Natural cleaning products are advertised everywhere, but are they worth it? Before I ever lived in the countryside or studied permaculture, I worked as a house cleaner. And even back then, I chose to use only natural cleaning products, partly because they were gentle, partly because I knew that was a great selling point for my clients. But it wasn’t until I trained as a holistic health practictioner that I began to fully understand the deeper cost of conventional cleaning chemicals, their impact on our hormones, our lungs, our microbiome, and the long-term health of our families.
Cleaning, for me, isn’t just about tidying the surfaces of a home. It’s an energetic act. A way to tend to the spaces that support us, without harming the systems that sustain life. That’s why I made the switch. Over time, I’ve found simple, natural products that not only clean beautifully but also align with the values I want to live by. Below, I’m sharing my favorites, how I use them, what they do best, and how they tie into a permaculture lifestyle.
Why Switch from Chemical-Based Products to Natural Cleaning Products?
You’ve probably seen the headlines that chemical cleaners can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), irritate the skin and respiratory system, and pollute waterways. But the impacts go deeper:
Health
Most conventional cleaners include synthetic fragrances, endocrine disruptors, and ingredients that are toxic when inhaled or absorbed (it takes roughly 25 seconds for these chemicals to absorb through your skin!). These compounds accumulate over time, particularly in small or poorly ventilated homes.
Ecological Impact
Chemical-based cleaning agents don’t just vanish down the drain. They enter greywater systems, disrupt aquatic ecosystems, and are often packaged in single-use plastics.
Permaculture Alignment
- Earth Care: Reduce pollution in soil and water
- People Care: Avoid harmful exposure in daily routines
- Fair Share: Use only what’s needed, with ingredients that biodegrade
Natural cleaners, by contrast, are simple, accessible, and often multipurpose. And most importantly, they work.
My Favorite Natural Cleaning Products
Here’s what’s always in my cupboard, plus a few personal tips on how I use them.
🖤 Savon Noir (Black Soap)
A thick, olive-based soap paste or liquid that’s as gentle as it is powerful.
Uses:
- Washing floors (a splash in warm water)
- Cleaning garden tools
- Shampooing pets (diluted!)
Tip: I mix a teaspoon of savon noir with warm water and spray it on aphids in the garden. It’s a natural insecticide that doesn’t harm beneficial bugs when used sparingly.
🧺 Percarbonate de Soude (Sodium Percarbonate)
This powder releases oxygen when mixed with warm water, like hydrogen peroxide, but dry.
Uses:
- Whitening laundry
- Disinfecting cutting boards
- Cleaning blocked drains (like today!)
Tip: Pour a tablespoon into the kitchen sink drain, add hot water, and wait. It’s excellent at breaking down grease and organic build-up, without toxic fumes.
🧂 Baking Soda
The ultimate multipurpose scrub and deodorizer.
Uses:
- Cleaning sinks and tubs
- Deodorizing shoes or the fridge
- Toothpaste or face exfoliant
Tip: Mix it with a few drops of essential oil and store it in a jar to make a gentle scouring powder.
🧴 White Vinegar
Acidic, antibacterial, and endlessly useful (except on marble or granite).
Uses:
- Surface cleaner (with water and citrus peels)
- Natural weed killer in the garden
- Fabric softener in laundry
Tip: I pour it into a spray bottle with orange peels and let it infuse for two weeks. It smells wonderful and works beautifully on countertops.
🍋 Lemon Juice
Naturally antiseptic and brightening.
Uses:
- Cutting board disinfectant
- Degreaser in the kitchen
- Shine for taps or copper pans
Tip: Half a lemon dipped in salt makes a great natural scrubber for soap scum or mineral deposits.
🍊 Orange Oil / Citrus Vinegar
Citrus essential oils (like orange, lemon, or grapefruit) are uplifting, antibacterial, and dissolve grease.
Uses:
- Degreasing stovetops
- Freshening up trash bins
- Add a few drops to mop water
- Getting glue off surfaces
Tip: Save all your citrus peels in a jar, cover them with vinegar, and leave it to infuse for 2–3 weeks. Strain and dilute for a citrus-scented all-purpose spray.
🌸 Essential Oils (Lavender, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus)
Add a therapeutic, antimicrobial edge to your cleaning. Just a few drops go a long way.
Uses:
- Tea tree for mold and mildew
- Lavender for soft-scented laundry
- Eucalyptus in bathroom sprays
Tip: Add a few drops of lavender oil to baking soda and sprinkle on rugs before vacuuming.
