Non-Toxic Floor Cleaners Including DIY Recipes That Are Child and Pet Safe

Why Switch to Non-Toxic Floor Cleaner?

Non-toxic floor cleaners are often a better choice for your health, your floors, and even the planet. Let’s break it down:

Safer Ingredients

Glance over the back of your average floor cleaner and you’ll see bleach, ammonia, and various VOCs listed. Many of these chemicals are inadvisable to use around those with sensitive lungs, which tends to be kids and pets. That’s pretty concerning when you consider that it’s also the smallest among us who spend the most time on the ground. Floors are where pets nap and babies play, so it’s worth being cautious about the chemicals that are being left behind on these surfaces.

Most non-toxic floor cleaners ditch harmful chemicals in favor of safer, and often more natural, alternatives. Non-toxic floor cleaning brands also tend to be more transparent about what’s in their formulas and how they’re sourced. That then makes it even easier for you to make more informed choices for you and your loved ones’ health.

Gentler on Surfaces

Some of the harsh chemicals found in conventional cleaning products aren’t just bad for your well-being, they’re not great for your floors either. Both ammonia and bleach are frequently referenced as being unnecessarily harsh on most surfaces. They’ve been known to strip hardwood floors, dull the color, and deteriorate the overall quality. Bleach is also known to damage tiles and grouting and, of course, should never be used on carpets.

Non-toxic floor cleaners, on the other hand, tend to be far less abrasive. They’re also often packed with ingredients that will nourish surfaces like hardwood so that they stay looking good for longer.

The Sustainability Side

There’s also an environmental benefit to many non-toxic floor cleaners. Avoiding harsh chemicals ensures that most non-toxic floor cleaners are grey-water safe and biodegradable and, as such, means fewer nasty things are going into our shared waterways.

It’s also common to see many non-toxic cleaning brands making a greater effort to offer refills, recyclable packaging, and cruelty-free formulas. All of this helps reduce the potential negative impact of your floor cleaner purchase so that it’s not just kids and pets at home that are happier but our environment too.

How To Choose a Non-Toxic Floor Cleaner

Choosing the right non-toxic floor cleaner is mostly down to the ingredients. Here’s what to avoid for general floor cleaners, as well as ones that need to be pet and kid-safe:

General Floor Cleaner

These are some of the most common floor cleaner ingredients worth avoiding and the harm they may be doing:

• VOCs: Formaldehyde, toluene, and tetrachloroethylene are just some of the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) that appear in many conventional floor cleaners. According to the American Lung Association, not only do these chemicals pose a risk for those with asthma, but long-term exposure has been linked to cancer, lung diseases, and reproductive issues.‍
• Bleach: Though effective at breaking down dirt and grime, bleach has also been linked to dermatitis and irritation of the skin, nose, and eyes. It’s definitely not an ideal ingredient to have around kids or pets.‍
• Ammonia: Again, another effective cleaning ingredient, but it can be very irritating for those with sensitive skin or lungs.‍
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs): This group of disinfectants is found in a variety of cleaning products and while the long-term impact of being exposed to them has yet to be adequately studied, it’s recommended that those with asthma steer clear.

Choosing Child Safe and Pet Safe Floor Cleaner

Generally, what’s safe for kids is safe for pets, and vice versa, though we always recommend checking the labeling on products properly and consulting with a medical practitioner. Each pet or child might have its own sensitivities to contend with.

Besides those mentioned already, here are a few extra ingredients to avoid when looking for non-toxic floor cleaners safe enough to use around littlies and fur kids:

• Phenols: This group of chemicals includes parabens, triclosan, and bisphenol A. They’re found in many plastic, cleaning, and personal care products and as a 2021 study showed, kids are often exposed to them in the home. The problem with this is that phenols are considered toxic to both children and pets. They’re very irritating and, if exposed to in large amounts, such as through ingestion, can even cause death.‍
• Isopropyl alcohol: This is basically a strong alcohol disinfectant that, while considered safe for many, can be very irritating for the eyes, skin, and respiratory systems of pets and babies.‍
• Fragrances: If you have a child or pet that is particularly sensitive, it’s worth skipping fragrance altogether. Many synthetic fragrances can come with hidden chemicals, and though essential oils are considered better, even they aren’t always safe to use around kids and pets with allergies or asthma.

DIY Natural and Non-Toxic Floor Cleaner Recipes

The great thing about switching over to non-toxic floor cleaners is that most use very simple, accessible ingredients – some of which you may even have in your pantry right now. Here are a few of our favorite DIY, non-toxic floor cleaner recipes for everything from carpeted spaces to hardwood and tiles (just don’t forget to sweep or vacuum before using any of them!):

Tile Floors 

If you’ve been wondering how to disinfect floors naturally, we have the perfect recipe for you. Since tiles are often used in bathrooms and kitchens, we thought it best to share a popular heavy-duty cleaner. Here’s what you need and how to mix it up:

• Get a bucket.
• Mix a quarter cup of white vinegar, a tablespoon of dish soap, a quarter cup of washing soda, and 2 gallons of warm tap water. Stick to an unscented, natural soap if you can.
• Mop the area with the solution.

