Your home should be a sanctuary. But the products we reach for to keep it clean can quietly work against that goal. Independent testing keeps finding that everyday cleaning products release a surprising number of hazardous chemicals into the very air we breathe at home.
In fact, a peer-reviewed study commissioned by the Environmental Working Group in 2023 found that cleaning products can emit hundreds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dozens of them classified as hazardous. On average, conventional products emitted about 22 hazardous VOCs, compared with roughly 4 from products marketed as “green.”
Why does that matter? According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, indoor VOC levels typically run two to ten times higher than outdoors. Exposure is linked to eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches and nausea, worsened asthma, and—with certain compounds at higher exposures—damage to the liver, kidneys, and nervous system.
Here’s the reassuring part: using one of these products occasionally, with good ventilation, is not the real concern. The issue is the daily layering of multiple chemical-laden products, every time you clean. Think about your bathroom alone—one product for the tub, another for the toilet, one for the mirror, another for the counters. It adds up.
The good news is that greening your home is easier—and usually less expensive—than cleaning with conventional products. One of the simplest ways to begin is to replace your current cleaners with gentler options one at a time, as you run out.
The Ingredients I’d Rather Avoid
Rather than focusing on particular brand names—which change constantly—I pay attention to ingredients. When I turn over a label (or look a product up in a database), these are the ones I steer clear of:
- Synthetic fragrance and plug-in “air fresheners.” The word “fragrance” can legally hide dozens of undisclosed chemicals, including phthalates, which act as endocrine (hormone) disruptors. A 2024 study by the Natural Resources Defense Council tested 14 common air fresheners and detected phthalates in 12 of them—including some labeled “natural” or “unscented.” I’d rather open a window, simmer herbs, or diffuse a pet-safe essential oil (more on pets below).
- Harsh scouring powders and disinfectants. Some contain—or are contaminated with—compounds like formaldehyde, benzene, chloroform, and toluene that don’t always appear on the label. A simple mineral-based scouring powder does the job without them.
- “Antibacterial” additives. Triclosan and similar agents were restricted by the FDA in consumer hand soaps in 2016 because they weren’t shown to be safer or more effective than plain soap and water, and raised concerns about antibiotic resistance. Plain soap works beautifully. My all time favorite is the goat milk soap from Goat’s Galore. The goats are fed the best possible organic food, and Jim who makes the soap, milks them personally. This soap is particularly good for anyone with sensitive skin. I’ve never found anything like it.
- Solvent-based spot removers and conventional dry cleaning. These often rely on perchloroethylene (“perc”), which the International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies as probably carcinogenic to humans—and which the EPA finalized a rule to phase out of dry cleaning entirely in December 2024. Look for a “wet cleaning” service or a perc-free cleaner.
- Ammonia-based glass and all-purpose cleaners. Ammonia is a strong respiratory irritant, especially for anyone with asthma or other lung concerns. And it should never be combined with bleach—the mixture produces a toxic gas. I remember how my mother used to add this to water to clean the windows. It worked. But man—you had to stand back.
- Oven cleaners. These are typically built around lye (sodium hydroxide) and ethanolamine—both caustic. I don’t want those near my eyes, lungs, or food. But if you wear gloves and stand back, there are occasions where these are necessary. ( I recently used a lye bath to clean some old cast iron pans—first step in rehabbing them)
- Chemical drain openers. Extremely corrosive and capable of causing serious burns and eye damage. Try boiling water followed by baking soda and vinegar, or an enzyme-based drain cleaner instead.
- Quaternary ammonium disinfectants (“quats”). Found in many disinfecting sprays and wipes, quats have been repeatedly linked to occupational asthma in cleaners and healthcare workers. I reserve strong disinfectants for the times I genuinely need them.
How to Shop for Greener Products
I’m all for making life easy. If buying ready-made green products is simpler for you, buy the highest-quality ones you can afford—and look for a full list of ingredients on the label.
Just remember that “green,” “natural,” and “biodegradable” are not regulated terms, so a label alone doesn’t guarantee a product is nontoxic. Look products up in EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning, a free database that grades more than 2,000 household cleaners from A to F based on the safety of their ingredients and how fully they disclose them.
