Natural Cleaners: What To Make And What To Buy

Heather Dessinger

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Many of the cleaners on the grocery store shelves contain neurotoxins, endocrine disruptors, and carcinogens. Here are 12 non-toxic cleaning recipes that really work, plus what to buy when you don't want to DIY.

Inside: 12 non-toxic cleaning recipes that really work, plus what to buy when you don’t want to DIY. For more non-toxic home and personal care recommendations, check out my shopping guide.

Let’s play a game. You choose any cleaning product on the shelf at your local market and tell me what’s in it. Easy, right? All you need to do is read the label. There’s only one problem – ingredients are not required to be listed unless they’re already known to be harmful, and pretty much no one’s checking to find out if they are.

The government only requires companies to list ‘chemicals of known concern’ on their labels. The key word here is ‘known’,” consumer advocate Sloan Barnett told Scientific American. “The fact is that the government has no idea whether most of the chemicals used in everyday cleaning products are safe because it doesn’t test them, and it doesn’t require manufacturers to test them either.”

Here’s What We Do Know

A study done by the EPA found that about 85% of chemicals approved don’t come with any safety data. (Alderton et. al.) However, when evaluated by independent third parties, many of the cleaners on the grocery store shelves are found to contain neurotoxins, endocrine disruptors, and carcinogens. (EWG) That’s not good for us our our environment, which is why there’s been so much demand for safer options lately.

Problem is, just because something has a green leaf or a recycle logo slapped on it does not mean it’s truly safe.

Natural Cleaners: What To Make And What To Buy

Below are twelve non-toxic cleaning recipes that really work, plus what to buy when you don’t want to DIY. As you’ll see, there are several brands represented because I chose each product based on ingredients and not the manufacturer. Some of these companies include problematic ingredients in other products, so make sure to read the label before popping them in your cart.

hydrogen peroxide and vinegar disinfectant cleaner

All-Purpose Cleaners

What To Make:

I use these cleaners on kitchen counters, the dinner table, the bathroom counters, and for dusting.

DIY Vinegar + Hydrogen Peroxide All-Purpose Cleaner – Non-toxic and affordable, hydrogen peroxide is classified by the CDC as “a stable and effective disinfectant” for hard surfaces. When used in tandem (BUT NOT MIXED WITH) vinegar it becomes part of a dynamic duo that food scientist Susan Sumner described this way:

If the acetic acid [active component of vinegar] got rid of 100 organisms, the hydrogen peroxide would get rid of 10,000, and the two together would get rid of 100,000”

The method in this article was pioneered by Sumner while she was working at the University of Nebraska.

DIY All-Purpose Cleaner With Lemon And Lavender – The bright, fresh scent of this all-purpose cleaner is perfect for everyday use and spring cleaning. It’s super easy to make, too.

Citrus Splash All-Purpose Cleaner – This simple mixture smells fabulous, but don’t let its great smell fool you – it’s amazingly effective!

Tip: Essential oils are wonderful to clean with, but unfortunately they may cause plastic bottles to leach. No worries, though, it’s super easy to make your own glass spray bottle.

What To Buy:

natural cleaner guide

Meliora All-Purpose Cleaner – This company uses the absolute purest ingredients. When you buy the glass spray bottle found here it comes pre-loaded with one batch of powder, so all you have to do is add warm water and shake until dissolved. You can order 18 refills on the same page for the cost of about $0.71 per 16 ounce bottle including shipping.

natural all purpose cleaner

Aunt Fannie’s Cleaning Vinegar – Like Meliora, this cleaner earns an A from the Environmental Working Group. It’s made from food-based ingredients and comes in four scents: Sweet Mandarin, Lavender, Fresh Lime Mint, and Eucalyptus

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent Recipe

Dishes

What To Make

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent – If you’ve ever tried making homemade dishwasher detergent and been disappointed with the results, chances are you were closer to a great recipe than you thought. Most DIY formulas use the same basic ingredients, but there’s a trick to getting them to work.

Natural Dishwasher Rinse Aid – Hard water deposits and sediment are no problem for this natural homemade dishwasher rinse aid. It’s easy to make, too – you only need ONE ingredient!

