Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes Every Mom Needs

Posted On: May 3rd, 2023

Spend less time searching for safe cleaning hacks! These five non-toxic cleaning recipes every mom needs to know will get your home sparkling clean using your favorite Truly Free Home Products!

RECIPE #1

Non-Toxic Carpet Cleaner & Odor Eliminator

cleaning recipe1

  • 1-2 Caps of Premixed TrulyFree Laundry wash (Scented or Unscented)
  • Diluted Vinegar (Optional)
  • Hot Water
  • Carpet Machine Cleaner or Bucket
  • Dirty Carpet or Upholstery

NOTE: For extra soiled carpets and upholstery you can also add 1 scoop of Oxyboost. Test in an inconspicuous area first, if using Oxyboost on dark carpets/upholstery.

**If using unscented laundry wash, you can also add 5-10 drops of Bara essential oils or the oil of your choice, if you’d like to control the scent.

FOR CARPET CLEANER MACHINES:

  • Depending on the type of carpet cleaner, you will want to add 1-2 caps of Laundry Wash and optional Oxyboost and Essential Oils to the reservoir and fill up the rest with water. If you have a self mixing cleaner, add the Wash, Oxyboost, and essential oils in the solution reservoir.
  • Clean soiled area
  • Go back over the area with a diluted vinegar rinse (Optional) or a water rinse, to remove any residual soap.

TO CLEAN CARPET BY HAND:

  • Mix the hot water, Laundry Wash, Oxyboost,(Optional) and Bara Essential Oils (Optional) in the bucket and then blot and clean the stained areas.
  • Clean soiled area
  • Go back over the area with a diluted vinegar rinse (Optional), or a water rinse to remove any residual soap.

 

RECIPE #2

Non-Toxic Carpet Cleaner & Odor Eliminator

Recipe 2

  • 1 Cup of Premixed Truly Free Odor and Stain Eliminator
  • Diluted Vinegar (Optional)
  • Hot Water
  • Carpet Machine Cleaner or Bucket
  • Dirty Carpet or Upholstery

NOTE: For extra soiled carpets and upholstery you can also add 1 scoop of Oxyboost. Test in an inconspicuous area first, if using Oxyboost on dark carpets/upholstery.

If using unscented laundry wash, you can also add 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oils, if you’d like to control the scent.

FOR CARPET CLEANER MACHINES:

  • Depending on the type of carpet cleaner, you will want to add more or less of Odor and Stain Eliminator to the reservoir and fill up the rest with water, along with the Oxyboost and Essential Oils.  If you have a self mixing cleaner, add everything to the solution reservoir.
  • Clean soiled area
  • Go back over the area with a diluted vinegar rinse (Optional) or a water rinse, to remove any residual soap.

TO CLEAN CARPET BY HAND:

  • Mix the hot water, Laundry Wash, Oxyboost, and Essential Oils in the bucket and then blot and clean the stained areas.
  • Clean soiled area
  • Go back over the area with a diluted vinegar rinse (Optional), or a water rinse to remove any residual soap. 

 

Recipe #3 

Non-Toxic Grout Cleaner

Grout cleaner recipe

Yes, Dirty Grout can be dangerous– even DEADLY!

Dirty Grout and Tile = Dirty Air 

The stuff growing on your grout and tile is being released into the air that you breathe.  So every time you step into the tub/shower and get into that nice, warm, moist air, you are breathing in the mold spores  living in your grout.

Bacteria and mold love a warm and moist environment too!  It helps them grow and releases them into the air.  That can create a very dangerous and unhealthy environment for you and your family!

Dangerous Bacteria Growing On Your Grout

grout

These are some of the bacteria that may be on your grout and tile ANYWHERE in your home:

Streptococcus (Strep)- Strep is the cause behind Scarlet Fever, TSS, Impetigo, Cellulitis, Strep throat,and the Flesh Eating bacteria (Group A Strep). It’s highly contagious and can be deadly!

Staphylococcus (Staph) -Causes  MRSA, Blisters/Boils. Impetigo, and Cellulitis. It is highly contagious and can also be deadly.

Salmonella– Surprisingly, this is one of the most common bacteria found in bathrooms, not just your countertops.

E. coli– causes severe, bloody diarrhea, stomach pain, vomiting, fever, and can be deadly; especially in children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. 

Campylobacter– can cause severe and bloody diarrhea. 

Mold/MildewThey really love warm and humid environments and can cause respiratory problems that can be mild to severe. They are especially problematic for those with asthma.

Note: Remember, whenever you flush your toilet, these bacteria are aerosolized into little tiny water droplets that are going up to 6 feet into the air!  This means there can be all kinds of bacteria landing all over your bathroom! 

