Cleaning Up Your Cleaning Products
**Updated January 2019**
I’ve gotten so many requests about green cleaning products lately! It’s funny, because on the flip side, I’ve also had people ask why it matters since you’re not directly consuming it or applying to your body. Honestly, with small kids and a dog, no surface is safe from being touched, eaten off of or even licked in my house (seriously, I even found Bosco just licking some random spot on the wall!). The even bigger issue though, is how it effects your home air quality, since fumes from the chemicals in cleaning products can off-gas long after your scouring session is over- not to mention the fake fragrance that most use are loaded with known allergens and carcinogens. So lets break down some cleaner options!
There are a few brands that are free of the toxic stuff but still really perform. This is also one of the few areas that I do DIY recipes or go basic with stuff you find in your pantry. In fact, I think I use white vinegar far more than any other product! Not only does it clean well and evaporate quickly, it also disinfects. So here are my top picks by room/task:
Kitchen:
All Purpose/Multi Surface: Whole Foods Market All Purpose Cleaner or a solution of white vinegar and water.
Stainless Steel: Vinegar Solution or rub olive oil on to polish.
Scrub (for stovetop or sink, etc): Bon Ami
Dish Soap: Better Life
Dishwasher: Ecover Tabs (read my review here)
Deodorizer (fridge, under sink): plain Baking Soda
Bathroom:
Toilet: Just plain Baking Soda
Shower/Bath: I generally use the vinegar solution I mentioned above along with a scrubbing powder or I use Truce All-Purpose Cleaner
Scrub: Bon Ami
Counter Tops: Vinegar solution
Floors:
I use the vinegar solution with a spray mop like this. I swear its just as easy as swiffer and far less toxic! Sometimes I mix Dr. Bronner’s soap with water and fill the mop with that instead.
Windows:
White Vinegar or window cleaning cloths
Laundry:
Laundry Detergent: Molly’s Suds Liquid Detergent (This is something I’m still looking into. I like this brand, but I’d like to find something cheaper, yet equally as effective)
Stain treatment: Molly’s Suds Sports Laundry Wash for spot treatment or Oxygen Whitener for soaking or to add to the wash.
Dryer Sheets: In place of dryer sheets, I use wool balls which softens clothes and reduces drying time.
Home Fragrance:
This is one is so important because the sprays, plugin air fresheners, and candles represent some of the most toxic pollutants for are home air and affect not only you, but any children or pets in your home.
Candles: Look for soy or vegetable wax or bees wax, scented with essential oils, not synthetic fragrance. Traditional, petroleum based wax is just putting pollutants into your lungs and the soot can actually build up in your duct work causing problems. Right now I really like the brand Pure Light that Aillea carries.
Spray: This is a good one to DIY. Mix any essential oils that you prefer with Vodka and water and put in a spray bottle. Recipe here.
Diffuser: Another one you can make with essential oils, reeds, and a bottle with a narrow opening. Or if you’re feeling very fancy Ilia makes a beautiful version.
Those are my most used cleaners but if I missed something, let me know and I’d be happy to make a recommendation. Also, this is an area you need to be aware of greenwashing. Some brands like Method or Mrs. Meyers are found in the natural sections of stores like Target but they aren’t clean and include synthetic fragrances among other things. You can always use EWG.org to check what your product’s toxic rating is or to look at their list of clean products. Thanks for reading through this long list! xo
*Affiliate links used. All thoughts and opinions are always my own.
