Article

Natural Cleaning: A Greener and Healthier Home

Published on Monday, April 27, 2026
by Rebecca Ledford

Health & Wellness

Natural Cleaning: A Greener and Healthier Home

Dig out those dust pans! Find your favorite mop! Brush up on your brooming! Spring cleaning season is here, and Foodguides is ready to help. If you plan to clean, why not make it green?

Keep reading Foodguides fam for tips and tricks to keeping a green (and clean!) home.

Why Choose Natural Cleaning? Health and Environmental Benefits

Cleaning is a tiresome but necessary chore to achieve optimal health. Over time, dust, allergens, viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants build up in your home and can cause numerous health issues. It’s important to choose green products that not only clean effectively, but are healthy for your body and home.

Reducing Exposure to Harsh Chemicals and Toxins (e.g., VOCs, Ammonia)

Common cleaning products are filled with potentially harmful chemicals. A study by the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health found over 132 chemical mixtures in 105 products! These mixtures included surfactants, solvents, glycol ethers, fragrances, acids, bases, pH-stabilizers, phosphates, and salts.

Cleaning products also have Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are released as gases that can be harmful if inhaled or ingested. VOCs can be classified into three groups (1) very volatile organic compounds (VVOCs), (2) VOCs, and (3) semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs).

While not technically a VOC (because it is composed of nitrogen and hydrogen rather than carbon), ammonia is another dangerous gas found in common cleaning products, especially glass cleaners. Exposure to ammonia can lead to abdominal pain, burning sensations in the nose, throat, lungs, and eyes, coughing, and skin blisters.

By choosing green products, you will reduce your exposure to harmful VOCs and promote a healthier lifestyle.

Green Guidance #1 - VOCs are categorized by boiling point. The lower the boiling point, the higher the volatility.

Lowering Your Environmental Footprint and Water Pollution

What happens when you’ve finished using your cleaning product? Do you throw the bottle away? Did you check if the bottle was completely empty?

Unused household cleaners are classified as Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). If discarded incorrectly, these toxins can infiltrate groundwater systems and cause serious environmental damage. If you need to dispose of your cleaning supplies, locate the nearest HHW collection center and drop them off for proper disposal.

You can also choose to use greener alternatives to traditional cleaners. See below:

Instead of toilet cleaners -> try a mixture of mild detergent and bleach

Instead of furniture polish -> try lemon oil and mineral water

Instead of spot removers -> try a mixture of cold water and detergent

Green Guidance #2 - The average U.S. household creates 30 pounds of HHW per year!

Cost-Effectiveness: Making Cleaners with Simple Household Staples

You don’t have to venture into a faraway land for ingredients to create household cleaners. Most of the time, they’ve already made themselves at home in your pantry. By creating your own cleaning solutions, you’re saving money that would otherwise be spent on expensive cleaning products.

Green Guidance #3 - Some companies label their cleaning products as “green”, but only provide generic claims such as “eco-friendly” or “environmentally safe”. This is called greenwashing. If you’d like to know if your product is truly green, look for the Safer Choice and DfE labels, which are managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The Core Ingredients of Natural Cleaning

Natural cleaning products are usually composed of a mixture of three ingredients: vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils.

Vinegar: The Multi-Purpose Acidic Cleaner and Disinfectant

Vinegar is an excellent cleaner due to its acidic and consequent disinfectant qualities. Vinegar is created through fermentation, specifically when a type of carbohydrate is fed to yeast cells, and their sugars turn into carbon dioxide and alcohol. The resulting mixture is fermented again (with bacteria rather than yeast) after exposure to oxygen. The final substance, vinegar, has a pH of 2.2-3.0, which helps break down tough substances and creates an inhospitable environment for microbes and bacteria.

Baking Soda (Bicarbonate of Soda): The Gentle Scourer and Odor Absorber

Baking soda is at the other end of the pH scale and is classified as a base. It can remove hydrogen atoms from other materials, making it a gentle scourer. Baking soda can also absorb odors, making it a simpler (and cheaper!) alternative to air fresheners.

Essential Oils: Natural Scenting and Antimicrobial Properties (e.g., Tea Tree, Lemon)

Essential oils are known for their unique scents and numerous fragrance combinations, making them an excellent natural choice for your home compared to synthetically derived air fresheners and perfumes. Some essential oils also have antimicrobial properties. These include tea tree, lemon, thyme, lavender, peppermint, cinnamon, cajuput, eucalyptus, clove, and sage.

Green Guidance #4 - If you choose to create your own household cleaners, be sure to do your research! Your goal is to create a cleaner that is safe and effective. If you start to experience any negative side effects (burning in the nose, eyes, chest, etc.), stop use immediately and consult your doctor.

DIY Recipes for a Non-Toxic Home

Here are some of our favorite green cleaner recipes you can make at home!

All-Purpose Spray: Combining Vinegar and Water for Surfaces

Ingredients: 1 cup of white vinegar, 1 cup of water, 15-20 drops of preferred essential oil blend

Directions: Mix vinegar, water, and essential oils together. Place in a spray bottle.

Recommended Use: Kitchen/bathroom counters, sinks, bathtubs, toilets, doorknobs, toys, and lightswitches

Scrub Paste: Creating a Powerful Cleaner with Baking Soda

Ingredients: 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 quart of warm water

Directions: Mix baking soda and water together to make a paste. If the mixture is too watery, add more baking soda.

Recommended Use: Stainless steel surfaces and refrigerator interior

Glass and Mirror Cleaner: Achieving Streak-Free Shine

Ingredients: 3 tablespoons of vinegar, 2 cups of water, and ¼ to ½ teaspoons of liquid detergent

Directions: Mix vinegar, water, and liquid detergent in a spray bottle. Shake well before spraying onto windows.

Recommended Use: Glass, windows, and mirrors

Green Guidance #5 - Use a microfiber towel or an old newspaper when using household cleaners to keep the entire cleaning process eco-friendly!

Safety and Best Practices for Natural Cleaners

Natural cleaners are an excellent addition to any home, but may not be appropriate for all surfaces. They should also be stored appropriately.

Surfaces to Avoid (e.g., Marble, Granite) with Acidic Cleaners

Natural cleaners with acidic properties (ex. vinegar) should never be used on granite, limestone, or marble countertops, electronic screens, dishwashers, kitchen knives, hardwood floors, washing machines, stainless steel, or rubber gaskets. The acids found in vinegar can damage these surfaces, affecting their durability and aesthetic qualities.

Green Guidance #6 - Vinegar is an excellent window cleaner! Try creating your own vinegar-based natural cleaner for a streak-free shine.

Proper Storage and Labeling of Homemade Solutions

After you’ve created your homemade natural cleaning solution, be sure to store and label it properly to ensure safe future use. You’ll want to avoid any possible harmful contaminations while maintaining the integrity of the cleaner’s antimicrobial properties. Place household cleaners in a sealed container/bottle in a cool, dry area. Don’t forget to include the expiration date - most disinfectants are good for up to two years.

Green Guidance #7 - Little hands are always busy! While these cleaning products are remarkably safer for your home, keep them away from children and pets.

Will you be creating your own green products? Share your recipes in our comments section below, and be sure to tag us on social media!