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

All Natural Cleaning Supplies are easy to make at home using what you have on hand! Creating your own natural cleaning routine can be a fun and creative way to get started on your non-toxic journey. This post is made so you can ditch harsh chemicals step-by-step.

I’m on a mission to make my home a healthier, happier place—without breaking the bank or my sanity. Today, I’m combining everything I’ve learned about non-toxic cleaning, store-bought cleaning options, some real talk on essential oils, and all the best pantry staples so you can whip up your cleaning supplies when needed.

making cleaners at home

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?

Listen to My Non-Toxic Cleaning Routine:

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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.

Step 2: Replace With Better Store-Bought 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.

cleaning supply ingredients

Pantry Staples for Homemade Cleaning Products

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

  • White Vinegar: A natural disinfectant that helps cut through grease and remove odors.
  • Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda): Mildly abrasive and great at neutralizing odors.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide: A gentle bleaching agent that can tackle stains and kill bacteria.
  • Castile Soap: A plant-based soap that’s highly concentrated. I use Dr. Bronner’s because it is the most accessible (they even sell it at Target!) and comes in a ton of different scents. For these recipes, I used the lemon scent. Another favorite is the Hemp Eucalyptus if you’re into hippie scents like me!
  • Food Scraps: Citrus peels and herbs are my go-to!

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.

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

Get my very best recipes for cleaning every area of your home naturally!

weck jar with orange rosemary and cloves

DIY Non-Toxic Citrus All-Purpose Cleaner

Making your own DIY Non-Toxic Citrus All-Purpose Cleaner is super easy and it can be made with ingredients you already have at home!

close up of yellow wood cleaner in a clear spray bottle next to a sage green rag

Natural Everyday Wood Cleaner

A simple cleaning method to clean your wood furniture using only natural products.

bowl stirring diy gentle surface scrub with baking soda

Homemade Non-Toxic Gentle Surface Scrub

This homemade non-toxic gentle surface scrub is perfect for extra grimy messes and can replace oven cleaners and products like Barkeepers Friend, without the toxic chemicals!

thieves cleaner feature with amber spray bottle, lemon, cinnamon, and eucalyptus

DIY Thieves Cleaner Without Essential Oils

An all-natural thieves cleaner without essential oils using herbs and vinegar.

final product- slightly yellow liquid toilet bowl cleaner

DIY Natural Foaming Toilet Bowl Cleaner

This DIY Natural Foaming Toilet Bowl Cleaner actually works! The foaming power is the magic that scrubs for you!

three diy cleaners

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!

Tips

  • Don’t use microfiber! Microfiber leaches microplastics into the water each time you put it through your washing machine. Opt for cotton. I know, this first tip might hurt some feelings. But it is hard for me to tell you to give up plastics, then use a plastic cloth to clean. I know people love their Norwex cloths. I have a few old microfiber cloths chillin’ in my stash too. But I won’t buy new ones. Each time you wash those cloths, tiny microfibers are being drained with your dirty water, right into the water supply. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. There is a filter you can get to filter out these plastics from your laundry (like this one), but I have not tried it yet.
  • Even natural products can be abrasive. Vinegar is very abrasive. Don’t use on porous surfaces like wood, granite surfaces, or marble
  • Use glass bottles. Don’t reuse plastic spray bottles from old cleaners because essential oils can eat away at the plastic.
  • Use what you have. You can’t screw these recipes up! use what you have on hand in your pantry.

Overall, as long as you have a few simple ingredients on hand, you can pretty much make any basic cleaner you need on a regular basis!

cleaner on pantry shelf

For short-term storage (a few weeks), you can keep solutions in glass spray bottles or jars with airtight lids. If your cleaner contains essential oils, glass is preferable because oils can degrade plastic. For anything that reacts (like baking soda with vinegar), it’s best to make it fresh to maintain fizz and effectiveness.

Completely sterilizing every surface isn’t always necessary—some microbes can actually help strengthen our immune systems. Natural ingredients (like vinegar or hydrogen peroxide) do provide mild disinfecting properties. For day-to-day cleaning, this is usually sufficient. If you need heavy-duty sanitizing, spot treat with stronger solutions or let natural cleaners sit longer.

Start small. Pick a single item to replace—like your conventional all-purpose cleaner—and substitute it with a homemade or greener store-bought option. Celebrate that success, then move on to the next product. Over time, you’ll build a non-toxic cleaning routine that feels effortless and sustainable.

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!

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An image featuring a measuring cup of baking soda, a glass of water, and cleaning mixtures, promoting a step-by-step guide to non-toxic cleaning solutions for the home.

About the Author:

I’m Brittany, totally modern and mainstream turned crunchy mama!

Read more here about how I went from a totally incompetent cook and hyper-consumer to striving to live a more meaningful life from scratch.

I can’t wait to share my modern homesteading journey with you and I hope I inspire you to join along!

13 Comments

  1. Oh man, I’m a Norwex fan, didn’t realize that! Need to check out the filters. These cleaning products sound great! Can’t wait to try them!

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