Non-Toxic Cleaners

Ever since I developed environmental illness in 2001, I have been making my own cleaning products instead of buying chemical-laden ones. It's incredible how well you can clean your house using natural ingredients such as borax, vinegar, salt, castile soap, and essential oils.

For example, today I scrubbed my stovetop sparkling clean using a soft scrubby sponge, a few drops of dishwashing detergent, and some baking soda. To do this, sprinkle a small pile of baking soda on your stovetop. Wet a soft sponge with a gentle scrubber on one side, pour a few drops of detergent on the sponge, and work it in. Then dip the soapy sponge into the baking soda and use it to scour the stovetop. As necessary, rinse the sponge, add more a bit more detergent if necessary, and dip it into the baking soda again. When finished scrubbing, wipe the stovetop down with a clean, wet sponge. I guarantee you'll be amazed at the results.

To clean my kitchen and bathroom countertops, I mix a solution of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water in a clean spray bottle designated for that purpose. Did you know that vinegar is a powerful disinfectant? Any cheap white vinegar will do; it's not necessary to buy a name brand. Spray surfaces with the vinegar/water solution and wipe with a clean cloth. The vinegar smell will dissipate quickly and your countertops will gleam.


To clean the toilet, pour about a cup of baking soda into the bowl and scrub with a toilet brush. The baking soda acts as a scouring powder. When finished scrubbing, add about a cup of white vinegar to the toilet bowl. The mixture will begin to fizz madly. When the fizzing stops, brush the bowl again and flush. This combination removes stains, disinfects, and deodorizes your toilet.


If you're interested in making your own non-toxic cleaning products, I recommend the book "Better Basics for the Home" by Annie Berthold-Bond. It contains over 800 formulas for items such as household cleansers, personal and pet care, lawn and garden care, and natural paints, stains, and dyes.