Natural Cleaning Products

It's simple to clean in a nontoxic and natural way. If you need more than baking soda and vinegar and soap, take a look at your natural food store or try these links.

Read Green Living Q&A Blog on Cleaning

Resources

Green Seal Standards for Bathroom Tissue

Advice on choosing environmentally-friendly bathroom tissue from "an independent, non-profit organization that strives to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment...evaluations are based on state-of-the-art science and information using internationally recognized methods and procedures...[their] only purpose is to direct the purchaser to environmentally responsible products and services." Their work includes development of environmental standards for products in specific categories and certification of products that meet these standards. This link leads to their standards for bathroom tissue.

Green Seal Standards for Household Cleaners

Advice on choosing environmentally-friendly household cleaners from "an independent, non-profit organization that strives to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment...evaluations are based on state-of-the-art science and information using internationally recognized methods and procedures...[their] only purpose is to direct the purchaser to environmentally responsible products and services." Their work includes development of environmental standards for products in specific categories and certification of products that meet these standards. This link leads to their standards for household cleaners.

Green Seal Standards for Paper Towels and Paper Napkins

Advice on choosing environmentally-friendly paper towels and napkins from "an independent, non-profit organization that strives to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment...evaluations are based on state-of-the-art science and information using internationally recognized methods and procedures...[their] only purpose is to direct the purchaser to environmentally responsible products and services." Their work includes development of environmental standards for products in specific categories and certification of products that meet these standards. This link leads to their standards for paper towels and napkins.

Green Seal Standards for Powdered Laundry Bleach

Advice on choosing environmentally-friendly laundry bleach from "an independent, non-profit organization that strives to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment...evaluations are based on state-of-the-art science and information using internationally recognized methods and procedures...[their] only purpose is to direct the purchaser to environmentally responsible products and services." Their work includes development of environmental standards for products in specific categories and certification of products that meet these standards. This link leads to their standards for laundry bleach.

General

From The Meadows Organics

"Organics Without Chemicals"--hardworking cleaning and laundry products made only with certified organic ingredients and rosemary extract for a preservative. Spray and wipe, fruit and veggie wash, all purpose cleaner, liquid laundry soap, and liquid cleaning soap all come with a fresh citrus fragrances from natural essential oils. "Our company's mission is to offer a safe collection of wonderful everyday organic products - made with the purest, safest & certified organic ingredients...at the best prices possible."

Vermont Soap

Organic soap-based cleaning products made from certified organic coconut, olive and jojoba oils, essential oils, and organic aloe vera, with rosemary extract as a preservative. They sell this liquid castile soap unscented and with various essential oil fragrances, and make it into a fruit-and-veggie wash and "Liquid Sunshine" multipurpose, nontoxic cleaner. Liquid Sunshine is "of special benefit to chemically sensitive and immune system impaired individuals. The most sensitive will see the most dramatic results...Anyone with itchy skin may be helped by washing their clothes in [Liquid Sunshine]. Replaces fabric softener, whiteners, stain removers and dryer sheets for added savings." Can be used for laundry, stain removal, woodwork and wood floors, dishwashing soap, bathrooms, vehicles, carpets, and general cleaning of all water-safe surfaces.

Dr. Bronner Magic Soaps

A mainstay in the natural cleaning products aisle for decades, Dr. Bronner's now has new soaps "certified organic under the USDA's organic food regulations...They are made with organic coconut, olive, hemp and jojoba oils, and most are scented with organic essential oils [comes unscented and in non-floral scents like peppermint in addition to simple florals]. They contain no synthetics, no petrochemicals and no floral water fluff. All cylinder bottles are now made from 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic...The bar soaps are wrapped in 10% HempFlax / 90% post-consumer recycled paper."

Maggie's Soap Nuts

"Soapnuts" are nature's laundry soap. They are the dried fruit of the Chinese Soapberry tree, which contain saponin, a natural cleaner used for thousands of years to clean clothes. These completely unprocessed nuts--used by people all over the world--release their soap when the shell comes in contact with water. You just drop a few nuts in a small cotton bag and place it in the washer with your items to be washed. I tried these and everything came out clean and soft. No fragrance, no residues. After several loads of wash (I got three loads from mine), you can just toss the remaining shells in the compost pile. Site also contains instructions for making a liquid cleaner from soap nuts that can be used for washing humans and pets, fruit and vegetables, spot treating laundry, hand washing delicates, cleaning kitchens and bathrooms, washing cars and plants, repelling pests, cleaning jewelry, and washing windows. About 50 cents a load. "Maggie's Pure Land reserves the Soapberry harvest years in advance, providing families with guaranteed income from living Soapberry trees. By using Maggie's Soap Nuts you are preserving tropical forests! You are supporting real people in their local economies, cultures and communities! You are using the safest, most natural product available!

