5 of My Favorite Healthy Cleaning Products

You would think that cleaning our house with heavy duty cleaning supplies and sweet smelling air fresheners would be a good thing. Getting rid of germs and those nasty odors that bother us and make guests uncomfortable. A clean home is very important since toxic mold and mildew can easily build up and cause many health issues. But today’s cleaning products are so full of toxins and can cause major harm to our health as well.

We have a habit of not thinking about what we cannot see, and believing that it doesn’t affect us. But often times it is the things we cannot see that can be the most dangerous.

Our cleaning products are some of the most toxic products we use on a daily basis. From bleach in the bathroom to the soap on our dishes. We may associate the smells of bleach, clorox and febreeze with fresh, clean and healthy, but it is actually the complete opposite. We think we are making things cleaner for us and our loved ones and making our homes more pleasant to live in. . .we are actually making it worse.

Dangers of Conventional Cleaners

Bleach (and cleaners containing bleach) is a common product used in households and businesses to disinfect and sanitize surfaces. However, most people down realize just how dangerous this cleaner is.

1. OSHA advises against using bleach to clean mold infestations because it can actually encourage mold growth!
2. It is very toxic to the body when mixed with other cleaners, acidic products, alcohol and even WATER (which contains “organic matter” such as dirt, which can create chloroform gas). . .so basically anything. It can cause lung and breathing issues, burning eyes and irritate the nose and throat. It is also very harsh on the skin.
3. Bleach doesn’t even need to be mixed with anything to cause some serious respiratory issues. It can handle that job very well on its own. Repeated exposure can lead to inflammation and lung stiffness, causing respiratory failure.

The other conventional cleaners that we use on a regular basis are not any better. They also are full of toxic chemicals and fake scents that hurt our immune system, are harsh on the skin and can cause some pretty bad respiratory issues. Not to mention. . .they are harmful to our pets, too!

Now, we may not see the effects of using these cleaners right off the bat. . .in fact, some of them may not even be visible at all. Especially if you don’t even know what to look for. But just because we don’t see or feel it right off doesn’t mean it’s not causing major damage.

Slowly harming ourselves, we are, hmm.

In my house cleaning business, I run into a lot of different messes: stickiness, odors, stains, caked on messes, finger prints, rust, mold, etc. And while it seems like the conventional store-bought products get the job done thoroughly and quickly, with commercials claiming to be less work, it really isn’t a good trade off for your health and wellness.

I have had people tell me that they don’t use natural or organic cleaning products because they don’t believe that they work as well, or get things as clean as the harsher chemical cleaners. Well, I would say that depends on a couple of things: 1. What is your definition of clean? See, what many people determine as clean isn’t really clean. We live in the age of over sanitation. That means we get things TOO clean. In our attempts to get rid of bad bacteria and germs, we have scrubbed away all the good bacteria that is healthy for our bodies and immune systems. 2. How much work are you willing to do? If you are looking for little to no work or effort then looking here may not be the place. Living a healthy and balanced life is NOT easy. You have to be willing to apply a little effort and time.

Here are FIVE of my favorite natural cleaning products you can use to replace your old toxic cleaners. These help clean your home, fighting off bad germs and bacteria, without killing the good bacteria in the process.

My Favorite Natural Cleaning Products:

• Baking Soda – It’s gentle, but it works great for picking up dirt and grime. Great for tubs, appliances, sinks, plastic and even teeth! It also can help get rid of smells because of it’s ability to neutralize odors instead of just masking them.
• Vinegar – The acidity in vinegar makes it very effective for counteracting lots of icky buildup (soap scum in the bathtub is one of my favorites). Though it is effective, vinegar can have too strong of a smell for many people, which brings me two the next two products!
• Orange oil – Can be a great help against stubborn grease stains, and it smells really good while it’s working, too. I like mixing it with my vinegar cleaning solution to
• Lemon oil – Eliminates odors and gives off an invigorating fragrance. Cutting up some lemons and running them through the garbage disposal can make your sink smell pretty nice. Lemon oil is also a good replacement for the toxic “goo-be-gone” in those sticky situations.
• Thieves Cleaner – This is a staple for me in my house cleaning. The cinnamon, clove, rosemary and lemon oils in this cleaner help to eliminate odors, fight bad bacteria and germs and leave me with fresh smelling rooms. And during the fall. . .it is perfect for smelling like the season and preparing you for fall cleaning. This is my favorite for cleaning windows, mirrors and any glass!

I have found natural cleaning products to work just as well as conventional cleaners. In fact, even better because I am not left damaging my health or feeling sick from all the toxins being used around me and others. Using natural products does require some elbow grease, a little extra time in some cases and perhaps some research occasionally (to find the right brushes, scrubbers, sponges, and what is causing the problem you’re facing). . .but your body and home will thank you!

Cleaning is not always fun. How many of us can say we wake up every day super excited for a day of cleaning? But having better products for your house and body CAN actually make it a bit more enjoyable. So gather your products and go. . .have fun cleaning!