What To Buy

natural dish soap

Eco-Me Lemon Fresh Dish Soap –  Although I have a liquid dish soap recipe that works beautifully in my kitchen, it doesn’t seem to produce consistent results due to regional variations in water types (hard water, soft water, pH, etc.) The Eco-Me liquid soap gets an A from the Environmental Working Group and works well on greasy pans and dishes.

natural dishwasher detergent

Better Life Dishwasher Gel – When I set out to find a store-bought alternative to my homemade dishwasher detergent, I thought for sure the best option would be another powdered detergent. Turns out, though, that this liquid gel is one of the highest rated for both safety and performance.

natural non toxic rinse aid

Eco-Me Rinse Aid – This rinse aid is made with just four ingredients – vinegar, citric acid, coconut-derived soap and plant-derived solubilizer – the soap and stabilizer both score a “1” with the Environmental Working Group, which is the safest rating possible.

natural dishwasher rinse aid

Ecover Rinse Aid – A lot of rinse aids get an “F” from the Environmental Working Group due to the use of toxic ingredients and not disclosing the full ingredient list. Ecover, on the other hand, earns an A.

Homemade Stain Remover Recipe

Laundry

What To Make

Natural Laundry Detergent – Here’s what a couple of y’all have had to say about this recipe.

“I tried your recipe, just because I had the ingredients on hand and I was curious. What really surprised me is how well it works. My laundry is not only clean, but it feels softer and cleaner than when I used regular laundry detergent.” ~ Kelli

“I just finished washing my clothes with this recipe & I love it. I’m never going back to store bought detergent again.”

Homemade Bleach Alternative – If finding a homemade bleach alternative that WORKS feels a little like hunting for a mythical laundry unicorn, I think you’ll like this simple recipe.

Homemade Stain Remover – As my kids have gotten older – and MESSIER – I’ve found that my old stain remover recipe just couldn’t cut it. After testing several variations, I’m loving this one.

It’s worked beautifully on ketchup, grass stains, oil stains, and those mystery stains you don’t notice until something has already been washed and dried.

Homemade Wool Dryer Balls – They reduce drying time, soften clothes without chemicals, and save money.

What To Buy

natural laundry detergent

Molly’s Suds Laundry Powder – This formula is very similar to my homemade laundry detergent and works well. 1 tablespoon sized scoop of Original Laundry Powder deep cleans and gently deodorizes 1 load of clothes. Totally safe ingredients, of course! Comes in unscented and peppermint

natural laundry detergent

Meliora Laundry Powder – This concentrated laundry powder is very similar to the formula above – it comes in unscented and lavender. It’s dye-free, preservative-free, and brightener-free. 1/2 tablespoon per high efficiency (HE) load – or 1 tablespoon per standard load – of laundry.

natural oxygen whitener

Molly’s Suds Oxygen Whitener – This is very similar to my bleach alternative recipe with the addition of enzymes that help with whitening. Chlorine-free and color-safe. Sprinkle into toilet bowls, porcelain sinks, and bathtubs to naturally remove hard water stains and give white porcelain some sparkle

natural laundry bleach

Eco-Me Natural Laundry Whitener Brightener – This is very similar to my bleach alternative recipe and the formula above except it uses enzymes that help with whitening instead of essential oil.

wool dryer balls natural

Dryer Balls – I like these eco-friendly wool dryer balls because they’re well-made and affordable.

natural stain remover

Stain Removers – It’s pretty challenging to formulate a really clean stain remover. Fit Organic Laundry & Carpet Stain Remover has the best ingredients that I know of but is not great at getting tough stains out.

Better Life is more effective in my opinion, but it contains a tiny amount (0.01%) of a preservative I don’t love because it’s associated with allergic reactions. Attitude Stain Remover‘s ingredient looks a lot less natural than the others, but it’s actually rated higher than Better Life’s by the EWG and works pretty well. The only downside is that you’re supposed to treat the stain immediately, not spray it and set it aside to wash later.

DIY Natural Cleaning Recipes

Mirrors, Tubs & Toilet Bowls

What To Make

Streak-Free Homemade Window Cleaner –  It’s easy, it works, and the most popular store bought brand gets a D from the Environmental Working Group.

