Do you have any nontoxic cleaners in your arsenal? In today’s fast-paced world, we often prioritize convenience over all else. Believe it or not, that trickles down into the cleaning products that we use. Sure, these products are effective – but they’re also laden with dozens of chemicals and warnings that rival a mesothelioma infomercial. We get it – nothing cuts through bathroom grime like Lysol. And we can’t deny you there! But did you know that the CDC has a running list of environmental chemicals that we are exposed to each day? We are up to 13 pages of small print, friends, and many of those toxins are in the products you might be pulling out just about now for spring cleaning.
Thankfully, we have some suggestions to replace your old toxic favs. And many of them are made of ingredients you probably have around the house:
- Baking soda
- Washing Soda
- Castille soap (We like Dr. Bronner’s lavender soap)
- White vinegar
- Salt
- Essential oils
Ready for some gentler alternatives? Let’s get cookin’!
Kitchen Recipes
For the Clogged Sink
8tbs salt + 8tbs of baking soda
Be gone smelly garbage disposal! Send this salt and soda mixture down the drain with a dash of water and allow it to sit for at least three hours (or overnight). Not sure about you, but we’re pretty hesitant to pull out the Draino anywhere near where we prepare food.
Dishwasher Detergent
1c of water + 4tsp of white vinegar + liquid castile soap
Too many dishwasher detergents prioritize that shiny, spotless look for your dishes over the actual ingredients. And these are items you eat off of! This quick swap uses all non-toxic ingredients.
Countertop Cleaner
1c of distilled water + 1tbs castile soap + essential oils
Snag some amber glass bottles from Amazon and concoct your all-purpose cleaner. We especially love orange and lavender essential oils to make this compound smell delicious.
Bathroom Recipes
Hand Soap
1/4c of Castille soap + Water
We know, Bath & Body Works makes THE BEST scented products. And if that’s your jam, there’s no shame in that. But, if you’re looking for something a little gentler, try this super easy recipe!
Toilet Cleaner
1c of white vinegar + ¾c of baking soda + 10-20 drops of essential oils of your choice
Toilet cleaners may be some of the most egregious toxic-toting compounds! Nothing that a good ol’ pumice stone, some elbow grease, and this handy mix can’t fix!
Shower Cleaner
White Vinegar OR ½c of salt + washing soda + 1c baking soda + water + essential oil
Depending on how strong you need your cleaner, you can spritz your shower with some white vinegar and allow it to sit for a half hour, or you can concoct the stronger compound and allow it to sit for 10 minutes.
Have you tried any of these nontoxic cleaners before? Let us know if you try any of these recipes and how they work for you! Happy Spring Cleaning.
Recipes from Tiny Beans.
