Let me tell you, it wasn’t all lemons and sunshine.

I went all in. I swapped everything. I spent the money.

I had big dreams of a healthier home, chemical-free air, and sparkly clean everything—all while feeling like an eco-friendly goddess.

What actually happened?

👉 Everything was dirty.
👉 It stayed dirty.
👉 I spent a ton of money, wasted so much time, and honestly? I was not okay.

The thing about natural cleaning products is… they’re NOT like commercial ones. I don’t care what anyone says. They work differently, and if you don’t know that before you switch, you’re in for a rude awakening.

So let’s talk about it. The reality. The learning curve. The unexpected failures and ultimate wins. Because yes, it’s worth it—but wow, the journey is real.

The Hard Truth: Natural Cleaning Isn’t Just a Product Swap—It’s a Whole New Way of Cleaning

💡 Commercial products? Spray, wipe, go.
💡 Natural products? Spray, wait, scrub, pray, repeat.

I wish I were joking. I really do.

If you’ve ever switched to natural cleaning products expecting them to work just like your old stuff—let me save you the heartbreak.

Expectation vs. Reality: What Really Happens When You Switch
🛑 Expectation: “This natural all-purpose spray will work just like my old one.”
✅ Reality: “Why is the grease stain still… there? Why am I spraying three times and scrubbing like I’m in a CrossFit competition?”

🛑 Expectation: “Natural laundry detergent will get my clothes fresh and clean.”
✅ Reality: “My clothes smell clean, but why do they look like they’ve been washed in dishwater?”

🛑 Expectation: “A natural dishwasher detergent will work exactly like my old pods.”
✅ Reality: “I just opened the dishwasher to find crusty dishes and my detergent still half-intact in the dispenser.”

🛑 Expectation: “Switching to natural deodorant will be an easy, breezy process.”
✅ Reality: “WHY DO I SMELL LIKE A TEENAGE BOY? WHAT IS HAPPENING?”

(Listen, if no one warned you about the deodorant detox period… well, surprise!)

Learning to Work WITH Natural Cleaners Instead of Fighting Against Them
After months of trial and error, I realized that natural products aren’t worse—they just work differently. You have to clean differently.

🧼 General Cleaning? Let stuff sit longer, then wipe.
🧺 Laundry? Pre-treat stains, use enzyme boosters.
🍽️ Dishes? Skip the “gentle” setting—your dishwasher needs the heat to actually clean.

Basically, it’s not the products—it’s the process.

Here’s what I’ve learned about making natural cleaning products actually work.

Cleaning Hacks for Natural Products That Save You Time & Effort
🔹 All-Purpose Spray: Let it sit for a few minutes before wiping. If you’re tackling grease? Microfiber cloths > paper towels.

🔹 Laundry Detergent: Stains need pre-treatment—enzymes, stain removers, and actual soaking before washing.

🔹 Dishwasher Detergent: If your dishes are still coming out gross, check your water temp. Natural pods NEED high heat.

🔹 Deodorant: If you’re switching to a natural one, detox your pits first. (Yes, that’s a thing. Activated charcoal masks or apple cider vinegar rinses help. You’re welcome.)

Why Switch Anyway? The Actual Benefits That Keep You Going
So, with all this effort, why not just go back to the easy, chemical-filled stuff?

Because the benefits are real.

✨ No more artificial fragrances giving you headaches.
✨ No harsh chemicals absorbing into your skin or floating in your air.
✨ Your home will actually smell clean—not just “Febreze-covered.”
✨ You’re not coating your clothes in fabric softener sludge. (Seriously. That stuff is WILD.)
✨ Once you figure it out, it actually feels really good to know what’s in your products.

What’s Actually Worth Switching? The Nontoxic Swap List
💡 Because not everything is worth the effort, and people need to know that upfront.

🔹 Easiest Swaps to Make (Barely Notice a Difference):
✔️ Dish soap
✔️ Fruit & veggie wash
✔️ Hand soap
✔️ All-purpose cleaner
✔️ Toothpaste

🔹 Harder Swaps But Worth It Once You Learn How to Use Them:
✔️ Laundry detergent (must pre-treat stains & adjust expectations)
✔️ Dishwasher detergent (needs the hottest setting)
✔️ Deodorant (detox period is real)
✔️ Sponges & dish scrubbers (you’ll go through more, but they’re compostable)

🔹 Swaps That Require the Most Patience (But You Might Still Want to Do Them):
✔️ Shampoo & conditioner (hair detox is a journey)
✔️ Natural stain removers (time and soaking are your new best friends)
✔️ DIY cleaning solutions (if you like science experiments)

Would I Do It Again? 100% Yes. Here’s Why.
Listen, I’m having fun with this post because if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry scrubbing your stovetop for the third time in one day. But switching to natural cleaning products is better for you. Period.

💡 For us, this wasn’t just about “going green.” It was about health. Real health.

Our family had to make the switch out of necessity. The kids were tested for toxins, and their levels of commercial toxicants were insanely high. Many were directly traceable to daily products we used—cleaners, detergents, personal care items.

Whether their bodies were actually retaining those chemicals or just being consistently exposed, I don’t know. But either way? Their levels were too high, and we had to change. Fast.

And the upside?

✅ Their levels dropped. Considerably.
✅ They’ve stayed down.
✅ And yeah, we are genuinely healthier now.

So while natural cleaning was a steep learning curve, it was worth every frustrating moment.

Would I go back to chemical-filled products just because they’re easier? Nope. Not a chance.

Natural cleaning products won’t work exactly like commercial ones—but once you learn how to use them, you’ll never go back.

Thinking about switching? Start small. Pick a few swaps. Adjust your expectations. And for the love of all things clean, don’t throw away your scrub brush just yet.