How to Use Natural Cleaning Products in Your Bathroom

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People associate their homes being “clean” with smelling a certain way.  This probably comes from childhood memories of mom cleaning and the house smelling good. Most people don’t realize that mainstream cleaners contain hormone-disrupting chemicals and artificial fragrances that can negatively affect your health. Thankfully, natural cleaning products are easy to find online, or you can make DIY cleaners at home.

Common Chemicals in Mainstream Tub, Shower, and Tile Cleaners

• Bleach – Also known as Sodium Hypochlorite.  This common household disinfectant and cleaner can burn your skin and eyes. It also negatively affects the respiratory system. Other side effects of excessive exposure are dizziness, nausea, and headaches.
• 2-Butoxyethanol – a colorless liquid that is a solvent. This chemical should be handled very carefully as it is a possible carcinogen. Using this product is linked to nausea, vomiting, stomachaches, headaches, dizziness, and passing out. It can aggravate the nose, throat, skin, and eyes. If it gets in your eye, it can cause eye damage.
• Triclosan – A powder that irritates the skin and eyes. This chemical is also an endocrine disruptor because it can mimic estrogen in the body.
• Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) – A chemical also used in mainstream laundry detergent. QACs can inflame the skin and respiratory system and is a possible cause of asthma.
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – Another chemical in mainstream laundry detergent. This chemical aggravates the skin. In this study on mice, it was found to disrupt the skin barrier for up to a week.

Natural Tub, Shower, Tile, and Sink Cleaning Products

Here are a few recommendations from the Environmental Working Group for natural tub, shower, tile, and sink cleaners. All of these recommendations have an “A” rating and can be found on Amazon.

1. Lemme Shine Shower + Tile Cleaner
2. Seventh Generation Tub & Tile Natural Cleaner, Emerald Cypress & Fir
3. ATTITUDE Nature + Daily Shower & Tile Cleaner, Citrus Zest

Common Chemicals in Toilet Cleaners

• Bleach – This is the most common ingredient in toilet cleaner because of its disinfecting properties. Again, it can irritate your skin, eyes, and respiratory system. If you clean with this chemical without proper ventilation, the side effects are dizziness, nausea, and headaches.
• Hydrochloric Acid – A highly toxic chemical use for heavy duty cleaning. Using this product can irritate the skin and cause rashes. The vapors from this chemical aggravate the respiratory system and can possibly cause laryngitis or bronchitis. If you get this cleaner in your eyes, it can cause vision loss. In a study of workers in four US chemical plants, it was found that eleven men, who had worked in a hydrochloric acid department, died of lung cancer.
• Ammonia -a colorless gas that is used in a water solution. This chemical can burn the skin and eyes if it touches them. It also aggravates the nose, throat, and lungs. With prolonged use, it may damage the lungs.

Natural Toilet Cleaning Products

Here is a list of natural toilet cleaners I found on the Environmental Working Group website. All of these options have an “A” score.

1. ECOS Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Cedar
2. MamaSuds Toilet Bombs
3. Nature’s Promise Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Coconut Scent
4. Rosey Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Eucalyptus & Tea Tree
5. Seventh Generation Professional Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Empress Cypress & Fir Scent
6. Seventh Generation Zero Plastic Toilet Bowl Foaming Powder, Fragrance Free

DIY Natural Bathroom Cleaning Products

If you are looking for budget-friendly options, you can make many cleaners at home. Vinegar, isopropyl rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide have many disinfecting properties.

• Vinegar– Vinegar can kill E. Coli, Salmonella, and some viruses. It is not strong enough to be considered a heavy-duty disinfectant, but it is a great option for cleaning kitchen counters and other all- purpose cleaning.
• Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol – Solutions that have a ratio at least 70% are an effective disinfectant for often-touched surfaces.
• Hydrogen Peroxide – Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful disinfectant that is effective is left to sit for 12-30 minutes.

Homemade Natural Tub and Shower Cleaner

I like to make a homemade tub and shower cleaner with plant-based dish soap, vinegar, and water. It is very effective at removing soap scum on sinks and acrylic surface tub and showers. When we lived in a house with acrylic surface showers, I used this cleaner exclusively.

What To Do Next

You don’t have to sacrifice having a house that smells good when you switch to natural products. You can still have a “clean” smelling house without all the chemicals. Many natural cleaning products have added essential oils that will make your house smell amazing!  You can also add essential oils to DIY cleaners. I highly recommend switching out your cleaning products gradually, so you don’t become overwhelmed by trying to change them all at once. When you run out of a certain product, replace it with a better option. Before you know it, you will be fully stocked with natural cleaning products you feel great about using.

This is post two of the Natural Cleaning Series. Here’s post one about Natural Laundry Detergent.