Best Non Toxic All Purpose Cleaner | Easy Swaps for Cleaning

We use all purpose cleaner for everything in our home. With kids & pets, it’s especially important to use a non toxic all purpose cleaner.

This is a tough topic. When each person starts their non toxic journey, their priority is to swap out their most used products first.

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!

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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: preservative, toxic irritant

❌ FRAGRANCE: endocrine disruptor, cover term for other toxic chemicals that include phthalates, which are linked to ADHD, organ toxicity, reproductive toxicity

❌ PHENOXYETHANOL: likely contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a known carcinogen, nervous system depressant, hormone disruptor, harmful to infants (even when absorbed into the skin)

❌ POTASSIUM SORBATE: linked to DNA damage, skin irritant

❌ Polyquarternium-#: may be carcinogenic

❌ QUATERNARY AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS: endocrine disruptor, allergy irritant, linked to issues with fertility

❌ SLS, SLES: irritant, potential carcinogen, hinders immune system, likely contaminated with 1, 4 Dioxane (carcinogenic)

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!