As we all make an effort to bring more sustainable practices into various aspects of our lives, one place that you might not have thought of is our cleaning products. Usually packaged in plastic – albeit sometimes recyclable – they are full of chemicals and sometimes harmful materials that can leach into our rivers and damage ecosystems. There are many easy switches you can make to have a more eco-friendly approach to cleaning your house, that are as effective as the products we're used to and far less wasteful and harmful.
Terms like ‘toxic’ or ‘eco-friendly’, ‘non-bio' and ‘sustainable’ are so often thrown around when it comes to maintaining your house, I realised that I can't be the only one overwhelmed by the options and confused by the realities. I observed that whilst I have a rudimentary understanding of the damaging effect harmful chemicals can have on your body and the environment, I needed to dig a little deeper to work out what's best for me and my home.
So, I set out on a journey to work out what real harm can be caused by our regular, shop-bought cleaning products. I learnt that there are several factors to consider when buying ‘healthy’ or 'sustainable' cleaning products: your own health, the air and environment, maintaining your home and the materials in it, and waste. We've considered these factors and spoken to some experts in order to recommend some changes you might make around the house.
The term ‘natural’ is bandied around a lot and can lure us in under false pretences. For example, whilst ‘natural’ is often a good thing to look for, it doesn't always mean ‘sustainable.' Your loo cleaner may be made from ‘natural’ products like lavender and vinegar, but if it's in a plastic container that can't be recycled then its environmental impact will be less than positive. So I looked for several definitions and concluded that ‘natural’ cleaning products have several shared features.
Firstly, they often use ingredients derived from plants, such as essential oils, citrus extracts, or coconut-based surfactants. These components are biodegradable and less likely to cause skin irritation or respiratory issues.
These products also avoid harsh chemicals like chlorine bleach, ammonia, and synthetic fragrances, which can be harmful if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Instead, they use safer alternatives like vinegar, baking soda, and natural enzymes. The founders of Think Dirty, Shop Clean – an app which aims to educate users on potentially toxic ingredients – told us that "in the context of clean living, toxins refer to substances considered harmful to our long-term health or the environment." This can, according to Think Dirty, include “certain chemicals or ingredients in beauty, personal care and household products that are believed to cause adverse effects. Anything we don't want to be exposed to in our environment, that may have limited studies and peer reviews to prove that it is safe to use."
Next, they're biodegradable. Natural cleaners are designed to break down easily in the environment, reducing their impact on ecosystems. They typically avoid non-biodegradable chemicals that can persist in water and soil. Remember that just because you can't see what's being left behind, doesn't mean a substance or material doesn't have harmful residual consequences.
‘Natural’ cleaning products should also be free from synthetic fragrances and dyes, using essential oils or other natural sources for fragrance instead of synthetic perfumes, which can contain allergens or other harmful chemicals. They also avoid artificial dyes, which are unnecessary for cleaning performance and can contribute to environmental pollution.
The ingredients in natural cleaning products are also usually minimally processed, preserving their natural properties and reducing the introduction of synthetic contaminants.
Finally, your ‘natural’ cleaning product should also any natural cleaning products emphasise sustainability in its packaging, using recyclable materials, reduced plastic, or even refillable containers. Our article on refillable containers offers some useful guidance on how to introduce them into your life. Shops like KILO in North London are a great resource for your cleaning product refill needs, you can even use their ‘click and collect’ service and they will refill your jars and bottles for you.
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Conventional cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals like ammonia, bleach, and synthetic fragrances. These can cause respiratory issues, skin irritation, and other health problems, especially with prolonged exposure. Natural cleaning products are generally free from these toxic substances, reducing the risk of these health concerns. I, along with 1 in 10 individuals (according to the National Eczema Association who will develop the skin condition in their lifetime, suffer from eczema. This sensitivity means chemicals can have a more profound effect on me, ultimately causing flare-ups and irritation. Even worse, some even believe that antibacterial agents found in cleaning products, like triclosan, contribute to antibiotic resistance, posing a broader public health risk.
Many traditional cleaning products contain chemicals that can be harmful to the environment. When washed down the drain, these chemicals can contaminate waterways, harm aquatic life, and contribute to pollution. Natural cleaning products are typically biodegradable and made from renewable resources, making them a more eco-friendly choice.
Conventional cleaners often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can evaporate into the air and contribute to indoor air pollution. This can exacerbate conditions like asthma or allergies. Natural cleaners, on the other hand, usually have fewer or no VOCs, helping to maintain better indoor air quality.
Homemade cleaning product ideas
Former Great British Bakeoff winner Nancy Birtwhistle has now become well known as an environmentally-conscious homemaker, with a natural laundry detergent that costs around 1p per cycle. Nancy's recipe is “cheap as chips” and can be thrown straight into the barrel of your machine with your clothing. The recipe is as follows:
What you'll need
- 30g washing soda
- Bar of soap
- 1tsp washing up liquid
- Scented essential oil (optional)
- Soap or food colouring (optional)
- Blender or whisk
- 250ml boiling water
- Jug
- Knife
- Chopping board
Method
1. Chop the bar of soap up finely and put it in a blender to grind into powder.
2. Put the ground soap into a one litre jug and add 250ml boiling water and 30g of washing soda.
3. Grind the mixture with a stick blender/whisk until smooth.
4. Add lavender essential oil to perfume the detergent (optional) and add soap or food colouring to add a tint (optional).
5. Add a teaspoon of eco-friendly washing up liquid to emulsify.
6. Next, pour in your boiling water until you get the desired consistency. Mix until thickened. Leave for two hours before adding it to a litre bottle.
NHS Nurse Purdy Rubin and horticulturalist Charlotte Figg – creators of the cult natural cleaning company Purdy & Figg – explained to me that “repeated exposure to harmful chemicals can have a toxic effect on your microbiome, which protects you from pathogens, viruses and bacteria-harbouring disease.” Here they share some of their recipes for natural, environmentally friendly cleaning solutions, made from store-cupboard ingredients.
- Create your own multipurpose cleaning spray. This can be easily done with half distilled white vinegar and half water. Add an essential oil for an invigorating scent.
- Use Bicarbonate of Soda. This everyday household item deodorises and cuts through grease. Sprinkle a layer over the oven floor to remove grease, or sprinkle some down your drain, pouring vinegar over to remove blockages. You can also use a thick layer to clean sinks, toilets, baths and fridges, or to remove surface stains.
- Polish your wooden furniture with olive oil. Drizzle a few drops on a cloth, polish over furniture and leave to dry. If you don't like the smell, add a squeeze of lemon to half a cup to add a citrusy scent.
- Use lemon juice to remove stains and fight bacteria. Lemon juice is extremely acidic, and can be added to laundry to keep whites white.
- Coarse salt is an excellent addition to many natural cleaning solutions. Table salt also works, but a coarser option is even better. It serves as a catalyst for vinegar to boost deodorising and cleaning. Create a basic soft scrub with salt, baking soda and dish soap for use on enamel, porcelain and appliances.
- Cornstarch is a key addition for a glass cleaning solution. Combine a tablespoon with rubbing alcohol (1/4 cup), white vinegar (1/4 cup) and warm water (2 cups) in a spray bottle. Mix thoroughly before spraying the glass or mirror surface and wiping clean with a microfibre cloth.
