully dry, the fizzies should be fairly hard and hold their shape, but you should still be able to break them apart with a little pressure. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi Kelsey,
I just tried this and I love it!
Three Question:
1) What does the witch hazel do and do I need it?
2) I don’t want any fragrances I just want it to kill the odor. How can I make these without using the fragrances and what can I use to increase its odor killing properties?
3) How can make it fizzier?
Thanks for your time!
Dao
Hi Dao!
Witch hazel helps bind the mixture together! Depending on how wet your mixture is, you may not need it. When your mixture is together in the bowl, squeeze it in your hand. If it stays together, you don’t need any witch hazel. If not, spritz 1-2 times, mix and check again. Repeat that until the mixture stays together.
Read more about witch hazel here: https://soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-witch-hazel/
Learn more about making bath fizzies here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgODHmkSTqQ
We found the combination of essential oils in this recipe help make your bathroom smell nice and fresh. Baking soda on its own does help neutralize odors slightly though. If you want to leave these unscented you can. I would recommend making a small test batch to see if it helps neutralize odors on its own. 🙂
We do have deodorant additive, which helps neutralize odors. However, it is water soluble, which can cause the fizzies to go off prematurely. I would recommend making a small test batch with 3-5% deodorant additive and seeing how it goes: https://www.brambleberry.com/Deodorant-Additive-P5514.aspx
As for making it fizzier, I’m not entirely sure! You may try upping the citric acid slightly to see if that gives you more fizz. Again, a small test batch would be really helpful. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I LOVE all the fizzies recipes you have! Except I have one problem – I’m allergic to witch hazel. Is there something I can use instead of it?
So glad you’re loving the fizzy recipes Eryn! 🙂
To help moisten your fizzies, you can add oil to the recipe. You can add any oil you like! Avocado oil or sweet almond oil would feel great. Keep in mind oils can make your tub slippery, so use caution when getting out.
We used shea oil and cocoa butter in these Creamsicle Bath Truffles for some skin-loving moisture: https://soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/bath-fizzies/orange-creamsicle-bath-truffle/
Because of the extra oil, no witch hazel was required!
You can also use 99% isopropyl alcohol to help your fizzies stick together. We’ve found the fizzies crack more often with rubbing alcohol. I think a mixture of oil and alcohol would give you some nice fizzies. 🙂
99% isopropyl alcohol: https://www.brambleberry.com/99-Isopropyl-Alcohol-16-oz-P5682.aspx
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Avocado oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Avocado-Oil-P3198.aspx
Sweet almond oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Sweet-Almond-Oil-P3205.aspx
Thank-you so much, Kelsey! I’ve tried to figure out a replacement for some time now and could never find information! Other places I’ve asked have simply replied that they didn’t believe my allergy claim, so you’ve totally made my day! I have bottles of BB Avocado and Sweet Almond oil right behind me – I can’t wait to try this now (and the truffles!)!
Thanks again for your help! 🙂
You’re very welcome Eryn! Have fun making fizzies. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
What would happen if kids accidentally ingested a tablet or a small amount? Is it safe?
I’m a bit worried that they will try to eat it or if they touch it, they will put their hands in their mouths or eyes afterwards.
Hi Dao!
The ingredients in this recipe are not intended for consumption, so they can be harmful if swallowed. If the ingredients are swallowed, you should contact your doctor or poison control at 800-222-1222. If they come in contact with eyes, flush them with water and contact a doctor if necessary.
If you would like Material Safety Data Sheets on the ingredients in this recipe, you can email [email protected]. The MSDS Sheets list what do to in case of accidental ingestion or contact with eyes.
To be extra safe, I would recommend storing the tablets out of reach of children, or putting them in a child proof container. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Great recipe! I added 1/4 cup sls to it for extra cleaning power and it works wonders ☺ Scented it with Kentish Rain and my bathroom is smelling absolutely lovely all day long! Thank you!
I absolutely love Kentish Rain! It’s so fresh and clean, it would smell absolutely awesome in this recipe. So glad you like it. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Kentish Rain Fragrance Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Kentish-Rain-Fragrance-Oil-P3625.aspx
I just curious if a polyurethane mold would work for these as well. I’m imagining that they may break in their release due to the firmness of that mold. Would this be accurate? I have an unused poly mold I was thinking about tryin this out on, but if my theory is correct, I don’t really want to waste time or money. Any thoughts?
Hi Dawn!
We haven’t tested this fizzies in a polyurethane mold, so I can’t say for sure! I can tell you fizzies are fairly forgiving when it comes to molds. As long as they are dry, they tend to slide out of molds fairly easily! I would recommend making a mini batch of the fizzies and trying the mold out. That way you know if it works, and don’t have to worry about using a whole batch. Or, you could make a full batch and just make one fizzy in the mold for testing, and the other fizzies in a regular mold. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Hi,
I live in a very humid country (Indonesia). I have no luck in making any fizzies at all! Do you have any tips to help us in the humid region? I’d really like to have some bathroom fizzies. Sigh~
Hi Ira!
