How I Detoxed My Kitchen Cleaning Routine

For the longest time, my kitchen sink was full of all the usual suspects: yellow plastic sponges, bottles of Method Daily Kitchen Clean Spray (which I thought was a great eco choice), the deliciously scented Pomegranate Fairy Washing Up Liquid, a bottle of Dove Hand Soap always on standby by the sink, some good old Cif cream to get rid of stubborn stains, Milton Bottle Washing Up Liquid for all the baby things.

And for the dishwasher? I swore by Finish tablets — but only the ones without lemon. Every time I used the citrus ones, I could literally taste it on the dishes afterward (especially on mugs and baby bowls). Oh, and I'm definitely guilty of using bleached kitchen paper towels, too.

But after really diving into what’s actually inside the things we use every single day — I realised how wrong I was. Most mainstream cleaning products are filled with endocrine disruptors, petroleum-based plastics, and residues that stay on the very things we eat from.

And worse? Some of the "natural DIY" options weren’t as safe as I first thought either…

What’s Hiding in Your Cleaning Routine?

Kitchen Sponges

• Made from petroleum-based plastic

• Harbour bacteria within a few uses

• May contain triclosan (an antibacterial agent banned in some countries)

• Non-biodegradable — they just break down into microplastics

Study: Bacterial growth in kitchen sponges

Kitchen Cleaning Sprays

I used to feel so proud grabbing my bottle of Method Daily Kitchen Spray. It smelled amazing, looked pretty, and said all the right things on the label — biodegradable, plant-based, eco-friendly. But when I looked closer? I was surprised.

Even brands like Method (yep, even the “eco” ones) can include:

• Fragrance/parfum (a cocktail of undisclosed chemicals)

• Methylisothiazolinone (a preservative linked to skin irritation)

• Surfactants that aren’t always biodegradable

Study: Cleaning product exposure & lung function

Cif Cream & Oven Sprays

They work like magic on stubborn stains and burnt-on grime, right? That’s why I used them too. But then I looked at what’s actually inside:

• Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (harsh surfactant)

• Fragrance/parfum with undisclosed ingredients

• Preservatives that can irritate skin and lungs

And the oven spray? That’s even more intense — often containing:

• Sodium hydroxide (aka lye)

• Solvents and degreasers that can still be harsh on skin and lungs

These are powerful chemicals designed to cut through mess. And while in the oven they may not directly touch food, the fumes and residues from these sprays still circulate in the same air we breathe — and can linger on racks, trays, and even your cleaning cloths.

Dishwasher Tablets & Fairy Pomegranate Washing Up Liquid

They’re so easy to use — just pop one in and done. And for everyday handwashing? I was a big fan of Fairy’s Pomegranate Washing Up Liquid — it smelled lovely, felt gentle, and cut through grease fast. But just like many conventional products, once I looked at the ingredients, I had to reconsider.

Here’s what’s actually in many mainstream dishwasher pods:

• Sodium hypochlorite (aka bleach)

• Synthetic fragrance (with unknown chemical ingredients)

• EDTA (an environmental toxin)

• Artificial dyes

• Harsh surfactants that leave residue behind

Even if you rinse your dishes, they’ve already soaked in these ingredients during the hottest, steamiest part of the cycle.

Bleached Paper Towels

I never thought twice about using paper towels in the kitchen — especially the strong white ones. But here’s the thing:

• Most are bleached with chlorine

• That process creates dioxins (linked to hormone disruption and cancer)

• They’re single-use, adding to waste and landfill

If they touch your food or are used to wipe baby surfaces, some of that residue can be transferred. And when you think about how many you go through in a week… it really adds up.

Kitchen tea towel from polyester

It seems like such a harmless little thing, but most tea towels you find in supermarkets — especially the cute, colourful ones — are made from polyester. That means plastic. And when you dry your dishes, wipe your hands, or cover rising dough with it, you’re rubbing microplastics right into your food prep. Plus, polyester doesn’t absorb water well, which kind of defeats the point of a tea towel. A simple swap to organic cotton or linen is a game changer — it’s more absorbent, more hygienic, and way better for the planet (and your plates).

Let’s Talk About DIY Cleaning Recipes

Once I started detoxing my kitchen, I went straight into mum-hacker mode: “I’ll just make my own cleaners — lemon, vinegar, baking soda, done.”

But here’s the part no one told me: Citric acid powder (used in tons of DIY recipes and "natural" tabs) doesn’t actually come from citrus fruit.

