This list is a result of years of working and researching on how to detoxify my home. 

As someone who is sensitive to many chemicals, I have personally tested these DIY methods and products to make sure they’re safe. 

If you’re someone who’s sensitive to harsh chemicals, or if you’re simply someone who understands the risks of harsh chemicals and you want to get rid of them for good, this is the best place to start.

1. Ditch Your Laundry Detergent As Soon As Possible

Many laundry detergents are packed with harsh chemicals like 1,4 dioxane (linked to cancer), optical brighteners (can get absorbed into the bloodstream), phthalates and parabens (hormone disruptors), bleaches, dyes, fillers, and more…

If you plan on detoxifying your home, you definitely want to start with your detergent, because the residue can linger on your clothes, bed sheets, pillow cases, socks, underwear, you name it. 

However, I do not recommend trying to make DIY laundry detergent, because you don’t want to mess with your washing machine. 

The best laundry detergent alternative I found is Earth Breeze. It’s a liquidless laundry detergent sheet that dissolves in water and gives you a powerful clean without any of those harsh chemicals. 

It’s free of: 

- 1,4 dioxane 

- optical brighteners 

- phthalates 

- parabens 

- phosphates 

- dyes

- bleach 

You can choose between Fresh Scent (that’s my favorite) or Fragrance Free if you’re very sensitive. This product is dermatologist tested. After using it for over a year, I can say I'm more than happy with the clean and I will never switch back to my old detergent. 

It also comes in plastic-free cardboard packaging, which is a bonus for me. 

I usually prefer DYI hacks because these products can be expensive, but Earth Breeze is super affordable. When I bought my subscription, I saved 40%  and got free shipping too, this is only available on their website. Check the link below to see if that’s still available. 

2. Cleaning Stainless Steel Without Harsh Chemicals 

Got water spots? Use a lemon! 

For gunky messes, mix baking soda with a scrubby sponge. Want it super shiny? Wipe with a microfiber cloth!

For the kitchen, rubbing the counter with olive oil on a soft cloth will do wonders.

For really gross, stuck-on food on pans or kettles, mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide into a paste. Slap it on, wait a bit, and watch the gunk disappear!

Dirty pots and pans? First soak them in vinegar, then scrub with baking soda. Easy peasy!

All of these tips will save you money too.

3. Toilet Cleaner 

I tried the whole natural cleaning thing - dumping vinegar or some lemon juice (about half a cup) in the bowl and waiting half an hour.

Here's the truth: you gotta clean like ALL THE TIME for that stuff to actually work.

After getting tired of scrubbing so much, I switched to Bon Ami. And it should be mostly safe for most chemically sensitive folks.

4. DYI Glass And Window Cleaner 

Mix up some vinegar and water - half and half - and your windows will sparkle! Forget those fancy chemical cleaners from the store.

Want something SUPER simple? Just grab a microfiber cloth and plain water! Seriously, that's it. No products needed!

You can snag microfiber cloths online - they're all over Amazon.

5. DYI Stain Remover 

When you mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, you get an effective stain remover.

This mixture is really good for cleaning dirty grout between tiles, those stubborn spots around the toilet base, and removing mold stains from bathroom grout.

I've used this on marble and quartz surfaces too - it gets rid of stains without damaging these sensitive materials like stronger cleaners might.

Final Thoughts

Harsh chemicals are lurking in many cleaning products, but I hope this article helped you see how easy it can be to replace some of them. 

Most of my recommendations are DYIs so it will save money too.

However, I have to put this disclaimer in here, I do not recommend doing DYI laundry detergents as I don't want you to damage your washing machine. The best replacement there is Earth Breeze, just grab the 40% off offer from their website and you're golden.