Natural cleaning products for a non-toxic home

Article content

Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page.

Natural home cleaners are so common, we almost don’t even think about them as novel anymore. But in the evolution of all-purpose cleansers, they’re relatively young. As our understanding of PFAS (the “forever” plastics), solvents, coal tar dyes,  fragrances and other far more polysyllabic ingredients expands, the allure of going natural seems downright logical.

Recommended Videos

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Natural cleaning products for a non-toxic home Back to video

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.

Play Video

While there are a lot of really good cleaners available, there are even more that only look good on the surface. There actually isn’t a regulated definition for “natural” (ditto for “green”, “zero-waste” and “eco-friendly”). Your “lemon-scented” or “alpine breeze” or “cotton fresh” cleaner evokes images of things we associate with nature and freshness. And they might even smell “natural” and “clean” and “fresh”.

But… are they?

Household cleaning products are not required by Canadian law to list any product ingredients on the label. This makes it extraordinarily easy to greenwash, and extraordinarily hard to choose the products that are safer for the environment, less toxic to everyone in your home and clean the way we need them to.

We’ve done the research and here are some of our favourite natural cleaners.

Summary of the best natural cleaning products

Best cleaning powder:Bar Keepers Friend
Best concentrate: Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds
Best laundry detergent:Tru Earth Laundry Eco-Strips
Best refillable cleaners:Blueland
Best toilet bowl cleaner:Nellie’s Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Best all-purpose cleaner:Attitude All Purpose Cleaner

Best natural cleaning products explained

Best cleaning powder: Bar Keepers Friend

Originally used in taverns, Bar Keepers Friend (BKF) is still going strong in modern businesses and homes around the world. It might seem like all powder cleaners are the same, or are based on baking powder. But BKF uses oxalic acid — commonly found in rhubarb and spinach — as its main ingredient. Oxalic acid has the property of attacking stubborn rust, tarnish and lime stains at the molecular level, breaking the bonds that hold them together. The result is a sparkling surface.

Sprinkled onto stainless steel cookware, stovetops, bathroom tiles, glass surfaces, rusty tools or charred grills (you get the picture), just add a little elbow grease and your faith in “just as advertised” will be restored. It’s also still a family-run business, more than 100 years after George William Hoffman first noticed his stewed rhubarb left a formerly tarnished pot absolutely sparkling.

Price: $14
Where to buy:Amazon | Walmart

Best concentrated cleaner: Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds

For many, Dr. Bronner’s giant bottle of pure castile liquid soap was their first experience with a natural cleaner. Through the decades, it seems every generation develops a cultish love for this brand. It might have lasted for just one semester at university while you under the spell of your Earth Mother roommate, or perhaps it sparked a lifelong devotion to finding vegan, environmentally friendly products.

Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner differs from their famous castile liquid soap in that it’s a detergent made from synthetic surfactants (the latter is a true soap, made from organic vegetable oils that are reacted with potash). It’s effective on grease, easy to rinse and effective on stains. From laundry to carpets to makeup brushes to camping equipment, this highly concentrated product is the ideal multi-purpose cleaner. They have a cheat sheet full of “recipes” on suggested dilutions for a variety of common cleaning situations, some which specify a single drop of this cleaner.

Price: $16
Where to buy:Amazon | Well.ca

Best laundry detergent: Tru Earth Laundry Eco-Strips

Even the most hardened skeptic can’t deny that: 1. We all need to do laundry; and 2. Traditional laundry detergents whether liquid or powder, are heavy and bulky. When Tru Earth took water out of the equation, literally, they were left with a 32-load package of detergent strips that was the size of a deck of cards and lighter than an empty mug.

Just imagining the reduction in transportation emissions alone is staggering.

The eco-strips are small (2″ x 4″ x paper thin) but mighty, making them ideal for homes with limited storage space. And if you’re planning on travelling or camping, a couple of these strips won’t add any extra weight or space but will be a lifeline to civility when all you want is a fresh t-shirt. Tru Earth is paraben-, phosphate- and dye-free, is biodegradable and vegan. And, of course, the outer cardboard packaging is recyclable. And if all that isn’t enough, Tru Earth is a Canadian company, operating just outside Vancouver, BC.

Price: $25
Where to buy:Amazon

Best refillable cleaner: Blueland

Refillable products aren’t new. But between Blueland’s exceptionally effective formulas and the fact that their refills come in the form of tablets or powders, Blueland is a clear winner. The brand is reimagining conventional household cleaning products to eliminate single-use plastic packaging. Its products are designed to be mixed with regular tap water, saving consumers time, money and space.

Blueland might sound familiar despite being around for only a few years. They’ve already had a collaboration with fashion retailer Reformation, and appeared on the Season 11 premiere of Shark Tank, securing an investment deal with Kevin O’Leary.

The product assortment includes everything a clean house needs from a multi-surface cleaner to foaming hand soap to dishwasher tablets. If you’re just starting up a new household, they also offer a variety of kits with different essentials that are available as a monthly refill on a subscription basis.

Price: $20+ depending on product
Where to buy: Blueland

Best toilet bowl cleaner: Nellie’s Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Traditional toilet bowl cleaners are highly caustic and toxic. Nor surprising, considering the context. But also, not necessary. Nellie’s toilet bowl cleaner is a favourite for how well it cleans, considering the complete omission of harsh chemicals. Not only do you get a sparkling toilet bowl, but you also get to pass on the risks of harmful inhalations and potential skin burns, not to mention damage to the environment.

Made from a plant-based formula with scents derived from essential oils, the formula is biodegradable and septic safe. It’s free from chlorine bleach, synthetic fragrances, dyes and other hazardous ingredients.

Price: $15
Where to buy:Amazon | Well.ca

Best Canadian cleaner: Attitude All Purpose Cleaner

Sometimes you just need a cleaning product that does it all, no fuss necessary: this is that product. Formulated with 94 per cent naturally derived ingredients, this all-purpose cleaner is a must-have for a sparkling home. It’s also free of EWG’s concerning substances: ammonia, alcohol, SLES, and EDTA, and is vegan and cruelty-free for a conscious choice when cleaning.

Use this all-purpose cleaner to tackle dirt, dust, and grease in your kitchen, bathroom our outdoor areas. It’s safe for use on a range of surfaces, including wood, glass, marble, granite, stainless steel, ceramic and more. Just choose your preferred fragrance (citrus, lavender, grapefruit or unscented) and get cleaning.

Price: $6
Where to buy: Attitude | Amazon

Shopping Essentials, a category written by research-obsessed shopping fanatics, is now on Canoe. Explore in-depth product reviews, expert recommendations and exciting collaborations — plus get behind-the-scenes info on your favourite brands and trending products — learn more here or sign up for our newsletter.