🧼🫧 One Swap at a Time Series #1: Kitchen Edition — Cleaning Supplies 🫧🧼
I’m so so so excited to start this series!!
Over the past few years, I’ve been slowly replacing many of the products we use at home with cleaner, lower-tox options. I’m not doing this perfectly, and I’m definitely still learning as I go, but I’ve found swaps that feel better for our home, work really well, and are easy to find.
So I decided to share them with you!
This series will be divided by areas of the home to keep things simple and not overwhelming. This first post is all about kitchen cleaning products, but more are coming, like:
Kitchen supplies (glass, stainless steel, storage, etc.)
Bathroom cleaning products
Hygiene & body care
General house cleaning
Laundry & clothing swaps
Kids & baby items
Pantry & food swaps
One area at a time. One swap at a time 🤍
🌿 Here are a few things I look for when choosing better home products:
When I’m trying to find cleaner options for our home, I keep a few simple things in mind. I’m not perfect with this, but these guidelines really help:
I try to avoid synthetic fragrance or “parfum” on ingredient labels. Fragrance can be made up of many undisclosed chemicals and is one of the most common triggers for skin irritation, headaches, and sensitivities, especially for kids.
I also look for shorter, simpler ingredient lists. If I can recognize or easily research the ingredients, that usually feels like a better sign than long lists of harsh or unfamiliar chemicals.
Whenever possible, I choose plant- or mineral-based ingredients instead of petroleum-based ones, and I like products labeled biodegradable or septic safe, since they’re gentler on both our home and the environment.
I also try not to rely only on packaging. A lot of brands use green colors, leaves, or words like “natural” on the label, but that doesn’t always mean the product is actually cleaner. This is often called greenwashing. That’s why I always try to flip the bottle over and read the ingredient list instead of trusting the front of the packaging.
Another thing I pay attention to is refill options. Refill pouches or concentrates help reduce plastic waste over time, which is a small but meaningful change.
And just as important, I still need products that actually work. A “cleaner” option only makes sense for me if it can handle real-life messes in a busy home.
These small guidelines help me make more mindful choices without feeling overwhelmed 🌿
Also, I want to be very honest:
These might not be the cleanest products on the entire planet, but they are much better than many common brands you find at the store. I’ve tried a lot of options that didn’t work well, and everything here is something I personally use and like. I’m always open to discovering better alternatives too!
👩 And just a little personal background story about this topic:
I’ve been always into more natural things, but this journey really started after I had my son. He constantly had skin issues: rashes, redness, itching, and I felt like I was always trying to figure out what was causing it. That’s when I began learning more about fragrances, harsh chemicals, and all the s*** hidden in everyday products… and I honestly went down a rabbit hole.
The more I learned, the more I realized how many unnecessary irritants we’re surrounded by in our homes. Since then, I’ve truly loved learning more and slowly making better choices for our family!
Now, when I walk into a place with a strong chemical smell or heavy artificial fragrances, I actually feel it in my body! I get headaches, feel dizzy, or just “off.” And it makes me think… if this is how it feels now, what have these products been doing to us all these years when we didn’t even notice anymore?
That awareness is what led me to start changing things - gently, slowly, and again: one swap at a time 🤍
Affiliate disclosure: I’m not affiliated with any of the brands or stores mentioned in this post, and this is not sponsored content. I’m simply sharing products I personally use and like. The only exception is Amazon — as an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
🧼 🧽 Now, let’s get this started!🧼 🧽
Dishwasher Powder + Rinse Aid — Truly Free Home
Available at: TrulyFreeHome.com & Amazon (VIEW HERE)
Approx. price: $15–$20 per bag / $10–$15 rinse aid refill. This is our go-to for the dishwasher. It cleans really well without the strong chemical smell many conventional detergents have. I love that it’s refillable and made with safer ingredients. I always try to catch their sales - that’s when the deals are best! I haven’t tried Blueland’s tablets yet, but I’ve heard great things about it too!
Why it’s a cleaner swap:
Many traditional dishwasher detergents contain synthetic fragrances and harsher chemicals. This option focuses on more plant- and mineral-based ingredients.Ps about the Rinse Aid: I’m using this one because it came with the dishwasher kit I got from them, but something that works really well too is Cleaning Vinegar! Believe me, give it a try!
