Provided are self-adhering cleaning compositions that may include (a) an adhesion promoter, (b) a glycine betaine ester, and (c) water. Commonly, the adhesion promoter may include at least one compound including one or more polyalkoxy groups and the glycine betaine ester may be a compound of formula (I): Me3N+—CH2—C(O)—O—R X− (I) wherein R is an aliphatic group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms and X″ represents an inorganic or organic anion. Typically, the composition is a gel and may have a gel melt temperature of about 55-80° C., a viscosity at 25° C. of at least about 150,000 cP, and/or a hardness of at least about 150 g. Methods for treating a hard surface, such as a toilet bowl, using the self-adhering cleaning compositions are also provided.