Switch to natural cleaning products | CNN

This year we have thought more than usual about cleaning and the products we use to clean.

And while much of the focus has been on disinfection to reduce the transmission of the new coronavirus, cleaning in general, and how often and products it is done, is something that people are paying more attention to.

Cleaning products can protect you from illness, but they can also make you sick if they contain toxic chemicals or other irritants.

If you are concerned that the products you use to clean your home are not safe, and you are considering switching to more natural cleaning products, here are several expert tips on how to do it without sacrificing quality or blowing up your budget.

Why switch to natural products?

Natural cleansers offer a number of benefits that may surprise you.

The biggest is reducing exposure to toxic chemicals in the home.

"Think about it: We're spraying these cleaners all over our homes, inhaling and touching whatever is in the mix as we spray, and long after it's applied to every surface," says Kate Kordsmeier, who runs the Root Life & Wellness blog. and Revel.

Cindy LeBow, founder of Great Green Cleaning and Disinfecting Services, learned this from experience;

made the switch to natural products to protect its professional cleaning staff.

"I found that toxic cleaners could make my staff sick, burn their skin, affect the lungs and eyes, or cause allergic reactions," she says.

PHOTO: iStock

But the benefits of switching to natural cleaners extend beyond human exposure to toxic chemicals.

Reducing the use of products that include synthetic colorants and fragrances, phthalates, ammonia, etc., as well as avoiding disposable products such as anti-dust wipes or single-use scrubbing pads, also means reducing the damage that conventional cleaning products do to the environment ambient.

And despite the reputation for being more expensive, switching to natural cleaners can actually save you money by reducing the total number of products used to clean your home.

“We have been trained to need a lot of chemical-laden products for different cleaning purposes,” say Jordan Berry and Cindee Black, founders of the Black and Berry Living organic cleaning line, “but it is unnecessary, because natural cleaners can tackle multiple cleaning jobs. '

Problems of natural cleaning and how to avoid them

While there are many good reasons to switch to natural cleaning products, there are also drawbacks: They can be more expensive than traditional products, and many people find that they simply don't clean as well.

"Not all natural brands work as well as chemical combinations in conventional brands, and the ingredients may cost more," says Kordsmeier.

PHOTO: iStock

She suggests reading product reviews to find out which ones people like best, and shopping at places like Amazon, where those products can often be found at affordable prices.

Using the right tools for the job can also increase the effectiveness of natural cleaners.

Switch to reusable microfiber cloths (which remove build-up like soap scum and dirt better than cotton rags or paper towels), use exfoliation brushes on tough jobs, and give products time to do their work can help make cleaning with natural products more effective.

The experts we spoke with agreed that it is important to read the labels of products that claim to be natural but actually contain toxic ingredients.

"Don't be fooled by 'green washing' - if a product has [artificial] colors and perfumes, just don't use it," says LeBow, even if the product is marked natural or green.

How to make the switch to natural cleaners

When it comes to switching to natural cleansers, simplicity should be the goal.

Keep it simple - you only need a handful of products.

Don't get overwhelmed.

Don't spend a ton of money, ”says LeBow.

PHOTO: iStock

Berry and Black echo the advice, especially when it comes to ingredients, adding: "Read the labels and choose a product with ingredients that you understand."

To make it easier to identify quality products, they suggest finding a brand you trust and stick with their entire range to take the guesswork out of shopping.

Kordsmeier encourages people looking to make the switch to natural cleaners to consider going the DIY route.

"If you really want to do it cheaply, I recommend making your own cleaning products," he says.

The best natural cleaning products

These are the favorite products and brands of the experts we spoke to, the ones they use over and over again to tackle messes in the kitchen, bathroom, and more.

Dr. Bronner Sal Suds ($ 34.99 for a pack of 2;

Sal Suds Dr. Bronner

PHOTO: Amazon

"We use this for almost everything," says LeBow.

"It's a great general cleaner - window cleaner, stainless steel cleaner, leather cleaner, grease, floors, and more."

Dr. Bronner 4-in-1 Organic Sugar Soap ($ 13.49;

Dr. Bronner's 4-in-1 Organic Sugar Soap

PHOTO: Amazon

Berry and Black also recommend Dr. Bronner's products.

«We are big fans.

They are a trusted brand that never disappoints, ”they say.

They like the 4-in-1 soap that can be used as hand soap, shampoo, body wash, and facial soap.

Sheep Wool Dryer Balls ($ 16.95;

Smart Sheep Wool Drying Balls

PHOTO: Amazon

Kordsmeier uses wool drying balls instead of dryer sheets, which contain chemicals and fragrances that can cause respiratory and skin irritation.

"I made the switch to wool dryer balls years ago and have never looked back!"

People allergic to wool can opt for dryer balls made of PVC.

Grab Green Whitening Capsules ($ 13.60, originally $ 16;

Natural whitening capsules

PHOTO: Amazon

Kordsmeier avoids the use of chlorine bleach entirely, but to brighten the whites, it uses these bleach alternative capsules in conjunction with its detergent.

Bar Keepers Friend Multipurpose Powder Cleaner ($ 7.97;

Bar Keepers Friend Multipurpose Powder Cleaner

PHOTO: Amazon

LeBow calls Bar Keepers Friend his "favorite scrubbing powder."

He uses it for scrubbing and to restore stained and scratched metal pots and pans to their former beauty.

Heinz White Vinegar ($ 7.99 for 1 pint;

Heinz White Vinegar

PHOTO: Amazon

White vinegar is a staple of DIY cleaning product recipes like the ones Kordsmeier offers on its website and, as LeBow notes, "plain white vinegar kills mold more effectively than any other product."

Bioesque Sanitizing Solution ($ 19.89, originally $ 20.98;

Bioesque natural disinfectant solution

PHOTO: Amazon

Bioesque is an EPA approved hospital grade natural based disinfectant with notes of lemongrass and thyme.

"We use this for all deep cleaning and disinfection," says LeBow.

Microfiber Cloths ($ 10.95;

Microfiber cloths

PHOTO: Amazon

LeBow stressed the importance of using good quality microfiber cloths for cleaning.

"Microfiber alone can remove more than 98% of organic matter from a surface with just water," he explains.

Amazer Exfoliating Brush, 2-Pack ($ 8.99;

Amazer Exfoliating Brush, 2-Pack

PHOTO: Amazon

Think how much easier it will be to scrub your bathtub, shower and sink with these scrub brushes.

Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of publication of the article.