Do Natural Cleaning Products Work? - Savvy Natural Cleaning

With the increased awareness of our health as well as the sanitation and safety of our surroundings recently, it is unsurprising that so many people have begun to look more closely at the cleaning products that are being brought into their homes and wonder do natural cleaning products work?

Now, more than ever, cleaning and sanitizing our homes or workspaces are a vital part of our everyday lives, but could the cleaning products that you are using actually be causing more harm to your health and wellbeing than you had initially anticipated?

Lots of cleaning products contain potentially harmful chemical toxins that could be detrimental to your health and the health of anyone else in your household and the environment. Here, we are going to discuss the power of natural cleaning products and answer some of the commonly asked questions when it comes to making the switch from chemical-rich, synthetic cleaning products, to all-natural, eco-friendly ones.

Product	Our Rating	Price
E-Cloth General Purpose Cleaning Cloth 4-Pack E-Cloth, just add water for multiple cleaning purposes and surfaces, always have one available Microfibers trap and remove dirt, debris, grime, and over 99% of bacteria from hard surfaces and appliances just using water Easy to use, machine washable, eco-friendly, and effective	9.7	Check Price on Amazon
Seventh Generation Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner Effectively Controls Odors No rinsing or wiping is required after using (even on food contact surfaces) When used as directed, kills 99.99% of household germs and is effective against the influenza A virus	9.6	Check Price on Amazon
CleanWell Botanical Disinfecting Wipes Plant-derived, multi-surface cleaning wipes made without chemicals, no rinsing required even on children's toys or food contact surfaces Antibacterial to disinfect, kills 99.9% of household germs and odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew Voted Best Disinfecting Wipes by Parents magazine, cruelty-free	9.5	Check Price on Amazon

Do Natural Cleaning Products Work as Well as Regular Cleaning Products?

This is the big question. You might be keen to implement more natural products into your home and look into natural alternatives to your regular cleaning products, but could be put off by the common misconception that natural cleaning products aren’t as effective or tough on dirt as their synthetic chemical-rich counterparts.

In actual fact, if used correctly, natural cleaning products can be just as effective as these chemical cleaners. It’s simply all about knowing what works best in different scenarios and how to safely combine ingredients to get the best results.

Related:

Image	Product	Our Rating	Price
Top Choice	Seventh Generation Laundry Detergent Powerful triple-enzyme formula fights tough stains Free & clear, hypoallergenic laundry detergent made for sensitive skin Safer ingredients for human health and the environment EPA safer choice certified USDA certified bio based product 96% made with plant-based ingredients	9.7	Check Price on Amazon
Excellent Value	Method Liquid Laundry Detergent Featuring plant-based stain lifting power For high efficiency and standard washers Biodegradable and hypoallergenic formula Cruelty free. Tested by people, not on animals	9.6	Check Price on Amazon
	Planet 2x HE Ultra Laundry Liquid Detergent Works in both standard and high-efficiency washers Hypoallergenic - suitable for people with chemical sensitivities and babies Free & Clear formula - no added fragrances, dyes or synthetic preservatives Certified 100% biodegradable; ingredients from plant-based sources Not tested on animals	9.5	Check Price on Amazon

What Makes a Cleaning Product Natural?

Natural cleaning has become somewhat of a trend in recent years and for good reason; after all, we all want to feel that we are bringing the safest and most eco-friendly products into our homes and around our loved ones.

But, this widespread desire for more natural, eco-friendly cleaning products has also not gone unnoticed by the big name, chemical-rich cleaning brands, and many of them have allowed this to inform their packaging and marketing materials, using keywords like green, clean, or organic to describe their products, when in actual fact, they might contain one naturally-derived essential oil, along with a whole host of toxic, synthetic chemicals.

So, how do we know which products are actually completely natural?

If a product is completely natural, it will contain only ingredients that can be naturally sourced from the earth or produced using sustainable, non-toxic processes.

Natural ingredients such as tea tree oil, castile soap, essential oils, cornstarch, water, white vinegar, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are commonly found in natural cleaning products. Each of these ingredients is safe to use and eco-friendly.

On the other hand, synthetic cleaning products will commonly contain more harmful ingredients such as ammonia, chloroform, chlorine bleach, sulfates, formaldehyde, and sulfuric acid, amongst others. Each of these is known to have various unpleasant side effects if ingested or inhaled in large quantities, especially if more than one chemical is used at any one time.

So, when choosing a natural cleaning product, the first thing you should do is check out the ingredients list. If there are any ingredients you’re not sure of, give them a quick search to find out how they are produced and whether they are considered natural or synthetic.

If you’re still unsure, check any accreditation with leading environmental agencies such as the EPA or EWG, both of which release annual reports ranking cleaning products on their environmental consciousness and overall safety.