It’s made by fermenting genetically modified black mould (Aspergillus niger) grown on sugar — often from GMO corn.

Study: Citric acid production using Aspergillus niger

Is that always harmful? Maybe not. But once I knew, I couldn’t un-know. Especially since I’m avoiding mould triggers, GMO corn, and chemical residues. I still use citric acid sometimes, but I’m way more mindful of where it comes from. It’s not just "powdered lemon" — and shouldn’t be treated like it.

What I Use Now

Let’s be honest — I was nervous about switching. Would things still feel clean? Would it take more time? Would it smell like vinegar all the time?

Nope. It’s easier, cheaper, and my house has honestly never felt more fresh and real.

Sponge Alternatives

• Natural bristle brushes (great for scrubbing without scratching)

• Loofah sponges (natural plant fibre, biodegradable, gentle on most surfaces)

Kitchen Sprays

DIY Option:

• 50/50 white vinegar + water

• Optional: Add a few drops of essential oil (tea tree, lemon, eucalyptus)

Ready-Made Non-Toxic Sprays:

• Attitude Kitchen Cleaner – EWG-rated safe, even for babies. It's made with 94% naturally derived ingredients and free from harsh preservatives or synthetic fragrances. Plus, it’s one of the few sprays with full transparency and a verified safety profile from the Environmental Working Group, which makes it a solid go-to if you want non-toxic without the guesswork.

Dishwasher Tablets & Dish Soap 

For Handwashing:

• Castile soap (diluted or bar)

• Miniml washing up liquids - gentle, low-tox, and kind to skin. I love that they’re UK-made, refillable, and actually clean well without a strong synthetic smell.

• Attitude washing up liquids – the ingredients are clean, it foams surprisingly well, and it feels good knowing it's rated safe even for baby items.

For Dishwashers: When I was doing my research on dishwasher tablets and powders, I would get so excited about the ingredient list — only to be totally disappointed reading the reviews. A lot of eco, low-tox options just didn’t clean well, especially with greasy pots or stuck-on food. And let's be honest, I wasn’t ready to give up clean dishes entirely in the name of non-tox.

So here, I really wanted a balance — something that actually works but doesn’t coat our plates in hormone disruptors. That’s how I found Attitude Dishwasher Liquid — a low-tox, EWG-rated option that gets the job done with safer ingredients.

Oven Spray + Cif cream

So what do I use instead? For daily, I switched to natural bristle brushes and a mix of baking soda with a splash of Castile soap — it’s surprisingly effective and safe on most surfaces. For tougher messes, I make a quick paste of baking soda and vinegar, scrub it in with a brush.

Hand Soap

We wash our hands dozens of times a day — and if your soap is full of synthetic fragrance and sulfates, you’re basically drying your skin out while layering it with unnecessary toxins.

I’ve switched to gentle, plant-based options like Miniml or Attitude hand soaps — they’re free from harsh preservatives, safe for sensitive skin, and even food-prep safe.

Kitchen Paper Towels

I’ve swapped them out completely for unbleached bamboo kitchen towels — they’re strong, compostable, and way better than your typical plastic-filled rolls. They feel just like regular paper towels but don’t come with the same waste or chemical concerns.

Kitchen Tea Towels

It seems like such a harmless little thing, but most tea towels you find in supermarkets — especially the cute, colourful ones — are made from polyester. That means plastic. And when you dry your dishes, wipe your hands, or cover rising dough with it, you’re rubbing microplastics right into your food prep.

Plus, polyester doesn’t absorb water well, which kind of defeats the point of a tea towel. A simple swap to organic cotton or linen is a game changer — it’s more absorbent, more hygienic, and way better for the planet (and your plates).

One thing I’ve started doing in our kitchen is buying cleaning products in bulk and using these glass amber dispensers instead of constantly buying small plastic bottles. Not only is it better for the environment (less plastic waste), but it also keeps my sink area looking tidy and intentional — no more bright neon bottles cluttering the countertop. I love that these bottles are reusable, safe, and look super aesthetic too.

You don’t need to buy fancy brands or make everything from scratch. Just start with one:

• Swap your sponge

• Try a vinegar spray

• Choose a safer dish soap

It’s quick, doable, and it feels good to clean your home without chemicals that need a warning label. Swapping your kitchen cleaning routine might feel small — but it’s a daily exposure you're cutting out. And that really matters.

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