There you have it! This cleaner is a little harsh for hardwood or waxed floors but brilliant on tiles. It tends to lift grease and dirt while also deodorizing at the same time. We love that it doesn’t have anything in it that should irritate skin or sensitive lungs.

Laminate Floors

The trick with laminate floors is to clean them with something that won’t leave too much moisture behind. That’s when they can warp and degrade. Here’s a simple, laminate-friendly natural floor cleaner recipe:

• Ready yourself a medium-sized spray bottle.
• Mix a quart of water with two tablespoons of distilled white vinegar. 
• Mop the area with the solution and make sure to dry the floor properly afterward.

Vinyl Floors

Here’s a recipe for a homemade floor cleaner perfect for vinyl that a flooring company swears by:

• Get a bucket.
• Mix 2 gallons of warm water with a half cup of white vinegar. 
• This is important: only put 1/8 teaspoon of non-toxic dish soap into the mixture. Vinyl floors shouldn’t have too much soap or residue left on them.
• For some extra shine and a little fragrance, you can add a few drops of essential oil or even just a squeeze of lemon. Keep this light though as otherwise it creates build-up on the vinyl.
• Mop the floor and then rinse and dry it afterward.

If you’re struggling with stubborn stains on your vinyl flooring, you can make a quick baking soda paste by just adding a few drops of water to baking soda. Just apply the paste to the stain, rub gently with a cloth, and watch as it lifts away.

Hardwood Floors

Most DIY, non-toxic floor cleaners contain vinegar, but you want to avoid that particular ingredient when dealing with hardwood floors as it can dull the finish. Here is a vinegar-free floor cleaner recipe that will get the dirt off while also nourishing wood:

• Get a bucket.
• Combine a quarter cup of olive oil with a third of a cup of lemon juice.
• Mix in 5 cups of hot water. It’s important that the water is hot as it will help the ingredients mix properly.
• Mop as normal.
• Allow the floors to air dry or buff with a cloth. Don’t rinse the floors as the olive oil is best left on the floors as a protective layer.

Carpet

Carpets are very absorptive and will often hold odors, good and bad. That often means that carpet cleaners are packed with fragrances that may be irritating to sensitive lungs. Here’s a completely natural floor cleaner that can be used unscented or scented on carpets:

• Prepare a spray bottle.
• Whatever the size of your bottle, mix a 1 to 1 ratio of warm water and vinegar.
• Add a few drops of your preferred essential oil, though this is entirely optional.

Our Criteria for The Best Nontoxic, Child and Pet-Safe Floor Cleaners

This is how we pick the best non-toxic floor cleaner options to recommend:

• Ingredients: Transparency regarding what’s in the products plus an effort made to avoid harmful chemicals such as bleach, VOCs, and QATS and stick to more natural ingredients instead.‍
• Labeling: Clearly labeled as child and/or pet-safe.‍
• Sustainability Stats: Whether it’s recyclable packaging, biodegradable formula, or carbon-free shipping, we only include non-toxic floor cleaners that have a sustainability side to them.‍
• Efficacy: It doesn’t matter how great the packaging is or how clean the ingredients are, if the product doesn’t do a good job of getting your floors clean, we won’t include it.

7 Non-Toxic Floor Cleaners That Are Child and Pet Safe

Looking for the best pet-safe floor cleaner or something you can use around kids without worrying? We have 7 of some of the safest floor cleaner options right here, broken down by their sustainability stats, whether they’re suitable for sensitive skin or not, have a fragrance, etc.:

1. Koala Eco‍

Koala Eco’s non-toxic floor cleaner is so good that it almost makes cleaning fun. Not only do their products leave a satisfying shine on floors, but the natural fragrance is something you won’t forget easily. Their plant-based floor cleaner is crafted using high-grade essential oils in amounts that are safe for babies, pets, and pregnant people. It’s also alcohol-free and pH-neutral, making it perfect for any surface, from waxed wood floors to concrete and Caesar stone.

Floor Type: All floors beside carpets.‍

Scents: Mandarin and peppermint essential oil.

Suitable for Sensitive Skin? Yes. The cleaner is Australian Allergy Certified.

Sustainability Stats:

• Natural, biodegradable, and greywater-safe formula.
• Recycled, recyclable, and refillable packaging.
• Australian Certified Toxic-free.
• Made Safe Certified Non-toxic.
• Vegan and Cruelty-free.
• 1% for The Planet.

