The Dirty Truth About Cleaning Products

There’s no doubt about it. Commercial cleaning products make our lives much easier. With a quick spray and wipe, we can kill off bacteria and leave surfaces looking shiny and new. But most commercial products contain toxic ingredients and the companies that make them don’t make it easy on us to identify the baddies.

The EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning assessed the health and ecological hazards of over 2,500 cleaning products and came back with some worrying results. One of the biggest problems they identified was bad labeling. Many products on the market simply don’t list all the ingredients on their labels. The EWG found that in over 1000 products reviewed, 48% listed 3 or fewer ingredients on the label… That would be great if it were true, but unfortunately, it’s not.

That’s pretty shocking when you think about it. Many cleaning products contain chemicals which can exacerbate asthma, cause skin allergies, and may cause reproductive problems. They can also harm our pets and the environment. So, it’s worrying to think there’s no guarantee that what the label says is actually a true indication of a product’s contents.

The good news is, non-toxic cleaning products are becoming increasingly popular, and with growing demand, safer alternatives are becoming more accessible. However, these trendy alternatives often come with a hefty price tag. Luckily though, making your own cleaning products is super easy, cheap and effective.

DIY All-Purpose Cleaning Spray

This homemade all-purpose cleaner takes under a minute to make and has fewer than 5 ingredients. All you need to do is combine the ingredients in an empty spray bottle, give the mixture a shake and you’re good to go. You can use this spray cleaner to wipe down kitchen counters, bathroom surfaces, windows, and mirrors. If you have pets, forego the tea tree oil or limit use to areas where there’s no risk your furry friends will come into contact with it, as cats and dogs can have adverse reactions to tea tree oil consistent with toxicity.

What you’ll need:

• 1 empty spray bottle
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 3 drops tea tree oil
• Optional: 3 drops lavender oil (or other essential oils for fragrance)