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Why do I choose non toxic products? The more I’ve learned about ingredients in household products, it’s become more important to me to only use options that are safe for me and my family. Some of the ingredients I choose to avoid include- synthetic ‘fragrance’, phthalates, (VOCs), and artificial dyes- all of which are commonly found in household products. The American Lung Association says, “Many cleaning supplies or household products can irritate the eyes or throat, or cause headaches and other health problems, including cancer. Some products release dangerous chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs)” (1). I don’t share this information to create fear, but instead, empower people to make better choices as we learn how. That’s why I put together a list of my favorite non toxic household cleaning products and believe me when I say I’ve tried many.
Why I Read the Ingredient Label
Learning about ingredients has empowered me to take control of my health, so I’ll give one more example. Phthalates are a commonly used endocrine disruptor (hormone mimicking chemical) added to formulas in order to enhance other ingredients. For example, phthalates could be added to enhance a product’s fragrance, or to further lubricate a formula (2). The Environmental Working Group explains, “Studies have linked phthalates to hormone changes, lower sperm count, less mobile sperm, birth defects in the male reproductive system, obesity, diabetes and thyroid irregularities” (3). Phthalates aren’t always listed on ingredient labels and the ingredient ‘fragrance’ can contain phthalates among many other chemicals (3). I hope this example provides some insight as to why someone might choose non toxic products. I also hope that you’re inspired to look at your own product labels and the ingredients they contain.
My Favorite Non Toxic Cleaning Products
It can be overwhelming to look for household products with better ingredients. Some options don’t work well and no one wants to waste money. So here’s a list of my favorite non toxic household swaps that I love just as much, if not more, than what I was using previously. All the products on this list are ones I personally use, love and recommend to anyone. I hope you find it helpful!
Laundry: Non Toxic Cleaning Option
1. Branch Basics Laundry Kit
What I like about it: This cleans fabrics so well and the oxygen boost makes it work wonders on stains! It can lift stains better than any product I’ve used ever, and all without harmful ingredients. The soap is also a concentrate, so the amount you get lasts a long time.
This is my favorite product to use for laundry but it’s more expensive than the second option which is awesome too.
Price: $64.00 for laundry kit = $0.24-$0.30 per load. The laundry kit includes concentrate, oxygen boost and refillable laundry bottle.
or $69.00 for the basic starter kit which includes concentrate, and refillable bottles for laundry, bathroom, all purpose cleaner, streak-free cleaner and foaming hand-soap.
2. Molly’s Suds Laundry Detergent Powder
What I like about it: this laundry powder is the least expensive detergent I’ve found. I love that it’s in a concentrated powder form, so I use a lot less while still getting great results. I can confidently say this works better than any of the more commonly used laundry detergents for me.
Just like Branch Basics above, my washer always smells clean and my clothes come out perfect every time.
Price: $22.99 for 120 loads = $0.19 each load
Available on Mollyssuds.com or on iHerb.com
Hand-Soap: Non Toxic Options
1. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap
What I like about it: This soap is a concentrate so it lasts a long time and it’s made with ingredients you can understand, without any additives or fillers I don’t want. For hand-soap, I add some to a foaming soap dispenser with water at a 1:3 ratio. I also use this for body-wash and just use a small nickel-size amount straight from the bottle.
While my family’s favorite scent is the citrus, they have many great options.
I buy a larger size because I use this for many things around my house, but they have a range of sizes on the Dr. Bronner’s website.
Price: $10.79 for a 16 oz. bottle at Target. $15.99 for a 32 oz. bottle at Target.
Currently $10.19 for a 16 oz. bottle on iHerb.com. $16.49 for a 32 oz. bottle on iHerb.com
Dish-Soap: Non Toxic Cleaning Option
1. Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner
What I like about it: This is another concentrate that goes a really long way and works so well at getting any grease, oils and dirt off surfaces which makes it perfect for hand-washing dishes. It cleans so well you can use it effectively in hard water and with soft water you can use even less to get the same result.
They recommend using one drop to hand-wash one pot, so I dilute this in order to avoid using too much soap and wasting money. You can use a foaming dispenser to do this or any other bottle you like. I add Sal Suds to a bottle along with water in a 1:6 ratio and just use a small squirt on a dish or the scrubber.
This is an all-purpose cleaner that is also great for mopping your floors, cleaning bathrooms, scrubbing sinks and many other things around your home. Check the Dr. Bronner website for uses or check the list on the bottle.
Price: $9.99 for a 16 oz. bottle on the Dr. Bronner website.
Currently $8.99 for 16 oz. bottle on iHerb.com
Dishwasher Detergent: Non Toxic Cleaning Option
1. Ecover Dishwasher Powder
What I like about it: This my favorite non-toxic dishwasher detergent that’s a loose formula. Pod and tablet options can be great, unless you have a water softener, in which case, you can use much less soap and so a loose formula is ideal. I used to think powders were old school and never worked well, but boy was I wrong! –Powders are the concentrated ingredients without added water to dilute the formula, with that said, powder soaps and detergents can work SO WELL if you find good ones.
