Hidden Dangers of Toxins
Toxins lurk everywhere, especially in cleaning products. If that weren't bad enough, most store cleaners labeled "natural" are just as toxic, if not more! Whether you're trying to conceive, already pregnant, or just brought home your new baby, it’s always a good time to eliminate toxins from your home and replace them with safe alternatives.
The evidence is clear: toxins in cleaning products are linked to fertility problems, birth defects, increased risk of breast cancer, asthma, and respiratory disorders, as well as hormone disruptions that may lead to severe morning sickness. But, what about cold and flu season? Shouldn't we disinfect thoroughly, especially during pregnancy or with a newborn at home? Of course, but remember this:
"The truth is manufacturers have capitalized on media-driven consumer fears by producing stronger, more toxic, products to falsely ease our concerns. What they haven't told you is that the overuse of antimicrobials contributes to the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which leaves the public with fewer and fewer tools in the fight against infectious diseases and has an adverse impact on our immune system."
Disinfecting once a week, or daily if someone in the home is sick, is a proactive way to keep your family healthier, but doing it in a way that overloads the body with heavy toxins can decrease your natural ability to fight off microbial attackers, disrupt your body's entire endocrine system, and wreak havoc on your overall health and wellbeing.
Making the Switch is Easy
Switching to non-toxic cleaning products doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. Nearly a decade into our family's switch, not only do I have a solid list of go-to cleaning products, but I also have the ultimate DIY cleaning recipes...
And, I'm here to share these with you today!
Using This Guide
This guide is a recommendation list of non-toxic, commercial cleaning products, as well as my personal tried & true recipes to make your own DIY natural cleaning products. These are affordable and safe to use during pregnancy, all with an EWG score of either an A or B!
1. Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Whole Foods Market Surface Cleaning Wipes - Minty Fresh
DIY Natural Disinfecting Spray
1 Cup of Hydrogen Peroxide
1/2 Cup of Distilled Water
20 Drops of your Favorite Essential Oil (Lemon is my favorite!), Optional
Mix all ingredients in the glass bottle and store in a dark, cool cabinet.
2. Soft Scrub
DIY Natural Surface Scrub
Clean, recycled glass jar with lid
1 Cup of Baking Soda
10 Drops of your Favorite Essential Oil, Optional
Mix all ingredients in the glass jar until a paste is formed. Add more baking soda or soap to form the consistency you prefer. Store in a dark, cool cabinet.
Related Post: The Ultimate Guide to Cloth Diapering for Beginners
3. Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner
DIY Natural Mop Solution
Your Favorite Mop & Bucket (Here's mine!)
2 Cups of Distilled White Vinegar
2 TBSP of Liquid Castile Soap
10 Drops of Your Favorite Essential Oil, Optional
Boiling Water
In your favorite mop bucket, add vinegar, castile soap, and essential oil. Then fill the bucket to the max fill line with boiling or very hot tap water.
4. Toilet Bowl Cleaner
DIY Natural Toilet Bowl Cleaner
1/2 Cup of Baking Soda
2 Cups of Vinegar
Sprinkle baking soda into a freshly flushed toilet, then pour vinegar over it. Let the toilet bowl soak for 10 minutes, then scrub with a toilet brush and flush.
5. Drain Opener
DIY Drain Opener Recipe
1 Cup of Baking Soda
1 Cup of Vinegar
Pour baking soda on top of the drain, then follow with vinegar. Let sit for 20 minutes before pouring a large pot of boiling water down the drain. It is best if used after a Zip-It Clog Removal tool.
6. Glass & Window Cleaner
The Ultimate Glass Cleaner
16 oz. Glass Spray Bottle
1 Cup of Rubbing Alcohol
1/2 Cup of Distilled Water
1 TBSP of Vinegar
1 tsp of Cornstarch (Trust me!)
10 drops of Lemon Essential Oil, Optional
Mix all the ingredients into the spray bottle and gently shake to mix. Use on windows, mirrors, and stainless-steel appliances. Note: Gentle shake before each use!
7. Laundry
Wool Dryer Balls
DIY Laundry Powder
1 Bar of Fels-Naptha Heavy Duty Laundry Bar Soap, Grated
1/2 Box or 3.5 Cups of Washing Soda
1/2 Box or 4 Cups of of Borax
1/2 Large Box or 3.5 Cups of Baking Soda
1/2 Tub or 1.5 Cups of Oxi-Clean Stain Remover Powder
Grate Fels-Naptha soap using the link above. Mix all ingredients well using a large bowl or bucket. Store in an airtight container. Use 1-2 TBSP per load of laundry, depending on the load size.
This recipe costs ~$25 to make two batches and lasts my family of 6 a whole year!
8. Dish Soap & Detergent
Seventh Generation Dishwasher Detergent Packs, Free & Clear or Lemon
DIY Natural Dishwasher Detergent
Clean, recycled wide-mouth glass jar with lid
1 Part Kosher Salt
1 Part Citric Acid
1 Part Baking Soda
1 Part Borax
Mix ingredients in a glass jar with a tight lid. Store in a cool, dry place. Use 1-2 tablespoons of detergent mixture in your dishwasher with each load.
9. Wood Polish
DIY Natural Wood Cleaner & Polish
16 oz. Glass Spray Bottle
1/2 Cup of Distilled Water
1/2 Cup of Distilled Vinegar
1/4 Cup of Organic Olive Oil
10 Drops of Essential Oil such as Lemon or Orange, Optional
Mix ingredients into the glass spray bottle. Store in a cool, dark cabinet. Shake before each use.
10. Cleaning Just for Baby
Biokleen Free & Clear Natural Laundry Detergent + Borax (For Cloth Diapers!)
Final Thoughts
It's time to toss out your collection of toxic cleaners under the sink. We are all striving to do the best we can for our families, and cleaning shouldn't be any different. Natural cleaning products can be just as effective at disinfecting and are now becoming more accessible and affordable. If you're anything like me and my family, you'll find it most affordable and easiest to make your own non-toxic cleaning products! You and your family deserve this change.
Namastè Friends