What Are The Best Nontoxic Cleaning Products?

When I was pregnant with the little man, I purged the house of toxic chemicals. No bug spray. Out went the bleach. I no longer purchased ready made, chemical laden household cleaners. This change did two things; it decreased our exposure to harmful chemicals and it lowered my grocery bill. I haven't looked back. While at times it can seem like a hassle to mix up a bottle of all purpose cleaner or homemade laundry detergent, it really doesn't take that long, especially when you factor in the health and sustainability benefits.

Ready to make the change, but unsure where to get started? Below, I have listed my favorite cleaning products and how to use them.

Dr. Bronners Castile Soap is an essential part of my cleaning arsenal. I mix a tablespoon of the stuff in a spray bottle with water and about 20 drops of essential oils for a basic all purpose spray. I use it in my Homemade Liquid Laundry Detergent. It is great for cleaning toilets and mopping floors, too. I buy the unscented baby safe soap and then add my own fragrances to it, but you can purchase it already scented.

I use essential oils probably daily and it would take a whole separate blog post to write about them in any detail. I usually use oils known for their disinfectant abilities in my all purpose cleaner and my mop water. Some of my favorites are peppermint, tea tree, lavender, rosemary, cinnamon, clove, and orange. I mix a little rosemary in my shampoo when I am suffering from dry scalp. Eucalyptus oil is great in a diffuser during the winter months to aid with breathing when you are feeling congested. Clove oil also is the best thing when you have a tooth ache. 

Hydrogen peroxide is a great replacement for bleach, and works wonders on blood stains in the laundry. Use it with baking soda to clean and brighten your toilet bowl. I also swish a little in my mouth to kill bacteria and whiten my teeth. Some people swear by it for cleaning mildew, but I haven't seen success. My go to for mildew is Cream of Tartar. 

Another nontoxic product I use a lot is vinegar, both white cleaning vinegar and apple cider vinegar. I was having a problem with sugar ants in my kitchen, but since I have started using cleaning vinegar with a little orange oil they have totally disappeared. I also use vinegar to clean windows and mirrors. There are so many uses for apple cider vinegar that, just like essential oils, I need a whole separate post. One of the most common ways that I use it is as a hair rinse after I shampoo. I no longer buy hair conditioner. 

These are my favorite products to have on hand. Most of them can be purchased cheaply, except perhaps the Dr Bronners, but a little goes a long way. I have had my last bottle, the 32 fl oz size, for months now. The last time I did a price comparison, Whole Foods actually had the cheapest price. 

Oh, and when you go out to pick up your nontoxic cleaning supplies, don't forget a sturdy, well made spray bottle or two.