This powder cleans my dishes well and leaves no soapy residue that can happen with so many gel formulas. There are also no fragrances, preservatives or harsh ingredients that I worry about leaving residues on my dishes.
Price: Currently $5.59 for 48 oz. on Vitacost.com
I’ve also found this dishwasher powder at my local health food store for $8.31, so there may be local options in your area.
If you have hard water and want a premeasured option, I’ve heard only good things about Cleancult dishwasher tablets, Puracy dishwasher detergent packs and Blueland dishwasher tablets. If you have soft water, using these premeasured options will likely be too much soap for your home, so using them would be a waste of money. You can definitely test them out and see if they work for you in the premeasured amount, or you could also try cutting the tablet options in half. Let me know if you try any of these other options with soft or hard water and how you like them!
All-Purpose Cleaning: Non Toxic Options
1. Branch Basics Basic Starter Kit
What I like about it: Branch Basics is my favorite cleaner to use around the house for so many different things. I love that the bottles are reusable, so only purchasing a concentrate cuts down on plastic waste. The bottles have clear directions on how much of the concentrate you should add then fill the rest with water.
Consolidating many different cleaners into one large concentrate can look pricey, but this concentrate goes really far. You might even spend less than you were previously when buying many different cleaners that have only one use. The breakdown with prices from their website can be found here.
According to their website, one 32 ounce bottle of the concentrate makes all this:
- 3 bottles of all-purpose cleaner for $2.90 each.
- 3 bottles of streak free cleaner for $0.20 each.
- 64 loads of laundry for $0.24 per load.
- 3 bottles of bathroom cleaner for $5.80 each.
- 3 bottles of foaming hand wash for $2.90 each.
Price: $69.00 for the basic starter kit
$49.00 for 32 oz. concentrate bottle
They also have a small trial kit for $5.00 if you want to try it out before buying the large bottle.
2. Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Liquid Soap
What I like about it: I know I’ve mentioned this concentrated soap, but purchasing one product that works for many things around your home is an amazing way to save $$$. This castile soap is a cheaper option than the Branch Basics and it’s used in a similar way.
It’s important to me to use an all-purpose cleaner without synthetic fragrances, preservatives or harsh chemical fillers as it can leave residues on surfaces where I cook, prepare food, bathe, or little kiddos put their mouths on. This one is perfectly safe to use and it works so effectively, you don’t need the strong smelling cleaners that can give you a headache.
To make an all-purpose cleaner, just add castile soap and water to a spray bottle in a 1:4 ratio and use a rag to wipe up any surface. There are instructions on the bottle for different uses and measurements to use!
Price: $10.79 for a 16 oz. bottle at Target. $15.99 for a 32 oz. bottle at Target.
$10.19 for a 16 oz. bottle on iHerb.com. $16.49 for a 32 oz. bottle on iHerb.com.
Deep Cleaning: Non Toxic Option
1. Bon Ami Powder Cleanser
What I like about it: This scrubber works just as well as the commonly used toilet bowl powder, but without ingredients I don’t want like fragrance, bleach, green coloring and harsh chemical cleansers.
This Bon Ami powder cleanser is made with five natural minerals that scrub surfaces without scratching anything. In my house, we use this to deep clean toilet bowls, tubs, sinks, oven and tile. This removes stains and absorbs odors so well, you won’t miss the blue and green toilet bowl cleaners you used to use.
To scrub the bathrooms, I sprinkle Bon Ami in the toilet bowl, tub, and sink, then spray some all purpose cleaner on top. I like to let it sit and break down any nasty buildup, then after a few minutes I’ll clean like normal with a scrub brush in toilet and a rag in the sink and tub. No stains, no smell, and no headache either (which I always get with common cleaners).
Price: $1.39 for 21 oz. at Target.
$1.50 for 14 oz. on Vitacost.com
$1.50 for 14 oz. at Kroger stores.
More Non Toxic Cleaning Info
I hope this list was helpful for you and that you have some new ideas. If you want more resources on removing toxins in your home Branch Basics Blog has many amazing articles as well as The Environmental Working Group.
Leave a Comment
Please leave a comment if you have other non toxic products that you enjoy! I would love this page to become an even larger compilation of great options that are heathy and made by amazing companies that are worth supporting.
Resources
1. https://www.lung.org/clean-air/at-home/indoor-air-pollutants/cleaning-supplies-household-chem
3. https://www.ewg.org/consumer-guides/dirty-dozen-endocrine-disruptors
Wow these products are great we use many of them in our home and love them. Thanks for all the info. Keep up the wonderful work.
Thank you! I’m so glad you enjoy the products, they are all so great:)