Non-toxic? No problem – 4 eco-friendly and sustainable swaps professional cleaners always recommend

Recently, we've noticed a growing movement for natural, non-toxic cleaning products and hacks.

Whether you're keen to rub an eco-friendly household or simply want to make more sustainable swaps where possible, if these more natural alternatives work just as effectively, why rely on chemical, commercial cleaners?

To set you on the right foot, here our panel of professional cleaners share their cleaning tips for an eco overhaul that won't compromise your clean.

Our favorite natural cleaners

1. White vinegar and baking soda

Here at Homes & Gardens, we love cleaning with baking soda and cleaning with vinegar – so why not combine the two? In fact, Chiana Dickson, content editor on Solved, cleaned her house using only baking soda and vinegar for a week, and found it 'miraculous.'

Karina Toner, cleaning expert and operations manager at Spekless describes this combination as 'The classic!'

She says, 'Sprinkle baking soda (such as the Great Value Baking Soda available at Walmart) on greasy areas, then spray with vinegar. Let it fizz for a minute before wiping clean – it works wonders to clean an oven, clean a glass stovetop and make sink drains spotless.'

Importantly, this versatile duo is also cheap, and readily available. 'The fizzing action is satisfying to watch, and highly effective at lifting grime,' adds Toner. 'I personally love this for cleaning the kitchen tiles on my stove backsplash throughout the week.'

All prices correct at the time of publication.

2. Lemon juice

For Carolina Kazimierski, co-owner and president of Sophia's Cleaning Service, the best natural way to fight grease and grime is by cleaning with lemon juice.

'This is such a simple hack, and I think it's especially effective because lots of people have lemons already sitting in their fridge,' she says. 'In fact, the reason lemons work so well – citric acid – is present in lots of commercial grease fighting products (and general cleaning products too), so you're going straight to the source by using lemon juice. Plus, you can't get more natural than a piece of fruit!'

You can also use bottled juice, such as the 365 by Whole Foods Market Organic Lemon Juice available at Amazon, provided it is pure and undiluted.

'I've used lemon juice on stove top grease or oil splatter, and I've also cut lemons to scrub grease and grime on oven racks, and inside the oven itself,' adds Kazimierski. 'You can also use lemons to get rid of hardwater stains on glass.

'I will often combine lemon juice with some baking soda to clean especially stained, grimy, or otherwise dirty surfaces, and have found it leaves a truly sparkling finish.' What's not to like?

Our top tip is to pop a couple of lemon halves in your dishwasher for a superior clean of your crockery and glassware.

3. Castile soap

Another natural classic favored by our experts is cleaning with Castile soap, which is also a household item you can substitute for dishwasher tablets.

Cleaning expert Toner advises mixing a few drops of castile soap, such as the Pure Castile Soap Liquid available at Amazon, with warm water in a spray bottle. This can then be used as a homemade cleaning spray, and wiped with a damp cloth.

'Castile soap is my go-to for a gentle yet thorough clean,' says Toner. 'I love its versatility – it can tackle almost any surface, and is excellent for general kitchen and bathroom cleaning – and is still mild enough to use on delicate materials.'

4. Essential oils

Finally, Toner loves making use of unusual ways to clean with essential oils at home.

'This method feels like a little luxury while cleaning,' she says. 'It's especially great after cooking a big meal when the kitchen needs a little extra refresh. It wipes away grease and leaves the room smelling amazing – plus, it's so simple to whip up and store in a spray bottle.'

To do so, Toner simply recommends adding ten drops of lemon or essential oil to a cup of water, before spraying onto greasy areas and wiping clean. 'It's ideal for counters, stovetops, and even furniture with mild buildup,' she adds.

Additionally, recently, Punteha van Terheyden, head of Solved here at H&G, swerved any essential oil cleaning mistakes by using essential oils to clean stainless steel, and now rates them as 'vital cleaning ingredients.' She adds, ‘I use essential oils all over my home now. I wish I’d known how powerful and effective these natural liquids are 20 years ago.’

FAQs

What breaks down grease fast?

When it comes to tackling grease in a hurry, vinegar is the most effective way to clean grease from an air fryer, for example, as it only needs to sit for ten minutes before being wiped away.

Can salt break down grease?

Yes, you can clean with salt to break down grease, which works particularly well to unclog drains by breaking down emulsified fat when combined with hot water.

These simple switches are a great place to start when clearing out toxic items to get rid of in your home. You make easy swaps too, such as using non-toxic alternatives to borax.

If you want to clean your home without harming the planet, our expert-approved ways will boost sustainability and help you clean green. Our dedicated guide also details how to avoid falling victim to greenwashing when picking cleaning products.