Long before natural cleaning products became a thing, most people cleaned with whatever the big chemical companies offered. It didn’t occur to the general public that the chemicals in household cleaners might not be all that great for them — or the environment.
These days, decades of research have produced a large body of evidence showing the harmful effects of a long list of cleaning chemicals. We’re exposed to them both through our skin and the air when we do the dishes or scrub the tub. And the environment is worse off, with many chemicals (not to mention most products’ plastic packaging) finding their way into our oceans and waterways.
Since the natural product revolution kicked off in the 1970s, the variety of natural household cleaner products have come a long way. They’re safer and more effective than ever, thanks to new and emerging technologies. Read on to learn more about natural cleaning products, their ingredients, and if they really work.