Basic Non-Toxic Ingredients to Keep on Hand
If ready-made green products cost more than you’d like to spend, don’t worry. Cleaning like a green goddess can be just as easy—and far less expensive—with a few basic items from the grocery store:
- White vinegar – has antifungal properties and cuts mineral deposits.
- Baking soda – eliminates odors and works as a gentle scouring powder.
- Lemon juice – a non-toxic bleach, grease cutter, and stain remover.
- Borax (sodium borate) – eliminates odors, lifts dirt, and acts as a disinfectant.
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%) – a non-toxic bleach, stain remover, and disinfectant.
- Liquid castile soap – a plant-based all-purpose soap.
- Club soda – a stain remover and polisher.
- Corn meal – great for absorbing carpet spills.
- Olive oil – a natural furniture polish.
- Essential oils – for scent and antibacterial properties. Always follow safety instructions—they’re highly concentrated (and see the pet note below).
5 Green Cleaning Recipes
All-Purpose Cleaner
- 2 cups white distilled vinegar
- 2 cups water
- Essential oil (optional)
Use on hard surfaces such as countertops and kitchen floors—but not on natural stone (see safety notes).
Glass Cleaner
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 1 quart water
Mix in a spray bottle. Spray on glass and wipe with a lint-free cloth. Add more vinegar for a stronger solution.
Soft Scrub
- 2 cups baking soda
- 1/2 to 2/3 cup liquid castile soap
- 4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin (preservative)
- 5 drops antibacterial essential oil (optional)
Mix and store in a sealed glass jar (shelf life about 2 years). Use on counters, stoves, bathtubs, and sinks.
Laundry Soap
- 1 cup soap flakes
- 1 cup washing soda (1/4–1/2 cup for soft water)
- 1 cup baking soda (1/2 cup for soft water)
- 1–2 tbsp oxygen bleach (optional, for extra whitening)
- Mix and store in a glass container. Use one tablespoon per load (two for heavily soiled laundry), in warm or cold water. Safe for HE machines. Tip: white vinegar in the rinse cycle makes a great fabric softener and deodorizer; hydrogen peroxide works as a whitener in place of bleach. Another point. You can also add 2-4tbsp of borax added to ½ cup of warm water before adding the clothes. This can even take the place of soap.
Furniture Polish
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
- 20 drops lemon essential oil (or 2 teaspoons lemon juice)
Shake well. Dip a clean, dry cloth into the polish and rub wood in the direction of the grain. If you use lemon juice instead of oil, store in the refrigerator. (Avoid on unsealed or natural stone surfaces.)
A Few Safety Notes Worth Knowing
- Never mix cleaners. Bleach combined with ammonia—or with vinegar—creates toxic gases. Use one product at a time and rinse surfaces between them.
- Vinegar cleans, but it doesn’t disinfect. Vinegar is wonderful for everyday grime and mineral buildup, but it is not an EPA-registered disinfectant and won’t reliably kill germs like norovirus. When you truly need to disinfect—say, during illness—use a registered disinfectant as directed, or 3% hydrogen peroxide.
- Skip acids on natural stone. Vinegar and lemon juice will etch marble, granite, travertine, and other natural stone, leaving dull spots that can’t be buffed out. On stone, use plain water or a pH-neutral stone cleaner.
- Essential oils and pets. Many essential oils—including tea tree, citrus, pine, peppermint, cinnamon, eucalyptus, wintergreen, and ylang ylang—are toxic to cats and dogs, and cats are especially vulnerable because they can’t metabolize certain compounds. Diffuse only in ventilated rooms your pet can freely leave, keep oils off their fur and out of reach, and check with your veterinarian first.
Other Easy, Chemical-Free Swaps
- Sprinkle a toilet brush with baking soda to scrub the bowl clean. To disinfect occasionally, use borax; wipe the outside with vinegar.
- Wipe away mold and mildew with straight vinegar.
- For a fresh scent, add a few drops of essential oil to a cotton ball and tuck it in a room (lavender for bedrooms, citrus elsewhere)—keeping it well out of reach of children and pets.
