DIY: 18 Non Toxic Cleaning Recipes for your Home
The pandemic has brought on a surge of unwanted guests into your home and the immediate environment: toxic cleaning supplies. From hand sanitizers to the common household products that we use to disinfect our surfaces, what we’ve all failed to take into account is how this all might be impacting our health.
Furthermore, many of these cleaning agents have been lurking in our kitchen and bathroom cupboards long before covid-19 reared its ugly head. As we continue to attempt to keep our homes spotlessly clean, we must not forget that our health is our wealth and that minimizing our exposure to toxic chemicals can greatly increase our vitality.
The Proof is in the Medical Pudding
According to the American Lung Association, some cleaning products release volatile organic compounds and dangerous chemicals that can gravely impact our health. Those who already suffer from chronic respiratory illnesses, such as asthma, are more at risk of developing further breathing-related issues
If you’re someone who likes to keep their home meticulously clean and uses chemical-based cleaning products in the process, you could be at risk of developing what the ALA has termed “occupational asthma”. This is a condition whereby a constant and prolonged exposure to ammonia and bleach, amongst other hazardous ingredients, could have calamitous effects on your respiratory tract
They advise to never mix bleach and ammonia or any two products that contain these chemicals. The emissions from this concoction could prove lethal!
Healthy Alternatives
So, what’s a guy or gal with a penchant for all things spotless to do as an alternative? We’ve got you covered. Have a look down below at the list of non-toxic cleaning products for every area of your home.
Kitchen Specific Cleaners
Homemade Dishwasher Detergent by The Spruce
Homemade Liquid Dish Soap by The Prairie Homestead
Heavy Duty Scouring Powder by MommyPotamus
Easy Oven Cleaner by Martha Stewart
Bathroom Specific Cleaners
Green Toilet Bowl Cleaner by Mind Body Green
Homemade Non-toxic Bathroom Scrub by Farmhouse on Boone
Drain Cleaner by Tidy Mom
Bathroom and Toilet Disinfectant by Housewife How-To’s
Laundry Specific Cleaners
Homemade Laundry Detergent by The Humbled Homemaker
Natural Stain Removers by The Spruce
DIY Non-toxic Dryer Sheets by Wellness Mama
All-Natural Fabric Softener by Zero Waste Memoirs
All-Purpose Cleaning Products
DIY General Cleaner by Good Housekeeping
Homemade Disinfectant Wipes by Wholefully
Homemade Glass Cleanerby Homesteading Family
Non-toxic Disinfectant Spray by Life Made Sweeter
Home Remedy
If you want to ditch the need to have multiple varieties for your surfaces altogether, we have a bonus non-toxic cleaning agent for you – one that you can also make at home with just a few simple ingredients.
- A small spray bottle;
- Baking soda;
- White vinegar;
- Eucalyptus oil;
- Tea tree oil.
To make your all-purpose cleaning remedy, add ½ a cup of vinegar to your spray bottle. Vinegar has quite a pungent aroma so if you’re averted to strong smells, keep your nose away from the bottle. With your vinegar in your spray bottle, go ahead and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. It will fizz so be sure to make this remedy in a bottle that will accommodate a full cup of liquid – roughly 8 fluid ounces. Add in 5 to 10 drops of eucalyptus oil and an equal amount of tea tree oil. Fill your bottle to the brim with purified or filtered water and close the bottle.
That’s all there is to it!
Ultimately, what you choose to use in your home all boils down to your personal preference. However, it’s best not to ignore the obvious threat that most chemical-based cleaning products pose to your health – or the health of your loved ones, for that matter. If you have children or fur babies, do your level best to provide an environment that is clean and serene but not laden with chemicals and harmful volatile organic compounds.
Please note that some of these recipes, while non-toxic, still contain ingredients that can be harmful if ingested in large enough quantities. Always keep your cleaning supplies out of reach of children and pets – whether those supplies are ‘non-toxic’ or not!
