S3, Episode 1: Non-toxic Cleaning

Mar 21

In this episode, I explain why you should consider switching your products, how to start, and what products you can use.

Why should you switch your products?

Most cleaning products that we buy in the store are harmful.

Petro-chemicals that can cause hormonal changes, cancer, and behavioral and developmental disorders, and more.
Fragrance as an ingredient can mean almost anything and isn’t regulated. We do know that those ingredients affect your hormones - for your babies and children, this translates to entering puberty earlier and affecting their developing brains and causing respiratory issues
For our skin - our largest organ - ingredients can cause skin sensitivities and allergies

Most cleaning products are also incredibly harmful for the planet. When those petro-chemicals I was talking about go down our drains and into waterways, they are infecting our water supply and the animals that drink from them or live in them
From a waste perspective, they aren’t great for our planet because those containers are almost never actually recycled
(Check out my non-toxic cleaning guide here!)

How can you get started?

Use up what you have or give it to someone who will use it. We aren’t fixing the problem by throwing all of our products in the trash.
Then, you can go two routes
- Find products that you love that are actually safe. You cannot blindly trust any unverified claim on a product because in the US, people can write pretty much whatever they want on a product and call it good.
  - You can research products by actually reading the labels and researching the companies. You shouldn’t just choose a product and assume it’s safe forever. I’ve had products that I loved and recommended for years, then the company that made the products was bought by a larger corporation, and the ingredient list completely changed.
  - Start by taking one extra minute at the store to read an ingredient list and find a rating for a product before you buy it. You might be surprised to learn that products youve considered safe actually aren’t
- The other option is to make your own products. This doesn’t have to be all or nothing!
  - If you’re making your own, start by buying one or two non-toxic cleaning supplies in bulk.
- After you’ve switched out your all-purpose spray, replace things as you run out. When you run out of your floor cleaner, swap it with a safer alternative. Then, when you run out of window spray, swap that. And on and on. This makes it less overwhelming.

How can you get started with a non-toxic cleaning caddy?

Most people - including me - are going to recommend vinegar as a cleaning alternative. I’ve used vinegar for years, and it cleans pretty much everything. However, vinegar is not a disinfectant, and it might not be appropriate for every surface - so don’t use this for every.single.thing.
- And, if you hate the smell of vinegar, you can add essential oils or even just lemon or orange peels. (Just double-check that you’re using the essential oils correctly, especially if it’s near children or babies.)
Another all-purpose cleaning ingredient is castille soap. This can be used for everything from baby soap to cleaning your floors.
For those of you that love bleach and think you can’t go without it, hydrogen peroxide kills bacteria just as well and safely
- Rubbing alcohol is another favorite for people to use, and a strong vodka, 50 proof or higher, also works to kill germs.

As you start, remember to take it slow and avoid the pressure to be so extreme. If all you can do is switch out one or two products, that makes a difference.

I hope you feel inspired - and not overwhelmed - by learning why and how to choose safer cleaning products. I wish you a great journey investigating the products you’re using and making swaps.

If you have any favorite non-toxic products or swaps, share them with me on Instagram!

Enjoy the episode!