Is Non-Toxic Home Cleaning Products REALLY That Important?!?

Some of you may be rolling your eyes and thinking that making DIY home cleaning products might just be taking the whole ‘wellness and healthy lifestyle’ one step to far. For some of you that would absolutely be true. Not everyone has the time or energy to make their own non-toxic home cleaning products and healthy lifestyle MUST take balance into account.

So if you are someone who doesn’t feel that the DIY is the best choice for you, here is a link to a great blog that lists non-toxic cleaning products that you can buy – to read click HERE

For those of you who have the time and energy to make your own safe products, I am here to help with some simple recipes and links that will save you money while also keeping your home a toxic-free zone. So regardless of whether you are doing the DIY adventure or buying, it is SO important to use non-toxic home cleaning products. Here is why –

Simply put, many toxic chemicals disrupt your entire endocrine system and many of your hormone producing glads. In addition to this, some chemicals commonly used in home cleaning products can even damage lungs, liver, kidneys and disrupt the health of your skin which is your bodies largest microbiome!

Some Common Chemicals Found In Cleaning Products – 

  • Ammonia: Fatal if swallowed; skin, lung, throat irritant; can cause blindness
  • Butyl Cellosolve: Irritation and tissue damage from inhalation
  • Formaldehyde: Known carcinogen
  • Propylene Glycol: Ingestion can damage kidneys, lungs, heart, and nervous system
  • Sodium Hydroxide (lye): Highly caustic. Contact can cause severe damage to eyes, skin, mouth, and throat; can cause liver and kidney damage
  • Hydrochloric Acid: Fatal if swallowed; concentrated fumes harmful
  • Naphtha: Depresses the central nervous system
  • Perchloroethylene: Damages liver, kidney, nervous system
  • Petroleum Distillates: Highly flammable; can damage lung tissue and nerve cells
  • Phenols: Extremely dangerous; suspected carcinogen
  • Sodium Hypochlorite (chlorine bleach): Contact can cause severe damage to eyes, skin, mouth, and throat; can cause liver and kidney damage; causes more poisoning exposures than any household chemical
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: Skin irritant
  • Sulfuric Acid: Dangerous. Can burn skin. Exposure to concentrated fumes can be carcinogenic
  • Trichloroethane: Damages liver and kidney

Here are two great articles that goes into a LOT of detail breaking down each of these and all of the risks to your health – to read, click HERE and HERE

For your health, your family and also for your pets, it’s time to ditch the toxic products! 

Here are my favorite DIY home cleaning recipes plus a few links to great blogs that share even more!

DIY Recipes & Resources

Be sure to store and use only GLASS containers and spray bottles – avoid plastic or else you are inviting carcinogens from your plastic containers to leech into your nice clean product!

Window Cleaner

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup vodka
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 
  • 20 drops essential oil (my favorites are lavender and lemon for cleaning)

All-Purpose Surface Cleaner

  • 1 cup water
  • 2 teaspoons castile soap
  • 20 drops essential oil (my favorites are lavender and lemon for cleaning)

Air Freshener

This is my very favorite and also the easiest to make! Simply pour filtered water into a glass spray container, add 20 drops of Lavender essential oil, shake and use! I also use this as pillow and linen spray! You can use other types of essential oils if you like. Lavender has wonderful benefits such as calming down a triggered endocrine system, and calming and relaxing the mind. 

Here are a few links to other blogs that also share DIY non-toxic product recipes and info:

Amazing home cleaning product educational guide plus recipes HERE

Great article on castile soap and baking soda for cleaning – click HERE

Dishwasher detergent recipe HERE

Recipes by Wellness Mamma HERE

Recipes and blogs by Mommypotamus HERE

In clean health,

Dr. Rachel