The Real Dirt on Clean: Why Natural Cleaning Products Are Best

The Truth About Cleaning Products: Why Your Choices Matter More Than You Think

Why natural cleaning?

Picture this: you’re in the cleaning aisle at the supermarket, and a sea of cleaning products are staring back at you. Some are bright and bold, others sleek and minimal. Some claim to be “eco-friendly,” others “98% natural,”. You pick up a bottle, flip it over, and… the ingredient list is nowhere to be found. Or maybe it’s there but either super vague or filled with words you’d need a chemistry degree to understand.

Sound familiar?

Or maybe you’ve seen the ads: a futuristic spray bottle that uses dissolvable cleaning tablets that promise to “save the planet.” It’s packaged beautifully, the marketing is clever, and you think, Finally! Something that’s better for my family and the environment. But here’s the catch—what’s inside those clever tablets? Have the ingredients been revamped like the packaging, or is it still the same chemical waffle you are best off avoiding?

The truth is, what’s inside the bottle matters more than how it’s packaged or marketed. Most cleaning products (shamefully!) contain harmful or unethical ingredients that do more than clean—they’re unpleasant to use, can have negative consequences for your health, pollute our homes, and be damaging to Mother nature. That’s a lot right, when all you want is a clean and fresh home.

The good news? There’s a better way.

You don’t have to settle for confusion in the supermarket isle or clever greenwashing that over promises and underdelivers. Switching to natural cleaning products isn’t just easy, it’s about getting back to basics and using a handful of cleaning allies that you already know and trust—it’s one of the best decisions you can make for your home, your family, and the environment. Let’s break it all down.

The Not-So-Sparkling Truth About Conventional Cleaning Products

We’re taught to trust products on store shelves. If I can buy it, it must be safe, right? Unfortunately and shockingly, with current consumer protection laws, this isn’t the case. Many conventional cleaners are packed with ingredients that don’t just clean—they harm and they are on shop shelves for sale. And we’re not just talking about harming the environment here (though that’s bad enough)—we’re talking about your health, your kids, and even your pets. If there is ever a place to be a conscious consumer, it’s in the cleaning isle.

Health Hazards Hiding in Plain Sight

Chemical sanitizers (chlorine, ammonia, QUATs):

Found in all-purpose sprays, bathroom cleaners, and disinfectants, these irritate your eyes and skin, disrupt your microbiome and immune system, and contribute to chronic respiratory illnesses. If you’ve ever felt a tightness in your chest after scrubbing with bleach, this is why.

Spray cleaners:

Studies show the chemicals we spray linger in the air we breathe. Because of this, they’re linked to increasing asthma in kids and changes in our lungs. Be wary of extra fine mist aerosol-based sprays can create very fine particles that hang in the air longer and are inhaled deeper into the lungs.

Synthetic fragrances:

Labelled simply as “fragrance” or “parfum,” these are in just about everything: surface sprays, laundry detergents, cleaning wipes, and even dishwasher powder. The single word fragrance can be a coverall for tens or even 100’s of individual chemicals – because of proprietary laws protecting manufacturers, they do not need disclose the full list. Fragrances contain phthalates which make the smell linger longer, but they also disrupt hormones like oestrogen. We live in a very much over fragranced world and emerging studies are showing us this is not safe for babies, children or adults.

Unnecessary Extras That Do More Harm Than Good

Harsh Surfactants:

Found in dishwashing liquid, laundry detergents, and floor cleaners, surfactants create a slip so dirt and grime slides away. Their trade mark big bubbles make you think there’s more cleaning happening, but bubbles don’t clean. Once they flow down your drain, they stay active in waterways, harming aquatic life like fish. On skin, they strip natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation.

Phosphates:

Common in laundry detergents and dishwasher tablets to enhance cleaning. Phosphates are detrimental to our environment, they promote algal blooms, which deplete oxygen in waterways as the algae grows out of control – literally suffocating fish can causing massive harm.

Dyes:

Added to toilet cleaners, dishwashing liquids, and sprays cleaners and more, dyes do nothing to clean—they’re purely aesthetic. Worse, they can trigger allergies and pollute the environment. Ditching brightly coloured cleaners is an easy win for you and the environment.

