3 Little Plums

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Tried & Tested Non-Toxic Cleaning Guide

Aida Garcia-Toledo

UPDATED 2/2023

The birds are chirping, the snow has melted, the flowers are growing: it's been Spring for a while now. Have you tackled Spring Cleaning? If not, its a great time to make a transition into non-toxic cleaning this Spring!

WHY?
Ask yourself: are your cleaning products cleaning your house or contaminating it? Your family will touch, breathe & absorb the ingredients used in your cleaning products - for days after you cleaned, and continual exposure to hundreds of cleaners, even some of those labelled as "green" or "natural," can have serious health effects, especially on children.

  • LINKS TO ASTHMA: There is a large and growing body of evidence that links frequent use of many ordinary cleaning supplies at home with development of asthma and other respiratory problems in otherwise healthy individuals

  • Common cleaning ingredients in name brand cleaning products have been found to have 1,4-dioxane (a carcinogen) , others (many lemon and pine scented products) release low levels of cancer-causing formaldehyde… not to mention undisclosed fragrance chemicals linked to reproductive harm, aquatic toxicity, allergens and hormone disruption.

  • Children born to women who held cleaning jobs while pregnant have an elevated risk of birth defects,

  • VOC, Volatile Organic Compounds are emitted by many of these cleaners into the air and remain there for some time. These have been linked to : Irritation of the throat, nose, and eyes, Damage to the central nervous system, Cancerous properties

  • Only 7% of cleaning products fully list their ingredients - what are they hiding?


After reading how dangerous the chemicals used in conventional cleaners could be - one of our readers asked if I could provide her with a detailed list of what products we buy at home or make for cleaning each room in the house.... So here it is - a non-toxic guide to cleaning (Spring Cleaning and year long cleaning!)..... only products and DIY recipes that I have personally tried and liked at home made it to the list!

But first:

Its important to start reading ingredient labels, but I get it it can be super overwhelming to read ingredient labels for cleaning products… so fake it until you can make it! A good start is to look out for and avoid these ingredients

Ammonia

chlorine and/ or bleach

Ethoxylated ingredients: ingredients that end in -eth (during ethoxylation, carcinogenic ethylene oxide reacts with other ingredients to make them less harsh on the skin… but  a known carcinogen, 1,4-dioxane is created in this process and can remain in the end product as a contaminant. 

Parabens

PEGS

Fragrance

Phenoxyethanol

Phthalates

Sodium LAureth Sulfate

ingredients preceded by FD&C and D&C: indicative of potential presence of coal tar dyes which are carcinogenic

Formaldehyde emitting chemicals: include: Dmdm Hydantoin
→ Diazolidinyl Urea
→ Imidazolidinyl Urea
→ Quaternium 15
→ Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate
→ 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol
→ Methenamine
→ 5-Bromo-5-Nitro-1,3 Dioxane

A Note On Greenwashing

Many products use marketing words to make you think you are purchasing a safe, low-tox products, when in fact you are not. The reason they can do this is that these labels are not regulated by anyone , ie it is totally legal for them to mislead you!

If you come across these labels dont automatically buy the product. It is still important to take the time to read the ingredients!

→ Natural
→ Naturally derived
→ Eco-friendly
→ Sustainably produced
→ Earth-friendly
→ Clean formula
→ Safe ingredients

Bathroom Cleaners
(all items mentioned are available on my Amazon shop)

  • 1/2 c baking soda with 1/4 c white vinegar: mix into a paste and scrub in bathtub, showers and counter tops

  • organic apple cider vinegar: pour in toilet and leave in for 30-60 minutes, then scrub a bit and flush

  • Your favorite low tox Liquid Dish soap - works well for soap scum on tubs

Drain Opener/ Clog Removal
Make your own
Baking soda, vinegar , boiling water: Pour a pot of boiling hot water down your drain. Follow with 1/2 c. baking soda. Let that sit for a few minutes.Then, pour a mixture of 1 c. vinegar and 1. c very hot water on top of the baking soda. let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Flush one more time with a pot of boiling water.

Laundry

Oven Cleaner

Make your Own

Make a paste with 1/2 c baking sodaand enough water to make a thick paste. Apply the paste to the interior of the oven and allow to sit overnight. Wipe with wet clothes

Dishwashing

  • Branch Basics : AIDASPICKS, for 15% off all Starter Kits (make sure to dilute!)

  • Seventh Generation Dish Liquid free and clear: again not the best as it does contain some potential allergenic ingredients but an alternative

  • CAST IRON PANS: Such a good alternative to avoid Teflon non-stick pans- but they are challenging to wash. Combine a few drops of water and a teaspoon of coarse salt in the pan. Scrub with a stiff brush, rinse with hot water. Thoroughly dry. Do not clean with soap or in dishwasher

Dishwasher:

Floor Cleaners

Make Your Own

  • Vinegar (not for marble or stone floors) - if the smell bothers you add a 1-2 drops of essential oils. 1/4 cup of white vinegar with a 1 quart of water in your bucket - wring out well before mopping.

  • Castille Soap (all floors- including marble) ¼ cup liquid Castile soap and 2 gallons warm water.

  • Stone countertop cleaner: mix 3 Tbsp rubbing alcohol, 1 tsp castille soap. Place in a spray bottle and fill with water.

Windows and Glass
mix vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray!

My friend Shawna from “A Little Less Toxic” shares this DIY glass cleaner: mix: 1/4 c white vinegar, 1/4 c rubbing alcohol, 1 tablespoon arrowroot flour in a spray bottle and fill with filtered water.

Silver Polish
Make a paste of baking soda and water. Scoop the paste onto the sponge, and rub the paste into the silver. Rinse with hot water and polish dry with a soft, clean cloth. Leave paste on for longer if badly tarnished

Do you have a product you love at home? Are you wondering if it is exposing your family to chemicals? Go to the Environmental Working Group's Guide to Healthy Cleaning and input the products name and find out exactly what chemicals are inside and how bad they are for your health. Such a great tool.