Country Save Laundry Products

This affordable laundry detergent provides a safe, gentle wash without the use of dyes, fragrance, phosphates, enzymes, optical brightners or harsh chemicals (powdered is unscented; liquid has a slight fragrance). Suitable for those with sensitive skin problems and for baby clothes. Carton is made from recycled paper with a substantial amount of content being post-consumer material. Inner poly bag made from 100% recycled plastic resins. Plastic measuring scoop is 100% post consumer recycled plastic such as milk bottles, 5-gallon pails and water jugs.

Naturally Yours

A full line of cleaning products suitable for homes, businesses and government buildings (they are an approved vendor for eco-minded cities Berkeley and Seattle, two states, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Interior, and several National Parks). Economically priced and super-concentrated, these cleaning products are nontoxic, biodegradable, non-ecotoxic, fragrance-free, and cruelty-free. Most of the products contain natural, double-distilled, insecticide-residue-free citrus solvents, citric acid, and proprietary natural citrate blends. "We take every opportunity to preserve the environment". Most of their rinds, citric acids and other citrates are imported from South America to help create jobs, thereby reducing the slashing and burning of the Amazon Rain Forests. All bottles, containers, packaging and literature are produced from materials that are completely recyclable. Product labels and literature are made from post-consumer waste paper and inks are soy-based, nontoxic and biodegradable.

Seventh Generation

A complete line of non-toxic household products, including liquid laundry detergent, automatic dish powder, household cleaners, laundry powder, dish liquid, and paper towels.. "All of our products are designed to work as well as their traditional counterparts, but use renewable, non-toxic, phosphate free and biodegradable ingredients, and are never tested on animals. They are as gentle on the planet as they are on people and they don't create fumes or leave residues that may affect the health of your family or your pets. A wide selection of products are available without added dyes or fragrances. These Free & Clear products are ideal for people who are sensitive to the dyes and fragrances used in many traditional and other natural brands of household products."

greenfeet.com

Some great products here...how about a nontoxic toilet cleaner that "significantly reduces toilet cleaning by eliminating germs, bacteria, build-up and fungus...guaranteed for five years or 50,000 flushes! No more scrubbing." Or an all-purpose cleaner that smells like parsley! Organic and natural cleaning products for every need and every room of your home.

BioShield Paint

Full line of household cleaning products made only with vegetable-based cleaning agents and natural minerals.

DwellSmart

A full range of all-natural, biodegradable supplies for cleaning and laundry.

Ecover

Household cleaning and laundry products made from renewable and biodegradable plant-based ingredients and common mineral silicates. Some are unscented. Plastic packaging is recyclable. Products sold in natural food stores.

Mary Moppins

This interesting website offers some great tools for cleaning plus a Precision Home Cleaning System that will allow you to do all your housekeeping quickly and efficiently (her book The Complete Idiot's Guide to Cleaning tells how to do everything--even make the bed). Mary's patented mop lets you use one handle and cleaning head to mop floors, dust walls, wax floors, wash windows, and more, just by changing what you put in the head. You can clean the floor with a terry cloth towel and toss it in the washer. Mary is a professional cleaner who is intently and sinerely making the switch to green. Her products and formulas are changing as she learns. But the mop is a winner right now!

MiEnviron Organics

Gentle, but very effective, household cleaners made from nontoxic organic ingredients, based on the 12 principles of green chemistry. Biodegradable Dishwashing concentrate, Proboitic household cleaner, Air Freshener, Personal Bug Spray. Link goes to an Independent Representative for ONE Group.

Shaklee Get Clean Cleaning Products

A full line of cleaning products made from "sustainably sourced natural ingredients" and "no hazardous ingredients." They are natural, biodegradable, fragrance-free, and super-concentrated (which makes them very economical to use and reduces a lot of packaging). And, Basic H2, has so many uses, it is truly a multi-use product. Products have zero impact on global warming from 100% offset of greenhouse gas emissions. For a free sample, visit www.safehomecleanhome.com

see more at Q&A: A New Look At Shaklee

Sodasan Cleaning Products

A full line of certified organic cleaning products made from fruits, vegetables & plants. Organically grown vegetable raw materials and comply with the strict organic certification standards set down by the European Union. The products also bear the Ecogarantie label, which attests to their compliance with international ecological standards. All products that come into contact with the skin have been dermatologically tested. No enzymes, chlorine-based ingredients or synthetic perfumes. 100% clean energy is used and carbon production is offset by funding reforestation projects worldwide. Vegan and not tested on animals. The line includes laundry soap, dish soap, soap bars, heavy duty scrub, general cleaning soap and bathroom cleaners.

