natural home cleaning products?

[Dixxie]

Hi there,
Can you recommend any off-the-shelf or home recipes for cleaning products (and toiletries) that don't contain nasty chemicals? Specifically we want to avoid Phthalates and 'parfum', and as much else as possible.

The reason is that they have been identified by experts as a key factor in recurrent miscarriage and other fertility/baby making issues and we are discussing it in a Mymsnet conception group.

I would be so grateful for any advice / help you can offer,

I spent a fortune on Method products yesterday and am horrified at the ingredients so they're going back!

Yes, I was quite amused at this lot - eco babble on a grand scale .

All chemicals, even water, are nasty if misused. Go buy a bottle of spray white vinegar from Wilkinson's, a pack of bicarbonate of soda, a bottle of cif or equivalent, some cheap washing up liquid and a bottle of antibac spray. The last gets used only if there's illness about.

Cheap washing liquid or powder - no conditioner, unnecessary.

That's it. Costs well under a tenner.

If most people just added up the cost of the various bottles under their sink/in cupboards, they'd have to go lie down in a darkened room. (And that's leaving aside any ingredient issues.)

I tend to do most of my cleaning or treatments with such ingredients as white vinegar, soda crystals, lemon juice, bicarbonate etc. They work fine.

You might find the tips on this website helpful. They're obviously trying to shift their own products but there's no reason why - for most of them - you shouldn't use generic versions of the recommended products if they're easily available.

Thanks both!

Bicarb and white vinegar sound great - and inexpensive too

I really like the look of the Dri-Pak, the products seem to be simple and natural which is great. And as you say we can use the no brand alternatives.

I'm looking to avoid CIF and anti bac spray as they'll be full of chemicals.

Thanks so much x

That's the Wilkinson stuff, I think.

Don't be fooled by natural, still chemicals.

The disadvantage with most of the cleaning products mentioned is - especially if you have 'helpers'- that there's little or no drama. Most of their use is preventative rather than actually solving big problems - no big satisfying gouts of foam and big results etc, things just keep on working. (People seem to find it much more satisfying to 'sort a situation' with big results rather than just keeping on doing things in a fairly low-key way.)

Cosie, do you mean we'll have to clean little and often and scrub a bit harder, instead of getting into a state and having a blitz? Haha how did you know

I use vinegar and water in a spray bottle with a few drops of essential oil in. I use this to clean baths,sinks,toilets,shower cubicles & Windows. Works a treat. Smell dissipates fast. I clean sinks and toilets daily so no build up of grime so no harsh cleaners needed.
I make my own furniture spray too- olive oil, lemon juice and vinegar. Only make small amount so it doesn't go rancid.

I too am sick of the amount of chemicals in our house.
Now weather is warmer I open loads of Windows every morning to get fresh air in. Beats any air freshener!

Thanks Kansas... Sounds like my project for the weekend. I have essential oils. I like the idea of making our own natural cleaning products, and the simpler the better. Just never got on and did it til now! Going to get an Aquaball Eco ball for washing laundry too as I heard they're great...

We use bio D laundry liquid and washing up liquid, both of which I like. Other than that, water with microfibre cloths, bicarb and vinegar does us. Mostly just water really. Very occasionally I use bio d loo cleaner fora urging with lime scale building up, not just the loo, it's ace- I haven't checked the ingredients though!
The ecoballs don't actually make much difference over washing with just water- so maybe try that before paying out for the ecoballs!

I don't think the Ecover stuff is too bad is it.

For natural cleaning products i would recommend ecover. They have a nice selection of household and Laundry products. This is an all purpose cleaner and this one is a bathroom cleaner

Thanks Marie and Vulcan,

It's all marketing. Ecover use nasties that aren't safe. Extract below and full articles in link. I've researched and this is backed up by other sources:

" trusted brands such as Seventh Generation, Method and Ecover use chemicals such as SLS in many of their products including dish-washing liquids, hand soaps, disinfectants and laundry detergents. Even their baby laundry detergents!"

"Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (a chemical that is also listed as over 150 different names) – used as a sudsing and foaming agent, penetrates the skin, health hazards include reproductive and developmental toxicity, tissue damage that could result in chronic liver, brain, heart, lung damage and may include cancer. SLS has been found in the tissue of these organs so it accumulates in the body."

smartklean.wordpress.com/2011/04/29/seventh-generation-method-and-ecover-not-so-safe-after-all/

www.dailyfinance.com/2010/11/15/are-green-cleaners-really-green/

Vinegar is my go to liquid. Helps with a lot of cleaning work.

I've tried lemon juice and bicarbonate of soda, works but you need a bit more elbow grease. Sad to hear that about Ecover though. I got a big bottle of lemon juice from the Chinese shop.

I've found Faith in Nature cleaning products, absolutely NO nasties! I already love their hair and body stuff - all chemical free and you can save money if you buy 5L packs :-)

www.biggreensmile.com/products/faith-in-nature-anti-bacterial-bathroom-cleaner/finclrbathspray.aspx?productid=finclrbathspray

I've found Faith in Nature cleaning products, absolutely NO nasties! I already love their hair and body stuff - all chemical free and you can save money if you buy 5L packs :-)

www.biggreensmile.com/products/faith-in-nature-anti-bacterial-bathroom-cleaner/finclrbathspray.aspx?productid=finclrbathspray

Someone on here posted a link to this page before. I got some good tips from here.

m.facebook.com/ecocleaningblog/

Microfibre cloths, vinegar, water, fairy liquid and that's (almost) all that I use ( I do use Method toilet cleaner)

Read up about it in the internet, water is often all that is needed believe it or not.

Wish I'd known this when I was in my 20s and had a cupboard full of all different cleaners ( like clean things)

It's true, water is a great cleanser.

Thanks guys, keep them coming! I've found a few friends who buy big containers of white vinegar on eBay and use that with water in a spray can for cleaning... Seems it is easier than I thought and will save money too

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/apr/01/green-apps-gadgets-e-cloths

I love a good bit of white vinegar. On the off chance we need something a bit more intensive, I used to use method (I adore their laundry detergent) but for household things have recently switched to 'you'.

I swear by bicarbonate of soda and vinegar. About a tbsp of each in a 500ml spray bottle and fill up with hot water. I have a chuckle going round the supermarket when I see these natural cleaning products for £3-4 a bottle. Barmy

I made the transition to natural products just a few months back and it's so totally worth it. I think that this basic guide to natural cleaners will be quite helpful to everyone who wish to do so as well. You will not believe the money you'll save in the long run.