Best Baby-Safe Cleaning Products for a Less Toxic Home

I’ve always been extra cautious to include non-toxic, clean and green products in my home. As a self-proclaimed “scrunchy” mom, I’ve spent countless hours researching and testing to create a home environment that’s as safe and clean as possible.

It wasn’t an overnight transformation, but a gradual journey of swapping out products, reading labels, and learning what works best for my family. And let me be clear, non-toxic products DO WORK. You just have to find the right ones! So now, I’m sharing what I’ve learned to help you navigate the world of baby-safe products with confidence. 

First things first: slow and steady wins the race

Switching to baby-safe cleaning products doesn’t have to mean tossing everything in your cabinet and starting over. That can be SO overwhelming. Here’s my “scrunchy mom”-approved plan to making your home a little less toxic (without burning out and giving up):

1. Start with the essentials: Prioritize what your baby interacts with the most—think laundry detergent, dish soap, and floor cleaner.
2. Use up what you have: Unless a product is truly toxic, finish your current supply before switching. Waste not, want not. I still have so many products to be swapped out still and I started this journey long ago!
3. Tackle one area at a time: Focus on one category of products (laundry, then dishes, then floors) to avoid overwhelm.
4. Keep it simple: Remember, distilled vinegar and baking soda can clean almost anything. Sometimes, old-school is the best school. And to me, vinegar just smells “clean.”

How to know your “enemy“

Before we talk about what to buy, let’s talk about how to judge. There are amazing apps like Think Dirty and EWG Healthy Living that let you scan product barcodes to see how “clean” they really are.

I’m always using these apps at the store! They break down ingredients and give you a score, which you can use to make your own judgments about what products to include in your home.

Must-have cleaning products safe for babies

Baby-safe laundry detergents

Newborns and blow-outs go together like peanut butter and jelly, so you’ll be doing a lot of laundry. My top picks for baby-safe laundry detergents:

• Branch Basics Laundry Kit: Hypoallergenic and free of all the nasties like fragrance and chlorine. Plus, it’s concentrated, so a little goes a long way. Grab the full kit from their site or just the concentrate and stain booster here.
• Seventh Generation Baby Detergent: Plant-based and gentle on sensitive skin, this is an easy-to-find option. Bonus: it smells so good! Grab it here.
• DIY detergent: Mix 1 cup washing soda, 1 cup baking soda, and 1/2 cup grated castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s). Boom—you’re a laundry wizard.

Baby-safe dish soaps

Bottle washing becomes a full-time job with twins, so you’ll want a dish soap that’s tough on milk residue yet gentle on tiny tummies.

• Puracy Natural Dish Soap: Plant-based and dermatologist-tested, Puracy’s natural dish soap gets the job done without leaving harmful residue.
• Babyganics Foaming Dish Soap: Specifically designed for baby bottles and utensils, the Babyganics Foaming Dish Soap is fragrance-free and super effective.
• DIY dish soap: Combine 2 cups of distilled water, 1/2 cup castile soap (again, Dr. Bronner’s is my favorite), and a few drops of lemon essential oil in a pump bottle. Shake before each use.

Baby-safe general house-cleaning

Babies are basically tiny humans who lick everything, so your general cleaning game needs to be on point.

• Branch Basics All-Purpose Cleaner: Yes, they’re getting a second shoutout because their all-purpose cleaning concentrate is magical—safe for all surfaces and even toys (which we know inevitably end up in tiny mouths).
• Better Life All-Purpose Cleaner: This plant-based powerhouse is free of synthetic fragrances and dyes but tough on grime. Grab it here.
• Seventh Generation Disinfectant Wipes: Wipes make it so easy to clean up every little mess quickly. Our family is obsessed with these Seventh Generation wipes– especially in the mint scent!
• DIY Cleaner: Mix equal parts water and distilled white vinegar with a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Bonus: It doubles as a glass cleaner! 

Baby-safe floor cleaners

Whether it’s tummy time or those first wobbly steps, your floors are ground zero for endless baby activities.

• Bona Free & Simple Hardwood Floor Cleaner: Perfect for wood floors, with no harmful chemicals, add Bona Free and Simple to your list to try!
• ECOS Floor Cleaner: Made with plant-based ingredients, ECOS Floor Cleaner great for all floor types.
• DIY Floor Cleaner: Combine 1 gallon of warm water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, and 1 tablespoon castile soap. Mop away without worry.

Getting your family on board with your non-toxic transition

Switching to non-toxic cleaning products is one thing, but convincing your family it’s worth it? That’s a whole different challenge. If your partner, or other family members, are skeptical and think only harsh chemicals can truly clean (like mine were), here’s how to help them get on board:

1. Share the research: Point them to trusted resources like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) or Think Dirty app, which break down why certain chemicals can be harmful—especially for babies. My husband was fascinated by the science and facts and now is great at using the apps.
2. Demonstrate effectiveness: Use your non-toxic products to tackle a tough mess while they’re watching. Seeing is believing, and once they see how effective these products are, they’ll start to trust them. This is how we switched from toxic disinfectant wipes to our favorite Seventh Generation ones!
3. Explain the risks: Gently explain how harsh chemicals can linger on surfaces and in the air, potentially affecting everyone in the house—not just the babies.
4. Let them try: Give them a bottle of your favorite cleaner to use at home. Often, hands-on experience can change perceptions faster than anything else.
5. DIY together: If they’re open to it, make a DIY cleaner together. It’s a fun activity and a great way to show that simple ingredients can work wonders.

Remember, the goal isn’t to argue or guilt them into changing. It’s about education and showing them that safer choices don’t mean sacrificing a clean (or nice-smelling) home.

Final thoughts on the best baby-safe cleaning products

Switching to safe cleaning products for babies is less about perfection and more about progress. Take it step by step, use those apps to make informed choices, and don’t stress yourself out. Your babies don’t need a spotless house—they just need a safe and loving one (and maybe a clean onesie now and then too!).

Want to read more articles about cleaning? Check these out too:

• Proper Bottle Care and Cleaning Tips
• Keeping Your House Clean Without a Cleaning Lady
• Cleaning With Kids Around

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