Tropical Traditions

Cleaning products for around the home, made of "A botanical solution comprised of: purified water, amino acids, minerals and other ingredients derived from leafy green, edible and seed-bearing plants." Included all-purpose cleaner, glass and surface cleaner, dish liquid, laundry detergent. Plus oxygen bleach, and liquid soap made with 100% virgin coconut oil.

VaporStrike Vapor Cleaning System

A commercial-grade vapor cleaning system--suitable for home use-- that cleans, sanitizes, and deodorizes in one process. It can clean everything in your home faster and more effectively than toxic chemicals, using only vapor created from tap water heated to 297 degrees. "Vapor is hotter than steam and cleans more thoroughly by penetrating cracks and crevices beyond the reach of ordinary steam...hot vapor emulsifies dirt and grime, and penetrates the pores of the item(s) being cleaned while destroying mold spores, bacteria, viruses, mildew, germs, dust mites, and other allergy causing pathogens...The medical community has historically used vapor for disinfecting surgical instruments, equipment, and fixtures because it's effective and non-toxic." Though it is more expensive than steam cleaners, this unit is more effective, operates continuously, and is built to last. It's used commercially in restaurants, hotels, health care facilities, auto detailing and for many other applications. Mention Debra's List for a 15% discount.

Birch Hill Happenings

Unscented "Ecological Dish Soap" can also be used for laundry. "Contains washing agents made only from vegetable oils. Contains anti-irritants and is pH balanced to protect the skin. It is completely biodegradable. No phosphates, no builders, no inorganic additives, no benzene sulphonates, no animal products, no skin irritants, no dyes or perfumes, and is not tested on animals."

Bon Ami

Bon Ami Cleanser, Cleaning Cake, and Cleaning Powder have been mainstay nontoxic cleaning products for years. The Cleaning Cake and Cleaning Powder contain only unscented soap and ground feldspar, a naturally-occuring mineral. The Cleanser contains these same ingredients, with a nontoxic oxygen bleach added. Can be used to clean almost any surface--"hasn't scratched yet!" Website has a local store finder for all three products.

Botanic Gold

A "nontoxic multi-use botanical soap...the most powerful chemical free all-purpose cleaner available anywhere...has over 1000 uses...a silky golden non-toxic liquid soap powerful enough to completely free your home from all toxic cleaning chemicals including your everyday laundry detergent, dish washing soap, floor cleaners, and more...It can also be used for bathing, washing your hair, and even brushing your teeth...Ingredients: Purified water, fatty acids, folic acid, minerals and enzymes derived from edible and seed bearing plants."

Cal Ben Soap Company

Unscented soap-based cleaning and laundry products.

Natural Choices Home Safe Products

"We have the widest range of quality oxygen bleach based products available anywhere!" Indeed, they have a full line of cleaning and laundry products based on oxygen bleach, at competitive prices with the supermarket brands. They say their products contain more active ingredients than popular brands, and they have lots of directions on their site for using oxygen bleach for specific cleaning needs, including mold and mildew.

Simple. Pure. Clean.

All natural cleaning products made with simple, plant-based and mineral ingredients like vinegar, borax, grain alcohol, and vegetable-based surfactants. All products are available both unscented or scented with real essential oils for aromatherapy benefits. Products include all purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, bathroom cleaner, hardwood floor cleaner, dusting spray, natural fabric softener, bleach alternative, abrasive cleaner, scouring powder, and essential oil air fresheners. Most products available in money-saving gallon sizes.

Vanessa's Gift

A full line of all-natural cleaning products, available both fregrance-free or scented with organic essential oils.

Solay Simple

All natural, unscented household cleaning products made with natural Himalayan Salt (has antibacterial properties). Dish soap, multi-purpose cleaner, fruit and veggie wash, and laundry soap are "formulated to sanitize, remove grime, stains and dirt safely".

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda

Instructions for using baking soda to clean all around the house.

Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

Washing soda is simply unscented sodium carbonate, a natural mineral. It is similar to baking soda, but has been processed to be more caustic. While it doesn't give off harmful fumes, you'll want to keep this out of reach of children. Boosts your detergent's cleaning power so you can use less detergent. All natural and unscented. Available in the cleaning aisle in virtually every supermarket.

Aubrey Organics

All-purpose household cleaners made from all-natural formulas with herbs.

Begley's Best

This all-natural cleaner--manufactured by eco-actor Ed Begley Jr.--is made from extracts of pine and palm, de-acified citrus, maize, fermented sugar cane roots, and olive seeds...no soap, detergent, or solvents. It is completely non-toxic and totally biodegradable in just 3 to 7 days. Ed gave me a sample. It it smells like nothing and it really works! "Begley's Best dissolves away grease, grime and dirt, quickly, safely and effortlessly. You can use it on any surface that is compatible with water, such as tile, showers, porcelain, counter tops and cupboards, linoleum, plastics, wood, leather, stainless steel, aluminum, chrome and colorfast fabrics...ideal for shampooing and spot-cleaning colorfast carpets and upholstery. It's the perfect cleaner for use on appliances, large and small, inside or out. Available in two varieties: Household Cleaner & Carpet Spot Remover and All Purpose Cleaner.

Bi-O-Kleen

Soy- and citrus-based concentrated cleaning products that are "environmentally safe, non-toxic, with exceptional quality and cleaning results, and affordable and easy to use." No added fragrances, but products containing citrus ingredients do have natural orange scent. Products include All Purpose Cleaner-Degreaser, Stain & Odor Eliminator, Spray & Wipe Cleaner, Glass Cleaner, laundry products, oxygen bleach, dishwashing liquid, dishwasher soap, carpet cleaner, soy biobased lubricant, and more.

Charlie's Soap

An affordable, unscented laundry product that is also natural--made with only coconut-based soap and washing soda. Customers rave about how well it cleans, makes clothes soft and removes stains. And it costs only 16 cents a load (if you buy the 5-gallon bucket, the price goes down to 10 cents a load--incuding shipping).

Chem-Dry

Carpet cleaning without chemicals. "The secret...is the millions of microscopic carbonating cleaning bubbles in our cleaner...The carbonating solutions penetrate deep into the base of the carpet, literally exploding dirt and grime off of the fiber's surface. Then, we use hot water extraction to lift the dirty particles to the surface where they are whisked away...Because it uses a fraction of the water compared to steam cleaning, and contains no soaps, detergents, solvents, enzymes, or other harsh chemicals, it can be used around your entire family, including your pets." I checked into this and it really is just carbonated water, as nontoxic as club soda.

Chlorox Oxy-Magic Multi-Purpose Stain Remover

Available in most supermarkets, this fragrance-free, chlorine-free natural mineral stain remover can be used all around the house. Comes in a powder or spray. (It works even better than OxyClean.)

Drainbo Natural Drain Cleaner

A fast-acting, industrial-strength, all-natural, biodegradable drain cleaner without chemicals, caustics, acids and solvents. Made from "a seven strain bacteria formula that uses the natural process of biological decomposition that has kept our environment in perfect equilibrium since the beginning of time. It's nature's way of recycling and renewing through a steady decomposition of organic waste matter and its conversion to simple, essential substances. This ongoing process is the work of trillions of tiny, naturally occurring, living microorganisms that use organic waste as their food and energy source." Can be used throughout the house. Safe (actually beneficial) for septic tanks.

Earth Friendly Products

An extenive line of ultra-concentrated, biodegradable plant-based cleaners made from ingredients including corn, coconut, citrus and other essential plant oils, and herbs. Recipient of the 2002 Readers' Choice Award from Natural Home Magazine for best cleaning products. Products contain NO hazardous ingredients per their online MSDS sheets; all ingredients and sources for all products are on website.

Howard Naturals

All-natural furniture and kitchen care products, including wood cleaner and polish, wood preserver, upholstery cleaner, granite and marble cleaner, kitchen cabinet cleaner and polish, and stainless steel cleaner and polish--all made with vegetable-based natural oils and waxes and no solvents. Choose products "with the added touch of Aromatherapy" (natural essential oils) or fragrance-free.

naturallyclean

Natural cleaners with nature's most powerful cleaner, enzymes. Pure, vegetable-based enzymes rapidly biodegrade organic materials, like fats, oils, grease, and grime, into their natural elements like carbon and hydrogen. This unique blend of enzymes not only out perform other natural cleaners, but chemical cleaners as well. Enzymes are a force of nature that speed chemical processes.These products are naturally non-toxic with no fumes, no phosphates, no acids, and no petroleum, and they naturally biodegrade quickly." Products for mildew, tub & tile, kitchen, floors, and stain removal.

