Sustainable Swap: 7 Products to Trade in for a Healthier Home

“On your mark, get set… clean!” It’s the unofficial slogan of spring cleaning season. While many of you may have already put a good dent into the “cleaning”part already, others (me, me, me) have yet to begin. Whether you’re just starting out or are about to hang up your yellow gloves, it’s important to not only focus on what you’re scrubbing but what you’re scrubbing it with.

It’s no secret that many cleaning products have toxins in them that can be hazardous to you, your family, your dog… everyone. But sometimes, consumers don’t know what to invest in, and therefore opt for the brands that they’re most familiar with. Inspired by our own Green Week, we came up with eco-friendly swaps for the most common cleaning products out there. Plus, what better time for you to be out with the old, in with the new than Earth Month?

See below for the green product version you might have laying around your home.

If you’re a lunatic about smudges on your bathroom mirror like I am, then this streak-free glass cleaner will be your best friend. While most surface cleaners are made with mostly solvents, this only contains 1 percent and is VOC-free.

In my opinion, toilets are one of the most important objects to sanitize properly—no further explanation needed. This GreenWorks product is bleach-free, safe for septic systems, and is 99 percent naturally-derived.

Laundry detergent is something you most definitely have in your home, so here’s your swap. Made entirely of plant-based surfactant, ECOS Clean & Clear is entirely biodegradable and has a built-in soy-based fabric softener and cellulose-based optical brightener.

Since dish soap comes in direct contact with your hands—which tends to touch your face, legs, etc.—this is an important one to be mindful of. Not only is this product free of chemicals like synthetic fragrance and chlorine bleach, but the infused lavender provides antimicrobial and therapeutic properties. Hello, more relaxed version of you.

This plant-based product is free of, well, almost everything: residue, wax, silicone, chlorine, and animal ingredients; plus it’s not tested on animals. The cleaner has been awarded the EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year, so you can try this stuff knowing it’s backed by the experts.

When life gives you lemons, get Seventh Generation’s dishwasher detergent scented with essential oils and botanical extract—because it smells like lemons! This plant-based product is entirely scented with 100 percent essential oils and botanical extracts—not to mention it’s free of synthetic fragrances, dyes, phosphates, and chlorine bleach.

This multi-surface guru is made with no harsh chemicals, is entirely made of plant-based ingredients, and has no harsh fumes involved. So in other words, spray away!