There's More Than One Way to Clean a Toilet
Walk down the cleaning aisle of any Australian supermarket and you'll find at least three or four different approaches to keeping your toilet clean: in-tank tablets, toilet brushes, liquid bowl cleaners, and now Blop.
They're not all doing the same thing, and they're not all equal in terms of convenience, value, or effectiveness. Here's an honest comparison.
Blop vs In-Tank Toilet Tablets
In-tank tablets are probably the closest product to Blop in terms of format. Both sit inside the cistern and release cleaning agents into the water with each flush. So what's the difference?
Longevity Blop lasts up to 900 flushes, which works out to roughly three months for a single-person household. Most in-tank tablets dissolve continuously in the water, even between flushes, which means they typically last between 100 and 300 flushes regardless of how often you actually use the toilet. You end up replacing them far more often.
Residue This is one of the more significant differences. Many in-tank tablets leave a residue inside the cistern as they dissolve, which can build up on internal components over time. Blop is residue-free. The gel releases only when water flows through it during a flush, and it leaves nothing behind on the cistern walls or fittings.
Septic safety Blop is safe for septic systems. In-tank tablets vary considerably on this front. Some are formulated to be septic-safe, many are not, and the labelling isn't always clear. If you're on a septic system, this is worth checking carefully before using a tablet.
Fragrance Blop includes a light fragrance. Some in-tank tablets do too, and some don't.
Value for money A single Blop retails at AU$24.50 and lasts up to three months. Most in-tank tablets cost AU$5 to $6 and last one to two weeks. Over a three-month period, you'd typically spend AU$30 to $40 on tablets to achieve the same coverage, and you'd be replacing them every couple of weeks.
Blop vs Rim Toilet Blocks
Rim toilet blocks are the small cleaning cages or baskets that clip onto the inside of the toilet bowl rim. They're a common sight in Australian bathrooms and work by releasing cleaning agents each time water flows over them during a flush. Here's how they compare to Blop.
Cleaning coverage This is one of the key differences. Rim blocks clean the bowl only, since they sit on the rim and are activated by water flowing down from above. Blop cleans from the cistern through to the bowl, including areas under the rim that rim blocks can't always reach effectively.
The block itself Rim blocks clip onto the bowl, which means they're visible inside the toilet at all times. They can also get in the way when scrubbing the bowl, and over time they collect residue and debris from the water and the bowl surface. Blop sits out of sight inside the cistern and doesn't interfere with anything inside the bowl.
Longevity Blop lasts up to 900 flushes. Most rim toilet blocks last between 150 and 300 flushes, meaning you're replacing them two to three times more often over the same period.
Fragrance Blop includes fragrance. Rim blocks vary — some include fragrance, some don't.
Septic safety Blop is safe for septic systems. Rim blocks, like in-tank tablets, vary considerably on this point. Some are formulated to be septic-safe, others are not, and it's not always easy to tell from the packaging.
Value for money Rim toilet blocks typically cost AU$7 to $8 and last one to two weeks. Over a three-month period, you'd be spending AU$42 to $48 to maintain the same coverage. Blop at AU$24.50 covers the same period for roughly half the cost.
Blop vs Toilet Bowl Cleaners (Liquid or Powder)
Liquid and powder toilet bowl cleaners are effective at what they do, but they work differently from Blop in a fundamental way.
How they work Liquid and powder cleaners are applied directly to the bowl, left to sit for several minutes, and then scrubbed and flushed away. They're a manual, active cleaning method. Blop is passive: it works automatically with every flush without any intervention.
Automatic cleaning This is the biggest practical difference. A liquid cleaner requires you to remember to do it, set aside time, apply the product, wait, and scrub. Blop simply runs in the background. For busy households, this distinction matters.
Longevity A standard bottle of liquid cleaner typically covers 35 to 70 cleaning sessions, depending on how much you use per application. Blop covers up to 900 flushes. That said, comparing these directly is a bit like comparing apples and oranges, since liquid cleaners are used periodically rather than with every flush.
Septic safety Many common liquid and powder toilet cleaners contain bleach or strong acids, which can disrupt the bacterial balance in septic systems. Blop is formulated without harsh bleach or corrosive acids and is safe for septic use.
Fragrance and residue Most liquid cleaners include fragrance. They are also residue-free after rinsing. On these two points, they're comparable to Blop.
Value for money A bottle of liquid toilet cleaner costs roughly AU$5 to $6 and covers 35 to 70 individual cleans. Blop at AU$24.50 provides passive cleaning with every single flush for up to three months, without requiring any effort between replacements.
So Which One Is Right for You?
Honestly, it depends on what you're looking for.
If you want a set-and-forget solution that cleans your toilet automatically with every flush, doesn't require scrubbing, is safe for septic systems, and works out to be cost-effective over time, Blop is hard to beat.
If you have a particularly stubborn stain or visible build-up that needs immediate attention, a targeted liquid cleaner or a scrub with a brush might still be useful as a one-off treatment. Blop is designed for ongoing maintenance, not for tackling major existing build-up.
The most practical approach for most households is to use Blop as the everyday baseline and reach for a targeted cleaner only when something specific needs addressing. For most people, that ends up being rarely.
In Summary
- In-tank tablets are the most similar to Blop in format, but Blop lasts significantly longer, is residue-free, and is reliably safe for septic systems
- Rim toilet blocks only clean the bowl, last significantly fewer flushes than Blop, and vary on septic safety and fragrance
- Liquid and powder bowl cleaners are effective for targeted cleaning but require active effort each time and often contain bleach or acids that aren't suitable for septic systems
- Blop provides automatic, passive cleaning with every flush at a cost that works out to be competitive over time
Common Questions:
How is Blop different from in-tank toilet tablets?
Both sit inside the cistern, but Blop lasts significantly longer (up to 900 flushes versus 100 to 300 for most tablets), is residue-free, and is safe for septic systems. Many in-tank tablets dissolve continuously even when the toilet isn't being flushed, which shortens their lifespan.
How does Blop compare to rim toilet blocks?
Rim blocks clip onto the bowl rim and clean the bowl only. Blop sits inside the cistern and cleans from the tank through to the bowl with every flush. Blop also lasts significantly longer (up to 900 flushes versus 150 to 300 for most rim blocks) and works out to be more cost-effective over time.
Is Blop better than liquid toilet cleaner?
They do different jobs. Liquid cleaners are applied manually for targeted cleaning. Blop works passively with every flush for ongoing maintenance. For most households, Blop handles the day-to-day and a liquid cleaner is kept on hand for the occasional deeper clean.
Is Blop safe for septic systems?
Yes. Unlike many in-tank tablets and liquid cleaners that contain bleach or strong acids, Blop's formula is safe for septic systems. For more detail, see our full guide: Is Blop Safe to Use with Septic Systems?
How much does Blop cost compared to other methods?
A single Blop costs AU$24.50 and lasts up to three months. Over the same period, in-tank tablets would typically cost AU$30 to $40, toilet brush cleaner roughly AU$30 to $35, and liquid bowl cleaner varies depending on frequency of use. Buying Blop in multi-packs reduces the per-unit cost further.
Will Blop replace my need to ever scrub the toilet?
Blop significantly reduces how often scrubbing is needed by keeping the bowl consistently clean with every flush. But for stubborn stains, existing build-up, or periodic deep cleaning, a manual clean may still be worthwhile. Blop is best thought of as an ongoing maintenance tool rather than a replacement for all manual cleaning.