SoyClean

Mostly natural, nontoxic, soy-based, biodegradable cleaning products for homes, schools, and municipalities. Sells hard-to-find alternatives to toxic products such as graffiti remover, paint stripper, wood sealer & waterproofer, deck cleaner, dry-erase markerboard restorer, barbecue grill cleaner, adhesive mastic remover, driveway & patio cleaner, hard surface stain remover, penetrant lubricant, heavy duty hand cleaner and moisturizer, and others. Check product descriptions carefully. The website says "100% natural ingredients" but at least one product contains a recycled petrochemcial plastic. Ingredients are not given, but MSDS sheets list no hazardous ingredients.

SoySafe

All natural, safe alternatives to some pretty toxic cleaning products, made from renewable, American-grown soy. Selection includes all purpose cleaner, bathroom cleaners, graffiti remover, granite polish and protector, heavy duty hand cleaner, whiteboard cleaner.

N.E.E.D.S.

A selection of brand-name nontoxic all purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, drain openers, furniture polish, glass cleaners, and carpet/upholstery cleaners. Choose from a selection of fragrance-free products. Discounted prices.

Refreshingly Free

Fragrance-free cleaning products tested to be toleratble for MCS. Includes multipurpose cleaners, dishwashing and dishwasher products, toilet bowl cleaner, carpet cleaner, hard water deposit and rust remover, floor cleaner, laundry powder and oxygen bleach.

E.logical / Nyco Products

Green Seal certified industrial cleaning products, including a multi-purpose cleaner with citrus oils and hydrogen peroxide, a degreaser, glass cleaner, and bathroom cleaner. No known human toxicity, carcinogens or reproductive toxins, no offensive fragrances, no endocrine disruptors, biodegradable. In addition to Green Seal certification, these products meet standards required for LEED credits, Federal Government General Services Administration (GSA) purchasing standards as Environmental Preferable Products, H2E Hospitals for a Healthy Environment health & safety requirements, NGO Healthy Schools Program criteria for cleaners in schools, and NISH and affiliated program's recommendations for cleaning chemicals. Appropriate for recommendation to schools, nursing homes, daycare centers, hospitals, and workplaces. Go to "our Products" tab and choose "e.logical" for links to individual products. For home use, call for referral to purchase from local distributors.

SafeSource

Industrial-strength cleaning products made from nontoxic petrochemical ingredients. Product line includes the standard all-purpose, bathroom and window cleaners plus those that are harder to find made from natural ingredients, such as oven cleaner, carpet spot remover and shampoo, drain cleaner, and a VOC-free floor cleaner designed quickly remove heavy deposits of grease, dirt and grime. These products are so safe, they do not require government hazardous warning labels. Note: at the time of this posting, this site is set up for industrial sales. However, they are moving into consumer sales and welcome your inquiry.

Furniture Polish

Daddy Van's All Natural Beeswax Furniture Polish

Natural and simple, this furniture polish leaves wood nourished, healthy, and glowing. Only pure unrefined beeswax and the finest natural emollients and botanicals are used. No petroleum byproducts, solvents, or artificial fragrances. 100% food safe ingredients. Choose from Unscented (no added fragrance), Lavender, or Lavender and Sweet Orange. Can be used on fine furniture, kitchen cabinets, built-ins, wood accents and accessories, butcher block countertops, wood paneling...and much more.

Glass Cleaner

Glass Wizard

You may have seen this on TV. It's a microfiber cloth on a plastic holder that cleans glass, mirrors, and tile with just a squirt of water--no toxic chemicals. I tried it on a window and it's crystal clear. I bought mine at Bed, Bath & Beyond, but it's available at on many internet sites.

Odor Control

Approach Biological Odor Eliminator

I tried a sample of this and it really works! Almost instantly (less than 5 seconds). It even worked on really strong odors, while being itself almost odor-free. Completely eliminates a wide variety of odors commonly found in and around the home including tough odors associated with smoking, pets, bathrooms, kitchens, athletic gear, skunks and many more. Made primarily from plant sources and contains no dangerous chemicals. In extensive laboratory testing actual use in hospitals this product has been shown to be hypoallergenic and nontoxic.

Clean your room well, for good spirits will not live where there is dirt.
--Shaker saying

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