Humidity can be tricky when you’re making bath bombs. You may try running a fan over your fizzies while they dry. Another thing to consider investing in is a dehumidifer. You can keep that in your house while the fizzies are drying and it will help absorb the humidity. 🙂
Read more in the How to Store Handmade Bath Products post: https://soapqueen.com/bath-and-body-tutorials/tips-and-tricks/how-to-store-handmade-bath-products/
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Wow, these work really great! I’ve been using them all week and all of the stains in my toilet (that were really bugging me) are all gone! 🙂
-Cadence
That’s awesome, so glad to hear that Cadence! Thanks for letting us know how they’re working for you. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
شكرا الكم كتير نحنا سعداء بكم وبمجهودكم الله يعطيكم العافيه
So glad you like the tutorial! Thanks for your kind comment. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I made these last night and they were awesome! I used eucalyptus, lemongrass, and rosemary essential oil and it smelled great- like clean lemonade! I never even thought about toilet fizzes-what a great idea!
-Cadence
Hi Cadence!
That’s great to hear, so glad this recipe turned out well for you! I love that essential oil combination, it would create a fresh and herby scent. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Eucalyptus Essential Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Eucalyptus-Essential-Oil-P3818.aspx
Lemongrass Essential Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Lemongrass-Essential-Oil-P3822.aspx
Rosemary Essential Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Rosemary-Essential-Oil-P3817.aspx
Any reason why you could not use fragrance oil in these? I’m imagining my entire bathroom smelling like Autumn Fig… or better yet, Tobacco and Bay Leaf!
Hi Janelle!
You can definitely use fragrance oils if you like! I absolutely love Tobacco and Bay Leaf. That would smell amazing. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Autumn Fig Harvest Fragrance Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Autumn-Fig-Harvest-Fragrance-Oil-P5923.aspx
Tobacco and Bay Leaf Fragrance Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Tobacco-Bay-Leaf-Fragrance-Oil-P5801.aspx
Fantastic idea, thank You!
I was wondering, the essential oils you chose for this recipe, will they have any particular cleansing effect? (I guess I’m really asking about the peppermint, it has been a while but I don’t remember it being an especially strong antimicrobial or anticeptic oil?) I’d lean more towards using tea tree and lemon for some extra cleaning punch, or an evergreen for fragrance. (I have a minor personal addiction to pine and fir!) Am I right in thinking it is just possible a spice essential oil (like cinamon) might damage a toilet finish?
Hi Grey Dove!
The essential oils were added for a fresh clean scent, but I don’t believe they have any cleansing properties. You can definitely use Tea Tree and Lemon Essential Oils! That would smell amazing. 🙂
Tea Tree Essential Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Tea-Tree-Essential-Oil-P3834.aspx
Lemon Essential Oil: https://www.brambleberry.com/Lemon-Essential-Oil-P3418.aspx
We didn’t test spicy essential oils in this recipe, so I’m not entirely sure! The essential oils are diluted in the fizzy mixture, then diluted more in the toilet water. That makes me think the finish would be fine. However, you may want to ask a plumber just to be sure!
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thank you Kelsie!
You are most likely right about the spice oils being sufficiently diluted, however, having burned myself (literally) with a bath containing cinnamon oil when I first began experimenting with essential oils I tend to be cautius, maybe even over cautious!
Do think this is a fantastic idea whether you just use it for fragrance or a little extra cleansing. thank you all again for posting it!
Grey Dove
Hi there!
You’re welcome! Also, spice essential oils can definitely be on the strong side. Being cautious may be the best route. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Love the idea of getting some extra help in the bathroom cleaning area. Can you use RA instead of witch hazel?
Hi Monica!
We have tried making bath fizzies with rubbing alcohol and didn’t have a lot of luck. We found the fizzies fell apart more often, or had cracks in them. We definitely recommend using witch hazel. It helps those fizzies stay together without any cracks. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Sunday Night Spotlight: Witch Hazel: https://soapqueen.com/bramble-berry-news/sunday-night-spotlight-witch-hazel/
What a neat idea! i wouldn’t have thought about toilet fizzies, but makes sense. I’ll have to give this a go.
Hi Michael!
So glad you like the fizzies! We loved the idea of repurposing bath fizzies for other uses in the bathroom. 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Thanks for posting this, I’ve been wanting to make something similar, as I have 3 boys (including my hubby), who don’t tend to leave the bathroom smelling too great!! Now all we need is a mold shaped like a toilet!! That would be awesome! 🙂
Hi LuAnn!
You’re welcome, so glad you like the fizzies! We have some in the Bramble Berry bathrooms and they work great. Also, a toilet mold would be so funny! 🙂
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
I was looking up a whipped butter recipe I liked, so I don’t know how I got to this page….? But I’m glad I did, since I can agree that a toilet mold would be great (hmm, I’m sure there’s got to be miniature model toilets for those little doll-house things, right? And BB has that molding putty stuff…).
Also, new project that I already have most of the stuff for! Now my bathroom will no longer smell like industrial cleaner.
So glad you ended up on this page Karin, and that you like the recipe! A toilet mold would be so funny. If you make a mold with the Flexy Fast Molding Putty, we would love to see it! You can share that on our Bramble Berry Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BrambleBerry?ref=hl
-Kelsey with Bramble Berry
Flexy Fast Molding Putty: https://www.brambleberry.com/Flexy-Fast-Molding-Putty-P4444.aspx