The Dirty in Clean:
Non-Toxic Cleaners for your Home
Who cares anyway? I mean, everyone else uses this stuff! But these are trusted companies that have been around forever! My grandmother used them and she wouldn’t have if they weren’t safe! The label says natural so it must be a non-toxic cleaner!
They can’t lie, right?
Right?
Are you Really at the Beach?
I mean, nobody really grabs the colorful container and says, “I’m going to spray this Hawaiian breeze scented ethyl acetate and BHT in my boy’s room because DAMN that hockey gear is ripe!”
Certainly they don’t say “Gee, I know that ethyl acetate is linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity and that BHT is a hormone disruptor linked to neurotoxicity and allergies, but, hey, it’s worth the risk because that kid’s room really smells like a$$! And meanwhile, if I just close my eyes and spray away, that eau de coconut makes me feel like I’m at the beach. Ahhh, I can almost feel the sand…”
Do they say that?
More importantly, are you saying that?
Have you really investigated the ingredients on that vague sounding label?
Additionally, have you investigated further to find the ingredients in the product that haven’t been listed, but are in there anyway? For instance, what’s “fragrance” really made of?
I mean, I dunno, maybe that air freshener really does make users actually think they’re at the beach because, well, ITS A NEUROTOXIN AND MESSES WITH YOUR BRAIN!
But it doesn't have BPAs!
There is a lot of research out there that can be confusing and overwhelming. Moreover, labels don’t always state the truth. I know. Go figure. Furthermore, marketing campaigns are able to dodge a product’s dangerous ingredients by claiming that it doesn’t contain some of the other well known toxins.
For example, and a darn near perfect one, in talking about plastic water bottles, my mom literally just said to me yesterday, “But it doesn’t have BPAs. It’s fine!” Maybe it doesn’t, but does it contain BHPF, phthalates or polyethylenes? Most likely! And therefore, no it’s NOT fine!
In other words, they are trading toxic chemical for toxic chemical.
Big companies spend billions on advertising and are so skilled in driving consumers to their products that it’s no wonder we get sucked in by their promises. Furthering the problem, studies have shown that the harmful effects of a product often don’t get published until AFTER the damage is done. And then, after that, the product quietly disappears off the shelves.
Until it reappears. It reappears in the form of a “new and improved” one. Just another slightly changed ingredient list, but with many of the same harmful effects. It may say “new and improved”, but ultimately, what it comes down to is it’s probably still full of chemicals. And once again, in the long run, not a healthy, non-toxic cleaner for your home or the environment. At all.
Similarly, this doesn’t just happen with household cleaners. By the same token, it happens with the products we use ON ourselves too. Some of the same ingredients in the cleaners that we use to scour our toilets, for instance, can also be found in our skin care products! Yikes! For more info on healthy skin care, click here.
You and your non-toxic cleaner "got the power!"
Listen, I get it. Dogs, farm, kids, coworkers, whatever. You want a cleaner that works. You want something that can get the nose and handprints off the glass. Something that can get off the whatever-it-is that seems permanently stuck on the hardwood floor. You need something that will kill the germs and disinfectant the counters. And something, yes, that will in fact, disinfect and clean the toilets.
I get that your cleaners need to work.
Above all, what I also get is that I do not, I repeat, I DO NOT want to worry about my loved ones inhaling, absorbing and eating chemicals that I have put there.
I cannot control what products are on the store shelves.
I can, however, control the products that I allow into my home.
And by doing so, I can certainly provide for a healthier family, environment and planet. (Ok, I totally want to break out into the chorus of that late 80s song ”The Power” by Snap…”I’ve got the power, power!”) Wow.
So what are some non toxic cleaners for your home?
There are so many great products out there! First, when in doubt, I always check EWG . They rate the level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in household products. Products that have the highest rating get the “EWG” stamp. Similarly, the “A+” is right up there too (of course, you recognize those from your old report cards right?!) Then, the ratings descend right down to “F” (which, of course, you do not ever remember seeing on your report cards. Yup! That’s right, no F’s here!).
In like fashion, you can also look at MadeSafe to find out more about specific products and ingredients.
Let’s start with the following companies who have “whole house” kits. In other words, you can get a bundle of products, usually at a better price than purchasing individual bottles.
- AspenClean
- Attitude
- Branch Basics
- Honest Co.
- MamaSuds
These companies seem pretty darn admirable. Their commitment and dedication to a safe planet and everything on it, and outside of it, is so worthy of our support! The bottom line? Safe and effective! In addition, they also have all the individual products that you will need. That’s certainly easy enough, right?
During your quest to find the perfect products, if you don’t want to start with a whole kit, here are some individual non-toxic cleaners for your home that I’ve categorized by area:
Bathroom
9 Elements bathroom cleaner, Eucalyptus or Lemon scent
Attitude sensitive skin natural bathroom cleaner
ECOS Shower Cleaner
PUR Home Bathroom Cleaner, lavender lemon or mint scents
Seventh Generation Tub and Tile Natural Cleaner, Emerald Cypress and Fir scent
Toilet
ECOS toilet cleaner, cedar
Nature’s Promise Toilet Bowl Cleaner, coconut or eucalyptus aloe scents
Seventh Generation Zero Plastic Toilet Bowl Foaming Powder
Thrive Market Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Tea Tree Eucalyptus
Glass
Greenshield Organic Glass Cleaner
BioKleen Glass Cleaner Spray
Kitchen
Bon Ami powder
Greenshield Organic Kitchen Cleaner
Thrive Market Lavender Dish Soap
Dishwasher
Blueland Dishwasher tablets
Thrive Market, dishwasher packs & powder, unscented
Laundry
Dirty Labs
Healthy Nest
The Hate Stains Co.
By all means, know that this list is really just the tip of the “healthy product iceberg.” There are so many non-toxic cleaners for your home out there! Have you used any of these in particular? Do you have a favorite that is not listed? I’d love to hear it! Feel free to share it and comment below.
In conclusion, there you have it, “Maniac, brainiac, winnin’ the game”, you’ve got the “Power, Power”! Seriously. You do.
You now have the resources to have a household free of chemicals and toxins, germs, dirt and smudges. And meanwhile, you also have peace of mind knowing that you are making a difference.
Truly, you are making an important investment and contribution- to your health, your home and our planet!
So finally, all that’s left to do is clean. Oh Snap! Wait! On second thought, celebrate! Just go ahead and dance first; I dare you! (And don’t blame me if this song is stuck in your head for weeks!)
That new building or new car smell– that’s the smell of poison.
Click on Denis’ name above to learn more
about his work as an environmental advocate.
GO
