If you have kids or pets keep reading! In this post you’ll find out what harmful cleaning products you’re using on your floors and my recommendations for safe alternatives. Plus, learn what to look for on the label to make safe choices for the future.
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I had a very strict cleaning schedule before having my kids. I worked full-time but had mornings off so I would spend 1-2 hours cleaning each day. That way, I could relax more on the weekends. I ended up mopping my entire home every week with the Hispanic miracle cleaner Fabuloso (the purple one, of course). I actually loved this schedule so much and recommend it for anyone who has the time
My cleaning schedule looks a bit different these days for a couple reasons. First, I understand the season that I’m in and dedicating 1-2 hours daily to strictly cleaning is just not practical for me. I now spread my cleaning out over the course of 2 weeks instead of 1. Second, and most important to me, is product awareness. Once you know what’s in some of these products and how the alternatives are actually way BETTER, you’ll want to switch over for sure!
The Ugly Truth
Guys, can I tell you what harmful chemicals I was cleaning my floors with? Here are the toxic ingredients in Fabuloso from worst to best according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG):
- Glutaral: Brand name of the chemical glutaraldehyde. Used as a disinfectant and is a known allergen/irritant.
- Colorants: This is what gives Fabuloso its vibrant purple color. There isn’t much information as to what this is exactly, which is the primary concern: artificial colorants can contain undisclosed ingredients. These can be hormone disruptors and even cause developmental/reproductive harm.
- Fragrance: I’ve spoken about the harms of fragrance over on my instagram. Much like the vague “colorants”, fragrance is a broad category that encompasses over 3,100 chemicals. The average fragrance contains 14 undisclosed chemicals, some of which are known hormone disruptors and carcinogens.
- Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate: The main problem with this surfactant (or cleaning agent) is that it is a skin irritant. Although only considered a “micro-toxin”, we know that small repeated exposures can eventually accumulate and become extremely harmful.
- C9-11 Pareth-8: During production, this surfactant can be contaminated with the carcinogen 1,4-dioxane.
- Sodium C12-15 Pareth Sulfate: Another surfactant, can also be contaminated during production with the carcinogen 1,4-dioxane.
- Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES): Not to be confused with sodium lauryl sulfate, SLES gives products their foaminess. This has the potential to be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide (both carcinogens).
As a general rule of thumb, anything that contains “-eth” in it (think pareth and laureth) can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide during production.
The scent of Fabuloso is so nostalgic for me; it reminds me of my childhood. I think on a deeper level, these companies know that. Scents can not only affect you on a physical level (negatively), but on an emotional one too. They have the ability to transport us back in time. Plus, these products are what our moms and grandmas used, so we trust it. We also feel like something isn’t truly clean because it doesn’t smell clean. I mean, what’s better than walking into a home that smells like freshly washed linen and lavender?
What NOT To Buy!
Between having a dog and 2 boys, I fully understand the phrase “so clean you could eat off of them”. I have consciously decided that I don’t want to put anything on my floors that isn’t natural because of the amount of time we spend on them. After going through a few natural cleaning brands, I’ve been just as disappointed in their quality.
As I’ve said before, just because it says “natural” on the label doesn’t make it so. Read the label and make your own informed decision. The following ingredients can be found in many “natural” cleaning products, including Mrs. Meyer’s and Method.
Fragrance
Be weary of any fragrance on the label. The FDA does not require companies to disclose what ingredients make up their “fragrance”, saying this is to protect proprietary blends. Regardless of how transparent the company is being by listing what makes up their fragrance, many scents are concoctions of many different chemicals. Even the use of oils is questionable as they may not be in their purest forms and have additives to increase shelf life. One such preservative is benzyl benzoate, a known hormone disruptor and irritant when inhaled (source). Mrs. Meyer’s Multi-Surface Concentrate is one product that lists this in their fragrance breakdown.
Colors
Almost all synthetic colors are derived from petroleum. During processing, they can be contaminated with carcinogens including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals (source). You can spot a synthetic color on the label if it says FD&C or D&C followed by the color and number. It may also just list what color it is without the source (e.g. plant source, like beets).