Homemade Scouring Powder – When when the Environmental Working Group analyzed one of the most popular scouring powders on the market, they found that it “emitted 146 different chemicals, including some that have been linked to cancer, asthma and reproductive disorders. The most toxic chemicals detected – formaldehyde, benzene, chloroform and toluene – are not listed on the label.” (CBS News)

Skip it and make your own instead with this quick and easy recipe – or buy the safer option below!

Homemade Soft Scrub – Wipe away grime and restore shine with this gentle soft scrub. It works just as well as store brands, and chances are you already have the ingredients to make it!

Toilet Scrub – Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 8 drops lemon or tea tree essential oil (if desired) and sprinkle into toilet bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for about 30 minutes, then scrub.

What To Buy

natural window cleaner

Attitude Window & Mirror Cleaner – This streak-free spray brand is made from plant- and mineral-based ingredients. It gets an “A” from the Environmental Working Group (EWG), is hypoallergenic, and it actually works.

natural scouring powder

Sonnet Organic Scouring Powder – Uses the gentle action pumice powder with sodium carbonate, clay, soap derived from plant oils, and natural essential oils of sage and cajeput to clean without causing scratches.

GreenShield Certified Organic Toilet Bowl Cleaner – Naturally scented with organic essential oils and gets an A from the Environmental Working Group.

DIY Granite Cleaner Recipe

Granite Countertops

What To Make

Non-Toxic Granite Cleaner – This natural homemade granite cleaner won’t etch countertops like vinegar or lemon juice, and works beautifully without leaving streaks or a filmy residue. So easy to make, too!

What To Buy

natural granite cleaner

Eco-Me Granite And Marble Cleaner – Although this one is not specifically rated by the EWG, it contains two plant-derived soaps that are rated as an A, plus aloe vera, radish root ferment (which is antimicrobial), and a food-grade preservative.

A few other very handy cleaning tools I ♥

natural kitchen sponge

Twist Scrub Sponges – I love these natural, compostable sponges. They work well and be run through the dishwasher for easy cleaning.

natural cleaning microfiber cloths

Microfiber Cloths – These save money and last longer than other cleaning cloths. They remove up to 99% of bacteria on surfaces when used in conjunction with an effective cleaner. They’re perfect for dusting, mirrors, countertops, everything!

More Tips & Tricks

Want a FREE ebook of non-toxic cleaning recipes that WORK?

I’ve created a free ebook for you as a gift for signing up for my newsletter. 7 Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes That Really Work covers seven recipes that you can make in just a few minutes each for squeaky clean windows, sparkling dinnerware, lemon-fresh countertops, and more. Subscribe to my newsletter below and you’ll be redirected to a download page for immediate access to this PDF ebook.

Sources for this article:

1. Alderton, Steve. (2010, February) EPA Needs a Coordinated Plan to Oversee Its Toxic Substances Control Act Responsibilities. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-11/documents/20100217-10-p-0066.pdf.

2. Environmental Working Group (2012) EWG Cleaners Database Hall of Shame. Retrieved from http://static.ewg.org/reports/2012/cleaners_hallofshame/cleaners_hallofshame.pdf

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About HEATHER

Heather is a holistic health educator, herbalist, DIYer, Lyme and mold warrior. Since founding Mommypotamus.com in 2009, Heather has been taking complicated health research and making it easy to understand. She shares tested natural recipes and herbal remedies with millions of naturally minded mamas around the world. 

Leave a Comment

64 thoughts on “Natural Cleaners: What To Make And What To Buy”

  1. Thank you, Katja! I often use vinegar to clean my counters but I’m going to switch to rosemary and lavendar . . . instant aromatherapy!

    Reply
  2. I’m a huge fan of those cleaning supplies and made the switch after having Evan. Well, I started making the switch while I was pregnant b/c store bought cleaners were making me sick. I make our laundry detergent too.

    Reply
  3. Hi Heather,

    Great post! May I ask what brand of concentrated orange oil you use and where do you get it, please?

    Reply
    • Hi, Dawn!