5 Healthy Reasons to Keep Baking Soda on Hand
Beyond the recipes above, baking soda has many practical uses and can be a healthy way to save money on cleaning and personal-care products. Here are a few favorites:
- Use it as a roach killer. Mix with a little sugar to attract roaches and place it where you’ve seen them; when ingested, it dehydrates them—no sprayed toxins in your home. You can also sprinkle baking soda into carpets to help with fleas: let it sit up to 12 hours, then vacuum thoroughly.
- Deodorize everything. If it smells, baking soda will likely absorb it—shoes, the sink disposal, the refrigerator, laundry, even a front-load washer prone to mildew odor. A little warm water turns it into a gentle paste you can use as an underarm deodorant.
- Calm skin irritation. That same paste can soothe minor burns and sunburn, insect bites and stings, small cuts and scrapes, poison ivy, and diaper rash.
- Soothe an upset stomach. Baking soda is alkaline. A little stirred into a glass of warm water can ease minor indigestion and heartburn related to stomach-acid imbalance, and many people use it to help with inflammation and the discomfort of arthritis and gout.
- Simplify your bathroom routine. Baking soda can clean your shower, toilet, and sinks; double as a whitening toothpaste; ease canker sores; work as a dry shampoo or gentle facial exfoliant; and, added to a bath with Epsom salts, make a soothing soak for sore muscles.
Store baking soda in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Once a box is opened, keeping it in a sealed bag preserves freshness, and keeping it away from spices prevents it from absorbing odors. To test whether it’s still fresh, add a couple of drops of vinegar to a spoonful—if it bubbles, it’s good to go.
Are there any commercial laundry brands recommended? I am a full time caregiver for my son with special needs. I would love to research and make my own organic laundry detergent and cleaning supplies, but I don’t have the luxury of time on my side. I would still like to use the least harmful cleaning supplies for my home environment. Any suggestions or recommendations would be most appreciated!
Hi Anne,
I am Dr. Northrup’s Editor. Please check the Environmental Working Group ratings for your favorite brands and see which ones rank as the best and worst.
Thank you for all your hard work and for caring so much for other souls!
Much love and light. Angie
my comments are being removed, I accuse this website of cencering my words. I am only trying to info everyone of the scientific truth of chemicals
Don’t think you know what the term chemical means,”A chemical substance is a form of matter having constant chemical composition and characteristic properties.” :https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemical_substance
under the proper definition of chemical water, vinegar , baking soda, washing soda, essential oils and olive oil would qualify as being made of chemicals.
“Water is an inorganic, transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical. Substance, Its chemical formula is H2O.”:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water
Vinegar is made of chemicals, “Vinegar is an aqueous solution (water base) of acetic acid”:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqueous_solution
“Acetic acid is a colourless liquid organic compound(“organic compounds are generally any chemical compounds that contain carbon-hydrogen bonds”:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organic_compound) with the chemical formula CH3COOH “:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acetic_acid
“Sodium carbonate,(also known as washing soda, soda ash and soda crystals) is the inorganic compound with the formula Na2CO3”:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_carbonate
“Sodium bicarbonate, commonly known as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda, is a chemical compound with the formula NaHCO3.”:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_bicarbonate
“Olive oil is a liquid fat obtained from olives, The composition of olive oil varies with the cultivar, altitude, time of harvest and extraction process. It consists mainly of oleic acid (up to 83%), with smaller amounts of other fatty acids including linoleic acid (up to 21%) and palmitic acid (up to 20%). “:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_oil
“An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile (easily evaporated at normal temperatures) chemical compounds from plants.”:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essential_oil
So chemical free is impossible because everything is made of chemicals.
I demand to know why my past comments have been removed
Carpet cleaning is sometimes more trouble than it is worth. A very good vacuum cleaner is always the best first line of defense.
A helpful tips for cleaning homes. thanks.
Thanks for the unique tips on how to keep my home clean and healthy. I think that mixing chemicals could end in disaster. I would much rather just find a cleaner that is non-toxic and has great cleaning properties.
I found this Post very informative and helpful. I really like the good content you have provided. It is very useful and worth reading. Thanks for sharing this post.
Green solvents
I love all the green cleaning ideas! Making your own chemical free cleaning product has many benefits as one can change the ingredients according to their needs. Keep sharing!
Any tips for getting red wine out of a cream wool carpet arghh. I have cleaned once but stain still there.
white wine is a great red wine remover!
