12 Natural Cleaning Products That Are Just as Good as Chemicals

Maintaining a clean house is every homeowner’s goal. Using conventional household cleaning products can get the job done, but they also leave behind toxic chemicals that are harmful to our health and the environment. Natural cleaning products, on the other hand, offer the same level of visual cleanliness albeit with a more expensive price tag and more elbow grease.

Prepare to throw away those conventional cleaning products. Here are 12 of the best natural cleaning products you can use to give your home a cleaning that’s eco-friendly and free of toxic chemicals.

1. Arm & Hammer Essentials 2X Concentrated

This natural laundry detergent had the best scores for removing ink, mascara, wine, gravy, and grape juice stains based on a series of tests conducted by the GHRI’s Home Appliances & Cleaning Products department. You can buy it online at Amazon, Walmart, Kmart, and Walgreens.

2. Purex Natural Elements

If you want a less expensive alternative to Arm & Hammer Essentials 2X Concentrated, go for Purex Natural Elements. It worked almost as well as Arm & Hammer’s natural laundry detergent in the same series of tests. Check out its official website to see the list of online and offline retailers.

3. Planet Ultra Dishwashing Liquid

Planet’s dishwashing liquid was found to clean dried-on grease and food particles with the most number of plates per use. It can also be used to wash fruits and vegetables, cars, and pets so it’s a really useful all-around cleansing product. You can buy Planet Ultra Dishwashing Liquid from Amazon, Drugstore.com, and Vine.com.

4. Seventh Generation’s Auto Dish Pacs

Using a dishwasher? No problem. Use Seventh Generation’s Auto Dish Pacs, which eliminate the need to measure as well as neatly handling the mess that comes from it. The detergent uses a formula that is rich in enzymes and without chlorine, phospates, or synthetic fragrances. Buy it online or from a retailer near you.

5. Home Solv Natural Enzyme Drain Cleaner

The Home Solv Natural Enzyme Drain Cleaner (formerly Citra Drain) uses the power of natural enzymes to clear the organic clogs in your drains like grease, oil, and soap residue. It leaves nothing behind but a free-flowing pipe and the sweet scent of citrus. Buy it online here.

6. Method Antibacterial Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Method’s Antibacterial Toilet Bowl Cleaner uses citric acid and its Powergreen Technology—self described as “cutting-edge green chemistry that harnesses the power of naturally derived, non-toxic ingredients”—to eliminate bacteria and dirt. It comes in cool spearmint and peppermint fragrances, with the floral hint of geranium. Buy it online via its official website or at a store near you.

7. J. R. Watkins Natural Window Cleaner

Remove fingerprints and other marks from your windows—even tinted ones—with this coconut-based window cleaner. It also works great at removing dust, grime and smudges from your mirrors and glass tabletops. Available in lemon fragrance. You can buy it online or from these retailers.

8.  Vaska Spotoff Spot Remover

You can now remove wine, dirt, and other tough stains without worrying about destroying precious fabric. Vaska Spotoff spot remover uses botanical cleaning agents, so it’s also safe for your skin, your pets, your children and the environment. It’s even 100% biodegradable and hypoallergenic! You can buy it online and offline from any of these retailers.

9. Green Works Compostable Cleaning Wipes

Wipes are great at removing dust and other small accidents on tables or countertops. Green Works Compostable Cleaning Wipes are made from “100% wood-based fibers,” making them compatible for compost. They’re safe for acrylic, fiberglass, vinyl, and most non-wood surfaces. Check here for a list of stores that sell them.

10. Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds All-Purpose Cleaner

This all-purpose cleaner uses plant-based surfactants and essential oils of spruce and fir trees. It has no synthetic dyes, fragrances, or preservatives and is biodegradable. You can use it both in hard or soft water for general household cleaning. Buy it at its official website or from these retailers.

11. Sun & Earth Natural All-Purpose Cleaner

This natural spray cleaner has no petroleum-based solvent, brighteners, dyes, or perfumes. It can remove grease, grime, and dirt in all areas of the house, such as kitchen and bathroom surfaces, countertops, pet-specific areas, and more. You can buy it online from Amazon, Soap.com, and iHerb.com or visit its official website to find a retailer near you.

12. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner

This natural all-purpose cleaner is concentrated and can be diluted as needed. It can clean any washable surface: floors, walls, pots and pans, windows, sinks and drains, and even greasy tools. It is also effective at removing coffee and juice stains, lipstick, blood, dirt, grease, oil and more. You can buy it online or at a local retailer.

There are more natural cleaning products out there, of course. These are just the cream of the crop—the most widely and favorably reviewed. It’s always a good idea to shop around until you find a product that’s right for you; and beware of scams! Always check the ingredients of any household cleaner claiming to be natural or organic, just to make sure.

At the start, it might seem like you’re paying more for natural cleaning products. But just consider how much more expensive it would be to undergo treatment for cancer or any other life-threatening diseases that exposure to chemicals from conventional household cleaners can cause.

It’s time for a refreshing change. Cheers to a cleaner, greener home.


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Juvy Garcia
Juvy Garcia
Juvy is a freelance proofreader, copy editor and writer. A nice little nook with a good book would be ideal. But concocting plans for her next drawing or DIY project will suffice while she's still busy babysitting two daughters. Follow her on Twitter or connect with her on Google+.