How Can I Clean My Home without Toxic Chemicals?

When I became pregnant with my first baby I found out that pregnant women 'should avoid exposure to cleaning chemicals'- I'm paraphrasing the workbook my prenatal doctor gave me. Yes, I read it along the progression of my pregnancy.
When I read about avoiding chemical fumes, I started to worry about what was floating in the air where I worked (gasoline, degreaser, second hand smoke, etc.) Fortunately I was able to get a new job working from home. My second thought was, great now how do I clean my bathroom? I searched online and found my first Natural Mama blog. I scrubbed hard at my bathroom with baking soda and vinegar after that, but knew I had to figure out something else if only to save my poor husband from his gag-reflex. 

I discovered liquid castile soap on another blog I love and now I make and use these cleaners:

(Update April 2017: I now use soap nuts instead of making laundry soap, I use ecloths instead of mirror/window cleaner, and I use tooth powder- but I look forward to making my own: https://www.mommypotamus.com/tooth-powder-recipe/)

http://livesimply.me/2014/09/28/diy-homemade-bathroom-cleaner/

http://livesimply.me/2015/04/27/diy-toilet-bowl-cleaner/

http://livesimply.me/2015/02/08/diy-homemade-scrub-cleaner-like-soft-scrub/

http://livesimply.me/2015/11/09/how-to-make-homemade-glass-and-mirror-cleaner/

http://livesimply.me/2016/04/30/homemade-floor-cleaner-multi-surface/

http://livesimply.me/2016/02/20/homemade-disinfectant-spray/

http://livesimply.me/2015/01/25/diy-natural-produce-wash/

http://livesimply.me/2014/02/11/homemade-liquid-laundry-soap-all-natural-detergent/

(I now use soap nuts.)

http://livesimply.me/2015/08/13/homemade-oxi-clean-like-laundry-booster/

http://livesimply.me/2015/10/21/homemade-laundry-softener-and-scent-booster/

(I now use 1/4 cup homemade super washing soda.)

http://livesimply.me/2015/07/19/homemade-bleach-alternative-3-ingredient-whitening-solution/

http://livesimply.me/2015/07/11/diy-homemade-stain-remover-clothes-stains/

http://livesimply.me/2014/09/17/diy-hand-sanitizer/

http://www.weedemandreap.com/diy-toothpaste-recipe/

http://livesimply.me/2015/10/01/easy-homemade-mouthwash/

And I use 4 Tbsp Liquid Castile Soap per cup of water in a foaming hand soap dispenser for hand soap.

It seems like a lot when I list them all together, but I don't make them all at once, they last several months in most cases and they only take ten minutes or less to make. 

I love it! They smell so good it's uplifting to use my homemade cleaners and to make them. I feel an indescribable sense of clarity and empowerment the more household products I make. From here I expanded to personal products, using essential oils, and natural health and wellness. 

Many people wonder why I go to all this "trouble", but I truly love being the authority in my own life. I don't believe in giving away responsibility for my own life, home and family. It's so comforting to not have to rely on some ambiguous company to make my favorite cleaners, cookies, or toner. I hate when they change formulas or recipes and quality degrades and I have to try a bunch new products to find a new one to love. Not to mention the questionable ingredients they use. If great-grandma could do it, then so can I. Why should I trust my home family and health to a faceless corporation? They don't know me!