Non-Toxic Cleaning 101: Ditching Harsh Chemicals Step-by-Step

Simplify Your Non-Toxic Cleaning Journey

One of the first steps you can take to create a toxin-free home is to make your own cleaning products. It is a cheap and simple way to rid your home of harsh chemicals.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the non-toxic cleaning information on the internet, you’re not alone. This simple step-by-step guide to ditching harsh chemicals in your cleaning routine can simplify the process.

I’m a firm believer that if we create a solid, toxin-free foundation in our home environment, it’s easier to tackle everything else—mom life, amiright?

Step 1: Get Rid of Conventional Cleaners

Why should I stop using conventional cleaning products?

First of all, I want to define conventional cleaning products as those with heavy toxic chemicals that you can buy off the shelves of any big box or grocery store (think big names like Tide, Windex, Lysol, Clorox bleach, and many more). I feel like it is becoming common knowledge that conventional cleaning products are not the healthiest for us.

There is a plethora of information on how cleaning products with heavy chemicals and irritate lungs, eyes, and skin. In recent years, more studies are pointing to the endocrine and hormone disruptors in these products, hindering reproductive health and even causing birth defects.

I truly don’t share this to scare you. I am far from a conspiracy theorist. But I am a firm believer in the phrase “know better, do better.” I am learning new information everyday, and always looking for small ways to make my home a safer, healthier, and happier environment for my family. Since I now know that these products could potentially cause health problems down the road, I decided they are no longer welcome in my home.

The 3 Places to Start

Tier 1: What Touches Your Skin Daily

• Laundry detergent
• Hand soap
• Dish soap
• Counter spray (if you cook constantly like you do)

Why:
High frequency exposure.

Tier 2: What You Breathe

• Candles
• Air fresheners
• Plug-ins
• Carpet powders

Tier 3: Deep Cleaners (Lower Priority)

• Oven cleaner
• Toilet bowl cleaner
• Occasional mold treatments

These are less frequent, so less urgent.

Step 2: Replace With Better Options

Can’t I just buy eco-friendly cleaning products from the store?

Yes! If you are not ready to make your own cleaning supplies or you simply don’t want to, you can choose better options at the store.

Moving from regular chemical cleaners to natural “green cleaning products” at the store (like Mrs. Meyers, Seventh Generation, or Puracy) is a great next step to creating a toxic-free home. I am not knocking these at all. It is the first step I made when transforming my own homestead. These products are easily accessible, and do not cost any more than the toxic stuff. To read more about my journey toward a more sustainable life, check out my about page.

However, some of these products can be “green-washed,” meaning that they might not be as eco-friendly as you think. Always read the ingredient labels and know what you are bringing into your home. In order to help decide on the best products, the Environmental Working Group has created “EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning,” where you can search any product to learn if it’s right for you.

Step 3: Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaners at Home!

Making cleaning supplies is the cheapest method to move toward a non-toxic. Many recipes use common pantry staples along with food scraps to reduce waste!

Why “Going Green” Is Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think

If you are looking to reduce your environmental impact even more, these simple homemade cleaner recipes might be for you! By making your own DIY cleaners, you are bypassing packaging and all of the energy and resources used in manufacturing and transporting the cleaning products.

Pantry Staples for Homemade Cleaning Products

If you always have these items on hand, you can clean your house on a moments notice!

I researched a lot of recipes. Some of my favorites are variations from the book, Simply Living Well in combination with tips from YouTuber Rachel Talbott.

Cleaning vs Disinfecting: What You Actually Need

Pro tip: you don’t need to kill all of the germs by bleaching everything all the time. You’ll be fine. In fact, killing all of the germs also kills the good ones, causing our immune systems to weaken. Let’s keep some of those germs around!

• Cleaning = removing dirt, debris, film, and everyday messes
• Disinfecting = killing bacteria and viruses that can cause illness

Most daily cleaning — counters, floors, windows, dusting — does not need disinfecting. Just regular cleaning is enough, and that’s the part vinegar, castile soap, and baking soda do really well.
If someone in your home is sick or you’re tackling a known bacteria/virus situation (like a stomach bug), tools like peroxide or rubbing alcohol can be useful too.

What Not to Mix

One of the biggest misconceptions online is mixing ingredients.

• Vinegar + baking soda neutralize each other — fun volcano, but little cleaning benefit as they neutralize each other
• Vinegar + Castile soap actually reduces effectiveness, because acids and soap don’t mix well.

A Note on Essential Oils

I firmly believe that essential oils are a great alternative to conventional cleaners, but I do believe they are commonly used in excess. Essential oils are made from plants found in nature, but they are no longer in their natural, whole plant form. You would never find a plant’s properties in such a high concentration in nature.

I urge you to do your own research and use caution when using essential oils (and never ingest them).

The Best Natural Cleaning Recipes

What’s the next step?

If you are looking to make more ways to create a greener home, check out my list of Sustainable Swaps for any homesteader! If you made all these new cleaning products, it’s probably time to ditch the paper towel, too.

Switching to non-toxic, homemade cleaning solutions is more than a trend—it’s a practical way to protect your family’s health, cut down on waste, and simplify your household routine. Whether you go all-in with DIY cleaners or just make a few easy swaps, every small step adds up to create a safer, greener home. By using pantry staples and avoiding harsh chemicals, you not only reduce toxins in your living space but also help preserve our planet for future generations.

Remember, natural cleaning doesn’t have to be complicated; start with one recipe or swap at a time, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly what’s in your cleaning products. Here’s to a fresh, toxin-free home that supports all of your homesteading, gardening, and everyday adventures!