🌷 The Pink Stuff
A ready-made paste of natural abrasives, ideal for tougher jobs.
Uses:
- Oven doors
- Stovetops
- Grout and tile
Tip: A little goes a long way. Let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing for best results.
🧼 Marseille Soap
Traditional hard soap made from olive oil, gentle and biodegradable.
Uses:
- Handwashing clothes
- Cleaning baby items
- Personal hygiene
🧪 Citric Acid
Derived from citrus fruit, an excellent natural descaler.
Uses:
- Descaling kettles and coffee makers
- Toilet bowl cleaner
- Restoring shine to cloudy glassware
🧂 Washing Soda (Soda Crystals)
Stronger than baking soda, better for heavy-duty cleaning.
Uses:
- Unclogging greasy drains
- Stripping laundry
- Pre-soaking pans with burnt-on food
Natural Cleaning Product Comparison Chart
| Product | Best For | Home | Body | Garden | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savon Noir | All-purpose, gentle, insecticidal | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Avoid direct use on porous wood |
| Percarbonate | Whitening, disinfection | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Needs hot water to activate |
| Baking Soda | Scrubbing, deodorizing | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Non-abrasive and safe |
| Vinegar | Descaling, degreasing, weeds | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | Avoid on stone/marble |
| Lemon | Brightening, antimicrobial | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | May bleach fabrics |
| Orange Oil | Scent, grease-cutting | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | Patch test on surfaces |
| Essential Oils | Antibacterial, aroma | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | Use sparingly—concentrated |
| The Pink Stuff | Heavy grime | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | More abrasive, use selectively |
| Marseille Soap | Gentle cleaning | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | Great for sensitive skin |
| Citric Acid | Descaling | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | Store in a dry place |
| Washing Soda | Heavy-duty degreasing | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | Use gloves for sensitive skin |
A Natural Cleaning Starter Kit
If you’re just starting out, you don’t need to buy everything at once. Most natural cleaning routines can begin with just a few basic ingredients.
Here’s what I recommend for your starter kit:
- White vinegar (buy in bulk if possible)
- Baking soda
- Savon noir or Marseille soap
- Essential oils (orange oil, tea tree and lavender are a great start)
- A few jars or spray bottles (glass preferred, repurposed is even better)
- Citrus peels for DIY infusions
- One abrasive cleaner, like The Pink Stuff or a homemade version with baking soda and soap
You can do a lot with these: laundry, surface cleaning, drain unclogging, stain removal, and even garden maintenance. The more you experiment, the more confident and creative you’ll become.
🌱 Permaculture and Cleaning: What’s the Connection?
Living in alignment with permaculture practices isn’t just about how we grow our food; it’s about how we care for our spaces, our bodies, and our communities. Cleaning might seem like a small thing, but it touches every part of our daily lives. Here’s how natural cleaning ties into the core permaculture ethics:
Earth Care
Choosing biodegradable, plant-based cleaners protects the water, soil, and air from synthetic pollution. It also helps reduce packaging waste. Many natural products can be bought in bulk, or even made from scraps.
People Care
Natural cleaners are safer for children, pets, and anyone with sensitivities. They support healthier homes by reducing toxic load, hormone disruptors, and allergens.
Fair Share
These products are usually more affordable in the long run and reduce dependency on corporations or plastic-heavy supply chains. DIY cleaners also promote resourcefulness and community sharing. Swap recipes, buy ingredients together, or share what works with your neighbors.
“Produce No Waste”
One of my favorite things about natural cleaning is how often the “waste” becomes a resource. Citrus peels become infused vinegar. Old t-shirts become rags. Ashes from the stove can scrub glass. It’s a beautiful loop.
Final Thoughts on Natural Cleaning Products
Switching to natural cleaning products isn’t just a sustainability hack; it’s a mindset shift. It’s about moving from convenience to consciousness, from overconsumption to sufficiency.
You don’t have to be perfect. Just start with one swap. Maybe vinegar instead of a spray bottle full of mystery chemicals. Baking soda under the sink instead of bleach. A little jar of orange peel cleaner that reminds you of the seasons and the land you live on.
Cleaning this way feels good. Not just because my home is fresh and sparkling, but because it feels aligned. Aligned with my health, the earth, and the kind of future I want to help build.
Over to You
Have you tried any of these natural cleaning product swaps? Do you have a favorite DIY recipe? I’d love to hear about your experience, what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what surprised you.
And if you’re just getting started: welcome. You’re not alone. This is one small, powerful step toward living in harmony with the earth, and I’m so glad you’re taking it.