Image	Product	Our Rating	Price
Top Choice	Method All-Purpose Cleaning Wipes Refreshing summer scent of lime and sea salt in these plant-based cleaning wipes Cleans non-porous items and surfaces; such as glass, tile, stone, and wood 6 containers with 30 all-purpose, compostable wipes Cruelty-free	9.8	Check Price on Amazon
	Babyganics All Purpose Surface Wipes Plant-based cleaning wipes for hard surfaces, not tested on animals Free from fragrance, phthalates, sulfates, ammonia or bleach 2 pack, 75 durable wipes in each container	9.6	Check Price on Amazon
	Seventh Generation Disinfecting Multi Surface Wipes EPA registered Made with botanical disinfect to kill 99.99% of viruses and bacteria No rinsing is required after cleaning, even on surfaces that will have contact with food Fresh herb thyme scent, 6 pack with 70 wipes each	9.4	Check Price on Amazon

What are the Benefits of Using Natural Cleaning Products?

As we have touched upon, the major benefit of using a natural cleaning product is the reduced risk of harm to you, your loved ones, and the environment.

Some of the most common side effects associated with chemical cleaning products include respiratory problems, allergic reactions, dizziness, headaches, nausea, chemical burns, coughing, and in extreme cases, severe lung damage and even death.

As well as this, chemical cleaning agents are also known to cause extensive damage to the environment. They pollute waterways, causing endless damage to aquatic life. These products also commonly use single-use plastics within their packaging which increases the adverse environmental impacts. They may also be more likely to use animal testing within their manufacturing process.

By opting for a natural cleaning product, you protect yourself and the environment from these terrible effects, contributing positively to the reduction in pollution and ensuring that no one within your household will be exposed to toxic chemical fumes or liquids that could cause endless health problems.

Image	Product	Our Rating	Price
Most Versatile	Dr. Bronner’s - Pure-Castile Liquid Soap (Peppermint) Concentrated, plant-based, fully biodegradable & use all-natural, vegan ingredients Our products & ingredients are cruelty-free, over 70% of ingredients are certified fair trade, over 90% are organic No synthetic preservatives, thickeners, or foaming agents	9.9	Check Price on Amazon
	Eco Me Dish Soap Fragrance-free dish soap quickly cuts through dirt, grease, and grime leaving dishes sparkling clean without a filmy residue Packed with natural plant extracts and all-natural plant-derived ingredients Chemical-free containing all-natural antibacterial properties so that you don't have to sacrifice sanitation for the environment and greywater and septic safe to protect aquatic life	9.4	Check Price on Amazon
	Better Life Sulfate Free Dish Soap (Pomegranate) Plant-based cleaning ingredients like corn and coconut and scented with pomegranate and grapefruit extracts Natural, hypoallergenic that cuts through grease without sulfates Cruelty-Free: BETTER LIFE is a Leaping Bunny Certified company that never tests on animals.	9.3	Check Price on Amazon

Do Natural Cleaning Products Work to Kill Germs and Bacteria and Disinfect?

Some natural cleaning agents will effectively kill bacteria and disinfect a surface, while others will simply remove the bacteria from the surface without killing it.

Ingredients such as rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, white vinegar, and hot water can effectively disinfect a surface, while baking soda, citrus oils, and castile soap will simply remove the bacteria from the affected area.

It is important to note that no cleaning agent will thoroughly disinfect a surface that has not been pre-cleaned. If grease, grime, and dirt particles are left on the surface, it will be almost impossible to thoroughly disinfect and kill germs. Always start by cleaning the area with some basic soap and water and then go in with your choice of natural cleaning agent to thoroughly disinfect.

Steam cleaning is also a great, natural alternative to chemical disinfectants. The steam works to sanitize and kill bacteria without any additional ingredients.

So, in short – not all-natural cleaning products will kill germs and bacteria just like some chemical all-purpose cleaners. However, some natural cleaning products will kill germs and bacteria, and even those that don’t will do a great job of removing these germs from your surfaces safely and effectively.

Product	Our Rating	Price
E-Cloth General Purpose Cleaning Cloth 4-Pack E-Cloth, just add water for multiple cleaning purposes and surfaces, always have one available Microfibers trap and remove dirt, debris, grime, and over 99% of bacteria from hard surfaces and appliances just using water Easy to use, machine washable, eco-friendly, and effective	9.7	Check Price on Amazon
Seventh Generation Disinfecting Bathroom Cleaner Effectively Controls Odors No rinsing or wiping is required after using (even on food contact surfaces) When used as directed, kills 99.99% of household germs and is effective against the influenza A virus	9.6	Check Price on Amazon
CleanWell Botanical Disinfecting Wipes Plant-derived, multi-surface cleaning wipes made without chemicals, no rinsing required even on children's toys or food contact surfaces Antibacterial to disinfect, kills 99.9% of household germs and odor-causing bacteria, mold, and mildew Voted Best Disinfecting Wipes by Parents magazine, cruelty-free	9.5	Check Price on Amazon

Final Thoughts on Do Natural Cleaning Products Work?

Now you no longer need to wonder, do natural cleaning products work? Many natural cleaning products have the power to be just as effective when it comes to cleaning your home as any synthetic, chemical cleaning agent.

By making the switch and using only natural products within your home, you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and the earth from some of the pretty nasty side effects that chemical cleaning agents are known to cause, while also effectively sanitizing and disinfecting your space.