5 Reasons to Switch to Natural Home Cleaning
Jul 31, 2024 12:00AM ● By Jordan Peschek
Whether you clean your home or hire someone to do so, it’s important to consider the benefit of natural and non-toxic home cleaning products. Many so-called cleaning products do just the opposite; they are filled with chemicals that can often do more harm than good. Consider these benefits of natural cleaning products.
Better Health: The American Lung Association reminds us that many household products and cleaning supplies can irritate the eyes or throat, cause headaches, increase risk of allergy symptoms and skin conditions.
Air Quality: Natural cleaners are void of toxic substances like ammonia, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and bleach. Natural cleaners avoid toxic substances that pollute the indoor air, which helps reduce asthma symptoms, respiratory infections and breathing issues. Be sure to read labels to ensure that products touted as “natural” are truly clean, as some brands may greenwash their labels.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable: In addition to air pollution, “cleaning” chemicals that are washed down the drain only add to more environmental pollution. Natural products are eco-friendly and less corrosive, reducing pollution in the air and water.
Cost Savings: Natural products are often cheaper. Many can be made from common kitchen ingredients and bought in bulk.
Safer for Kids, Babies and Pets: Not only are natural household products healthier for adults, the lack of harmful ingredients makes them especially safe for pets and babies, and they are gentler on sensitive skin.
Enjoy these easy, natural and non-toxic homemade dish soap, homemade laundry detergent and homemade cleaning spray recipes for surfaces and mirrors.
1 ½ cups baking soda
1 ½ cups washing soda
¼ cup sea salt
20-30 drops essential oils such as lemon, orange, rosemary or lavender
Mix in a large glass bowl and store in a large mason jar. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons per load. I like to double or triple the recipe so that I can make it less frequently.
2 cups vinegar
Add to a spray bottle and use for a streak-free clean.
2 ½ cups water
Mix together and use.
Local Natural Cleaning Resource:
Better Health: The American Lung Association reminds us that many household products and cleaning supplies can irritate the eyes or throat, cause headaches, increase risk of allergy symptoms and skin conditions.
Air Quality: Natural cleaners are void of toxic substances like ammonia, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and bleach. Natural cleaners avoid toxic substances that pollute the indoor air, which helps reduce asthma symptoms, respiratory infections and breathing issues. Be sure to read labels to ensure that products touted as “natural” are truly clean, as some brands may greenwash their labels.
Eco-Friendly and Sustainable: In addition to air pollution, “cleaning” chemicals that are washed down the drain only add to more environmental pollution. Natural products are eco-friendly and less corrosive, reducing pollution in the air and water.
Cost Savings: Natural products are often cheaper. Many can be made from common kitchen ingredients and bought in bulk.
Safer for Kids, Babies and Pets: Not only are natural household products healthier for adults, the lack of harmful ingredients makes them especially safe for pets and babies, and they are gentler on sensitive skin.
Enjoy these easy, natural and non-toxic homemade dish soap, homemade laundry detergent and homemade cleaning spray recipes for surfaces and mirrors.
Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe
½ cup Epsom salt1 ½ cups baking soda
1 ½ cups washing soda
¼ cup sea salt
20-30 drops essential oils such as lemon, orange, rosemary or lavender
Mix in a large glass bowl and store in a large mason jar. Use 1 to 2 tablespoons per load. I like to double or triple the recipe so that I can make it less frequently.
Homemade Mirror and Window Cleaner Recipe
1 cup water2 cups vinegar
Add to a spray bottle and use for a streak-free clean.
DIY Natural Dish Soap Recipe
¼ cup liquid Castile soap2 ½ cups water
Mix together and use.
DIY Natural Surface Cleaner Recipe: 2 Options
The Mirror and Window Cleaner doubles as surface cleaner. Spray, let it sit for a couple minutes, and wipe.The Dish Soap recipe also doubles as surface cleaner. Add to a spray bottle and enjoy a natural clean.
Local Natural Cleaning Resource:
ROXY’S NATURAL CLEANING, LLC - NA, Milwaukee, WI
Roxy’s natural cleaning is committed to getting the job done without the use of harmful chemicals. Call/text/email today to schedule your walk through! Serving Southeastern WI incl... Read More »
Jordan Peschek, RN-BSN is a registered nurse and publishes Natural Awakenings Milwaukee Magazine. She studied business, leadership and nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a passion for holistic and preventive wellness. Her background includes travel psychiatric mental health nursing, personal training and teaching yoga.