A friend of mine was able to get red wine out of her carpet with a non-toxic cleaner called Sol U Mel. I use it for all kinds of stain removing at my house. It has over 100 uses as a safe cleaner. I love it!!!
Thank you for compiling and sharing this information! I love this post <3 including all the inspiring comments!
Indeed it is all so easy and inexpensive – I went straight out and had a shopping binge :-))) But before I unpack it all and do my spring cleaning your style this year, I have to share this info:
I attempted to get some borax at the pharmacy, just like glycerin and hydrogen peroxide … well, what I learned was that it's not possible to buy any in Germany – and the rest of the EU, I assume – for it's coded as toxic and teratogenic. (Interestingly, there's a German article on wikipedia: https:// de.wikipedia .org/wiki/Natriumtetraborat which names the toxicity codes, including that nice little skull, while there's no warning to be found in the corresponding English article)
The consultant at the pharmacy recommended to use some hydrochloric acid instead to clean the toilet. Of course, like with all chemicals, cautiously 😉
Happy spring cleaning!
Christiane, You do realize that bar soap – ALL bar soap contains lye, some corn products that are more popular with certain segments of society (such as hominy) are also made with lye… Liquid soaps (such as the liquid castille you mention above) are made by shredding and adding (usually) glycerine to regular castille soap which is lye-water, olive oil and (traditionally) tallow or vegetable oil (the modern alternative and normally 100% soybean oil.
All soaps are created with either sodium or potassium hydroxide. Chemistry has never come up with its replacement.
Lye is made from wood ash and has been used for centuries. Not the sort of thing children or klutzes should mess with, but the chemical reaction that creates soap is the same that turns corn into hominy. It is only a few steps up the alkaline ladder from baking soda, which does not produce as much heat, but is essentially creating a similar reaction when combined with water.
After saponification and aging of soap bars, lye is “used up” and neutral. It chemically changes.
Dear Christiane,
I am so grateful for these suggestions! I fortunately have not been using most of the toxic products, but it’s great to know what to avoid, and to have the helpful alternatives to dry cleaning and ammonia, for instance!
Thanks a million!
I love The Simply Co.. Lauren makes her own laundry detergent using only three ingredients in glass jars. The smell is amazing!!! She also has great zero waste tips. Check out her site thesimplyco.com
Thanks for this. I’ll check!!
This is a great list and I have been cleaning with these for many years. However, PLEASE BE CAUTIOUS WITH ESSENTIAL OILS IF YOU HAVE PETS! Many that we love are toxic to pets. They absorb them through their paws and cannot metabolize them. Cats are more at risk than dogs. After reading many tragic stories from well intentioned per owners, I stopped putting any essential oils my cleaners so that they cannot come into direct contact. If you want to diffuse, be mindful that their sense of smell is incredibly sensitive. >3
Essential oils that are therapeutic quality are safe for animals. There are veterinarians that use them on animals. If the essential oil is NOT therapeutic, it is probably cut with toxic chemicals and not good for ANYone.
However, essential oils should usually be used in a “carrier” oil–like olive oil or almond oil–always dilute the essential oils when using them on animals and, usually, on people, too.
If they are used in water or salts, they are probably OK.
great to talk about this subject, i have for years been using enjo microfibre cloths and also more recently norwex cleaning cloths, they are chemical free and work great, i don’t know if you can get them in the U.S but in Australia we can get them. Thanks Christinane for once again bringing up a really important subject
I have a big farm sink that is white. It gets yucky pretty quickly. Instead of using a cleanser, I often take the rind of whatever citrus fruit I have juiced recently, turn it inside out, and wipe down the sink and the drain with it and then put it into the disposal for a fresh scent. This way, I keep that stuff off my sponges and don’t have to resort to a scrub more than once a month or so.
I love this idea. Thanks!
I hate the idea that commercial shampoos are only sold in plastic, plus they contain lots of harmful chemicals. Here’s something i found on making your own:
Easy Homemade Natural Shampoo
1/2 cup coconut milk
2/3 cup Castile soap
10-15 drops essential oil of your choice
2 teaspoons almond oil or olive oil
Mix together all the ingredients in the bottle and shake thoroughly. Just give it a shake before you use.