      I buy Citra-Solv, they carry it at Whole Foods, but I think other grocers carry it too – I know my mom can get it where she is, and they don’t have any Whole Foods around there. She must be buying it at Shaw’s – I’ll ask her! 🙂

      Reply
      • I have never heard of Citra-Solv, but now I am really interested. I’m looking for something I can add to our laundry as a sort of laundry booster. We regularly have grease spots show up on shirts, but we don’t usually notice them until after the laundry is done and we’re hanging up shirts. At that point, I don’t want to take the clean shirt back to stain treat it and wash it again. Is Citra-Solv something I could add to laundry as an extra degreaser?

        Reply
  4. This is EXACTLY the post I’ve been looking for! I’ve been wanting to take my cleaning efforts green for some time, but felt like it would take way too much time and energy for my already over-committed lifestyle. Two spray bottles and some baking soda? I can do that. Don’t know that hubby will be ready to go completely paperless yet, but the chemical-free cleaning is certainly a step in the right direction. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Hi, Amanda!

      You can start the paperless journey without him! Go ahead and start getting used to regular towels, and convert the kids – your paper towels will last longer cause he’ll be the only one using them! 😉

      -katja

      Reply
  5. Julie Sutton Jones – I am just laughing over here. Knowing how NOT crunchy Josh was in college (I wasn’t either, for that matter), it’s just a miracle he married a woman that knows how to make laundry soap 🙂

    Reply
  6. love this! We use vinegar A LOT in this house. But, looking forward to mixing up those other items! Thanks Mommypotamus & Katja!

    Reply
  7. ROFL–Heather, Josh told me how you weren’t the same then…lol I didnt go all crazy about this stuff till having Evan and he has bad allergies and very sensitive skin and I will not do anything to make him worse!!! What I do may not cure him, but at least I’m not making him worse!!

    Reply
    • Hi, Julia!

      My daughter also has a lot of allergies and very sensitive skin. For us, gluten-free/dairy-free (though she’s fine with eggs) was the answer. If you’re interested, I’m happy to talk more about it offline – katja at katjaswift dot com.

      good luck!
      katja

      Reply
  8. Thanks so much for this post. I’ve been using vinegar a lot to clean the counters, but I’ve had trouble getting away from my other chemicals. I never really cared before but when I got pregnant I started to realize how many chemicals I was using all the time.
    I’m looking forward to getting another spray bottle and essential oils to clean with! But what is the best way to dispose of all of those unused bottles of poison under my sink?

    Reply
    • Hi, Alanna!

      You can take them to your local fire department as a hazardous material, but they’ll probably laugh at you. I think I would try it anyway. Or if your community has a hazardous material pick-up day through your waste disposal company, take them then.

      Reply
      • Thanks, I’ll try those.
        I was wondering if these essential oils have to be rinsed with plain water after cleaning? Are they safe to use around kids and pets?

        Reply
        • No rinse necessary! Perfectly safe for kids, babies, pets, etc. Maybe best not to spray it into your fishbowl, though 🙂

          Reply
  9. What is your opinion regarding lavender and tea tree oil as estrogenic? I have tried to stop using them as I have read this. I will still use them on occasion, though, as they are better than the toxic alternative.

    Reply
    • Hi, Susie!

      My opinion is, it’s complete hogwash.
      Here’s a very good writeup on the issue: http://bubbleandbee.blogspot.com/2009/09/lavender-tea-tree-estrogenic.html

      This kind of research is very common. They want to prove something is estrogenic, so they adulterate it with a known estrogenic before using it. Or in the case of aspartame – they incorporate into the controls other elements that mimic the behavior of aspartame, so that the group using aspartame looks the same as the controls.

      It’s true that essential oils are very strong, which is why we only use them in drop-doses, and almost never directly on the skin without dilution. But estrogenic? Bogus.

      Reply
      • PS: as i’m looking back at this, of course, a long time after i wrote it, i realize – i meant to put some smiley faces in there or something!
        i do think it’s bogus, but i can smile when i say that! 🙂

        warmly!
        katja

        Reply
  10. Mr Yuk is still around (we just picked some stickers up, actually). But thankfully we won’t have to put his nasty face on much since we’re rocking the non-toxic alternatives. 🙂 Thanks for this post & all of the great suggestions!

