For several years now, I’ve been switching over to natural cleaning products I actually use at home around pets and family. In today’s post, I wanted to share my favourites, including how and where I use them, to give you some ideas for creating a healthier, low-tox environment for you and your family.
Okay, let’s dive in!
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Natural Cleaning Products I Actually Use At Home
The following are products and DIY cleaners I reach for most often. Some are store-bought, some are homemade, and some are just small habits that have made cleaning feel a bit easier and more low-tox overall.
I’m definitely not perfect about it (cleaning is my LEAST favourite activity at home). I also continue carrying some more “toxic” products that I have yet to find an alternative for that I like. That said, the natural cleaners I DO have are those that I use regularly and genuinely work – some that even surprised me when I first started using them.
As always, everyone has different comfort levels and cleaning needs, so do your own research and choose what works best for your household.
LAUNDRY FAVOURITES
Laundry Strips
I’ve been using laundry strips about 80% of the time for the past couple of years now – and love them. I go back and forth between TruEarth laundry strips and Nature Clean laundry strips – both do the job extremely well. You can use them in place of laundry powder or liquid detergent – they truly clean the same. I haven’t noticed any difference.
It’s also a great way to reduce bulky plastic detergent containers that take up SO much space – a real bonus for me.
How they work: They come as pre-measured dehydrated detergent ‘papery’ strips that you pop into your laundry machine, then add clothing, and wash as usual. They work in both standard and HE (high efficiency) machines. I love them!
(TruEarth even reached out a while back asking if I was interested in sampling their product and sharing my experience on Instagram – they were unaware I was already a customer 🙂 I happily accepted, of course and – if you scroll though that post – I show the STEP-BY-STEP of how to use them.)
Laundry Boosters: Pods & Powders
I recently discovered the power of laundry boosters – and now cannot imagine laundry without them.
What are they? Laundry boosters are additives you add to your laundry load along with your laundry detergent to help boost cleaning, brighten fabrics, and remove stubborn odors.
The ones I am currently loving are these booster pods I stumbled on in the ‘natural’ section of my grocery store. These are the least messy of any of the laundry boosters I’ve used – no powder, just drop them in with your detergent and wash!
If you can’t find these ones, then my next choices (a slightly more affordable option, too) would be these traditional options: Borax or Arm & Hammer’s Super Wash Soda. I’ve used both of these to deodorize and clean our clothes. Love them, too, but because you have to dissolve each in hot water before adding them to your load, lately I tend to reach for these pods for convenience.
(BTW: I’ve used laundry booster powders to clean and disinfect driftwood for crafting, too. These products have a lot of uses).
Wool Dryer Balls
I’ve been using wool dryer balls for about eight years and use them about 90% of the time (you can see my original review of them here on the blog).
Why use them? Laundry sheets will leave a film on your clothing that we absorb into our bodies. You can read all about the pros and cons here: Are Dryer Sheets Safe to Use?
I do occasionally still use dryer sheets, but opt for lower-tox options like these Ms. Meyer’s Dryer Sheets, but I mostly stick to dryer balls. I try to keep laundry scent-free where possible, especially for undergarments that are closest to the skin, but will occasionally add a few drops of lavender essential oil directly on the dryer balls for added freshness to clothing (other than our undergarments).
NOTE: I use about 10 wool dryer balls in the dryer to help reduce static, but still find during the winter months, our clothing has static. I’ve tried a few tricks recommended online, but none have worked thus far. So I have learned to live with a bit of static in exchange for reducing toxic residue on our clothing.
If anyone uses dryer balls and has cracked the code on static, I’m all ears!
EVERYDAY CLEANING STAPLES
Multi-Surface Spray Cleaner
The spray cleaner I use most consistently around my home is by Method – and it’s become my favourite. I’ve used other natural spray cleaners, but prefer Method’s spray nozzle – which never clogs, in my experience – and has several soft scents to choose from.
I use it EVERYWHERE! You name it:
- kitchen counters
- bathroom counters
- coffee tables
- dining tables
- quick daily wipe-downs
It’s one of those convenient, grab-and-use products that works for everyday cleaning. Nothing magical, and gets the job done.
Vinegar + Water Spray (DIY or Store-bought)
A close second to Method spray cleaners is using a water and white vinegar solution. In fact, white vinegar is one of the most potent cleaners that’s also non-toxic and eco-friendly, too.
I’ve used my own DIY vinegar solution when I really want to clean & disenfect areas like the bathroom sink, tub, or when I want to do the same in areas that come in contact with food like a stovetop, oven, or glass doors on appliances or just general freshening up.
You can check out some recipe formulas here.
In a pinch – when I don’t want to mix anything – I have Allen’s Cleaning Vinegar Spray on hand – similar varieties can be found here.
There are, however, certain surfaces you should avoid as the acid in vinegar can damage them, like natural stone or wood floors. (For more about that, check out 7 Places You Should Never Clean with Vinegar.)
NOTE (for Pet-Owners): While this is safe to use, cleaning vinegars in particular are highly concentrated so I recommend keeping pets away from wet surfaces so that there’s no skin irritation or accidental ingestion when your furry friends lick their paws.
Universal Stone
One of my favourite for build-up on ANY SURFACE, especially sinks and tubs, and without needing a lot of elbow grease, Universal Stone is a hands-down winner. I’ve been using it for, well, maybe 10 years or more!
How does it work? Universal Stone is an eco-friendly cleaning paste that’s made from just 6 natural and biodegradable ingredients: clay, vegetable oils, glycerine, soap flakes, green soap, and lemon oil scents. It comes with a sponge that you wet, then rub the solid “stone,” work it into a foam under running water, then begin wiping your surface.