2. Branch Basics

Branch Basics’ “Concentrate” isn’t just a floor cleaner, it’s meant to able to replace a multitude of cleaning products in your home, from laundry detergent to hand soap. It’s gentle, safe for families, and skips VOCs, chlorine, and other harmful chemicals in favor of plant-based ingredients. It’s also great for a streak-free floor clean that doesn’t have any fragrance that could potentially irritate pets and kids. We love how much passion is behind this female-founded brand and the extra steps they’re taking to help eliminate unnecessary waste or cleaning purchases.

Floor Type: All floor types, including carpets.

‍Scents: Fragrance-free.

‍Suitable for Sensitive Skin? Yes.

Sustainability Stats:

• Non-toxic, plant and mineral-based biodegradable formula.
• Certified Made Safe.
• Recyclable and refillable packaging.

3. Truly Free

Founded by a family who learned first-hand how harmful conventional cleaning products can be for kids, Truly Free’s pet and baby-safe floor cleaner ticks all the boxes. It’s entirely natural, free of chemicals such as triclosan, ammonium, and chlorine, and is genuinely effective at breaking down grime. This brand is proof that you get a perfect, streak-free floor without having to use any harmful chemicals. It’s also formulated to work well in floor steamers!

Floor Type: All floors beside carpets.

‍Scents: Citrus.

Suitable for Sensitive Skin? Yes.‍

Sustainability Stats:

• Natural, non-toxic formula.
• Recyclable and refillable packaging.
• Vegan and cruelty-free.

4. Aunt Fannie’s

In our section on making non-toxic DIY floor cleaners, you probably noticed that vinegar is a pretty popular ingredient. It’s also the star of Aunt Fannie’s floor cleaner, alongside fresh essential oils and plant-based cleansers. We love that the product has been dermatologically tested and proven to be hypoallergenic while also being designed to be quite cost-effective. The ultra-concentrated product makes 16 gallons from a single 32-ounce bottle, which is a godsend for anyone who’s cleaning up after grubby pets and kids every day.

Floor Type: Sealed floors.

Scents: Bright Lemon, lavender, and eucalyptus.

Suitable for Sensitive Skin?

‍Sustainability Stats:

• Non-toxic, natural formula.
• EWG A-rated for your safety.
• Leaping Bunny Certified.

5. Force of Nature

A major concern that people have when switching to non-toxic floor cleaner brands is that they disinfect as well as conventional equivalents. Force of Nature is showing that this need not be the case. Their product is an EPA-registered sanitizer and medical-grade disinfectant considered as effective as bleach at killing germs (including COVID-19). It’s all thanks to the use of hypochlorous acid: an antimicrobial that can break down grease and other dirt without leaving residue or toxic fumes. Say goodbye to asthma-causing floor cleaners and hello to a disinfectant that truly does no harm.

Floor Type: All floors.

Scents: “Clean”

Suitable for Sensitive Skin? Yes.‍

Sustainability Stats:

• Non-toxic formula.
• Green Seal Certified.
• Carbon neutral.
• Leaping Bunny Certified.
• 1% of sales donated to non-profits.

6. Eco-me

This is another vinegar and essential oil blend that deep cleans floors while still being gentle on surfaces, kids, and pets. The non-toxic floor cleaner is greywater-safe and, like all our favorite formulas, doesn’t leave any residue behind on your floors. The unscented version is a great option for anyone with allergies or asthma, but we’re happy to report that no matter the fragrance you pick, this cleaner is free of any harmful chemicals or fumes.

Floor Type: Sealed floors.

Scents: Unscented, lemon, herbal mint, and citrus berry.

Suitable for Sensitive Skin? Yes.

Sustainability Stats:

• Non-toxic formula with high ratings on Greenseal.org and EWG.
• Peta and Leaping-Bunny certified.
• Recyclable packaging.

7. Supernatural

Looking at the glass bottle, it’s easy to mistake this non-toxic floor and wood cleaner for a fancy kombucha – that’s how chic and lowkey the packaging is. The actual product is quite impressive too. It’s made with essential oils and plant-based cleansers that not only lift dirt off wood and other floor surfaces but also help nourish them. Part of the brand’s mission is to elevate everyday chores, and this pet-safe floor cleaner is no different. The luxe bottle and elegant scents all add to the experience.

Floor Type: All floors beside carpets.

Scents: Palmarosa, lavender, peppermint, basil, and fir.

Suitable for Sensitive Skin?

Sustainability Stats:

• Non-toxic formula.
• Recyclable packaging.
• Leaping Bunny certified.

Tabling Conventional Floor Cleaners

Ideally, cleaning your floors should help lift your space and your mood. It should make surfaces safer for kids and pets to play on and help preserve the look of your floors. That’s exactly what non-toxic floor cleaners are all about.

They’re skipping the fumes and harmful chemicals in favor of gentler but no less effective ingredients. In fact, we’d argue that it’s often the cleanest products that will have your home feeling the cleanest. Next time your usual floor cleaner runs out, consider trying a non-toxic alternative instead. The formulas are more innovative, and the impact that much more positive.