Safer Ways to Clean Your Kitchen

A very easy-to-use resource for finding safer cleaners is the EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning. It independently analyzes top cleaners’ ingredients and ranks them in an A-F grading system, while also designating the safest products with a verification seal.

The EWG breaks down the cleaners into categories. Among EWG-Verified dishwasher soaps and pods are the Branch Basics fragrance-free tablets and Attitude fragrance-free dishwashing soap. If you’re washing dishes by hand, try AspenClean Dishwashing Soap. 

For wiping down countertops, Whole Foods Market’s Minty Fresh Wipes received high marks, as did AspenClean Kitchen Cleaner’s Bergamot and Grapefruit Cleaner. 

If you need a degreaser, check out Truly Free’s Heavy Duty Degreaser.

For your floor, AspenClean and Attitude products are EWG-Verified.

Generally speaking, try to avoid cleaning products with fragrances. More than 3,000 chemicals are used to scent products, and about 1,200 were found to be toxic by one estimate. 

I skip most major cleaner brands because they generally get bad marks from the EWG and contain ingredients I know are toxic. (But be aware that some smaller brands may also greenwash their products.)

If you do use a major brand, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for how much to use. A tiny amount of dishwashing detergent, for example, will go a long way. People often add much more than needed, and that increases exposure to any toxic ingredients.