A clean home reduces exposure to allergens, pesticides, consumer chemicals, pest droppings, and provides less shelter for pests. Maintaining a clean living space is essential to a healthy life. Here are our recommendations.

On average, women use 12 personal care products a day, containing 168 different chemicals, while men use fewer products; they still consume 85 chemicals daily (Toxic Beauty, 2020).

Switching from commercial cleaning products to simpler, more organic options is a great way to reduce exposure to and consumption of complex chemicals!

Soap!

The best artillery to have in your cabinet; Soap isn’t just for hands and dishes; it is multi-purpose and can clean anything. It’s the most underrated and often overlooked household cleaning product.

Castille soap is an excellent option since it is biodegradable, non-toxic, and safe for babies, pets, and adults alike. Make sure to choose a fragrance-free option when possible, as fragrance ingredients can cause respiratory irritation, headaches, sneezing, and watery eyes in those with multiple chemical sensitivity, allergies, dermatitis, asthma, etc.

Note: It’s not recommended to use this soap with vinegar-based cleaning solutions, as it leaves a white, filmy residue on surfaces.

Vinegar & Water

A 50/50 mix works excellently as a disinfectant; the acidity also cuts through grease, making it a good cleaner for the countertops, the stove and other high-traffic surfaces. The acid in vinegar kills bacteria and viruses by disrupting their cell structures.

When researchers tested vinegar against commercial cleaners, they found that vinegar killed a variety of household pathogens, including certain strains of the flu! So, to those questioning if vinegar is just as effective, it is an economical and effective solution backed by science.

Note: Vinegar should not be mixed with chlorine bleach, as this can produce toxic gas and corrosive acids—both extremely hazardous.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a great way to keep drains odour-free and unclogged. Keep the sinks, bathtubs, and shower drains clean with baking soda. Run hot water through the drain before pouring in 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar. Let the baking soda sit for 15 minutes, then rinse with hot water to wash away musty smells and debris.

Baking soda also works as an abrasive to dislodge dirt and can be used to scrub off hard water buildup, grime, and stains. Sprinkle baking soda across bathtubs, toilets, tiled surfaces, and tile grout for an extra helping hand!

Hydrogen Peroxide

Commercially available 3% hydrogen peroxide is a stable and effective disinfectant for inanimate surfaces (CDC, 2021). Peroxide kills most bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other germs! It is also virtually odourless and colourless, making it a much better choice over rubbing alcohol or other alternative commercial disinfectants.

It’s a nice option if you need a deeper clean to remove stains, disinfect surfaces, or eliminate mould and mildew, making a versatile multi-purpose cleaner that can be used in any room of the house.

Also visit our section on: Child care, Housekeeping and Personal hygiene for more healthy solutions.

References:

Chemical Disinfectants | Disinfection & Sterilization Guidelines | Guidelines Library | Infection Control | CDC. (2019, April 4).
https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/disinfection-methods/chemical.html

Statistics Canada. (2025). ASEQ-EHAQ. Retrieved December 9, 2025, from
https://aseq-ehaq.ca/en/mcs-statistics/

Toxic beauty. (2020, April 1). Harvard Health.
https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/toxic-beauty