This year, my biggest cleaning resolution is to clean green using all-natural products and DIY alternatives in the place of commercial cleaners and harsh chemicals.
And, as I freshen up my bathroom weekly utilizing all the brilliant cleaning tips I've learned from interviewing hundreds of professional cleaners as a Solved writer, where better to start than with a non-toxic DIY bathroom cleaner?
Why it's worth switching to an easy DIY non toxic bathroom cleaner
There are so many reasons to make eco-friendly sustainable cleaning swaps to protect you, your home, and the planet as Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless points out.
'It's safer for your health,' she says, 'as it avoids exposure to harsh chemicals that can irritate skin and lungs. It's also better for the environment, reducing chemical runoff that harms water systems, and tends to be far more cost-effective, using simple, affordable ingredients you likely already have at home,' helping you to save money at home, too.
But, why are commercial cleaners a concern?
According to a study entitled Hazardous substances in frequently used professional cleaning products on the National Library of Medicine, 'A growing number of studies have identified cleaners as a group at risk for adverse health effects of the skin and the respiratory tract. Chemical substances present in cleaning products could be responsible for these effects,' although research is currently limited.
Karina adds, 'Commercial cleaners contain strong chemicals like bleach and ammonia, which can cause respiratory issues, and release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to indoor air pollution' and air quality mistakes. They also may leave residues on surfaces that then come into contact with skin and food.
I was understandably a little skeptical of how effective a DIY cleaner would be at killing bathroom germs and sanitizing surfaces, but Karina assured me that you don't need harsh cleaning chemicals to clean well, but that it is still important to understand the limitations.
'While DIY cleaners effectively remove dirt, soap scum, and mild bacteria, they don't necessarily disinfect like commercial sanitizers,' she says. 'But, cleaning with vinegar or cleaning with hydrogen peroxide – used separately – can boost antibacterial properties.'
What you'll need
- A spray bottle: such as the Empty Amber Glass Spray Bottles available at Amazon.
- Castile soap or plant-based dish soap: such as the Whole Naturals EWG Verified & Certified Palm Oil Free Castile Liquid Soap available at Walmart.
- Baking soda.
Once I had gathered my ingredients on the way home from work, all that was left to do was combine them, in my TOMAT Spray bottle from IKEA. I wasn't able to find any Castile soap, although it is available for order on Amazon, so opted to use a non-toxic dish soap instead.
I went for the pomegranate and fig ECOVER option, which smelled amazing and is made of plant-based, biodegradable ingredients. The ECOVER Camomile & Clementine Washing Up Liquid is available at Amazon, which I'm sure smells equally as good. I know when you're cleaning this isn't overly important, but who doesn't love using non-toxic ways to make a home smell nice while getting chores done.
I simply filled my bottle with warm water, approximately two cups, then, as directed by Karina, added one tablespoon of baking soda, such as ARM & HAMMER Pure Baking Soda available at Walmart, and two tablespoons of natural dish soap (or castile soap).
'The baking soda gently scrubs away grime without scratching surfaces, while the natural dish soap lifts dirt and grease,' explains Karina.
Optionally, you can also add 10 drops of essential oil to add natural antibacterial properties and a fresh scent. Karina recommends tea tree or lavender, such as the Majestic Pure Lavender Essential Oil with Glass Dropper available at Amazon. There are plenty of other unusual ways to clean with essential oils at home, so they're a good staple to have around.
As I soon learned, this non-toxic bathroom cleaner is best suited to ceramic and porcelain sinks, tubs and tiles. After following the dry/ damp cleaning rule first, as forgetting to do so is one of the bad housekeeping habits I'm breaking up with this year, I got to work. On my bath, sink and faucets, the results were instantly fabulous. But, using it to clean my glass shower doors was, unfortunately, a big mistake.
Almost instantly, I noticed streaks and smudges, which actually got worse by the next morning, leaving me needed to re-clean it. Annoying, but a learning curve. I'll stick to my Method Daily Shower Spray Cleaner available at Amazon in the future.
I also didn't even attempt to clean my toilet with my new homemade cleaner, which I always do, and always will, use a commercial cleaner for, like the The Pink Stuff, Miracle Toilet Cleaner Gel available at Walmart.
To properly clean it, Taylor Riley, partner at GermSmart, advises, 'When it comes to sanitizing toilets, most people focus on scrubbing – but killing germs is all about dwell time. The key is letting the cleaner sit long enough to do its job. Rushing the process means you’re not truly disinfecting, just moving germs around.
'Most commercial disinfectants require 30 seconds to 10 minutes of dwell time to effectively kill bacteria and viruses. Apply the cleaner to the bowl, seat, and handle, let it sit, then scrub and rinse to ensure the toilet is sanitized.'
This cleaner also won't be suitable for cleaning marble countertops or natural stone, says Karina, as baking soda can dull the finish on porous materials. But, for cleaning my bathtub and cleaning my porcelain sink, it worked a treat. After use, simply store it in a cool dark place, adds Karina, which is exactly what I've done, and shake before each use.
My verdict? I will be using it again, but keeping it far, far away from my glass shower screen. Lesson learned!
All prices correct at time of publication.
Bathroom cleaning essentials
These eco-friendly glass bottles are perfect for mixing up homemade cleaning solutions, with UV-protection to protect solutions from degradation and an adjustable spray nozzle.
These microfiber cleaning cloths are ideal for color-coded cleaning and dusting all around your home, and they can handily be popped in the washing machine for quick and convenient cleaning after use. Just skip softener to retain its absorbency.
Why not experiment with scents with this set of six assorted blends, including a citrussy orange and fresh eucalyptus.
I always use cloths like this to clean my bathroom, and reuse them again and again until they need replacing.
I recently tried this natural multi-surface cleaner for the first time, and absolutely love the scent and the way it works to remove dirt and leave surfaces sparkling.
Commercial cleaners don't have to be harsh. This one is made with essential oils and plant-derived ingredients, with a cruelty-free formula that's Leaping Bunny certified.
Interested in making more sustainable swaps? These are the non-toxic home essentials Chiana Dickson, content editor on Solved and our resident queen of non-toxic cleaning swears by in her low-toxicity household.