The Center for Environmental Health based in Oakland, California, performed a study on shampoos and soaps and found that 98 included a possible carcinogen known as cocamide diethanolamine (cocamide DEA). Ingredients such as Cocamide Diethanolamine (cocamide DEA), have been found in body care products. Cocamide DEA is a suspected carcinogen.
Some of the products that contain high levels of the illegal chemical are sold under well-known companies such as Colgate Palmolive, Paul Mitchell, and Prell. Lab tests also found the carcinogen in children’s products, such as a store brand bubble bath from KMart, and a shampoo/conditioner from Babies R Us.
Unfortunately, manufacturers can put any toxic chemical they want into shampoos because the FDA allows all sorts of chemicals to be used in these products, including chemicals that are known carcinogens and that contribute to liver failure and nervous system disorders.
What is the shelf life of this home made product? Does it need to be stored in the refrigerator?
Baking soda is a wonderful grease remover, as well. It wipes away all that gummy kitchen grease that collects on the range hood or on things that might be sitting near the stove, like canisters or salt and pepper shakers, that your sponge normally just smears around. Just be sure you rinse the object after you use it; it will leave a white residue behind when it dries if you don’t.
Thanks for providing such valuable information. These chemicals are harmful to humans and even more harmful to our pets. It’s no wonder we hear about so many dogs and cats getting cancer!
I use all Amway cleaning products. They are all green, very concentrated & work great!
Thank you very very much Dr. Northrup for all the wonderful extensive information for green cleaning. It is is the most informative list of tips on this subject I have read. I plan to make good use of what I have learned from you and share it with my friends.
Much thanks again,
Hedy Klinger
ESSENTIAL OILS CAN BE DANGEROUS TO PETS-PLEASE USE EXTREME CAUTION IF YOU
DECIDE TO USE THESE IN ANY FASHION.
AS WE KNOW, NATURAL DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN SAFE .
To get water stains out of your wood furniture, sprinkle with some ash (I take it from my fire place – in the 70s, my mother would empty take it from the ashtrays after a dinner party) before polishing with olive oil (my mother used mayonnaise) – stain gone and wood grain pops!
Hi Dr. Northrup,
Thank you for this wonderful blog. I just found out about Methylisothiazolinone a toxic chemical in hand soaps, dish soaps, laundry detergents, lotions, shaving cream, etc. The friend that told me about this was having hair loss, from her shampoo, and numbness and tingling in her arms and hands. Since she has stopped using this chemical her issues have resolved. I went around my house and found it in my son’s shaving cream, shampoo, body wash, hand soaps, even in my favorite hand and body lotion. I thought I was doing a decent job around my house not using toxic house cleaners, hand soap and lotions for myself but apparently I wasn’t doing the best job for the rest of my family, who could care less. What is deceiving is how they market these products to be clean and natural. I have started gathering the products in my home that have this chemical in it to dispose of them, and the list just keeps getting longer. I’m in shock and very upset about this because I’m realizing this chemical is in almost everything we use. I too have been having numbness and tingling down my left arm over the past few months now. I thought it was a pinched nerve from tight muscles, I have been to the doctor. I also have suffered from hair loss. I’m not sure if my issue is related to all the chemicals but it will be interesting to see once I rid my house of all chemicals if my issues resolves. Thank you again.
I am interested to know which products you had that contained this chemical. I checked my Burt’s Bee’s lotion, Alba Botanical shampoo and Mrs. Meyer’s hand soap and they did not contain it luckily. My Husband’s shampoo, that he bought on sale, did contain it and lots more chemicals (Suave Men 3-in-1 shampoo, conditioner and body wash). That is going out and he can use the Alba. He had been using Head and Shoulders for years and recently replaced an empty bottle with the Suave. I hate the fake chemical smell of products like that. Thanks for sharing this info.
Hi Deborah,
I found it in my son’s Dove bodywash & Tresemme shampoo & conditioner. I also found it in Trader Joe’s Midsummer Night’s Cream- Extra Dry Formula, My Super Dog’s Lavender Dog Shampoo. Benzisothiazolinone is in our Shout stain remover for clothes. I can’t see the ingredients on the bottle of Ajax dish soap but when I look the product up on line it lists Methylisothiazolinone & Benzisothiazolinone as a preservative. I have used Alba lotion & Burt’s Bee’s products previously, thank you for the information.
