December 27, 2020
In today’s world our body is exposed to a high percentage of chemicals throughout our everyday routine. While some of that exposure is unavoidable, I choose to lower percentage by filling my home with non-toxic products as much as I am able to control some of that exposure for myself and my family. When I first found out I was pregnant, I had already started eating more whole foods, buying sustainable products and switching to clean beauty, so trading out my household cleaning chemicals was naturally the next step.
Of course as a new mom, I’m crazy about germs, especially in 2020 and I want to make sure that when I’m cleaning & disinfecting I’m using products that do their job. But also as the mom of an infant who puts his mouth on everything, I’m also crazy about what I’m spraying on the surfaces that he will without a doubt lick within the next 10 minutes.
I’ve been searching & testing & searching some more to not only find non toxic products but non toxic products that actually work! So here it is: A round up of products I’ve been using over the last 2 years that actually work. Plus some homemade remedies when you want to go full al natural.
Don’t Be Fooled.
“clean, green & organic” – I’ve always gravitated towards products that use these terms in their marketing. But it turns out that this might not mean ANYTHING because there are minimal regulations on labeling when it comes to common household cleaners. Look for products that are free of ingredients like ammonia, chlorine, phosphates, glycol, & phthalates.
Non Toxic Products You Need for your Home:
Disclaimer: When using cleaners either homemade or store-bought, it is best to spot test on your surfaces before applying.
All Purpose Cleaner
All Purpose Cleaner by BoulderClean. This plant based cleaner lives on my kitchen countertop. It’s crucial for me to have something within arms reach at all times to wipe down surfaces with my infant crawling around & putting his mouth and hands on everything. It is packed with a fresh citrus scent that leaves the space smelling clean. If you are looking for something with a little grit for an extra scrub on things like the kitchen sink, I use Meliora Cleaning Home Cleaning Scrub for those extra deep cleans.
At Home Remedy: Combine 1 Cup water + 1 Cup Vinegar. Optional for fragrance: 1/2 lemon, juiced or drops of peppermint, citrus, or lavender essential oil . For farm sink cleaning, sprinkle baking soda to coat the bottom of the sink. Spray one to two sprays of vinegar over the baking soda. just enough to get a reaction and create a paste. Use a brush to scrub the surface area before rinsing.
Glass & Surface
Glass + Surface Cleaner by BoulderClean: Little fingers leave prints in places you didn’t know existed. This cleaner makes its rounds every week to all the mirrors in the house, and most importantly the sliding glass door! It leaves my glass streak free, for a good minute or two before little hands or a dog nose finds the glass again!
At Home Remedy: 1/2 C rubbing alcohol + 1/3 C white distilled vinegar + 12 oz water.
Granite & Stainless Steal:
Granite + Stainless Steel Cleaner by BoulderClean: I spend a lot of time in my kitchen, which means my stainless steel appliances are getting a lot of use. A lot of use also translates to a lot of grime & gunk. While I admit I am not wiping down my appliances everyday, I am using this cleaner at least once a week to achieve that sparkly shine we all love to see.
At Home Remedy: 2 Cups water + 2 Tbsp Castile soap. Optional to add drops of essential oil for fragrance.
Floor Cleaner
Wood Floor or Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner by BoulderClean: To clean my floors, I use a swiffer -like mop. I combine a small amount of floor cleaner & water and add it to the soap tank of my mop. This allows me to spray out the cleaning concoction directly onto the area I’m cleaning as I move throughout the house.
At Home Remedy: 1 gallon warm water + 1/2 Cup white distilled vinegar + optional fragrance from essential oil.
Bathroom Cleaner
Foaming Bathroom Cleaner by BoulderClean + Toilet Bowl Cleaner Cleaning the bathroom is one of the chores that does not get done as frequently as it should if I’m being honest. When it comes time to clean the bathroom I need products that pack an extra punch to get the job done. The duo of foaming bathroom cleaner & toilet bowl cleaner leaves the space fresh & clean.
At Home Remedy: 1 Tbsp baking soda + 1 tbsp castile soap + 2 Cups warm water + optional fragrance with essential oils.
Laundry Detergent
Laundry Detergent by BoulderClean: At the very top of my long list of safe househould cleaners, you will find laundry detergent. It is a product that comes in direct contact with my sweet baby boy’s skin so I wanted to feel comfortable using a product I trusted completely. We have been using the Citrus Scent, which is mildly scented using plant based fragrance. We have also used Seventh Generation Free & Clear pods.
At Home Remedy: Try this Homemade Laundry Soap
Spot Treatment
Laundry Stain Remover by Seventh Generation With a baby boy in the house, I have more laundry with stains than without. This free & clear stain remover has removed some of the toughest stains including formula spills, spit up & the beloved diaper blow out.
Dishwasher Detergent
Dishwasher Detergent Power Packs by BoulderClean I have to admit. I still use Dawn when handwashing dishes from time to time. My mom always swore by it, and it’s been engraved in my brain when it comes to scrubbing some of those baked on pans. I do keep Seventh Generation Free & Clear liquid dish soap on hand but Most of our dishes are run through the dishwasher where I use these much better than Dawn detergent packs from BoulderClean. For bottle & utensil cleaning for our infant, we use Dapple Bottle Wash.
Disinfectant:
Disinfecting Spray by BoulderClean or Cleanwell Disinfecting Wipes: After Cleaning my surfaces, I use the Disinfecting Spray from BoulderClean. For quick wipe downs, I use the Cleanwell Disinfecting wipes. I keep a package of these in our diaper bag & car!
Reusable Rags & Eco-Friendly Cleaning Tools
Reducing the use of paper towels has been tough. After purchasing reusable papertowels & some reliable kitchen rags, I’ve created a system that works well for our household. We have a small wastebasket in the laundry room that we use strictly for kitchen rags. I do one load of these on Sunday & we have fresh rags for the week!
- Kitchen Rags
- Reusable Kitchen Towels
- Eco Friendly Dish Brush
- Empty Glass Spray Bottles with labels
- Washable Micro Fiber Duster
I would love to hear what products you are are using in your home + any additional ways you are implementing non-toxic & sustainable practices in your life. Leave a comment hear or head over to Instagram and let me know there!
If you use any of the above products be sure to snap a picture and post it on Instagram using the hashtag #eatingataltitude. And of course be sure to follow Eating At Altitude on Instagram. You can also find me on Facebook and Pinterest. xo!
