We all have to clean our homes, but with so much time spent scrubbing, wiping and washing, have you ever stopped to think what exactly is in all the cleaners you use? Some products contain harsh or even toxic chemicals or irritants, which is why many have considered switching to more natural cleaning products. If you want to make the swap but don’t know where to start, there’s no need to worry. We talked to experts to walk us through everything you need to know to make the switch to natural cleaners without sacrificing quality or busting your budget.
Why make the switch to natural cleaners?
Natural cleaners offer a number of benefits — some of which may surprise you. The biggest benefit of switching to natural cleaning products is reducing exposure to toxic chemicals in the home. “Think about it: We’re spraying these cleaners all over our homes, inhaling and touching whatever is in the mixture as we spray it — and long after it’s been applied to every surface,” says Kate Kordsmeier, who runs the holistic living and wellness blog Root + Revel.
Cindy LeBow, the founder of Great Green Cleaning & Maid Service, learned this from experience; she made the switch to natural products to protect her staff of housekeeping professionals. “I found that toxic cleaners would make my staff sick, burn their skin, hurt their lungs and eyes and cause allergic reactions,” she says.
The benefits of switching to natural cleaners extend beyond human exposure to toxic chemicals. Reducing your household’s use of products that include synthetic colorants and fragrance, phthalates, ammonium, etc. — as well as avoiding disposable products like dusting wipes or single-use mopping pads — means reducing the damage conventional cleaning products do to the environment.
And, despite a reputation for costliness, switching to natural cleaners can actually save you money by reducing the number of total products used to clean the home. “We have been trained to need a plethora of chemical-filled products for different cleaning purposes,” say Jordan Berry and Cindee Black, founders of the organic cleaning line Black + Berry Living, “but it’s unnecessary, because natural cleaners can tackle multiple cleaning jobs.”
Natural cleaning pitfalls and how to avoid them
While there are many good reasons to switch to natural cleaning products, there are drawbacks: They can be more expensive than traditional products, and many people find they simply don’t clean as well. “Not all natural brands perform as well as the chemical combinations in conventional brands, and the ingredients can come at a higher cost,” Kordsmeier says.
She suggests reading product reviews to find out which ones people like best, and shopping at places like Amazon, where those products can often be found at affordable prices. Using the right tools for the job can also boost the efficacy of natural cleaners. Switching to reusable microfiber cloths (which remove buildup like soap scum and grime better than cotton rags or paper towels), using scrub brushes on tough jobs and giving the products time to do their jobs can all help to make cleaning with natural products more effective.
The experts we spoke to all agreed that it’s important to read the labels on products that claim to be natural but that actually contain toxic ingredients. “Don’t get fooled by ‘greenwashing’ — if a product has [artificial] colors and perfumes, just don’t use it,” LeBow says, even if the product is branded as natural or green.
How to make the switch to natural cleaners
When it comes to switching to natural cleaners, simplicity should be the goal. “Keep it simple — you only really need a handful of products. Don’t overwhelm yourself. Don’t spend a ton of money,” LeBow says.
Berry and Black echo the advice to keep it simple, especially when it comes to ingredients, adding, “Read labels and pick a product with ingredients you understand.” To make it easier to easily identify quality products, they suggest finding a brand that you trust and sticking with its entire range to take the guesswork out of shopping.
Kordsmeier encourages people looking to make the switch to natural cleaners to consider going the DIY route. “If you really want to do it on the cheap, I recommend making your own cleaning products,” she says.
Best natural cleaning products
Along with some of our own go-tos, these are the products and brands the experts we spoke to named as their favorite natural cleaners — the ones that they reach for over and over to tackle messes in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room and beyond.
Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds, 2-Pack
$34.88 $31.95 at Amazon
“We use Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds for almost everything,” LeBow says. “It’s a great general cleaner — window cleaner, stainless cleaner, leather cleaner, grease cutter, floor cleaner and more.”
Dr. Bronner’s 4-in-1 Organic Sugar Soap
From $10.44 at Amazon
Berry and Black also recommend the Dr. Bronner’s products. “We are big Dr. Bronner’s fans! They are a trusted brand that never disappoints,” they say. They like the 4-in-1 soap that can be used as hand soap, shampoo, body and face wash.
Grab Green Bleach Alternative Pods
$18.46 From $13.10 at Amazon
Kordsmeier avoids using chlorine bleach entirely, but for brightening up whites, she uses these bleach alternative pods alongside her regular laundry detergent.
Bar Keepers Friend Powdered Cleanser
From $6.85 at Amazon
LeBow calls Bar Keepers Friend her “favorite scrubbing powder.” She uses it for scouring grout, and for restoring stained and scratched metal pots and pans to their former beauty.
Heinz Distilled White Vinegar
$7.23 at Amazon
White vinegar is a staple of DIY cleaning product recipes like the ones Kordsmeier offers on her website, and, as LeBow notes, “plain white vinegar kills mold more effectively than any other product.”
Bioesque Botanical Disinfectant Solution
$33.95 $25.84 at Amazon
Bioesque is an EPA-approved, hospital-grade botanical-based disinfectant with notes of lemongrass and thyme. “We use this for all deep-touch cleaning and disinfecting,” LeBow says.
Grove Co. Multipurpose Cleaner Concentrate, Set of 2
$6.95 at Grove Co.
Kordsmeier chooses to DIY most of her cleaning products, using inexpensive ingredients like white vinegar and Sal Suds, but she says that the subscription-based brand Grove Collaborative makes plant-based cleaning concentrates that “work like gangbusters.” This two-pack includes all-purpose cleaner and tub and tile cleaner. You can also buy a cleaning concentrate kit that includes multipurpose cleaner, tile cleaner and glass cleaner. You’ll need to fill an old spray bottle or buy one of Grove’s bottles to use these concentrates.
Eco-friendly cleaning tools
Swedish Wholesale Swedish Dishcloth
$24.99 $16.95 at Amazon
Whether you’re wiping down the counters or soaking up spills, Swedish dishcloths are an amazingly versatile kitchen essential that can replace your paper towels. We tried them ourselves and we’re obsessed.
Smart Sheep Wool Dryer Balls
$17.95 at Amazon
Kordsmeier uses wool dryer balls instead of dryer sheets, which contain chemicals and fragrances that can cause respiratory and skin irritation. “I made the switch years ago to wool dryer balls and have never looked back!” People who are allergic to wool can opt for dryer balls made of PVC.
Dry Rite Microfiber Cloths
From $12.95 at Amazon
LeBow emphasized the importance of using good-quality microfiber cloths for cleaning. “Microfiber alone can remove over 98% of organic matter from a surface with just water,” she explains.
Amazer Scrub Brush, 2-Pack
$10.99 $7.99 at Amazon
Think how much easier scrubbing your tub, shower and sink will be with these scrub brushes.