I hope this is helpful.
Elaine
I just found those two long named chemicals in two laundry soaps sold in a health product aisle, which are on TY BOLLINGER’s – OF TTAC (the truth about cancer) REPORT … for laundry soaps considered SAFE!
Whose going to change these ingredients, if not the manufacturers? Manufacturers need legislative regulation. OR, I need to invent my own line of soaps! It’d be big business$$&
Thanks for sharing this! Going to go check every thing!
Thank you for sharing such a thorough list on products you can use to clean your home in a more effective and eco-friendly way. That being said, you talk about how White Vinegar has antifungal properties and Baking soda eliminates odors and can be used as a gentle scouring powder. Additionally, you talk about how these can clean just about anything, so I was wondering if you think that these two ingredients together can help to clear and clean clogs effectively? I have heard that this is a great way to regularly maintain your home’s plumbing, but I wanted to hear if you would agree? Thank you for the help!
There are enzyme culture cleaners for drains like “Biokleen.” I’m not sure if vinegar and baking soda will do exactly what you described but I feel like the effervescence of them together is effective. I also ‘soak’ my gemstone jewelry in baking soda and vinegar, then give a little scrub and rinse. A spray bottle of pure white vinegar and box of baking soda replaces so much!
In conjunction use a plunger on sink or tub clogs works like a charm. No chemicals
If that’s the case, you should consider hiring a professional duct cleaner — this is probably not a job you can safely do on your own. Your basic vinegar and water solution is really the perfect choice for cleaning most types of bare floors in your home.
Thank you very much for all these green ideas. I have very successful experience with soap nuts. We boil them and put the liquid in the bottles. For half an hour I soak the clothes in the liquid. The clothes becomes clean. sometimes I brush the clothes if needed.
Use ordinary table salt to soak up and eliminate red wine spills on carpets or table linen.
Sprinkle liberally and leave overnight
using olive oil is far better than anything you can buy in the store. with bees wax 3T wax to 6T oil in a double boiler and the wax helps seal the wood so you don’t need to polish as often
You can also use your own rose vinegar. It´s very easy to make it by yourself.
Just take a small bottle (250 ml) and fill it with about 2/3 with dried rose petals. Add organic apple vinegar.
Leave it at least for 2 weeks at and filter the amount you need. you can use it in salads, for cleaning or even also to rinse your hair after shampoo. It is great multi-purpose vinegar. I always have some.
Oh I love this idea!! We have Rosa Ragosa bushes all over so many beaches here in Maine. And the petals are fragrant and wonderful. So thank you. I’m trying this!!
There is a wonderful thing called Soapnuts which do so many wonderful things.
1) I put 4-5 in a lill pouch for my laundry and my clothes come out lovely.
2) It is a natural softener for clothes especially wollens and silks and washes even carpets!!
3) It is used in every Paraben free hair/ body wash in India.
4) It washes jewellery wonderfully and lastly – I soak my veges and fruits in it – they come out free of any chemicals , pesticide that might be there on the skin.
5) Oh yes- it is a natural and healing berry so works beautifully for people who need to go detergent free!
I’ve used a drying rack for years instead of my clothes dryer. I hang everything on there regardless of the fabric. The next day I throw all the clothes (in smaller fast drying portions) in the dryer to fluff up just for a couple of minutes. I then either pull them out of the dryer and hang on a hanger or fold and put away. I also use my cloths line outside weather permitting. I love it & it has saved me a lot of money over the years. Saves on the life of my dryer too!
Where can I get “oxygen bleach”, “washing soda” and “soap flakes”/
I’m so grateful for all your tips and advice thank you!
Jkang
I’m trying to make as much as possible at home. For all the common reasons. I will be using your site. Thanks so much
So glad you like these ideas. I also love all the others that are being shared here!!!
THANK U FOR SHARING!
Green cleaning is so important. Have you heard of e-cloth yet. No chemicals at all!!!!
I have just discovered it and am ahhhhed at how well it works on everything with just water.
Check it out.
Thank you for all your wonderful help in all areas of my life.
Cleaning glass coffee pots
When I worked as a waitress, they had us clean the coffee pots every night with a scoop of semi-crushed ice and some salt. Swish it around and rinse! You can add a slice or two of lemon for a fresh scent.