How to Clean and Sanitize Grout

The most important ingredient you need to naturally sanitize that grout and make it look good as new is Truly Free Non-Toxic OxyBoost Chlorine-Free Bleach Alternative.

As soon as water hits OxyBoost, it starts fizzing! Those millions of tiny bubbles forming causes nasty bacteria/mold/fungus to dissolve so you can scrub them away!  

OxyBoost is the strong, biodegradable way to remove mold and bacteria! You get a clean bathroom effortlessly and without toxic chemicals – we call that a win-win! 

Non-Toxic Grout Cleaner Recipe

INGREDIENTS: 

  • Hot Water 
  • TrulyFree Laundry Wash, premixed from the jug (Optional)
  • 3 Scoops OxyBoost
  • Scrub Brush

Note:  Using the Laundry Wash is optional, but does add extra cleaning power for those extra stubborn stains.

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Mix enough TrulyFree™ Laundry Wash OR Hot Water with Oxyboost to make a paste
  • Spread the paste onto the grout.
  • Scrub away stains with scrub brush
  • Use a Non-Scratch scrub brush or TrulyFree Eco Sponge to scrub any stubborn stains
  • Rinse off and enjoy grout that looks like new!

 

Recipe #4

How To Strip Laundry Of Toxic Chemical Buildup

laundry stripping

 

Laundry Residue Comes From:

  • Hard water
  • Using too much detergent or fabric softener
  • Body odor, especially from Dry Fit or other Tech Wear
  • Daily dirt and grime build up
  • Pet stains & dander
  • Toxic chemicals from synthetic detergents and fabric softeners

Why Do You Need To Strip Out Toxic Chemicals From Your Laundry? 

Conventional laundry detergents and softeners do not rinse clean and leave behind dangerous toxic chemicals that stay in the fabric and are up against your skin all day everyday, every time you get dressed.

Then they are up against your skin all night while you sleep on your sheets.  They are even there every time you reach for your towel when you get out of the shower.

What Are the Dangers of Toxic Softeners/Detergents? 

ingredients

Ever notice that when you use conventional fabric softener that after a while, your towels feel “slimy” when you go to dry yourself off?  Or that they seem to just push the water around on your body and not really dry anything?

Conventional fabric softeners contain petroleum-based ingredients/oils.

Those ingredients coat the fabrics of the towels and actually REDUCE the absorbency of the towel.

They also break down the fibers over time which means you have to replace your towels sooner.

Many fabric softeners contain Quaternary Ammonium, a toxic chemical used to kill germs and mold.

Fabric Softener With This Ingredient Causes:

  • skin rashes
  • blindness
  • asthma, & more.

Fabric Softeners can also contain toxic fragrances and  phthalates, which are endocrine disruptors, and other chemicals like galaxolide, a scent carrier, that is toxic to aquatic life!

Many detergents use oxalic acid as a rust/stain remover.

Detergents With This Ingredient Cause:

  • blistering
  • vision loss
  • chest pain
  • throat swelling & more!

Those are just a few of the toxic chemicals that can be left on your clothes from detergents and fabric softeners. 

How Do You Break the Cycle of Toxic Chemicals on Your Laundry/Linens? 

You guessed it… Laundry Stripping!

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO STRIP LAUNDRY:

  • 1 Capful TrulyFree Laundry Wash
  • 3 Scoops TrulyFree Enzyme Stain Remover Powder
  • ½ Cup Distilled Vinegar
  • 3 Tablespoons Borax Powder
  • 3 Tablespoons Washing Soda
  • HOT water
  • Clean or Dirty Laundry

LAUNDRY STRIPPING INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Fill sink/tub with HOT water
  • Add Laundry Wash, Enzyme Stain Remover Powder, Vinegar, Borax &  Washing Soda and swish water to mix.
  • Place clothes/linens into the solution to soak
  • Allow to soak at least 4 hours or even overnight
  • Remove clothes/linens and place in your washing machine for a regular wash cycle, using your TrulyFree Laundry Wash.
  • Dry in the dryer or hang dry.
  • Enjoy Toxin Free, Stain Free, Odor Free, and Softer Laundry!

 

DIY toilet cleaner recipe

DEODORIZING TOILET BOMBS:

We all know what goes into the toilet bowl, and let’s face it, it’s all gross!  No one likes to think about it and no one wants to clean it, but it has to be done. Not only because a clean bathroom looks & smells better, but because of the life-threatening bacteria that grow in there! 