    Reply
  11. Thank you so very much for this link! Nobody has been able to give me any information on this and I honestly hadn’t looked into the study. Should have, I know.

    Reply
    • “Should have”, Susie?

      You probably have kids, dinner to get on the table, a house to run, and work on top of it all – no one can look into everything! I was happy to help 🙂

      Reply
  12. For scrubbers, I grow my own loofa in the garden. Super fun plant, and produces LOTS of “sponges”. It is the only thing I use for dishes and bathtubs, and it never gets moldy or yucky. Obviously you can compost it because it is a plant. I have LOTS to share, because they last forever. 🙂 If you don’t want to grow your own, you could just use the ones sold as exfoliators in the beauty supply store. I used to think that they were ocean plants, but they aren’t!

    Reply
  13. So grateful for this article. I keep telling people “one day i’m going to get chemicals out of my house” – and that one day hasn’t come yet. I’ve been looking up hundreds of natural substitutes for this, that, and the other – wondering how on earth it could be affordable!

    This looks super easy and manageable – I could make this up in 15 minutes spare time this weekend! Thanks!

    Reply
  14. She lectures at Dartmouth and University of Vermont Med Schools???? Really???? Did anyone verify this? I know of no conventional med school that has routinely had guest lectures presented by un-credentialed herbalists. I totally support alternative practitioners that did their own research and don’t necessarily have what the conventional medical community would consider as credentials, but this just doesn’t add up. I hope it’s true, that would be awesome!

    Reply
    • Not only that, but I currently guest lecture at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and am a Preceptor for their 6th year students (which means, I take sixth year students as interns on six week rotations.)

      You can contact Dr. Lana Dvorkin-Camille, if you’d like a reference. It’s very encouraging, how far the mainstream world is coming!
      (I have not lectured at Dartmouth and UVM since I moved back to Boston in 2007, though I think it’s clear here and on my own website that that’s something I did in the past.)

      warmly,
      katja

      Reply
  15. I used the water with rosemary and lavender on my (kind of sticky) kitchen counter today – after giving it a try with a bit of warm water and dish soap. It worked SO WELL! Thanks again for the simple, effective tips!

    Reply
  16. Thank you!! You always provide such wonderful helps!!
    You said you have a…….strict zero paper products policy

    Question about this…………toilet paper???

    😉

    Reply
    • Good point! We do use toilet paper most of the time – I should edit it to include that exception!
      I have known families to include toilet paper in their zero-paper policy, though. Washcloths would work fine, though at that point, you’d be creating really a *lot* of extra laundry, so I’m not sure about the tradeoff.
      When I lived in Russia, we often didn’t have toilet paper – sometimes there was leftover newspaper, or sometimes nothing and you just had to wash your hands really well afterwards!

      Reply
  17. thanks so much for this post! I’ve been using the lavender & rosemary spray as an air freshener since you’re last guest post. I loved it so much that I made some for two of my neighbors and they LOVE it. I’m anxious to try your other ideas. I live just around the corner from you in Dedham and I’d love to attend a lecture if they’re ever open to the general public. thanks again!

    Reply
  18. of course I should have done this before I commented, but I just looked at your website and see all the classes that you offer. maybe I’ll try to sign up for a Saturday class soon. thanks again for all the tips!

    Reply
  19. I have a recipe for dishwashing powder that works great. Why eat clean food and then clean your dishes with a toxic powder and rinse in your dishwasher? It must leave a residue and the smell when I used to first open up my dishwasher after the load was done was terrible! It smelled like aweful chemicals (I have a super sensitive nose and can smell things many people can not). Anyway, here is the really simple recipe:
    1 cup Borax
    1 cup baking powder
    1/4 to 1/2 cup sea salt
    Mix and store in a mason jar under the sink. Use one tablespoon full for every load. Add plain white vinegar to the rinse section of your dishwasher.
    This really works! My dishes smell clean and I feel better about helping my family and the environment stay healthy. You have to rinse dishes though, you can’t leave caked on stuff. I had to rinse with the commercial brands of dishwasher powder anyway, because my dishwasher is old. BTW, love your website, I read every week without fail!

