The Clean Up | My favorite non-toxic cleaning products including the scoop on Branch Basics
When it comes to home keeping skills, I’d say mine just very, very slightly above average. And if we didn’t have the luxury of a bi-weekly cleaning service, well… I don’t want to imagine what our condo would look like. Also, I am highly motivated by the impending arrival of our cleaner (cleaning… for the cleaners). If you want to see things get done, spy on me at approximately 10 PM, every other Sunday.
When it comes to the smaller, daily or weekly tasks, however, cleaning and tidying up is one of my go-to stress reducers (I’ve got the cleaning playlist on Spotify to prove it). Few things feel better for me than seeing a task through to completion (a rare instance since becoming a mother, if I’m being honest) and having a neat + orderly space to enjoy (and eat popcorn in). In the past year or so, I’ve swapped out as many of our cleaning products and tools as possible for safe, non-toxic and environmentally friendly options. And I am so happy with the changes we’ve made.
THE CLEAN UP | MY FAVORITE NON-TOXIC CLEANING PRODUCTS + TOOLS
The MVP of non-toxic cleaning: BRANCH BASICS
I first learned about Branch Basics when they did an Instagram takeover for WELL Summit. They shared info about their multi-purpose concentrate, as well as tips for healthier, happier, more mindful living. As a WELL Summit influencer (use code WSElizabeth to save $75 on the upcoming event in Brooklyn!), I was treated to one of their starter kits and was instantly hooked (and have placed several more paid orders over the past six months, including a kit for the Cape house).
I’ve tried other concentrated formulas before, but this was the first time I’ve seen a fully thought out system — they made it so easy to switch ALL of our household cleaners over to their non-toxic, plant and mineral-based formula. There is just something so satisfying about following the simple directions, filling each bottle, and knowing that they’ll both work and be safer for my family than the products we used to use.
I feel like the real indicator that these products work so well is that literally no one has noticed that I’ve made the switch. Our laundry, dishes, floors, counters, sinks, mirrors, windows, hands… you name it… they are all just as clean (if not cleaner — and a more safe version of clean) than before. And since making the switch, I am even more aware now when someone else is using fragranced or chemical cleaners or beauty products.
Each kit comes with a bottle of concentrate and empty bottles with labels that clearly show how to dilute the concentrate for each specific use (i.e. a fill line for concentrate and a fill line for filtered water). You can also buy individual bottles and concentrate, depending on your needs.
The kit contains:
- 32 oz concentrate (this is what you mix with filtered water for each of the following purposes/bottles)
- 3 empty spray bottles (all purpose, bathroom, streak-free)
- 1 foaming wash bottle (I use these bottles mainly for hand soap, but have used it as face wash in a pinch, as well as makeup brush cleaner + dish wash)
- 1 laundry bottle
- and optional Oxygen Boost (you can order a kit with/without this product — I add a scoop to each load of laundry and also use it when cleaning our shower)
USE THIS REFERRAL LINK FOR $10 OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER
ANOTHER LAUNDRY STAPLE: WOOL DRYER BALLS
In addition to using Branch Basics for our laundry (one of the easiest, most impactful swaps as conventional laundry detergent can be highly toxic and touches all aspects of our lives — the clothes we wear and walk around, the sheets we sleep on, etc. — here’s a list of laundry detergent ingredients to avoid), I replaced our dye-free dryer sheets with an $8 bag of wool dryer balls.
Dryer balls speed up the drying process and help soften laundry (I especially notice this when drying sheets and towels) without the waste and toxicity of dryer sheets. I usually skip this step, but you can add a few drops of essential oils (lavender would be so nice on bedsheets) before them in the dryer with your laundry. I keep our dryer balls in their original bag on a Command hook on the back of the door to our laundry room closet.
Speaking of essential oils (and the good kind of fragrance), you can find my super easy directions for making your own clean + uplifting room spray here. I made a bunch to share with the teachers at our kids’ preschool — they’d make a great hostess gift too.
NATURE’S AIR PURIFIERS
AKA my excuse for accumulating as many plant friends as I can… Looking for a few plants that are both great at air purification and easy to keep, you know, alive? Here’s a helpful list.
CLOTH NAPKINS + BAR MOPS
I’ve been trying to cut down on our paper towel usage, and having a drawer full of bar mops (I have this set of dish cloths + bar mops) and various cotton and linen napkins in our kitchen at the Cape has really helped. I find myself reaching for those more often than not (though I haven’t given up the paper towel habit entirely) for cleaning our counters, wiping up messes, etc. They sort of make me feel more fancy and less like a peasant eating my children’s leftovers and addressing the same mess for the thirteenth time. So there’s that.
A FEW MORE RESOURCES
- well insiders (the WELL Summit blog) features great, well-researched articles on all facets of living well, including making the switch to cleaner, greener, safer products
- Clean Mama posts the most helpful tips for creating and keeping a cleaning routine at home
- All natural cleaning solutions (think: lemons, cooking oils + vinegar) from Real Simple
- You’ll find more of my favorite clean, green + organic products here
Time to crank that playlist.
Also On Tap for Today:
- Making these oatmeal green smoothie muffins for the third time this month (so good)
- Before you buy another plant, check your local library from Apartment Therapy
- …but I just bought another plant… so…
Are you a stress cleaner? Do you have a set cleaning routine?