Dangers Lurking In Your Toilet:

  • Black Mold*
  • Shigella
  • E.coli
  • Salmonella
  • Campylobacter
  • MRSA
  • Group A Strep (including flesh eating bacteria)
  • Coronavirus

*Did you know that Black Mold begins to form in your toilet bowl just a few days after cleaning?! Talk about GROSS!  

Even WORSE, with each flush of your  toilet, millions of tiny droplets filled with those bacteria and viruses are propelled into the air up to 6 FEET away!  

That means flushing with the toilet lid up puts extra germs onto your toothbrush, sink, mirrors, shower, and floor! 

Using plant-based, Non-Toxic cleaners to clean the toilet can be just as effective at deep cleaning and disinfecting WITHOUT harmful side effects!

What You Need To Effectively Clean Your Toilet:

  • Non-Toxic Oxygenated cleaner
  • Gentle effective stain remover
  • Essential oils

Truly Free™ Oxyboost in our recipe, is a Non-Toxic Bleach alternative that uses the power of oxygenation to lift stains, clean and disinfect naturally and safely.

Essential oils also have natural antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties too. Oils such as Thyme, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Peppermint, and Clove are all great for cleaning because of their natural properties. By adding them in the recipe, you get an extra boost of cleaning help!

Baking Soda is a mild alkali. This makes it great at removing dirt and grease to dissolve easily in water.  It is a very effective, natural, non-toxic, effective cleaner.

With the use of just 3 simple, safe, Non-Toxic ingredients, you can clean and deodorize your toilet quickly and without endangering you or your family’s health!

INGREDIENTS AND MATERIALS NEEDED TO MAKE DEODORIZING TOILET BOMBS:

  • Mixing Bowl
  • 1 Cup Oxyboost
  • 1 Cup Baking Soda
  •  Baking Spatula or Whisk
  • 50 Drops Bara Essential Oil
  •  Spray Bottle with Water
  •  Silicone Mold

NOTE: If you don’t want to use molds, you can make ‘snowballs’ with your hands – just make sure to pack ’em tightly!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING DEODORIZING TOILET BOMBS:

  • Mix Oxyboost and Baking Soda in the mixing bowl.  Mix thoroughly with spatula/whisk.
  • Add Essential Oils (scent of your choice), a few drops at a time, while mixing.
  • Spritz with water, mixing thoroughly after each spray, until the mixture will form a ball. 
  • CAUTION: Moisten only until mixture just holds together. Over moistening will activate the ingredients.
  • Firmly pack mixture into molds and allow to dry overnight in the molds.
  • Carefully remove the bombs from the mold and store in an airtight container. 
  • Drop the bomb (or use 1-2 TBSP of mixture) into the toilet and wait 10-15 minutes, or until dissolved.
  • Scrub with toilet brush and flush. ENJOY a clean, deodorized toilet bowl!

 

Spray toilet cleaning

If you are ready to clean the outside of the toilet now, and the rest of the bathroom, you can use the TrulyFree™ Bathroom cleaner for all of the surfaces in your bathroom.  Best of all it’s Non-Toxic, and safe for your whole family!

TrulyFree™ Bathroom Cleaner works on:

  • Shower Curtains
  • Tub/Shower (Tile or Molded Fiberglass/Plastic)
  • Faucets/Fixtures
  • Toilet (inside and out)
  • Tile/Vinyl Floors
  • Countertops
  • Sinks

Note: Due to the natural citric acid in it, we do not recommend using on marble, travertine or limestone. For those surfaces, use TrulyFree™ Everyday Cleaner. It is a milder cleaner that does not have citric acid.

 

Recipe #5 

All-Natural Drain Cleaner

 

Are your sinks or tub/shower draining really slowly? Whether it’s the smell or the clumps of hair sticking out, it’s time to clean all of that gunk out of the drains!

Before you reach for that bottle of eye-burning gelatinous goo that goes down the drain, STOP!

You don’t need to poison yourself and your family to clean. We’ll show you how to remove clogged drains without chemicals.

What Dangerous Chemicals Are In Drain Cleaners?

Many drain cleaners contain very toxic chemicals that can be harmful to your health, and even deadly! They may get your drain clean, but at what cost?  

Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach)- Bleach is one of the most toxic chemicals used in homes.  It may whiten and clean, but using it with other chemicals creates Mustard Gas! Chemical warfare in your house is not what you want!

Sodium Hydroxide (Lye) – while using small amounts of lye to make soap is safe, in the concentrations in drain cleaners, it is very toxic because it is being inhaled.

Hydrochloric Acid– is a strong corrosive acid used in the steel industry to prevent rust. It’s also found in pool chemicals and household cleaners.  

