Keeping toilets clean is essential for maintaining hygiene and preventing the spread of diseases like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. In many homes across Malawi—especially in rural and semi-urban areas—access to commercial toilet cleaning products can be limited due to cost or availability. The good news is that there are natural, affordable alternatives that work effectively using materials found around most Malawian homes.
In this blog post, we will explore four powerful natural toilet cleaners you can make at home: salt, lime, ash, and boiling water. These items are not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly and chemical-free.
1. Salt [Mchere]: A Powerful Disinfectant.
Salt (Mchere) is one of the most accessible cleaning agents in Malawian households. It has natural antibacterial and abrasive properties that make it effective at scrubbing off dirt, removing odors, and killing germs in toilets.
How to Use Salt for Cleaning Toilets:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of salt (kapu imodzi ya munyu wamba)
- 1 old brush or cleaning stick
- 1 liter of warm water (madzi wotentha pang’ono)
Steps:
- Pour the salt directly into the toilet bowl or on stained surfaces.
- Use a brush to scrub the surfaces, especially under the rim and around stains.
- Leave it to sit for 10–15 minutes to absorb odors and kill bacteria.
- Rinse with warm water.
Salt works best when used regularly—at least twice a week—to maintain freshness and prevent buildup.
Extra Tip:
Mixing salt with vinegar or lemon juice (jinja wa mandimu) can enhance its cleaning power, especially for stubborn stains.
2. Lime [mandimu]: Natural Acid for Stain Removal.
Lime (mandimu), or lemon, contains citric acid which helps break down tough stains, kill bacteria, and leave a fresh citrus scent. This is a great natural cleaner, especially in households where mandimu is grown in the garden or bought cheaply at the market.
How to Use Lime for Cleaning Toilets:
Ingredients:
- 2–3 fresh limes (mandimu atatu)
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda (optional)
- A brush or toilet mop
Steps:
- Cut the limes and squeeze the juice into the toilet bowl.
- If available, add baking soda to create a fizzy reaction that loosens grime.
- Use the lime peels to scrub the toilet surfaces.
- Let it sit for about 20 minutes.
- Flush with clean water.
Lime not only removes stains but also neutralizes bad odors (kununkhira koyipa), leaving the toilet smelling fresh.
Extra Tip:
You can store squeezed lime juice in a bottle and mix it with water to make a spray cleaner for daily toilet maintenance.
3. Ash [phulusa]: A Traditional, Effective Scrubber
Ash (phulusa) from burned firewood or charcoal is a common item in Malawian kitchens. It contains alkaline properties which are effective at neutralizing acids and breaking down waste buildup. For generations, people in the village have used ash to clean pots and dishes—and it works well for toilets too.
How to Use Ash for Cleaning Toilets:
Ingredients:
- 1–2 cups of clean ash (phulusa lopanda zinyalala)
- An old scrubbing brush or coconut husk (khwangwala wa mchenga)
- A bucket of water
Steps:
- Sprinkle ash generously into the toilet bowl or latrine pit.
- Use your scrubbing tool to rub the surfaces well.
- Let it rest for 10 minutes to absorb moisture and odor.
- Flush or rinse with water.
Ash helps remove slippery grime, eliminates smells, and leaves the toilet looking cleaner. It’s best used weekly or after heavy toilet use.
Safety Note:
Always ensure the ash is cool and not mixed with plastic or toxic materials. Use only ash from wood or charcoal.
4. Boiling Water [madzi otentha kwambiri]: Simple But Powerful
Boiling water (madzi otentha kwambiri) is one of the simplest and most effective toilet cleaning methods. It helps break down clogs, kill germs, and loosen hardened dirt in pipes or toilet bowls.
How to Use Boiling Water for Cleaning Toilets:
Ingredients:
- 2–4 liters of boiling water (depending on the size of the toilet)
- Optional: A handful of salt or a dash of vinegar
Steps:
- Boil water using firewood, charcoal, or a gas/electric stove.
- Carefully pour the water into the toilet bowl, targeting dirty areas.
- Allow it to sit for 10–15 minutes.
- Flush the toilet to rinse.
Hot water is especially effective at dissolving greasy or smelly buildup in toilet pipes (mapayipi a chimbudzi). Use it with care to avoid splashing or burning yourself.
Extra Tip:
Pouring boiling water down the drain once a week also helps prevent blockages and reduces bad smells from septic tanks (zimbudzi zokha).
Combining Natural Methods for Maximum Effect
While each of these natural cleaners works well on its own, combining them can lead to even better results. For example:
- Ash + Lime: This combo gives you both scrubbing power and stain removal.
- Salt + Boiling Water: This pairing enhances disinfection and smell control.
- Lime + Salt + Baking Soda: Great for a weekly deep clean and odor elimination.
You can create a cleaning schedule that rotates between these methods depending on what’s available in your home at any time.
Why Use Natural Toilet Cleaners?
Besides saving money, natural toilet cleaners offer several key benefits:
- Eco-Friendly: No harsh chemicals that harm the environment or groundwater.
- Safe for Children: No risk of poisoning from bleach or synthetic cleaners.
- Easy to Make: All ingredients are locally available in Malawi.
- Multi-purpose: These items can also clean kitchens, bathrooms, and even floors.
Final Thoughts
Clean toilets are not just about appearance—they are about health, dignity, and comfort. In Malawi, where many families live with limited water and cleaning supplies, natural solutions like salt (munyu), lime (mandimu), ash (phulusa), and boiling water (madzi otentha) can make a big difference. They are affordable, available, and effective when used properly.
Try one of these methods this week and see the change for yourself. You don’t have to wait for expensive products from shops. Nature has already provided us with powerful tools right at home.
Which method will you try first? Do you know other local solutions that work well for toilet cleaning in Malawi? Share in the comments or with your community—because clean living begins with local knowledge.
You may also want to learn How to Make A Pit Latrine Smell Fresh : Using Local Resources in Malawi.
