One of the questions I get asked the most is about household products without fragrances and essential oils. Years ago I saved links on this page where you could click through and research options available online.
Today I wanted to share a few quick tips in case you are stuck and wondering what you can use to clean and you don’t have time to work through online links. I’m hoping to make this post into a PDF someday but for now, a blog post will have to do. 🙂
(July 2022 update – download this post as a PDF by clicking here.)
Taking care of your home doesn’t have to involve dangerous chemicals and EOs. If you don’t know about the toxic components in fragrances and EOs please click here, here, and here.
Below are a few nontoxic options for in the home:
This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something I may earn a commission.
Laundry: Pure Soap Flake Company, Branch Basics, or a blend of 50% Baking Soda and Borax. White Vinegar or wool balls for static and softening clothes.
Bathroom & Kitchen: Bon Ami Powder, Hydrogen Peroxide, Briotech Sanitizer, Branch Basics, Clearly Natural Fragrance-Free Glycerin Soap.
Other Areas: Baking soda for carpet, Briotech Sanitizer or Peroxide for tile floors, Steam Mop, damp microfiber cloths for dusting.
Tip: Bon Ami is incredibly affordable at under $2 a container and it can be used pretty much everywhere. I use it to scrub burnt pans and greasy dishes, clean the stove, toilet, shower, countertops, and more. Read the instructions before use and some areas like glass windows may not benefit from Bon Ami. For glass windows, we use white vinegar and water with a microfiber cloth.
How Can We Freshen Up a Space?
If you want to freshen up the inside air of your home, Briotech sprays are wonderful for removing odors. You can also make a natural potpourri and set it on the stove using 4 cups water, 5 cloves, 1/4 cup shredded ginger, 5 cinnamon sticks, 3 small rosemary branches, and orange peels from 2 or 3 orange peels. Simmer on low throughout the day. Refrigerate and reuse for a week adding more water as needed. Compost afterward. Floral waters (hydrosols) can also be used to spray rooms and linens.
Pay Attention – If Your Home Has An Odor That Is Persistent – Don’t Try to Cover It Up!
A persistent odor indoors is what drives many people to use plug-in units that spew out toxic fragrances. Instead of getting to the bottom of the odor problem, they try to cover it up.
I advise against this. If you are smelling something rotten, investigate. If you are smelling something musty and moldy, investigate. It could be a leak that has gone unchecked or a sewage backup. It could be that someone left food somewhere inside the couch, lol. You get my point.
People also like covering up smells from food as they cook. A better option would be to use the kitchen range hood and an air purifier that has VOC filtering capabilities. Check out IQ Air, Intellipure, and Air Doctor
Are you chemically sensitive? Do you need to find other fragrance-free, essential oil-free, and low-tox products for personal care, beauty, cleaning, and more? Check out my recommendations by clicking here.
I hope you found this post helpful.
Blessings.
CFG
