When I talk about non-toxic cleaning products and swapping your everyday cleaning products for things that are less harmful to our endocrine systems, people often ask me what I use. There’s really nothing fancy about the products I use to clean my home and best of all, these 4 products can be used to clean just about everything.
I certainly have a few other cleaning “favorites” that I will share at the end, but these 4 things are the heart of all of my non-toxic cleaning needs.
PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST CLEAN A SURFACE BEFORE YOU CAN DISINFECT IT. THE BEST WAY TO CLEAN A SURFACE IS WITH SOAP AND HOT WATER. DISINFECTING DOES NOT REMOVE DIRT AND GRIME AND SIMPLY CLEANING WITH SOAP AND WATER MAY LEAVE BEHIND GERMS AND BACTERIA.
70% Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a natural antiseptic bactericidal treatment and kills bacteria but doesn’t prevent the growth of it. It can also kill fungus and viruses. It’s suggested to use no less that 50%, but we suggest 70% to effectively clean and disinfect.
Put 70% alcohol into a glass bottle and label as “Disinfectant” and use for the following items:
- Disinfect your surfaces, door handles, toilet seats, etc.
- Clean blinds
- Wipe down that nasty cellphone screen
- Dissolve the frost on your windshield in the winter
- Prevent and get rid of fruit flies
- Remove ink and permanent marker stains
- Remove stickers from things
- Spray down stainless steel appliances and see them glisten
- Clean make-up brushes
- Make sinks and chrome fixtures sparkle
- Disinfect mouse and keyboard regularly
- Make your own hand-sanitizer (Mix 2 parts alcohol to 1 part aloe vera and add essential oils)
3% Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide is a safe way to kill bacteria, spores, fungus, germ, and viruses, according to the CDC. We recommend using this to fight mold and mildew in your shower or other areas of the home. Hydrogen Peroxide will release destructive free radicals that attack sources of contamination. You can use this instead of using the harmful Clorox bleach!
Similar to alcohol — add the hydrogen peroxide into a glass spray bottle and use it for the following items:
- Cleaning showers and tubs
- Cat litter boxes and animal crates
- Cutting boards
- Toys and pacifiers
- Toothbrushes, retainers, mouth guards
- Refrigerators
- Kitchen and bathroom grout
- Trash cans
- Sink basins
You want to be careful NOT TO USE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE on these surfaces:
- Wood furniture
- Lead, brass, copper, and zinc metals
- Marble, granite, or other natural stone
- Colored fabrics
Baking Soda
This miracle cleaner has been used for cleaning dating back to the ancient Egyptians. Also known as, Sodium Bicarbonate (AKA Salt) which has a higher than neutral pH which makes it a great cleaner. It seriously does so many things—which is why it’s a must-have in your non-toxic cleaning arsenal.
Clean your drains
Mixed with cleaning vinegar, this can be used to clean your drains and prevent them from clogging. Add the baking soda to the drain and then add white vinegar and watch as the pipes fizz-up and all of the bio-film disappears.
Clean Restroom tiles, floor plan, and grout
Use a damp sponge with baking soda – scrub – and voila!
Use to scrub away crust on your stove and other kitchen surfaces
Wipe your stove clean, sprinkle some baking soda onto the stovetop, then cover with a hot towel. Wait 5 minutes and then scrub the stove to remove grit and grime.
Clean the wax, dirt, and grime off your produce
Get a bowl and fill it with warm water, add baking soda, and soak veggies.
Use it to scrub off stainless steel cookware and pans to keep them shiny and bright!
Deodorize upholstery + pet beds + children’s toys
Sprinkle baking soda on textiles and upholstery, let sit for 15 minutes, and then vacuum it to give it a fresh scent.
Dip a sponge in water and baking soda to clean toys from germy little fingers!
Add it to Laundry to brighten clothing!
Use a cup of baking soda directly into the laundry, combined with detergent, and it will balance the pH levels and clothes will become cleaner.
Freshen up your garbage cans
Add some baking soda to the bottom of the can to reduce odors.
White Distilled Cleaning Vinegar
This is the ULTIMATE non-toxic cleaning product. It’s made from acetic acid which can dissolve mineral deposits, dirt, grime, and grease and also kills bacteria. White vinegar is the best to use because it doesn’t stain and also has a 5% acidity which is many other multi-purpose cleaners.
Yes—we realize it smells like, well, vinegar! You can mask the smell by adding a few drops of essential oils to the bottle. We love peppermint, lavender, and lemon for cleaning vinegar.
Use in the laundry to soften clothes or get rid of odors
If you add white vinegar to the softener liquid section, it will be added during the rinse cycle to soften clothing. If you add it right into the laundry machine it will get rid of the odor on really smelly clothing.
Make your glass and mirrors dazzle.
Combine 1 part water with 2 parts vinegar for a streak-free clean.
Use as a countertop cleaner (but do not use on marble or granite tops)
Use to kill ant infestations in the house
Remove calcium deposits from faucets
Mix 2 teaspoon vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt to remove calcium from hard water.