    Reply
  20. How much water do you use for the all-purpose cleaner? I have a 24 oz spray bottle, should I just fill it all the way or is that too diluted?

    Reply
  21. Hey! Thanks so much for this post. I use vinegar as a cleaner but it smells so strong, even with lemon in it. I want to try the rosemary lavender combo instead, but my mom is super allergic to lavender. She watches my son twice a week at my house so I might need something else. Any alternatives to the lavender?

    Thanks!

    Reply
  22. Hi again,
    I know you said the strong-but-simple rosemary-lavendar water shouldn’t fool us, but I was wondering if there would be any reason not to add some vinegar, just for something a little extra than the water. I’m looking for an alternative to Lysol or antimicrobial Febreze (I didn’t see a recipe in your book specifically for a similar fabric spray to kill germs on things like the couch or down comforters between washings).
    Also, I know this is an older post, and you probably did a lot more research for the new book since then, but I wondered what the difference/benefits of the new ingredients are for your window solution, compared to the simple one listed here.
    Thank you so much for all your helpful info!

    Reply
    • Sorry, I forgot this was a guest post. So I guess this is kinda directed at you and/or Katja. But I’d love to know your thoughts, from either of you, either way!

      Reply
  23. You said in your post about washing dishes with a little vinegar and hot water-do you mean that you do not use any dish soap? Do you add anything else to the dishwater to clean dishes? It is hard to get past the idea of having no bubbles to “clean” the dishes with! But it would be less expensive, and not harsh to the skin.

    Reply
  24. I started using microfiber cloths for most of my cleaning and as paper towels! Love it!

    Quick question…what do you use for toilet paper?

    Reply
  25. Do the essential oils mix with the water in the spray bottle? Don’t they need some kind of dispersant or should I shake the bottle when I use it?

    Reply
  26. Is the toilet bowl cleaner a disinfectant? I would love to ghp more natural, but also want to make sure I’m really disinfecting areas like the toilet. ?
    Thanks!

    Reply
  27. Hi There, I appreciate this list. Do you have an article or somewhere to point us to know the ingredients that are disqualifying cleaning products on your list? I would love to read the ingredients and know what I’m looking for. Thanks!

    Reply
  28. Thank you for the information; having a clean home is so refreshing and knowing that you can get this clean with natural cleaning products that are non-toxic is reassuring. Your guide as to what natural cleaning products to buy-and which ones-and what ones to make yourself is very helpful.

    Reply
  29. 5 stars
    Hello,

    When signing up for the newsletter, the only download offered is Kitchen Apothecary. The 7 Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes That Really Work does not show for a download. How might I find it?

    Thanks.

    Reply
    • Hi Brenda,

      I just checked the form at the bottom of this page and it took me to the right page and download link for 7 Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes That Really Work.

      I’m wondering if maybe you filled out the form on a different page than this? Or it could be a caching issue. If you have visited this article some time in the past (before some change was made) and your browser cached that data, it might send you to the wrong download page today.

      Either way, I’m sending a copy of 7 Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes to your inbox. Keep a lookout for it early this afternoon!

      Reply
      • I tried the link on other devices and on each, I still am offered the Kitchen Apothecary. Since all 3 devices would not have the same cache, the issue might be that I am already on your email list and somehow my email is tied to the Kitchen Apothecary download.

        Thank you for checking on this and thank you for providing so much great information!

        Reply
  30. 5 stars
    Perfect timing for this post! Appreciating the time and effort you put into your website and in-depth information you offer. You’ve really covered up almost all the possible info and the explanation is really helpful. Worth sharing! Please do continue sharing updates! Thanks a lot!

    Reply
  31. 5 stars
    Hello!
    So, I have painted cabinets, granite countertops, fireclay farmhouse sink and real white oak floors that are stained, and from what I have read, vinegar is a bad idea. Any ideas of what I should use instead of vinegar? Also, based on what my house contains, what should I use and what should I avoid? My fiancé and I put our heart and soul into this house, so you can see why I am reluctant to try anything that might harm my brand new home. However, I want to be nontoxic as possible, and save money, but I also want to preserve our house as well! Thanks so much!

    Reply