Our Favorite Organic Household Cleansers Plus 6 Do It Yourself, Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes

We all talk about living a toxic free life with skin care, right? But are we living it just as clean with our cleaning products? You probably already know that these can be some of the most harmful products to your health on the market—and in your home.

According to the Organic Consumers Association—the chemicals in cleaners like foam, bleach, and disinfects that make our dishes, bathtubs and counter-tops gleaming and germ-free—may contribute to indoor air pollution, are poisonous if ingested, and can be harmful if inhaled or touched.  Yikes.

The type of harm cleaning ingredients may cause varies. Some cause acute, or immediate, hazards such as skin or respiratory irritation, watery eyes, or chemical burns, while others are associated with chronic, or long-term, effects such as cancer.

Additionally, the Organic Consumer Association says some chemicals contain ingredients that can mess with your hormones (and possibly your mood!)

“Chemicals that are so-called “hormone disruptors” can interfere with the body’s natural chemical messages, either by blocking or mimicking the actions of hormones. Possible health effects include decreased sperm counts, increased rates of male birth defects such as cryptorchidism (undescended testicles) and hypospadias (where the urethra is on the underside of the penis), and increased rates of some kinds of cancers. The alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs) used in some detergents and cleaners have been shown to mimic the hormone estrogen; one APE, p-nonylphenol, has caused estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cells to multiply in a test tube study.”

To help you live less toxic, we have collected some of our favorite cleaning solution recipes here.  Totally natural, totally non-toxic.

Make clean living a priority by choosing toxic free products or you can even make your own!

Thrive Market

We’ll admit that we’re a little bias, because we have such an awesome relationship with Thrive Market (and a total business to business crush) but we were ecstatic when we heard that they were releasing an all natural line of household cleaning products. They’re a phenomenal company, upholding the organic, non-gmo, standard across the board from the food items they offer to the cleansers they create themselves. Here’s a video they made just to talk about their line of nontoxic household products.

Click here to get an exclusive deal with Thrive Market, just because you’re part of our community!

If you’re feeling a little bit more thrifty or you’re a natural DIYer, there are a lot of ways you can make your own household cleaning products. Here are six super easy cleansers that will keep your home clean and your family safe.

DIY Cleaning Solutions

Bathtub Cleaning Scrub 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 10-15 drops of essential oils — we love eucalyptus and lavender
• A bit of castille soap

Directions:

1. Mix ingredients together, adding enough castille soap to form a paste.
2. Before using scrub, put some food grade hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle to spray on area first, then use paste mixture to scrub the area clean.

Kitchen Sink Lemon Freshener

Ingredients:

• Water
• Lemon essential oil

Directions:

1. Fill spray bottle up with water and add a few drops of essential oil.
2. Spray in your sink to keep it smelling fresh.

All Purpose Spray Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1/2 tsp of washing soda
• 2 tbsp of distilled white vinegar
• 1/4 tsp liquid soap
• 2 cups of hot water with a spray bottle.

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients and store in a spray bottle.
2. Use to clean kitchen and bathroom counters, sinks, and other such surfaces.

Note: Use gloves when working with washing soda.

Shower and Mirror Cleaner

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of vinegar
• ¼ cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoon borax)
• ½ gallon (2 liters) water.

1. Mix all ingredients together and store in a spray bottle.
2. Use to remove water stains from shower glass and mirrors.

Dishwater Soap

Mix equal parts of borax and washing soda — but if your water is hard, increase the amount of washing soda.

Floor Cleaner

Ingredients:

• Vinegar
• Water
• Optional: a few drops of essential oils

Directions:

1. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a bucket or large container.
2. Optionally, add a couple drops of a cleansing essential oil, like lemon or eucalyptus.
3. Use to mop floors.

What are your favorite non-toxic cleaning recipes?

The following post Our Favorite Organic Household Cleansers Plus 6 Do It Yourself, Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes was first published on Annmarie Skin Care.