The Only Cleaning Products I Use in My Home
If you’d told me five years ago that I’d be cleaning my entire house with just a handful of simple products, I would have laughed. My laundry cupboard used to look like a chemistry lab — different sprays for every surface, colourful bottles with warning labels, and that overwhelming artificial “fresh” smell that would linger for hours.
Then I fell pregnant with my first bub, and everything changed. I started reading labels, researching ingredients, and honestly? I was horrified by what I found. These days, my cleaning routine is simpler, cheaper, and so much gentler on our family and the planet. Here’s exactly what I use and why.
Why I Ditched Conventional Cleaning Products
When I started digging into the ingredients in mainstream cleaning products, I discovered that many contain chemicals linked to hormone disruption, respiratory issues, and skin irritation. With little ones crawling on floors and putting everything in their mouths, I just couldn’t ignore it anymore.
The thing is, we don’t actually need harsh chemicals to keep our homes clean. Our grandmothers managed perfectly well with simple, natural ingredients — and science backs this up. Studies have shown that many natural alternatives are just as effective at killing germs and cutting through grime as their synthetic counterparts.
Plus, there’s the environmental factor. All those chemicals eventually wash down our drains and into our waterways. Making the switch felt like a small but meaningful way to reduce our family’s footprint.
My Core Cleaning Kit: The Essentials
Here’s what you’ll find under my kitchen sink — and honestly, this is ALL I use for the entire house:
- White vinegar — My absolute workhorse. Perfect for glass, benchtops, and bathroom surfaces. The smell disappears as it dries, I promise!
- Bicarbonate of soda (bicarb) — Amazing for scrubbing, deodorising, and tackling tough stains. I buy it in bulk from the supermarket.
- Castile soap — A gentle, plant-based soap that works for everything from mopping floors to washing dishes. I love the Australian-made options available.
- Essential oils — Tea tree for its antibacterial properties, eucalyptus for that fresh Aussie scent, and lavender because it just makes everything feel calmer.
- Washing soda — Stronger than bicarb, brilliant for laundry and heavy-duty cleaning jobs.
That’s genuinely it. Five simple ingredients that handle every cleaning task in our home.
My Go-To DIY Recipes
I keep a few spray bottles mixed up and ready to go. Here are the recipes I use week in, week out:
All-Purpose Spray
Fill a spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and water. Add 10-15 drops of essential oil (I love lemon or eucalyptus). Shake before each use. This works brilliantly on benchtops, high chairs, tables, and most surfaces. Just avoid using it on natural stone as the acid can damage it over time.
Bathroom Scrub
Mix half a cup of bicarb with enough castile soap to make a paste. Add 10 drops of tea tree oil. This gentle scrub tackles soap scum, cleans the bath, and leaves the bathroom smelling fresh without any harsh fumes.
Glass and Mirror Cleaner
Combine one cup of water with one cup of white vinegar and a tablespoon of cornflour. The cornflour is the secret — it gives you that streak-free shine we all want.
Floor Cleaner
Add a quarter cup of castile soap to a bucket of warm water with 10 drops of essential oil. Works beautifully on tiles, timber, and laminate. For sticky spots, I sprinkle a little bicarb first.
The Few Products I Actually Buy
While I make most of my cleaners, there are a couple of things I prefer to purchase ready-made:
For dishwasher tablets and laundry powder, I’ve found some wonderful Australian brands that use plant-based ingredients and come in plastic-free packaging. It’s worth investing in quality here, especially if you’re time-poor. I’ve linked my favourites in my resources page if you’re interested — they’re products I genuinely use and love.
I also keep a natural toilet cleaner on hand for convenience. Look for ones free from chlorine bleach and synthetic fragrances. There are some great options at health food stores and even some supermarkets now.
Tips for Making the Switch
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, please don’t try to overhaul everything at once. Here’s how I’d suggest approaching it:
- Start with one room — The kitchen is a great place to begin since it’s where we prepare food.
- Use up what you have — There’s no need to waste products you’ve already bought. Replace them with natural alternatives as they run out.
- Give it time — If your home has been cleaned with conventional products for years, natural cleaners might need a few goes to cut through built-up residue.
- Don’t expect perfection — Some jobs might take a little more elbow grease. That’s okay. We’re going for “clean and safe,” not operating-theatre sterile.
- Get the kids involved — Because these products are non-toxic, even little ones can help with age-appropriate tasks. My four-year-old loves spraying the windows!
The Unexpected Benefits
Beyond the health and environmental benefits, switching to natural cleaning products has had some lovely flow-on effects I didn’t anticipate. Our grocery bill has dropped significantly — bicarb and vinegar cost next to nothing compared to specialty sprays. The house smells genuinely fresh, not artificially perfumed. And I feel so much more relaxed knowing my kids can touch any surface without me worrying about chemical residue.
There’s also something deeply satisfying about simplifying. Fewer products means less clutter, less decision fatigue, and less mental load. As mums, we have enough to think about, don’t we?
If you’re curious about reducing toxins in your home, cleaning products are honestly the easiest place to start. The ingredients are affordable, the recipes are simple, and the difference you’ll notice — in your home and in how you feel — is absolutely worth it.
Have you made the switch to natural cleaning? I’d love to hear what’s worked for you — drop me a comment below or come share your tips in our community. And if you found this helpful, make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss my upcoming post on creating a non-toxic laundry routine!
