Safe & Effective Non-Toxic Alternatives for Household Cleaning

As blossoms make a comeback, the fresh air can inspire an indoor overhaul we call spring cleaning. Books, toys, clothing, and many other miscellaneous items suddenly become less necessary to make way for more space to go outside.

In efforts to promote deep cleaning, many companies promise their products are so effective that they make up for good, old-fashioned elbow grease. Unfortunately, these products can be packed with harmful chemicals that affect our hormones, lungs, and in turn, our entire systems. Does that seem like a fair trade?

If you’re answering “no,” you’re not alone. Thankfully, more research attests to this growing problem and solutions exist. Let’s take a look at what exactly is wrong with these chemicals and get to some “cleaner” non-toxic products.

Don’t Disrupt My Hormones

Though this may be a phrase you never want to hear from a teenager again, it would be very appropriate to tell it to conventional household cleaners.

Many chemicals found in cleaners and personal care products act as endocrine (or hormone) disruptors, which mimic the shape and function of certain hormones. This mimicking can artificially change the body’s hormone response. Since hormones are our body’s chemical messengers for major functions, disruptions can cause adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects.

Some common endocrine disruptors in household items include:

• Phthalates
  • Found in: plastics and personal care products
  • Health concerns: can decrease sperm count and quality, reduce testosterone levels, and altar thyroid hormone function
• BPA
  • Found in: common plastics
  • Health concern: mimics estrogen in the body
• Dioxin
  • Found in: coffee filters
  • Health concern: interferes with reproductive hormones
• Perchlorate
  • Found in: explosives and often leach into groundwater
  • Health concern: can impair thyroid uptake of iodine
• Arsenic
  • Found in: pesticides and some household cleaners
  • Health concern: can impair blood glucose regulation

Breathe Right

Toxins not only can leach through liquids – they can also be inhaled through the air. The American Lung Association cautions against Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are harmful chemicals that vaporize at room temperature.

These chemicals are often found in:

• Household cleaners and disinfectants
• Furniture
• Pesticides
• Air fresheners
• Cosmetics
• Deodorants
• Fuel oil
• Gasoline

Inhaling these chemicals can cause:

• Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
• Nausea
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Difficulty breathing

Research suggests that exposure to these chemicals can lead to more serious health issues. One study found that people working in the cleaning industry have a 50% higher risk of developing asthma and another found that women working in the industry are more likely to develop cancer. Children highly exposed to harmful household cleaners as infants and in utero have a higher risk of developing asthma as well.

These chemicals can also put our environment at risk. It’s estimated that consumer products contribute to half of the VOCs responsible for air pollution, according to a 2018 study.

Ultimately, the more toxins our bodies ingest, the harder our immune systems must work to expel them. If our cleaning is meant to safeguard our immune systems, it’s important to think twice about whether our cleaners are doing us more harm than good.

A Cleaner Non-toxic Solution

If you want to use non-toxic cleaning products that follow a higher standard, consider using the Environmental Working Group (EWG) search. If you are unsure whether your current household cleaning products pose health risks, you can also enter the name and brand of your products into the above search engine and it will provide a grade for its health risk.

As a rule of thumb, cleaning products that are fragrance-free contain significantly less VOCs. Though some may prefer the added fragrances to something pungent like vinegar, consider using essential oils as a clean scent alternative. Castile soap is a natural, multi-faceted cleaner that can often pair well with essential oils.

Non-toxic DIY Cleaning Products

If you’re the DIY type, consider these recipes using common household products. Make sure to only use them fresh, as their effectiveness wears off over time.

• Bath, Tub, and Sink Cleaner: Moisten the surface, sprinkle baking soda on top, scrub with a rag or sponge, and rinse.
• Window Cleaner: Mix one part vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle. Spray your window, wipe, and let dry.
• Drain Cleaner: Run cold water while running the garbage disposal (if applicable). Turn the disposal off and pour boiling water down the drain. Pour ½ cup baking soda down the drain. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes. Pour ½ cup vinegar down the drain. Let sit for 15 minutes. Pour more boiling water down the sink.
• All-Natural Cleaner (without vinegar): Combine 2 cups of distilled water with 2 tablespoons of liquid castile soap and essential oil of your choice in a spray bottle. Shake to combine. Spray on surfaces to clean and wipe with a cloth.
• All-Natural Disinfectant (with vinegar): Combine 1 cup white vinegar, 1 cup club soda, and 2 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Spray it on surfaces and wipe clean.
• Make your own Liquid Castile Soap

As with any cleaning product, consider testing it in a small area before using it liberally.

To avoid exposure to BPA and other endocrine disruptors in plastics, consider using glass spray bottles instead.

Safe and Effective

Harsh chemicals are harsh for a reason – the hope is that any unwanted microorganism doesn’t stand a chance against them. To some, using regular household products like baking soda and vinegar can seem more like a middle school science experiment than an effective cleaner.

According to one study, environmentally safe products performed just as well as conventional cleaners (in this case, bleach). The DIY product only did not perform as well on stainless steel surfaces.

Consider using environmentally safe products for stainless steel surfaces and disinfecting after illness. DIY products should work for any other surfaces – if they are made fresh.

Budget and Kid-Friendly

Using a mixture of simple DIY and environmentally safe products can save money over time. Keeping baking soda, white vinegar, and castile soap on hand can go a long way without breaking the budget. Castile soap may be an initial investment, but a little goes a long way. Most recipes call for two tablespoons or less for large batches of cleaner.

Remember the part about science experiments? Including children in making DIY cleaners makes it a fun experience and provides a way for them to be involved in cleaning at an early age. It can be a learning opportunity about everything from being creative with what is in the kitchen to learning about the power of acids and bases. With all this learning without being exposed to toxins, it’s a win-win situation for the entire family.

Learn More at NTI

Want to learn more about how our diet and lifestyle can affect our hormones and toxin load? NTI’s Nutrition Therapist Master program has classes on hormones and the body’s complex detoxification pathways. Taught by competent and experienced instructors, these courses not only help you take charge of your health but also empower others to do the same.

About the author: Lisa (Driscoll) Lopes is a certified Nutrition Therapist Master through NTI’s Nutrition Therapist Master Program. Having studied journalism and vocal performance in undergrad, she enjoys using her voice to share the benefits of living a holistic, integrated lifestyle in writing. You can find more of her writing in the Baltimore Sun, Classical Singer Magazine, Capital News Service, and FOCUS blog.

Image Sources: Image by Monfocus is free for use by Pixabay; Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels