How to clean your home without harmful chemicals.

Need to clean your home without harmful chemicals? Cleaning is one of those chores you either love or hate! You may see it as a therapeutic habit. Creating a clean sanctuary in which you can relax. Or it’s one of those chores you must do every week. But rarely brings you joy (until it’s done). 

Whichever camp you’re in, cleaning your home without harmful chemicals is a useful way to help control your exposure. 

Some chemicals in general cleaning products have been identified as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). These have been linked to increasing breast cancer risk and other illnesses. 

Natural cleaning products are becoming more popular and can be made at home with store cupboard ingredients, such as bicarbonate soda, white vinegar, lemons and table salt. 

Here are some simple recipes to get you started cleaning your home without toxic chemicals: 

Multi-purpose cleaner = white vinegar 

Vinegar (acetic acid) is a great all-round cleaner. Its natural acidic properties mean it can cut through dirt easily. Mix one part vinegar to one part water in a spray bottle. You can add lemon rinds and/or herbs for scent. Never use vinegar on stone or ceramics. 

Heavy-duty scrub = lemon + bicarbonate of soda [also known as baking soda] 

These two heavy-hitting natural cleaners can remove stubborn marks, including rust. Mix the juice of half a lemon with 4 tablespoons of bicarbonate of soda to make a paste and apply to the area. Remove any residue with water and cloth. 

Kitchen cleaner = bicarbonate of soda 

To clean kitchen appliances, and the inside of your refrigerator, all you need is baking soda. It is a great deodoriser and can be used to shine stainless steel. Mix 4 tablespoons with 450ml warm water and add to a spray bottle to use. To clean stainless steel, dissolve the bicarbonate of soda with some warm water to make a paste. With a soft cloth, rub the surface to remove marks and then buff it with a clean cloth to shine. 

Bathroom scrub = bicarbonate of soda + salt 

For a dry scrub cleaner that works well in a bathroom to cut through soap residue, mix equal parts bicarbonate of soda and salt into a paste. 

Mould remover = white vinegar + table salt 

Add white wine vinegar to a spray bottle (recycle one of your old bottles), spray over the mould, leave for 20 mins, then dip an old toothbrush into table salt and scrub away. 

Glass cleaner = white vinegar + rubbing alcohol 

It is possible to have streak-free mirrors and windows without using harmful chemicals.  Mix 250ml water with 3 tablespoons white vinegar and 60ml rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle.  Use as you would a regular glass cleaner. 

Air freshener = house plants 

Ditch air fresheners for good by investing in house plants that naturally freshen the air in your home. So next time one of your cleaning products runs out, swap it for one of the alternatives above and within a few months,  loads of those niggly chores can be done without having to think about which harmful chemicals you might be using. 

P.S.  Don’t forget to vacuum and dust regularly to remove toxins from your home. 

For more information on harmful chemicals and how to reduce your exposure, please read our Chemicals and our Environment section.

Download our free Guide to EDCs in the home.