Clean Living: Home Edition

When I realized environmental toxins can cause cancer, and inhibit fertility, I decided to get very serious about cutting them out of my home.

I have spent many years sifting through “greenwashing”, scouring EWG.org, and trying out products to find the best way to clean my home (without living in a vinegar factory).  It is such a shame that living toxin-free, or even toxin-reduced can feel difficult.  Mainstream advertisers make finding harm-free products challenging, while popularizing the false belief that non-toxic products can’t possibly work as well as their harmful, chemical filled versions, AND the idea that if it doesn’t wreak of Tide or something similar (no thanks), your laundry cannot be clean. It is important to note that just because a brand has one or some products that are clean, it does not mean that all of a brand’s products are clean and toxin-free.  And, just because packaging has greenery or flowers on it, does NOT make it green.  FYI: This post is completely sponsor-free.

I get a TON of messages and questions about what products I use, so here they are: my favorite ways to clean in the “cleanest, greenest” way I know as of now.  These choices are very definitely skewed by what I can buy here in NYC at Whole Foods, or have delivered to my apartment.

All-Purpose Cleaner:

Puracy Green Tea & Lime All-Purpose Cleaner

I have been using this ever since I saw my Physical Therapy office use it a few years back.  I figured if it was good enough for a PT office, it was good enough for my home.  And, after I looked it up on EWG and saw it scored an “A”, I was hooked.  Extra bonus: it is available for Amazon Subscribe and Save, so I don’t ever run out.

Laundry Detergent:

Planet 2x Ultra Laundry Detergent Free & Clear

Available on Amazon Subscribe & Save, Planet’s Free & Clear scores an “A” on EWG.

Ecover Zero Liquid Laundry Detergent

Also earns an “A” from EWG and does a good job.

Whole Foods makes an unscented baby detergent that also scores an “A’, and interestingly enough, Seventh Generation’s powder and detergent packs also score an “A”, while their Free & Clear liquid laundry detergent scores a “C”.

Dryer Sheets / Fabric Softener:

Better Life Unscented Dryer sheets

Available on Amazon Subscribe & Save, but they aren’t ranked on EWG.

Seventh Generation Free & Clear Fabric Softener Sheets

Are the highest ranked for a dryer sheet or fabric softener sheet with a “B” on EWG, and Whole Foods’ 365 Brand Unscented Dryer Sheets get a “C”.  Both get dinged for asthma / respiratory concerns.

Stain Remover:

Earth Friendly Products

Earns an “A” from EWG and is effective.

Dapple Baby Stain Remover

Also earns an “A’, but I can’t personally vouch for its efficacy.

I found that Babyganics didn’t work well for us, and it earned a “C”. And, I bought the Puracy stain remover based on how awesome the multi-purpose cleanser was, only to realize it didn’t work at all, and it scores an “F”, the lowest grade EWG gives out.

Ecover Stain Remover

WORKS really well, but gets a “C” (not for cancer or reproductive health).

Dish Soap:

Ecover Zero Dish Soap

Scores an “A” from EWG, if you can find it, or are willing to buy in bulk on Amazon.

Puracy Natural Dish Soap

Also gets an “A”, and can be purchased on Amazon, or added to your Subscribe & Save items there.

Seventh Generation Dish Soap Free & Clear

Scores a “C” for environmental concerns.  But, is available pretty much everywhere.

Dishwasher Detergent:

Earth Friendly Products Wave Automatic Dishwasher Detergent

Scores an “A” in both Lavender and Free & Clear.

Seventh Generation Dishwasher Packs

Get an “A”, while the Free & Clear gel gets a “C”.

NB: 365 and Honest & Co. also get “A”s on some of their products in this category.

Rinse Aid:

Seventh Generation Rinse Aid

Is a slam dunk: scores an “A”, works, and is pretty much available everywhere.

Surface Wipes:

Dapple All-Purpose Surface & Toy Wipes

Garner an “A” from EWG.

Babyganics All Purpose Surface Wipes 

Also get an “A”.

Here’s hoping they are both effective.

Glass Cleaner:

Seventh Generation 

I *really* wanted the 365 brand (that scored an “A” on EWG) to be the one, but it leaves so many streaks.  As did the Biokleen glass cleaner. As did ALLLL of the glass cleaners I tried that were “green”.  The Seventh Generation glass cleaner works GREAT, but scores a “C” on EWG.  But, since, none of the reasons it got a bad grade had to do with cancer, reproduction, or breathing / asthma, I am using it until I find one that scores well that actually works.

So, tell me in the comments below: what are your favorite clean / EWG-approved cleaning products for your home?  What did I miss?

Xoxo