I was using just vinegar, which worked pretty well. Don't both diluting it - the stuff you get in most grocery stores is already a 5% solution in water, and anything stronger is unnecessary for normal household use.

When my husband and mother both bought cleaners for the new house, I ended up using all-purpose cleaner (with a disinfectant) on the inside of the bowl. A few sprays, ten minutes, and a few brushes keeps it looking clean. I haven't noticed a buildup.

Mind you, this is a temporary fix so I can use the product up faster, as I don't like throwing away useful cleaning products, even if they're not organic. When I'm done this cleanser I'll go back to vinegar.

You may also want to check the humidity of your bathroom - none of ours have windows and aren't well-ventilated, and I've noticed they need more cleaning than our apartment toilet did.

*don't bother diluting - sorry

I've used Borax and also vinegar. They both work well without much more elbow grease than traditional products. I've heard that a can of cola works too. Haven't tried it yet.

I used the 7th Generation too, and had the same problem. I'd let it sit for a long time, did it multiple times, every other day...it just doesn't work as well. I switched to "Earth Friendly Products" Toilet Kleener and so far, so good. You can prob. get it online, but I bought it at Whole Foods. Good Luck!

We have been using Method's cleaner and have had no problems at all.

I find that it's easier to use other people's toilets, that way mine stays clean and fresh all the time.
:0)

Ditto on the Borax. Inexpensive and comes in a cardboard box.

Dropping a chewable vitamin C tablet in the bowl at night is supposed to help. (I heard this on a Natural Mom's Talk Radio podcast featuring www.broomhuggers.com.)

um, if its mineral build-up from urine stains/harsh water use a pumice stone. It won't scratch the porcelain I promise!

Buildup of gunk is less likely if you keep the water moving around, but if you can't do that or flush often, then try dropping some anti-acid tablet in there or citrus juice?

I think it's just the trade-off of using less harsh chemicals to clean with. Many commercial cleaners leave behind a residue that coats the bowl and will prevent the quick build-up of gunk and natural cleaners just don't have that kind of staying power.

My solution is just to keep a bottle of all-purpose spray under the bathroom sink and give it a spritz every few days. Keeping the humidity down also helps.

I use a brush when necessary. Other than that, just a spritz with a tea tree oil/water solution is the only "cleaner" I use. My bowl doesn't get all that dirty so it doesn't require a lot of cleaning.

I used to be addicted to Comet, but now I just sprinkle a few tablespoons of oxygen bleach powder in the bowl, add some Biokleen concentrated all purpose cleaner (the one with grapefruit in it), scrub and then let it sit for a few minutes so the bleach has time to do its thing. Pretty much any liquid soap or detergent works fine in place of the concentrated cleaner, you just have to use more if it's not concentrated. Dishwashing liquid or hand soap has worked for me in the past, in combination with the oxygen bleach powder.

This technique seems to work just as well as Comet ever did, without leaving my bathroom in a chlorine-bleach-y haze.

A belated thanks to everyone for the advice. I've been spraying down the bowl with vinegar after I scrub it, and I haven't had any more problems. Thanks!

One observation: sometimes a less toxic alternative *does* mean a bit more vigor is required of you.