If the vague terms “color” or “colorant” appear on the label, chances are it’s synthetic but you can always check the website for more information. For example, Method makes a product called “squirt + mop” that lists the colors “polymeric blue” and “polymeric yellow” on the label. When you crosscheck the website, the company specifies that these are synthetic colorants.
Preservatives
The main problem with preservatives is that at the very least they are skin sensitizers and allergens. At their worst, they can be neurotoxins. Remember, it’s the everyday exposures to small amounts of toxins that add up at the end. Two preservatives that I’ve found in natural floor cleaning products are methylisothiazolinone and benzisothiazolinone. Mrs. Meyer’s Multi-Surface Concentrate actually contains both of these (source). To find preservatives on the label, look toward the end of the ingredients list. If in doubt, always look it up! One great resource I use while shopping is the EWG app.
Harsh Cleaners/Surfactants
As I mentioned above, stay away from sodium laureth sulfate due to its potential for contamination during processing. Other ones to watch out for are PEGs and disodiums (e.g. disodium 2-sulfolaurate and disodium hydroxyethyliminodiacetate) as there is little research on their safety. Make sure to look for glucosides (e.g. decyl glucoside and/or lauryl glucoside), as these tend to be the most mild and effective plant-based surfactants.
My Favorite Alternatives
After a bit of trial and error, I have finally found my favorite floor cleaning options. The prices range from about $7.99 up to $90 for a long-term option. Best of all, they are all safe, natural, and extremely effective!
Vinegar + Water
I love the power of vinegar because it’s free of toxic chemicals and is a natural disinfectant (source). To make your own floor cleaner, mix 1 gallon of warm water with 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar. To add some scent, use 5 drops of your favorite essential oil. I’ve spoken about Plant Therapy‘s quality and variety before so if you’re looking for a great oil brand check them out! Please note that using this floor cleaning option will leave behind a faint smell of vinegar that doesn’t linger, so try it out if you don’t mind that scent.
Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds
I’ve spoken about the versatility and effectiveness of Sal Suds before. I love using it as a part of my laundry routine and a little bit truly goes a long way. It also scored an “A” by EWG’s standards. Sal Suds does have a hint of pine scent but you can always enhance the smell with essential oils. To use as a floor cleaner, mix 1 gallon of warm water with 1/2 teaspoon of Sal Suds. Add 3-5 drops of black spruce, pine, or lavender essential oil to enhance the scent.
Steam Cleaning
This is by far my favorite method of cleaning my floors. About 1 year ago, I got the Bissell Power Fresh Steam Mop and have since used it multiple times per week to touch up areas of my home! I also got a few replacement mop heads and switch them out after each cleaning. I just add distilled water to the reservoir, plug it in, let it heat up, and go. Sometimes I add a few drops of lavender or eucalyptus essential oil to the mop head.
Not only is steam cleaning cheaper and uses less resources than regular mopping, but it naturally disinfects. One study compared it to using hospital grade chemicals and found that steam cleaning was more effective at killing drug resistant staphylococcus aureus and multi-drug resistant bacterias in the intensive care unit (source). You do have to go over the same area twice (front to back two times) and go a bit slower than you would a regular mop, but it’s so satisfying when you’re done! Note: my particular steam mop comes with fragrance discs that I’m not a fan of (see above section about fragrance). I personally don’t use them, but a DIY solution would be to cut out a piece of wool fabric in the same shape. Then you can add your essential oils to that round and put it in the same compartment in the steam mop.
Final Thoughts
Traditional household cleaners contain harmful chemicals and those are just the ones disclosed on the label. Some of the worst chemicals you can find in these floor cleaning products include synthetic fragrance, synthetic colors, preservatives, and harsh cleaning agents. There are several safe and affordable alternatives to decrease your household’s toxic load. When you think about the times your pet licks up food you’ve dropped on the floor or your crawling baby’s hands go into their mouth, you start to become more conscious of the products you use everyday. Even the ones you use on your floor! As always, read your labels and know the ingredients!
I could easily give up fabuloso for that steam cleaner! It sounds amazing. Adding it to my list of must haves!
Do it!!! So satisfying, and I think it’s faster!