Switching to clean products for our home is something we began years ago. Now, with years in the game, about 95% of our cleaning products are clean. Over time, we started slowly switching out basic cleaning items such as all-purpose cleaners, toilet cleaners, wood cleaners, and floor cleaners. Now we are slowly transitioning out the 5% of toxic products we have left.
Steps to Purge Toxic Products
- Make a list of the most used cleaners. For each of those, replace them with a cleaner alternative. Trying to change all your products at once can be a total disaster. Take your time. One brand that I think is reasonable in price is Seventh Generation, so this could be a great start.
- If you want to get rid of all of them before using them up, check your city’s website for any “hazardous waste disposal days,” so you can drop off the cleaners and they can dispose of them correctly.
- If you have a tight budget, start by making your own products. This can save you some money. Pinterest is a great tool to find recipes for homemade non-toxic cleaners. I included some bloggers who have great mixtures using vinegar below.
- Don’t feel bad if you still use some toxic products. Purging takes time. Be patient with yourself. As you start to replace mostly used cleaners, you will realize you can use the same products in different areas. For example, a separate scrub for tubs, toilets and kitchen sinks is not needed. You will be able to use the same product for multiple surfaces.
Benefits of using Non-Toxic Products
- Non-toxic products are safe for people with sensitivities. We noticed we no longer sneeze constantly while cleaning as we did while using toxic products. My skin would itch really badly after cleaning. I knew it was time to change how we cleaned our home. I’ve noticed huge differences since we switched.
- If you have children or pets, non- toxic products are safer. We currently don’t have children but we have a dog and he has serious skin allergies.
- Non-toxic products keep the air you breathe clean.
- Non- toxic products can be cheaper, especially if you make your own.
- Non-toxic products don’t harm the environment.
Homemade Non-Toxic Products
Firstly, before you spend a ton of money on non-toxic products, make sure you utilize search engines like Google and Pinterest and find ways to create your own. Furthermore, if you are on a serious budget, making your own products is an easy way to switch over to non-toxic products. Pinterest has tons of information regarding how to make your own products. I like Bloggers like Chasing Wish and Organization Obsessed who share DIY vinegar cleansers you can make at home.
When I began researching non-toxic products, there were not many sites that had the information I needed. Many brands that claimed to be clean were not clean at all.
Mrs. Jones’ Soapbox
One brand I was so lucky to find was Mrs. Jones’ Soapbox. I started purchasing her products in 2014 and we still use them today. The products are safe, natural cleaning products. I love that she mixes and crafts the products by hand.
As such, my favorite Soapbox product is the All-Purpose spray but I use the Glass and Granite spray and the Wood and Leather spray as well. I now purchase the refills to refill my bottles. I have used the soft cleaning scrub on toilets and shower stalls and it does the job.
All-Purpose spray and the Wood and Leather spray
Alternative to Homemade Products: Grove Collaborative
Grove Collaborative is detrimental to my pockets. This is by far my favorite online store. I joined Grove in 2017.
The VIP Membership is $19.99 a year. This includes free shipping, free gifts and early access to new products. You can actually try it for 60 days for free, but be sure to cancel if you don’t want to be charged the $19.99 for the year.
Mrs. Meyers dish and hand soaps
Some of my favorite products from Grove are the wood cleaners (here and here) bathroom cleaners (here, here and here) and degreaser/kitchen cleaners (here and here) by Method and Mrs. Meyers. Get a free 5-piece Mrs. Meyer’s gift set ($30 value) on your first order from Grove Collaborative using this link!
