Last Updated on March 22, 2025 by NonToxicSwaps
All purpose cleaner is used for so many uses around the home. Avoid spraying toxins all over your home by using a non toxic option.
All Purpose Spray is something that just about everybody uses on a regular basis all over the home.
But here’s the problem…
Even the “clean” all purpose cleaners contain concerning ingredients, including the ones that are marketed to be safe. This is “greenwashing” – deceptive marketing to make products appear safer or “greener” than they actually are.
Unfortunately, if you don’t go out of your way to do your own research you could be using a cleaner that contains concerning toxins.
But we DO have safe options!
How Can I Clean My House Without Chemicals?
I’ve used a simple dilution in my All Purpose spray bottle for awhile so I haven’t been buying a premade spray for years now.
So when I sat down to round up my recommendations for an All Purpose Spray, even I was shocked to see that almost every “clean” all purpose spray on the market contained at least one concerning ingredient!
But believe it or not, you don’t need a ton of products to clean your home. For most of your cleaning, all you need is an all purpose cleaner and a disinfectant!
Since All Purpose Cleaner is something we use all over the house, even one concerning ingredient is one too many. But everyone has their preferences – so I’ve included a few options.
Ingredients to Avoid in All Purpose Spray
All Purpose Cleaner is the “everything” spray. Here are ingredients found in common all purpose cleaners that you’ll want to avoid:
- Methylisothiazolinone: eyes, skin & respiratory irritant/allergen, linked to allergic contact dermatitis, potential neurotoxicant (PubChem CID: 39800)
- Fragrance/Parfum: umbrella term including hundreds of toxins, including hormone disrupting phthalates, as well as skin irritants and allergens. Chemicals that are hidden behind this term can be carcinogenic, respiratory irritants, endocrine disruptors, reproductive toxins, neurotoxins, and more (PMID: 35669814)
- Phenoxyethanol: deemed generally safe at a 1% concentration, however it’s production process, ethoxylation, can potentially contaminate phenoxyethanol with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide (see above for ethoxylated ingredient description) (PubChem CID: 31236)
- Potassium sorbate: skin, eye, respiratory irritant, (PubChemID: 23676745); caused DNA damage when combined with ascorbic acid and Fe-salt (PMID: 12176085) and deemed genotoxic to human lymphocytes by this study (PMID: 20036729)
- Polyquaterniums: (aka “quats”) group of polymers that may release formaldehyde and produce nitrosamines, both of which are known carcinogens (PubChem CID: 6433396)
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate: penetration enhancer which can cause other ingredients to be more readily absorbed through the skin; may cause skin irritation, may react with other ingredients to form nitrosamines (carcinogen), may contain 1,4-dioxane (carcinogen)
- Dyes: can be carcinogenic, genotoxic and offer no benefit to the product other than color (example: Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5) (PMID: 23026007)
What is the Best Non Toxic All Purpose Cleaner?
TOP RECOMMENDATION
In a 16 oz spray bottle, add 1 oz castile soap and top off with water.
Optional: Add 3-5 drops of preferred essential oil such as lavender, lemon, or a combination!
I use Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap. I use unscented because I use my all purpose spray everywhere and don’t want scents bothering my kids or pets, but there are multiple scents available – click here to check out a multipack of each variety.
Don’t have Castile soap on hand? If you’re using a non toxic dish soap, you can use 1-2 tbsp in your spray bottle instead of castile!
To Disinfect: Use Force of Nature
I use these two products to clean just about everything in my home. When cleaning glass or mirrors, I use these cloths to eliminate streaks and lint. For bathrooms, I use Force of Nature to disinfect. Instead of using soft scrub or an abrasive cleaner, I make a paste of baking soda, non toxic dish soap, and a few drops of lemon essential oil.
But if you’re looking for an all purpose cleaner to buy ready made, the following products are broken down into two lists: the BEST non toxic all purpose cleaners and then a list of my “B” list recommendations.
BEST Non Toxic All Purpose Cleaners
- Castile Soap diluted with water (see above)
- Force of Nature (also a disinfectant)
- Aunt Fannie’s All Purpose Cleaning Vinegar (safe ingredients, but has a strong vinegar smell)
- 9 Elements All Purpose Cleaner (safe ingredients, but shouldn’t be used on limestone, marble, or other natural stone surfaces)
The B List – “Better” All Purpose Cleaners
These are cleaner than the average all purpose cleaner, but include at least one concerning ingredient.
- ECOS All Purpose Cleaner (contains potassium sorbate)
- BETTER LIFE All Purpose Cleaner (contains methylisothiazolinone at a concentration of less that .01%)
Note: The Branch Basics concentrate is also a clean option but at $55 per 32 oz of concentrate, you’re better off using castile soap as your concentrate instead!