This is fantastic!!! I have run diluted vinegar through my coffee maker. And it works. This is also really good! Thank you.
Baking soda & hot water work great too. Epecially to eliminate the odor from flavored coffee. If you want to use your coffee maker for hot tea or another coffee flavor
I live in Southwest Florida and am as green as I can be for several reasons. But, I cannot get my shower clean without bleach. Straight vinegar does not work on the mold and mildew we have down here. It even grows on my shower curtain – in a few hours. Any other ideas – I know bleach isn’t great for the environment or for humans/pets, but I’m at a loss. I’ve already tried food grade peroxide and that didn’t work either.
I wonder if a stronger concentration of hydrogen peroxide would do the trick Mary Ann?
Good old bleach is actually non-toxic. And is easily broken down organically. I researched this after our last blog on cleaning products.
I have never heard of bleach being non-toxic.
Bleach is non-toxic?
I have very successfully used baking soda and hydrogen peroxide mixed in a paste for mildew in my tile grout. Apply this directly to the grout lines, leave on for 5-10 minutes, then scrub. For severe mold problems, bleach may be required. It can be diluted in a spray bottle and the shower sprayed after every use.
How about the oven? I’ve been inquiring about a safe and EASY way to clean it and never found.
Thanks
Vinegar and bicarb of soda – sprinkle on bicarb spray vinegar over top , leave a while and wipe off , it’s fabulous!
Thankfully, I learned about all of these from my grandmother. I’ve used them for the past 30 years when I noticed that I got awful headaches after using a popular commercial “disinfectant”.
My godmother used to polish up her sink with good old velvet soap on a little steel wool. It shines up like a mirror. I love doing this.
I use distiller vinegar and baking soda as s fabric softener in the rinse cycle. And eco minded, hang the clothes on an outside line. Haven’t had a dryer for years.
If I did this, half the year, the clothes would be FROZEN on the line!! But love the idea!
My mother always hung out clothes on the line in winter as we didn’t have a dryer for a long time. The clothes freeze dry and when they thawed they were dry. I always marvelled at how that happened. I live in Canada.
When we lived in Saskatchewan when I was a preteen I had to help my mom do laundry. We had an electric wringer washing machine and a clothesline. When our clothesline broke I had to walk next door with my mom, to hang them on the neighbours clothes line. I remember going to get them one winter day and having to “crack” the clothes over my knee to try to fold them in half so I could try to put them in the basket to carry them home! LOL!!
I live in snow. I rack dry all year, with a fan pointed at the racks. Planning is required for sheets and the duvet cover, but it’s easily doable.
Involved, teaching and doing with Astrology charts for about 50 years…Old pro they call it. You got it exactly right, the stars do not compel.
We all have free will, but astrology is all about timing and you, inside. We are all connected even to the stars.
Thanks for recognizing.
Phyllis G
ps..have always loved you, and watched everything you have done on PBS
Thank you for this wonderful post!!!
Great read! I’m bookmarking it for future use. Thanks.
when u return from the market fill your (clean) sink with cold water toss in your fruit and veg and add 1 tsp hydrogen peroxide to the water. Leave for abut 20 mins. It is not necessary to put things like bananas as the skin is not likely to be eaten but if u have a birds nest plant, toss the skin into the center of it and watch it thrive. Meanwhile your food will be cleansed from pesticides and other unwanted chemicals.
Mix in sink or bathtub: In a gallon jar or larger bucket, combine 2 cups white vinegar, 1/2 cup baking soda….fill with water (after dramatic fizzing) and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. In a small 1qt plastic or glass container, place 3 or 4 sponges cut in half and fill with prepared liquid. Place 3 or 4 of the sponge halves in your dryer with clothes. When done, place dried sponges back in container.
To get rid of toothpaste residue in your bathroom sink or ring around the bathtub try this trick to give your baking soda a little “oomph”. Spray down the sides of the tub/sink with the vinegar and water solution. Sprinkle baking soda over that so it sticks to the sides. Then use the cut side of a lemon as a “scrub brush.” Leaves everything squeaky clean and lemony.
I am SO doing this. Thank you!!
