At a Glance: My Top Picks

This article contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you buy through them — at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

If you’re new to lower-toxic or more intentional cleaning, I’d begin with the things you use most often.

That might be your everyday cleaning spray, dish soap, laundry detergent, or something heavily fragranced that you’ve already been meaning to replace.

You do not need to tackle everything at once.

A few thoughtful changes are more sustainable than a full cabinet overhaul.

Best everyday all-purpose cleaner

Best fragrance-free dish soap

Best reusable cleaning cloths

Best glass & surface cleaner

Best laundry detergent

Best bathroom cleaner

Best no-cost swap

Open a window and ventilate.

“A cleaner routine is a kinder routine —for you and a healthier world.”

SMALL CHANGES ADD UP TO A HEALTHIER, HAPPIER YOU.

10 SIMPLE CLEANING SWAPS TO MAKE FIRST

If you not sure where to start, here’s a simple order of priority based on everyday use and potential exposure – Remember this is a process, not a purge.

Jump to any section below for more details!

1

Choose fragrance-free when it makes sense

2

Use a simple spray instead of an aerosol

3

Simplify your all-purpose cleaner

4

Reach for washable cloths more often

5

Choose a straightforward dish soap

6

Rethink constant home fragrance

7

Simplify your laundry routine

8

Clean first, disinfect only when needed

9

Choose reusable cleaning tools

10

Use fewer specialty cleaners

Hi, I’m Nicky

I’m here to help you create a healthier, more intentional home with non-toxic essentials. My mission is to make cleaner, low toxic living feel achievable for everyday life — one small swap at a time.

Join Our Community

Get simple tips, new articles, exclusive resources, and inspiration — in your inbox.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.

WHAT I LOOK FOR BEFORE I BUY

When I’m choosing a cleaning product, I try to keep it simple.

I don’t expect every product to check every box.

For me, the goal is just to make a thoughtful choice that works well in real life.

Fragrance-free options when available

Ingredient transparency

Formulas made for the job without a lot of extras

Products I’ll actually enjoy using

Multi-purpose options that help keep my cabinet simple

DETAILED SWAPS: 1–5

1Choose Fragrance-Free

Fragrance-free spray cleaner, dish soap, and laundry detergent styled on a warm wood countertop with a linen cloth and greenery.

One of the easiest places to simplify is fragrance. That doesn’t mean every scented product is automatically a problem. It just means fragrance often isn’t necessary for something to be clean.

2Choose Non-Aerosol Sprays

Aerosols can send more product into the air than you need for everyday cleaning. A reusable spray bottle is easier to control, simple to refill, and a practical choice for cleaners or concentrates you already use.

3Simplify your all-purpose cleaner

Simple all-purpose cleaning bottle styled with a neutral cloth and greenery on a light countertop.

Using a separate product for every room can make cleaning feel more complicated than it needs to be. A good all-purpose cleaner can often handle several everyday jobs, which helps reduce clutter and keeps your routine simple.

4Use Washable Cloths

Disposable wipes are convenient, but they can add up quickly and aren’t always necessary for routine messes. Washable cloths are an easy, reusable option for counters, dusting, spills, and everyday cleanup.

5Choose a straightforward dish soap

Clear dish soap bottle beside a farmhouse sink with a wooden dish brush, neutral cloth, and soft natural light.

Dish soap is something many of us use every day, so it makes sense to choose one that is effective without feeling overly complicated. A simple formula that cleans well and rinses easily can make your routine feel more streamlined.

Not Every Swap Requires Buying Something

Not every healthier cleaning habit comes from buying a new product.

Some of the simplest changes cost nothing at all.

You can:

This is the part I think matters most.

You don’t need to start over.

You can simply make the next choice a little more intentional.

DETAILED SWAPS: 6–10

6Rethink Constant Home Fragrance

Bright farmhouse-style home scene with an open window, soft linens, greenery, and natural daylight.

A home doesn’t need a strong scent to feel clean or fresh. If you use plug-ins, sprays, or scent boosters often, cutting back can be a simple way to create a calmer environment and let fresh air, clean linens, and regular cleaning do more of the work. It can also make your routine simpler, while keeping your home comfortable and inviting.

7Simplify your laundry routine

Plain laundry detergent, wool dryer balls, and folded neutral linens styled in a warm farmhouse setting.

Laundry products can pile up quickly between detergent, scent boosters, fabric softeners, stain sprays, and dryer sheets. Using fewer products can make your routine feel simpler and help you focus on what you actually need. A good detergent and a few basic tools are enough to get the job done well without adding extra steps to every load.

8Clean Before You Disinfect

Most everyday messes don’t require a disinfectant. For fingerprints, spills, and routine dirt, regular cleaning with soap or an everyday cleaner is often enough. Disinfecting still has an important place, but it can usually be saved for times when it’s truly needed—such as when a surface needs a little extra attention during the routine.

9Choose reusable cleaning tools

Wooden cleaning brushes, reusable scrubber, and washable cloths arranged on a warm neutral surface.

Reusable brushes, cloths and scrubbers can be a practical way to cut down on disposable items and simplify your cleaning routine. The goal isn’t to choose something just because it looks natural, but to use tools that work well, last over time, and are easy to rinse, wash, reuse, and reach for again during everyday cleaning tasks at home.

10Use fewer specialty cleaners

It is easy to end up with a separate cleaner for multiple surfaces in your home. Before adding another bottle, it can be worth checking whether something you already have can safely do the job just as well. Using a few versatile products can simplify your routine, reduce clutter, and make everyday cleaning feel easier and more manageable.

A Quick Note About DIY Cleaning

DIY cleaning can be a great fit for simple jobs, especially when you like knowing exactly what you’re using.

Basic ingredients like baking soda, soap, or diluted vinegar can be useful for certain everyday tasks.

But homemade doesn’t always mean better, and some jobs are simply easier with a properly formulated product.

I like to think of DIY as one option — not a requirement.

Use it when it makes your routine easier.

Skip it when it doesn’t.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Creating a healthier cleaning routine doesn’t have to feel complicated.

You don’t need a perfect cabinet, a brand-new set of products, or a long list of rules.

You can start with one small change:

  • switch one heavily fragranced product
  • keep a stack of reusable cloths nearby
  • simplify your all-purpose cleaner
  • use up what you already own
  • open a window while you clean
  • skip a specialty cleaner you don’t really need

Then make another change later if it feels right.

Thoughtful choices. Small changes. A home that supports the way you want to live.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

No.

I’d use what you already have and replace things gradually as they run out.

That approach is easier, more affordable, and far less overwhelming.

Not necessarily in every situation.

They can be a helpful option if you prefer fewer scented products or want to simplify what you use around the home.

The bigger goal is choosing products that work well and feel like a good fit for you.

No.

For normal everyday messes, regular cleaning is often enough.

Disinfectants can be useful when there’s a specific reason for them, such as illness in the home.

Sometimes — but not always.

DIY cleaners can be great for simple jobs, but they’re not automatically the best choice for every surface or task.

Use them where they make sense and choose a formulated cleaner when that works better.

Start with the product you use the most.

For many people, that’s:

  • all-purpose cleaner
  • dish soap
  • laundry detergent
  • bathroom spray
  • or heavily fragranced products

One easy swap is enough to get started.

Hi, I’m Nicky

I’m here to help you create a healthier, more intentional home with non-toxic essentials. My mission is to make cleaner, low toxic living feel achievable for everyday life — one small swap at a time.

Ready to go deeper?

If you want more help choosing everyday cleaners, understanding labels, simplifying laundry, and building routines that feel realistic, my Non-Toxic Cleaning Guide walks through it step by step.