Dangerous substances abound in traditional, store-bought cleaning products. Frankly, it’s rather shocking to read the contents list of some very well known and commonly used brands. Healthier options are out there, and they’re waiting for you in your kitchen cabinets and refrigerator.

Here’s a great rule of thumb when considering what NOT to use when cleaning your home: If you can’t pronounce it, don’t open it. Expect words with lots of “OL”s and “IDE”s to be on the no-no list. Unfortunately, some of the most heavily advertised brand names contain toxic substances with horrific sounding side effects for children, pets and adults. Stay clear of anything containing denatured ethanol, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, glycol ethers, silicones, butane gas, formaldehyde and phenol.

Try some of these much friendlier, natural products to wash, disinfect and polish your home.

Baking Soda
As a scouring tour-de-force, sodium bicarbonate does the trick for kitchen and bathroom surfaces you don’t want to scratch. If the job is a little tougher than usual, give the area a once-over first with plain white vinegar (a little sparingly though as grout is often sensitive). Then, follow up with a baking soda application and damp sponge. You can also use it for softer surfaces, like when the need arises to deal with stains on carpeting. You can also throw some into your laundry load for a fresher look and feel. You can’t beat the price of this all-around cleaning aid.

Basic Table Salt

Try this one when your oven gets a spill, but use it right away rather than letting the accident bake hard on the inner surface.

Cream of Tartar

When it comes to sprucing up aluminum surfaces, this is the remedy to go with. Mix a little with some water and just apply with a soft rag.

Toothpaste

Who knew? The toothpaste alternative is great when dealing with wood that has been marred by water rings. Again, just the paste and a damp cloth are all you need. It’s also great on gold surfaces you have in the home (or jewelry, of course).

Distilled White Vinegar

As we mentioned earlier, this very cheap standby product has great potential in the home cleaning department (it’s also a great grease cutter!). Try it on your floors and windows – just dilute some in water, add a little fresh lemon juice (ah, the aroma!) and wash away.

Lemons  

Did you know that lemon juice is one of the best all-natural whiteners? Pair it up with the aforementioned baking soda and watch any of those nasty mold/mildew spots disappear. Rather than bring chlorine bleach into your kitchen, use some straight lemon juice (don’t dilute) and rub down your wood countertops, kitchen islands and cutting boards (keep the juice away from stone kitchen surfaces as the acid in it is too powerful).

Olive Oil

Your wood home furnishings will love a spa treatment featuring aromatic olive oil paired with a little lemon juice. Massage it into the surfaces with a soft cloth, and save some for your wooden floors, too.

Now is the time to rethink and “green up” your home cleaning routine, and get smarter, pennywise and healthier in the process.