For anyone else that is just reading through these notes 2 years later – this works! Just cleaned the shower with this method – loved it! Thanks Karen Malay!
I became more aware of how we clean our homes when I went back to school to get a degree in Environmental Studies. I was educated on this matter when raising my 3 sons but now that I have a granddaughter, I’m much more aware. I’ve even started a business to help people detox their homes. I was also inspired by so many people with or recuperating from Cancer that had never thought about changing their habits. I’m finally doing something with purpose. The Green Makeover Team. Thank you so much for all you do to hep women know their strengths and to stay on “Goddess mode”.
Many people these days have granite or marble counters in the kitchen and bath. Vinegar is acidic and will etch the stone over time, unless the sealing coat is good (and sealing need to be redone every few years). We discovered that on the marble counter in the bath when a bottle of vinegar left a nasty white ring. I now use this formula for my stone:
2 cups distilled water
1 1/2 to 4 tsp liquid castille soap
1 tsp tea tree oil
essential oil for pleasing scent
I have marble countertops in my kitchen and bathroom. So thank you for this!
Thank you so much for stating the importance of getting rid of the over use of chemicals. I have promoted natural living for a long time but your fame and recognition make your words carry a greater impact. I know my health is improved by eliminating so many of the products that people don’t even think about. Thank you, again
I’ve used vinegar to clean sinks and counters with great results. I even remember my mother using a vinegar and water solution to wipe down her sofa and chairs. But I did have a problem using vinegar as a cleaner myself. Vinegar will take the color out of fabrics. I kept wondering why my t-shirts had large sections where the color was faded out. And it was always in the same area! Then it dawned on me. The spots were right where I leaned against my kitchen counter when preparing meals. I also ruined a set of beautiful bath towels by placing them on a bar that had been wiped down with a vinegar and water solution. Again, the color was removed right where the towel and towel bar met. Yes, I did dilute the vinegar and the area was dry. It may have been that I didn’t dilute it enough. Still, please tell everyone to be careful!
Here is an easy, economical and eco friendly way to shine up your stainless steel sink using mineral oil.
Clean sink throughly (using whatever method suits you)
Dry sink
Shine sink with a moistened towel (handi wipes work well) using mineral oil. VOILA’
(Slip towel into a zip lock bag and re-use)
thanks for the cleaning recipes. I really needed a laundry detergent.
I am still looking for a non-toxic drain cleaner for slow drains. Any ideas?
Try a cup of baking soda and a 1/2 gallon of white vinegar. It works great.
For slow drains, put 1/2 cup baking soda in the sink and then pour 1 cup vinegar over it. It will fizz like crazy. Let sit over night and in the morning pour a tea kettle full of boiling water down the drain. It works great!
I did read somewhere to remedy a slow drain required dropping several spoonfuls of baking soda down the drain. As much as you want, depending on how slow it is. Then pour white vinegar (from bottle) down the drain. It will froth up like a volcano. Quite fun actually! It worked for me.
This is something that the adolescent boys ( of all ages) in my life would LOVE. Thank you!!
I found even a tiny amount of coffee grounds made my drain (sans a disposal ) slow. Once I put them elsewhere. No slow drain
A great way to a clean cast iron skillet is to pour some table salt into the skillet, rub it around with finger tips, add a small amount of olive oil, rub with fingers. Rinse out skillet, wipe dry with paper towel.
Throw out your Dryer Softening sheets and use wool balls that help the clothes dry faster and add a softness to the clothes. To scent the balls, add a few drops of a high quality essential oil much as lavender. I purchased my wool balls on Amazon.
I do my clothes washing in the washing machine – then I hang it all on a dryer rack – next morning it’s all dry and some of the clothes nee fluffing up I put them 5 min. into the dryer and most of it I don’t even need to iron – just fold immediately.
I too use the wool dryer balls and love them. I don’t use any laundry detergent in the washer because I have a Pure Water system which adds oxygen and negative ions to the water to clean the clothes. Love it. If you don’t want to spend the money on that look for soap nuts. They work great in the washer, too and are safe and natural. They even come in a capsule form. So great for travel, too. You can also make a multi-purpose cleaner from the soap nuts.
I use organic hair conditioner –about a dime size_ on a wet garment before turning on the dryer. Works GREAT!! But I also love these other ideas!!