Real talk: Most commercial cleaning products are full of super nasty, get-that-away-from-me ingredients. We know—it’s a total bummer! No stress though; just as we helped you kick your toxic makeup to the curb, we’ll walk you through why and how you can stop settling and start choosing home-cleaning superstars.
Read on for the whole truth and nothing but the truth about your household cleaning products.

How toxic are my household cleaners?

At the risk of being the bearer of bad news, your run-of-the-mill cleaners are incredibly toxic.

According to the American Lung Association, the ingredients in most commercial solutions, sprays, and scrubs can:

• Be air pollutants
• Be harmful chemicals
• Be flammable or corrosive
• Irritate eyes or throat
• Cause headaches
• Contribute to health problems like chronic respiratory problems and allergic reactions

Not only are these ingredients problematic, but they’re pretty far from your “let’s go green!” goals. Choosing cleaners with naturally derived ingredients is a win for you and a win for Mother Earth.

Yikes! Anything else I need to know?

Unfortunately, yes.

Brace yourself—manufacturers aren’t even legally required to list all ingredients. It sounds bonkers, but toxic ingredients could be lingering in your laundry detergents and floor cleaners without you knowing about it.
For example, some products such as carpet cleaners and dishwasher liquid release VOCs—volatile organic compounds. Experts say that some VOCs can irritate eyes, nose, and throat; create difficulty breathing and nausea; and cause harm to the central nervous system and other organs.

At Young Living, we’re incredibly meticulous about which ingredients we bring into the YL family. Want a list of stuff we will never, ever, ever mix with pure and precious essential oils? Enjoy!

A woman doing the dishes with Thieves line

That’s awesome! How do I clean without harsh chemicals?

For starters, trust us and don’t use any of the ingredients linked above.

The simplest way to get the job done—check the labels. Products can be greenwashed, meaning they have packaging that advertises as “green” or “natural” but sneak unwelcome ingredients into their formulas. Yuck!
It’s also important to remember that these issues don’t solely apply to the cleaning aisle. When shopping for candles and air fresheners, avoid these factory-crafted temptations. Instead, mix and match essential oils and diffuse them for personal, unique household aromas.
Ultimately, if you can find companies and products with the mission to use from-the-earth, not-harmful, naturally derived ingredients, you’re golden. May we recommend Young Living? *wink, wink*

Yay! How can I find naturally derived cleaning products?

Our number one pick always and forever: Thieves®!

With a blend of spicy, brisk scents that has all the cleaning power and none of the gross additives, it should get a special spot on your shelf.
Test out how effective these products can be with Thieves® Household Cleaner. With an ultra-concentrated formula that has dozens of uses, just one bottle can clean your house from top to bottom. What’s more, Thieves Household Cleaner is only the start. Try out these superstars as well:

• Thieves® Dish Soap
• Thieves® Laundry Soap
• Thieves® Automatic Dishwasher Powder
• Thieves® Fruit & Veggie Soak
• Thieves® Spray

YL tip: Evict all harsh chemicals from your house with bright and effective Lushious Lemon Foaming Hand Soap and these 30 simple swaps!

A woman is doing the laundry with Thieves laundry line

Ready to dive deep into all things clean (ingredients and household included)? Find more tips here. Want to know why we rely on essential oils? See how we do things differently!