Every year, the average American family spends about $600 a year on one-time use or non-reusable cleaning detergents and supplies. Costs aside, the concentrated forms of some of these cleaning products are classified as hazardous and a cause for concern, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

If you are looking for low-toxic, sustainable products that clean well and are kinder to your health and environment, then you will have to do your homework. The current market is overladen with greenwashing marketing techniques and claims such as natural, non-toxic, and green are not regulated by any federal government agencies nor are they legal definitions— so they don’t usually mean what we hope for them to mean.

The only way to be 100 percent sure of what is in your cleaning supplies is by making some of your own cleaning products. By using simple ingredients like vinegar and baking soda, you can help lower your overall exposure to harmful chemicals and save some cash in the process.

Just remember that while the following products are effective for cleaning your home, the CDC recommend using alcohol-based products for killing viruses.

Easy Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes

By making your own cleaning supplies, you can avoid irritating ingredients like artificial fragrance, coloring, and sulfates, and the savings happen when you make your supplies in bulk.

*The following recipes may contain affiliate links. I only recommend products I believe will add value to you.

All-Purpose Surface Cleaner

This simple vinegar and water spray can be used daily to clean countertops, floors, door handles, and any other hard surface.

• Amber glass spray bottle or any recycled bottle

• 1:1 Ratio of water to white vinegar (this one has a 5% acidity)

• A few drops of essential oil in your favorite scent (optional)

Mold and Mildew Remover Paste

As a paste, this mold and mildew remover is also a great stain remover for clothing or upholstered furniture.

• 4oz Glass jar

• 1 Tablespoon white vinegar

• 1 Tablespoon baking soda

• 5 Drops of your favorite antiseptic essential oil (tea tree oil works well)

Stir vinegar and baking soda in a small glass bowl. Add tea tree oil. Apply directly to affected areas and allow to sit for several hours. Scrub paste away with an old toothbrush.

Mold and Mildew Remover Spray

• Amber glass spray bottle or any recycled spray bottle

• 2 Cups water

• 1/2 Cup white vinegar

• 2 Tablespoons liquid Castile soap

• 20 Drops of your favorite antiseptic essential oil

Mix all ingredients together in the spray bottle. Spray on entire shower area. Leave for 3 to 5 minutes, then wipe area dry. 

Dish Soap

• Glass dish soap dispenser

• 2 1/2 Cups water

• 1/4 Cup liquid Castile soap

• 1 Tbsp baking soda (optional)

Dishwasher Detergent

• Bottle with spout (olive oil bottles with spouts work well, just be sure to label the bottle so it doesn’t get mistaken for olive oil)

• 1 Cup water

• 1 Cup liquid Castile soap

• 1 Teaspoon of lemon juice

• 5 Drops of lemon essential oil

You will still need to use a rinse aid such as white vinegar with a maximum 5% acid content. The resulting rinsing and drying quality will not, however, be as good as when a less environmentally friendly rinse aid (such as Jet Dry) is used.

Do NOT use vinegar with a higher acid content as this would damage your dishwasher.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

This is one area where homemade isn’t always the best idea. Most homemade laundry detergents use grated natural soap as the main cleaning agent, which can build up in both your clothing and your washing machine. This build up can cause in mold or mildew to grow inside your machine and void most machine warranties.

Instead, choose to go with a gentle and environmentally friendly detergent that you can buy in bulk and place in a pretty jar for regular use.

• Large jar with lid

• A gentle detergent such as Nellie’s

How to Make Better Purchases

When navigating the marketplace for ready-made cleaning products, a good place to start is by checking the EPA Safer Choice program, which has a database you can search to see if a product meets EPA guidelines. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) and Made Safe are also two non-government entities that can help.

Read the labels and understand what certain ingredients mean. The same harmful ingredients in your cleaning supplies may also be lurking in your personal care products. Read my last article to learn how you can ditch some common toxic ingredients and make your own homemade deodorant.