Trichlorobenzene– a man made solvent used to clean.  It goes into rivers and drinking water, and the half life (how long it takes for 50% of it to be gone) is 1 month in the air!

Trichloroethane (methyl chloroform)- is a chemical used for degreasing. It has been known to cause reproductive and developmental problems.  It crosses the placenta and is even excreted in breastmilk!

Sulfuric Acid– used in fertilizer manufacturing, battery acid,explosives, and drain cleaners. It breaks up corrosion. That may be great for your car battery, but you don’t want to inhale it or touch it!

Sodium Nitrate– used as an agent in fertilizers and explosives. It provides a water soluble form of nitrogen and is used for treating and finishing metals. 

 

Follow this recipe to clean your drains!

INGREDIENTS TO CLEAN YOUR DRAINS:

  • 3 scoops Oxyboost
  • 1 scoop TrulyFree Enzyme Stain Remover Powder
  • 2 Tablespoons Baking Soda
  • 1-2 Cups Vinegar

INSTRUCTIONS TO CLEAN YOUR DRAINS:

  • Add Dry ingredients IN ORDER to the drain
  • Add vinegar
  • Let bubble/fizz for 5-10 minutes
  • Rinse drain with HOT water for at least 1 minute

Note: This can also be done as a preventative, to keep drains clear and clean, to prevent clogs.

The OxyBoost is an oxygenated cleaning powerhouse that is activated as soon as the vinegar hits it. It has natural disinfecting properties and the oxygenated action lifts the gunk off.

The TrulyFree™ Enzyme Stain Remover Powder uses natural enzymes to digest the gunk and any odors.  Like the OxyBoost it is activated as soon as liquid hits it.

Baking soda is a great natural cleaner and stain remover. Because it is alkali (neutralizes acidic ingredients) it dissolves dirt and grease easily.

Vinegar really gets the action going!  That’s why you add it last.  It activates all of the ingredients and releases the Oxygenating power of the OxyBoost, along with the enzyme action of the Enzyme Stain Remover Powder.  It also activates the cleaning power of the baking soda.  That’s why you’ll hear that ever satisfying “fizzzzzz” when the vinegar is added. The vinegar activates and assists the other ingredients with cleaning and clearing out that drain.

How To Prevent Drain Buildup

Things To NEVER Put Down the Drain Or Disposal:

  • Coffee Grounds– they aren’t totally water soluble. This means they mix with grease, oil, and other gunk already in the pipes,which can cause a clog
  • Butter/Margarine– they may melt, but then they form back into a solid. And they are greasy!  This means they actually form a water resistant barrier in the pipes. 
  • Cooking Oil/Grease/Fats– These are one of the top causes of clogs.  Oils mix with other debris and gunk and clog up the drain.
  • Eggshells– Another BIG cause of drain clogs.  They are terrible for the blades of your disposal.  The membrane of the egg can wrap around the blades and cause blockages.  When the disposal grinds them, they are in tiny, tiny bits that don’t always wash away and then they get compacted in there and form a blockage.
  • Pasta/Rice– Remember how small they were before you added water? Then they expanded.  Well, that’s what happens in your drain too! They can keep expanding and clog your drain. The flour in them can gum things up too.
  • Medication– this one won’t clog your drains, but the medication will go into the water, presenting an environmental hazard
  • Flour– When you run the water down the drain flour can form like cement in your pipes

While it may seem harmless to put some of these items down the drain every now and then, remember that they will build up over time. It may not cause a problem right away, but over time, as you do it “every now and then”, it will cause gunk and a clog eventually.

How Often Should You Clean Your Drains?

Because these things do build up over time, and it’s almost impossible to keep some of them from going down the drain is a very small amount, that is why it’s important to use the Drain Cleaning Recipe periodically to help keep your drains clean and clear.

You’ve heard the old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.  Well, it’s definitely true in this case!  Regular degunking can save you a lot of time and money for a plumber.

We recommend you degunk your drains once per month, to maintain clean, clear, and stink free drains.

That’s it! 

You cleaned and cleared those drains with Non-Toxic, planet friendly products!  It was quick and easy, and you didn’t have to open windows and worry about making yourself or your family sick.

What is the next project on your “To Do List?”

Whatever job you need to tackle, we are there to give you the tools you need to clean your home quickly, easily, and safely with Non-Toxic, waste reducing products. 

Whole home product line up

All of TrulyFree’s  cleaning products are non-toxic and considerate of the environment.  The first time you purchase a product that requires a jug/bottle/cover, you will receive the container for free. After that you will only receive refills.

Got laundry? Got things to clean? If you have stains, we have answers!  Check out the rest of our blog for more tips and tricks!