6 Completely Kid Safe Natural House Cleaning Recipes

Recently, I have been on a mission to eliminate all harsh and toxic chemicals in my home. This is a big deal for me. I’m a comet, bleach and shout kind of girl all the way. This meant really research some natural house cleaning recipes.

When a close friend recently shared some studies about the harmful effects of some of the chemicals and “naturally derived” ingredients in common household cleaners, I decided that it was time to revamp my house cleaning cabinet. Here are a few changes that I have made to try to provide a chemical free, non-toxic home for my kiddos by using natural house cleaning recipes.

We know that moms have enough going on, so here are some time management tips to help you cross off your to-do list!

6 Kid Safe Natural House Cleaning Recipes

All Purpose Cleaning Solution

I use this blend like I would a 409 or other all in one cleaning spray. Simply combine 3 cups of water and a cup of vinegar in a recycled spray bottle. This solution will kill bacteria just as effectively as your other cleaners. We use this spray on counters, the floor, tabletops, chairs and baseboards and it works like a charm. If the smell gets to you a bit, try adding several drops of your favorite essential oil or even a few orange slices!

Bathroom Disinfectant

Instead of your usual bleach or ammonia based toilet cleaner, try mixing one part rubbing alcohol and one part water together in a labeled spray bottle. You can be sure that your toilet will sparkle just as well and it’s practically a third of the cost! Here are some other cleaning uses for your 50-50 alcohol to water blend.

Cleaning Abrasive  

If you’re like me, my pots and pans need a good scrub down with an abrasive and steel wool every now and then. I used to use Bar Keepers Friend but decided that I wanted to transition to a kid safe product. Simply sprinkle baking soda in your pan and scrub with steel wool. This method may take a bit more elbow grease but it’s worth it! I also use baking soda to scrub soap scum off of sinks and tubs. Coupled with a magic eraser, baking soda can work wonders!

Baby Body Wash & Shampoo

A few months ago, I decided to check out the ingredients on my baby’s bath shampoo. I had been purchasing a trusted brand for a while and always appreciated the results but, what I didn’t know is that there can be inconsistencies even among “natural” and “organic” body washes and shampoos.

In other words, one product may have ingredients that I feel great about but another product from the same line may have an ingredient I no longer want to use on my child. So, I turned to Dr. Bronner’s Castille Soap. Castile soap is my new best friend. I add a few tablespoons of baby castile soap to a recycled foaming baby wash bottle and filled it the rest of the way with water (about 3 cups). This will last forever, is easy to make and smells just as wonderful!

Hand Soap

I am still in the process of transitioning to natural hand soaps at the kitchen and bathroom sinks but when I do it will be an easy adjustment. For hand soaps, follow the same recipe as my baby shampoo except, switch out the baby castile soap for your favorite scented castile soap. I prefer peppermint or lemon but you  can also add your own anti bacterial/ fungal essential oil blend to the mix for an extra punch.

Carpet Cleaner

Carpet cleaner is a tricky one for me. I have tried several natural solutions but have been disappointed each time. A friend, my mother and the internet recently suggested using hydrogen peroxide to remove a variety of stains from carpets. SO next time I have a spill I will give it a try! Just be sure to use a white rag and test on an unseen area of your carpet before hand.

It doesn’t matter how small the changes are that you make to transform your house cleaning supplies. When it comes to these natural house cleaning recipes, any change is good change! So next time you see a slew of long words on the back of your hand soap, educate yourself and make your own decision about what is best for your unique household. Happy cleaning!