There’s nothing quite like a clean, clutter-free home. But so many cleaning products contain ingredients that most of us can’t pronounce, let alone recognize. That’s why non-toxic cleaning products are ballooning in popularity as households everywhere focus on health and sustainability.
As an eco-conscious mom of two, I know the importance of using non-toxic cleaning products in my home. Not only am I concerned about the environmental impact of using products that contain chemicals or come in bulky plastic jugs, but I also want to ensure that my kids grow up healthy and learn sustainable behaviors from me. Below, I’ll share what I found after reviewing the best low- and non-toxic cleaning products for every room, so that you can detoxify your cleaning routine and set a good example for your family.
Traditional cleaning products promise to eliminate bacteria and make our homes sparkling clean. But many products use potentially harmful chemicals to achieve this goal. Non-toxic cleaning products can keep your home clean and germ-free without yucky ingredients that can harm your health and the environment.
Here’s what I found about the health benefits and environmental impact of using non-toxic cleaning products.
Using non-toxic cleaning products in your home can reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals. That makes it safer for children and pets.
Research suggests that many cleaning products increase exposure to primary and secondary air pollutants. When we use these products in our home, we inadvertently inhale, absorb, and ingest these pollutants into our bodies. This can aggravate asthma and increase the risk of developing COPD.
I don’t know about you, but I’d prefer to keep those chemicals out of my home and away from my kids.
Cleaning chemicals can also hurt the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), chemical cleaners often release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the atmosphere, contributing to smog formation. Surfactants, a common ingredient in cleaning products, can become toxic when they undergo biodegradation, posing a threat to aquatic life.
Choosing non-toxic cleaning products with biodegradable ingredients can help reduce water and air pollution, thereby keeping the planet in better shape for future generations.
When you’re giving your cleaning closet a makeover, you need to know what to avoid. The following ingredients can be harmful to your health and the environment:
Now you know what to avoid, here are the non-toxic cleaning products I recommend for every room.
The biggest challenges in the kitchen include grease, food residue, and surfaces that come into contact with food. When you’re scrubbing your kitchen, the last thing you want is a leftover chemical residue that your kids ingest alongside their chicken nuggets and mac and cheese.
I stick with non-toxic kitchen cleaners that cut through grease and grime without affecting my family’s health.
Recommended Products:
DIY Tip: In a pinch, mix vinegar and baking soda for a natural kitchen degreaser.
Your bathroom is susceptible to mold, mildew, and soap scum—not to mention all the usual grime that accumulates on your sink and around your toilet. You might be tempted to spray your toilet with chlorine to kill all the germs, but there’s a more eco-friendly option.
I use non-toxic cleaners specifically designed for the bathroom to ensure that germs and bacteria are banished without the unpleasant side effects.
Recommended Products:
DIY Tip: Use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda for grout cleaning.
If your living room is anything like mine, you probably fight a daily battle with dust, allergens, and upholstery stains. And your dining room constantly shows signs of last night’s dinner that no one had time to clean up properly.
These are the non-toxic products I prefer for my living and dining rooms.
Recommended Products:
DIY Tip: Use olive oil and lemon juice for polishing wooden furniture.
Your bedroom should be a peaceful and tranquil place, but unless you wash your sheets daily, they can start to smell less than fresh. Additionally, dust mites can accumulate on surfaces in your room, exacerbating symptoms of allergies and asthma.
I keep my bedroom fresh and clean with a couple of different eco-friendly cleaning products.
Recommended Products:
DIY Tip: Sprinkle baking soda on mattresses, let sit, then vacuum to remove odors.
My four-person household produces more laundry than I can handle most days. My kids have sensitive skin, so traditional detergent makes them break out. My laundry room used to be a colossal mess with various bulky plastic detergent jugs lining the shelves—but then I discovered non-toxic laundry detergent sheets, and I’ve never looked back.
My top recommended products clean just as well as toxic laundry detergent, but without any of those harsh chemicals. And, since those bulky jugs have gone, my laundry room has never been tidier!
Recommended Products:
DIY Tip: Use white vinegar as a natural fabric softener.
The biggest challenges in my garage are oil stains and chemical residues. It’s tempting to use chemicals to remove these stains and residues, but there are natural cleaners that work just as well as their chemical-laden counterparts.
Recommended Products:
DIY Tip: Use baking soda paste for oil stain removal on concrete..
If you’ve always used chemical cleaners in your home, it might seem daunting to make the switch to non-toxic cleaning. I’ve been there; when I first decided to ditch the chemicals in favor of plant-based alternatives, I didn’t know where to start. Plus, replacing all your cleaning supplies at once can add up—and, as a cost-conscious mom, I didn’t want to blow hundreds of dollars at once.
But making the transition doesn’t have to be daunting. Here are some tips that helped me along my non-toxic cleaning journey.
Switching to non-toxic cleaning products can have a positive impact on your family’s health and the environment. If you’re ready to take steps toward a healthier home, this guide will help you along the way. Take it from this practical suburban mom: you won’t regret ditching the chemicals.
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“My sheets have never felt cleaner. I’m hooked.”
“Finally — detergent that actually works and doesn’t take up half the shelf.”
“Hey Sunday WORKS. Great for stains, and no buildup in the washer.”
“We switched from liquid. The scent is amazing and it saves us money.”
“I’ve got total control with HeySunday. I’ll never go back to powder.”
“My sheets have never felt cleaner. I’m hooked.”
“Finally — detergent that actually works and doesn’t take up half the shelf.”
“Hey Sunday WORKS. Great for stains, and no buildup in the washer.”
“We switched from liquid. The scent is amazing and it saves us money.”
“I’ve got total control with HeySunday. I’ll never go back to powder.”