Cleaner Cleaning Solutions: Non-Toxic DIY Recipes for a Safer, Healthier Home

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Here’s a fun fact: I used to be a professional cleaner. For years. I’ve scrubbed everything from residential homes to luxury properties, commercial buildings, hotels, and motels (no Holiday Inns, though). The point is, I’ve used enough industrial-strength chemicals to probably have Spic and Span running through my veins. But these days, I’m only cleaning my own home, which has me thinking a lot more about what I’m actually using—and how I can switch to cleaner cleaning solutions.

I used to swear by bleach, but I wouldn’t touch it in my home now. Instead, I stick to cleaner cleaning solutions—effective, non-toxic, and way easier on my lungs (and yours). And the best part? No gloves needed—unless it’s for hygiene, not safety.

My Everyday, All-Purpose Cleaner

This is my go-to for just about everything. It’s simple, effective, and made with only three ingredients—one of which is water.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• A spray bottle (Like These Ones)
• ¼ bottle of 91% alcohol
• 1 tbsp of Castile soap (Dr. Bronner’s is my ride-or-die—Here’s a sampler to find your favorite!)
• Fill the rest of the bottle with water

That’s it! No soap residue left behind, no overpowering chemical smell. It’s an amazing glass cleaner and my ultimate kitchen sidekick. I keep a microfiber rag and my spray bottle by the sink and wipe down the counters constantly—because with my cleaning background and neurospicy brain, a messy kitchen = overstimulation, and I refuse to cook in chaos.

It’s also a bathroom MVP—great for the toilet, shower walls, mirrors, floors, and vanity. The only place I wouldn’t use it? Real wood. Trust me, that would be a disaster.

This mix will replace Windex, Clorox, and other disinfectants without wrecking your air quality or your health. Still, definitely use a fan or some ventilation if in a tight space!

The Tough Scrub – Just Two Ingredients

For those stubborn messes—grease, hard water stains, grime that just won’t budge—this is my go-to:

• Baking soda
• Castile soap

That’s it! Mix them into a paste, and you’ve got a natural scrubbing powerhouse. I use this for:

• Stainless steel cookware
• The bathtub
• The grease-covered wall behind the stove (because spaghetti sauce somehow defies physics)
• Floor tiles that are looking a little too lived on
• The kitchen sink
• …and pretty much anything else that needs a deep clean.

This will replace Soft Scrub and Ajax powder without trashing your lungs in the process.

Vinegar: The Multi-Purpose Powerhouse

Vinegar isn’t just for cooking—it’s a game-changer when it comes to cleaning. It works as a disinfectant, grease cutter, and odor remover, making it a must-have for any non-toxic cleaning routine. If you have pets, vinegar is especially great for neutralizing odors without harmful chemicals.

It’s also an excellent glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner for hard water buildup, mold and mildew remover, drain cleaner, stain remover, and even fabric softener!

How to Use It:

All-purpose cleaner

• Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle.

Dishwasher cleaner

• Add vinegar to the rinse cycle to break down buildup.

Drain cleaner

• Pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain.
• Follow with ½ cup of vinegar.
• Let sit for 10-15 minutes, then flush with hot water.

Laundry booster & fabric softener

• Add ½ to 1 cup of vinegar to the fabric softener compartment.
• Helps break down detergent buildup, soften clothes, and remove odors.

Wood polish

• Pack used lemon peels tightly into a mason jar. (you can use any citrus!)
• Fill the jar with white vinegar.
• Let sit for at least two weeks (or up to four for a stronger formula).
• Strain the liquid into a cleaning bottle.
• Fill the rest of the bottle with water.
• Use as an all-natural furniture polish that won’t leave behind a greasy film or sticky residue.

Other Clean, Non-Toxic Options

Hydrogen Peroxide (3%) – I made the mistake of cleaning my whole house with hydrogen peroxide, bare-handed, once. By the time I was done, my hands were white, burning, and felt like I’d rubbed them with poison ivy. Learn from my mistake—wear gloves!

Hydrogen peroxide needs to sit for about 10 minutes to properly disinfect, so it’s not ideal when you have small children or pets around. For that reason, it’s just not my go-to. But if you’re deep-cleaning and can keep everyone away, it’s a solid choice.

Let’s recap: that’s just six items you need to clean your whole house—one of which is lemons that you’ll use to feed your family before using the peels for cleaning! Compare that to all the various products you’d end up with if you were buying typical cleaning supplies.

Switching to cleaner cleaning solutions isn’t just about simplifying your routine or saving a few bucks. It’s about creating a safer environment for your family, protecting your lungs, and being kinder to your liver. Ditch the harsh chemicals, and both your body and wallet will thank you!

Warning:

Mixing peroxide with vinegar or alcohol is a big no-no. The chemical reaction isn’t something you want in your home—or your lungs.