: Dishwashing liquids, degreasers, oven cleaners, cleaning wipes and countertop sprays often contain surfactants, chemical sanitisers, synthetic fragrances, corrosive ingredients and dyes. Cutting through daily mess and grime should not be at the expense of your health & as the place you are prepping your food the last thing you want are harmful residues.
: Toilet bowl cleaners, shower sprays, and scrub cleaners are hotspots for chlorine, ammonia, silica and chemical sanitisers. Because bathrooms are small in size, the lack of ventilation means you are inhaling many times more chemical particles as you clean here—this is made worse by the fact that regular bathroom cleaners are formulated ‘heavy cleaning’ and ‘scrub free’—this really equals a higher does of toxic load for you.
: Detergents, fabric softeners, and stain removers often include surfactants, phosphates, synthetic fragrances, dyes, chemical sanitisers and optical brighteners. Getting clothes clean does not need an arsenal of chemicals that have lingering negative affects for you and the environment.
: Mopping solutions and floor sprays can be loaded with solvents, synthetic fragrances, dyes, and surfactants. As the biggest surface area of your home, your floor cleaner can really affect the air quality in your home.
: Smells pass through a gateway that signal emotional messages to our brain— we smell then we think…. “this is clean” or “I’m feeling relaxed now”. That is why synthetic fragrance is everywhere—it’s a huge part of marketing for big companies. But the fact is, synthetic fragrances are the harmful chemical compounds that float into every corner of our homes. When combined with aerosols you are also adding butane to your home. The candle industry is like a run away horse, “butterscotch whisky” or the like is made of complex synthetic fragrances that are harming you as it creates ambiance that lingers in the air. Even unlit candles off gas volatile compounds into your home—there is no safe synthetic fragrance.

Why Natural Cleaning? The Wisdom of Mother Nature

This isn’t just Figgy & Co. saying pared-back, natural cleaners are the way forward. This is old knowledge we are rediscovering. Our cleaning hero, that we hand-batch with love in our Paraparaumu workshop, is traditional Castile soap—soap is old news. Castile soap has been trusted for centuries, with a safety record that shines brighter than your freshly cleaned windows. It’s time to lean into our wise woman wisdom— by choosing cleaning allies like castile soap or vinegar or baking soda—one’s that you can pronounce, & you know are proven safe, effective, and are wonderfully versatile to simplify life. Castile soap is the original good cleaner, it’s Wise woman approved, and it’s doing even more good now in our toxic modern world.

When you choose natural cleaners, you’re not just avoiding harm—you’re gaining peace of mind. Finally, no uncertainty from confusing labels or worrying if your mop water is secretly toxic as you pour it down the drain. Here’s what you can expect:

: Their skin and lungs and microbiome are still developing, making them extra sensitive to harsh chemicals. Natural cleaners protect their delicate systems and ensure disruptions don’t lead to allergies and illnesses.
: Synthetic fragrances and other toxins in conventional products are linked to hormone disruption, which is especially concerning for those during pregnancy, on a fertility journey or navigating puberty or menopause.
: If you or someone in your family struggles with asthma, eczema, or allergies, switching to natural cleaners can ease symptoms and reduce flare-ups. This is why less really is more!
: Some cleaners contain chemical compounds linked to cancer – repeated exposure builds up in your body, damaging sensitive body systems and causing DNA damage linked to cancer.
: They lick their fur and paws that have been on floors and surfaces, making them vulnerable to ingesting residues. Natural cleaners keep our fur babies safe, too.

Better for the Planet, Naturally

Natural cleaners are simple chemicals often found in their natural state in nature—think vinegar, borax or washing soda. Their simple chemical structure means bacteria can biodegrade them quickly and safely, unlike their complex chemical-laden counterparts. When complex man-made chemicals can’t be broken down by microbes quickly they accumulate, pollute waterways and harm wildlife. You’re not just cleaning your home—you’re helping to clean up for Mother nature.

Confidence in Your Choices

Picture this: you’re standing in the cleaning aisle, staring at rows of colourful bottles with bold claims like “plant-based” or “green.” You flip one over, and it’s made in overseas with vague, sketchy ingredients. Sound familiar?With Figgy & Co., you don’t have to guess. We use only a handful of simple, safe ingredients with full transparency—no surprises, just trust. We use clever combinations of safe you already know ingredients—like pairing castile soap and baking soda to make effective cleaners that are enjoyable to use and safe for all.