Dish Soap + Refill — Everspring
Available at: Target
Approx. price: $3–$4 bottle / $6-7 refill pouch.
This brand is one of my favorites, you’ll clearly see that on this post! Their dish soap cuts through grease really well and smells light and natural, not overpowering. I’ve tried some other brands that you can find at most stores and I didn’t feel they worked well.
Why it’s a cleaner swap:
Everspring uses more plant-based ingredients and avoids some of the harsher chemicals found in conventional dish soaps. They’re: Paraben free, Dye-Free, No Synthetic Fragrance (100% from essential oils), Biodegradable, Cruelty Free and Bio Based. So consider all of this for all of their products I’ll share today!
Foaming Hand Soap + Refill — Everspring
Available at: Target
Approx. price: $4 bottle / $7 refill.This is the hand soap we keep in the kitchen. The lemon & mint scent is my favorite, fresh but not artificial-smelling. They also have unscented options for their products.
Why it’s a cleaner swap:
It’s made with gentler ingredients as I said before, and refill options help reduce plastic waste over time.
Powder Cleaner — Bon Ami
Available at: Target, Amazon (VIEW HERE) & most grocery stores
Approx. price: $2–$4.
I use this for tougher stains in the kitchen: sinks, pots, and areas that need a little extra scrubbing. It works like magic. I also use it for cleaning the bathrooms - I’'ll share more bathroom swaps soon!
Why it’s a cleaner swap:
Bon Ami is known for having very simple ingredients and no added fragrance, chlorine, detergents, bleach, or dyes.
Granite & Stone Cleaner — Everspring
Available at: Target
Approx. price: $6.
We use this on our counters. It cleans well without leaving a heavy residue or strong scent.
Why it’s a cleaner swap:
It avoids some of the harsher solvents found in conventional stone cleaners and uses more plant-based ingredients, as all Everspring products.
Multi-Surface Cleaning Wipes — Everspring
Available at: Target
Approx. price: $3 for one, $6-7 for three. Maybe one of my favorite finds, because I hate the strong Clorox smell and these smell amazing. I use them all over the house!
Why it’s a cleaner swap:
They’re made with more biodegradable, plant-based ingredients compared to many traditional disinfecting wipes.
Baking Soda + White Vinegar — Any Brand
Available at: Most grocery stores
Approx. price: $1–$5 each.
This classic combo is still one of my favorite natural cleaning tricks. I use it to help clean the sink pipe, scrub wood cutting boards, tough stains and wash fruits and vegetables.
Why it’s a cleaner swap:
Both are simple, single-ingredient products that can replace many specialty cleaners.
Natural Scrubber Sponge — Everspring
A
vailable at: Target
Approx. price: $4-5 for 3ct. A great alternative to traditional plastic sponges! They have a heavy duty option too.
Why it’s a cleaner swap:
Less plastic and more natural materials compared to standard synthetic sponges. BPA-free, made with plant cellulose, coconut husk and recycled plastic.
Dish Brush with Natural Bristles
Available at: Many eco-friendly brands online or at home stores - I can’t remember where I got mine… (Amazon option here)
Approx. price: $5–$10. It lasts longer, cleans better and feels more hygienic. I still use the sponge for some things so I just keep both in the sink.
Why it’s a cleaner swap:
Often made with wood and natural fibers instead of full plastic. Read the material description before purchasing!
🌿 A Gentle Reminder!
Building a lower-tox home can feel overwhelming. That’s exactly why I created this series.
You don’t need to throw everything away and replace it all at once, and you actually shouldn’t!! That’s not realistic, and it’s not great for the environment either. Instead, just switch one product at a time as you run out of what you already have.
Small changes add up.
Every little swap is a step toward a healthier home for your family!
One swap at a time 🤍
Thank you for being here!
I hope you found something here that makes starting your clean living journey feel a little simpler and less overwhelming!
Creating a lower-tox home is definitely a learning process, and I’m right there with you - figuring things out, trying new options, and doing the best we can for our families. You’re doing an amazing job, and every small change you make truly matters.
If this post helped you, feel free to share it with another mama who might be wanting to make gentler swaps at home too ✨
Follow along on social media for more motherhood, simple recipes, low-tox living, and real-life moments from our family.
I’d love to stay connected with you there 🤍
Together, we’re learning, growing, and making more intentional choices…
Because Together, We Are UNO 🤍
