Non-toxic cleaning
Most household cleaners contain chemicals linked to respiratory damage, hormone disruption and cancer. The good news: the alternatives clean just as well.
The problem
The Environmental Working Group has found that 1 in 3 cleaning products contains ingredients linked to health harm. The US EPA ranks indoor air quality among the top five environmental health risks, with cleaning products identified as a major contributor. Indoor air is typically 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air.
Professional cleaners have significantly elevated rates of occupational asthma and chronic lung disease compared to the general population. The same chemicals responsible for occupational harm are present in the products used in homes every day.
The worst offenders
Quaternary ammonium compounds ("quats")
In almost every disinfectant spray. Linked to asthma and reproductive harm in multiple independent studies.
Glycol ethers
Nervous system toxins. Found in many glass cleaners and multi-surface sprays.
Chlorine bleach combined with ammonia
Produces chloramine gas when mixed, which is acutely toxic to the lungs. Never mix these two chemicals.
Synthetic fragrance
The same 3,000-chemical loophole as in personal care products. Masks pollution rather than removing it.
2-Butoxyethanol
Solvent in many multi-purpose cleaners. Linked to liver and kidney damage with repeated exposure.
The non-toxic cleaning kit
Four ingredients cover the vast majority of household cleaning tasks:
White vinegar
Cuts grease, kills most bacteria on surfaces. Dilute 1:1 with water for general use.
Do not use on natural stone (marble, granite) as it will etch the surface.
Baking soda
Mild abrasive for scrubbing. Deodorises drains and bins. Use as paste with water.
Do not mix with vinegar in a container expecting a cleaning effect. The reaction neutralises both.
Castile soap
Plant-based surfactant. Safe for most surfaces. Dilute 1 tablespoon per 1 litre of water for general cleaning.
Do not mix with vinegar. The acid breaks down the soap and reduces effectiveness.
Essential oils
Tea tree (antimicrobial), lavender (antimicrobial and deodorising), eucalyptus. Add 10 to 15 drops per 500ml spray.
Keep away from pets, particularly cats. Toxic to cats in concentrated form.
Product recommendations by category
Ingredients to avoid
- Benzalkonium chloride (BAC)
- Alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (ADBAC)
- 2-Butoxyethanol
- Sodium hypochlorite (in enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces)
- Any product listing "fragrance" or "parfum"
- Phosphates (environmental harm, algal bloom)
"Indoor exposure to cleaning product chemicals is a significant contributor to the burden of occupational and non-occupational asthma."
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine – atsjournals.org
Do not panic
The simplest approach: replace your all-purpose spray with Branch Basics concentrate or diluted castile soap. This one swap covers the majority of your cleaning needs and eliminates most of the chemical burden from conventional cleaning products.
Priority actions
Cleaning products contain ingredients linked to health harm, according to the Environmental Working Group's Guide to Healthy Cleaning.
Top product picks
Branch Basics Concentrate
One concentrate diluted to make all-purpose, bathroom, laundry and dish soap. No quats, no fragrance, fully disclosed ingredients.
View productBlueland Clean Starter Set
Tablet-based system: add water to reusable bottles. Zero plastic waste. Free from quats, chlorine, ammonia and fragrance.
View productMolly's Suds Original Laundry Powder
Five ingredients. No optical brighteners, no synthetic fragrance, no fillers. Works in all machines.
View productMethod Free and Clear
Fragrance-free, dye-free. Widely available. Good for sensitive households. Avoid scented Method products.
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