: (a.k.a. “fragrance” or “parfum”)—found in nearly all cleaning products and linked to hormone disruption.
: harsh surfactants in dishwashing liquids and laundry detergents that irritate skin and harm aquatic life.
: hidden in fragrances and plastics, they’re hormone disruptors.
: May contain carcinogenic by products like 1,4-dioxane
: Effective but can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions
: common in bathroom and kitchen cleaners, both are respiratory irritants and harmful to aquatic life.
: used in laundry products, they don’t clean but make clothes appear whiter while irritating skin and harm UV-dependent animals.
: These negatively affect our microbiome and that of our home—with links to immune system dysregulation causing asthma, allergies and eczema.
: added to toilet cleaners, glass sprays, and laundry products purely for looks; harmful to people and the planet

Making the Switch to Natural Cleaning: It’s Easier Than You Think

We know change can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling a million other things. You might find yourself thinking “Why natural cleaning?”, isn’t this just one more thing I’m getting told I ‘have to’ do? But here’s the thing you’re about to get a huge pay off and the best bit—small steps lead to big results. Start with a top down approach, start with what you use most. Because bit by bit, what you do every day matters more than what you do once in a while.

Low-Hanging Fruit for a Healthier Home

Your Air:

Indoor air quality is critical since we spend 80% of our time indoors. What you breathe in is absorbed into your lungs and then into your bloodstream. Ditch chemical sprays and let your lungs (and body) thank you.

Your Clothes:

Laundry detergents leave residue on clothes, sheets and towels—these contact our skin 24/7 so any residue sits on your skin all day. Switching to a natural detergent can make a huge difference for the health of your skin.

Your Sleep:

We spend a third of our lives in bed—make it a toxin-free zone by switching to natural cleaners for your bedding & keeping fragrances out of your room.

How to Start your Switch to Natural Cleaners

Audit Your Current Cleaners:

Check the labels on your most-used products. If they’re full of unpronounceable or dodgy chemicals, it’s time to move on.

Replace One Product at a Time:

Start small, this doesn’t need to stress you out. Swap out your surface spray cleaner, hand wash or laundry wash first.

Invest in Multi-Purpose for Simplicity:

Figgy’s castile soap is a one-product wonder. It works on counters, floors, dishes, and more, simplifying your routine and cutting clutter. Check out our Cleaning with Castile Soap guide here.

Create a Healthy Cleaning Kit:

Stock up on essentials like white vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils. These, paired with castile soap, cover almost every cleaning job. Looking for cleaning inspo—the Figgy & Co. blog is chocka full a how to guides with cleaning tips and time saving advice.

Your Home, Your Sanctuary, Your Wellness

At the end of the day, cleaning isn’t just about wiping away dirt—it’s about creating a space where you and your loved ones can thrive. Choosing natural cleaning products means leaning into common sense and saying yes to simplicity, safety, and a better future.

Your home doesn’t need to be sterile like a surgeons table to be clean and healthy—your home is a living environment that you are part of, it needs to be balanced for wellness. With Figgy & Co., you can clean with confidence, knowing your products are safe, effective, and aligned with what truly matters—the long term wellness of ourselves, our family and Mother nature.

Your Sleep: We spend a third of our lives in bed—make it a toxin-free zone by switching to natural cleaners for your bedding & keeping fragrances out of your room.

Yes natural cleaning! Ready to Make the Switch?

Start with one small change. Pick the cleaner you use the most, swap it for a natural alternative, and see how it feels. It’s a little change that makes a big difference—for your health, your family, and the planet.

Explore Figgy & Co.’s range of trusted, natural cleaners today—with DIY supplies & cleaners that are Made-for-you in our Paraparaumu workshop – no matter how you like to clean, we will support you in your natural cleaning journey!

Get Natural Cleaning Tips From Our Blog!

We want you to have everything you need to clean your home healthier while avoiding unwanted chemicals – and looking out for the planet too! Take a browse through our blog and learn more about natural cleaning, safe ingredients and so much more!