Though I use it to more easily remove build-up, it can be used on a wide range of surfaces from sinks and tubs to tiles and grout, stainless steele, jewelry, even BBQs and patio furniture. It’s natural and strong and seems to work just about anywhere!
And the best part? It’s safe to use around pets and children and those with allergies, too.
TIP: Make sure you purchase their sponge applicator – others don’t work as well as the one they’ve designed for their product.
STAINS & DEEP CLEANING
Folex
I first started using Folex a few years ago for removing spills primarily on upholstered furniture. In my experience, this product works really well on most fabric furniture as long as you follow the directions. It only takes a few minutes to clean off the spots, no matter how long they’ve been there.
A great option, if you’re looking for something for easy sprain-on surface stain removal.
Whip It
Another great spray-on stain removal I use mainly for carpets, I purchased Whip It initially to pick up pet stains (furball goo that seeped into the carpet! I know – TMI). And, to my surprise, it worked SO well.
Unlike Folex, it’s derived from 95% plant ingredients and is an enzymatic cleaner, and it’s also safe to use around pets and family. Between the two, I find Whip It works better on carpets, while Folex is more suitable for upholstered furniture – at least that’s been my experience.
But because it has no bleach, ammonia, or acids, it’s safe to use on hundreds of surfaces from finished wood, marble, stone, BBQs, patio furnitures, cars, and more.
Baking Soda Paste (DIY)
So, if you haven’t used baking soda paste for tough grease stains, you really need to check out my Micro-Home Reset: Bite Size Wins for People Who Hate Big Home Projects where I used it on baked-on oven stains. It worked SO well and the ‘before’ and ‘after’ photos were especially satisfying to post on the blog!
It’s one of the cheapest and most effective DIY cleaners I use. The recipe? I mix about 4 parts baking soda with 1 part water to form a paste and use it for:
- oven cleaning
- stovetop buildup
- baked-on glass messes
It is incredibly powerful, removes the most stubborn, baked-on food stains, BUT…it’s a bit messy, too. Be prepared for cleaning up the paste later (and then finding you still have dried bits of it appearing again days later).
BUT, to me this is well worth it for using a natural, non-toxic oven cleaner that I feel safe to use at home.
BATHROOM & ODOUR-REMOVING STAPLES
Toilet Cleaners
I often go between this grocery-store PC Green Toilet Cleaner and other natural options (like Nature Clean) for cleaning our toilets. They are equally effective without the harsh chemical smell, are biodegradable, septic-safe, and made with more plant- and mineral-based ingredients than conventional cleaners.
Of course, there are so many options out there (like Seventh Generation or The Unscented Company), but the ones I use are easy to find at my grocery store and those I consistently keep in rotation.
Baking Soda + Vinegar Drain Refresh
This is one of the easiest kitchen cleaning methods I’ve picked up in recent years – particularly after realizing just how completely I had been neglecting to clean the drain in my kitchen (I’m STILL trying to make this a habit – not quite there yet!).
I originally learned this method of cleaning and deodorizing the kitchen drain from Melissa over at her Clean My Space YouTube channel (though I’ve adapted it somewhat), and it’s become one of those simple maintenance tasks that actually makes a noticeable difference.
It’s great for breaking down drain build-up, food smells, and for general refreshing.
Here’s what I do:
- pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain
- let sit for 30 minutes
- add white vinegar, let it bubble
- finish with about 2 cups (or more) of boiling water to clear away the residue
- I sometimes finish off with an lemon essential oil – 2-3 drops – for an added scent boost.
TIP: Sometimes, the vinegar does not break enough of the baking soda down, and it starts to plug up the drain. I simply grab a plastic straw and poke through the baking soda to allow the hot water to break through so that any remaining liquid can flow down the drain.
BONUS: Bissell’s Little Green Machine
While not exactly a cleaning supply, I wanted to include this because it’s been a really solid investment worth considering for deeper carpet and upholstered furniture cleaning.
While I don’t use it for everyday spills – it requires more effort than, say, pulling out my Whip It – it’s great if you do need something really powerful for:
- set-in stains
- occasional deep-cleaning
- pet-related messes
Here’s how The Little Green Machine works: The liquid cleaner sprays directly onto the fabric and – using the same nozzle – you trigger the suction, which sucks up all the liquid (including the dirty residue it is binding to):
It pulls out a LOT of deeper, set-in stains, odours, bits that you just can’t see (but you can smell).
My husband and I have also used it on upholstered car seats and – man-oh-man – it has made a huge difference in both the visual cleanliness of those old seats and deep-seated residues.
Even after using it on our sofas which – mind you – are only a few years old now, they pulled up a lot of dirty residue:
While it is NOT 100% plant-based, it’s still safe around pets and kids, and Bissell even makes a “free and clear” formula that doesn’t contain any dyes or heavy perfumes.
Final Thoughts
I’m still far from perfect when it comes to fully switching over to natural cleaning products – and I still use paper towels far more than I should! – but this process has been much more about gradual changes to find what really works (and what doesn’t).
At least that’s been my approach.
I’m always curious what other people use as well – so if you have favourite low-tox or natural cleaning staples, feel free to share them below. I’m always looking for new things to try.
More Natural Cleaning & Inspiration Below:
- Wool Dryer Balls Review: How & Why To Use Them for a Healthier Home
- How To Make An All-Natural, Multi-Surface Spray Cleaner
- How To Make Foaming Hand Soap Using Essential Oils
- All-Natural, 2-Ingredient Brass Cleaner
- 20 Eco-Friendly Gift Ideas (for anyone on your list!)
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