START THE KICKSTART
Glass spray bottle with nontoxic multipurpose spray with natural cleaning brushes and eucalyptus in the background

The #1 Nontoxic Cleaning Swap to Detox Your Home Safely

cleaning podcast Jul 31, 2025

As featured in Episode 116 of the Practical Nontoxic Living Podcast

If you're just beginning your home detox journey, your cleaning routine is one of the most important places to start. In Episode 116 of Practical Nontoxic Living, Sophia Ruan Gushée shares her favorite first step: a safe, affordable DIY cleaning spray that works—and protects your health.

Why Nontoxic Cleaning Matters: Study Finds Lung Damage from Conventional Products

A 20-year study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that women who clean regularly—either at home or professionally—can suffer lung damage equivalent to smoking up to 20 cigarettes a day.

These effects are often caused by exposure to synthetic chemicals in conventional cleaning products: ammonia, preservatives, synthetic fragrances, and other irritants that silently accumulate in your air and on your skin.

The #1 Nontoxic Cleaning Swap: Castile Soap Spray

This easy DIY swap is straight from the Nontoxic Cleaning Guide in the Ultimate Home Detox™ Starter Pack:

DIY Nontoxic Multipurpose Cleaner:

  • 1 tablespoon of unscented Castile soap (e.g. Dr. Bronner’s Baby Unscented)

  • 2 cups of water

  • Add to a spray bottle and shake gently

You can use this safe, effective cleaner on countertops, kitchen tables, toys, and more. It’s gentle on your skin, better for your lungs, and free from hormone-disrupting chemicals.

From Starter Step to Sacred Routine

This simple spray isn’t just a product swap—it’s part of a mindset shift. As Sophia shares in the episode, Practical Nontoxic Living™ is about transforming your daily habits into a sacred practice of care and protection.

You’re not just cleaning your space.

You’re protecting your family. You’re supporting your fertility, your sleep, your nervous system. You’re inviting healing into your home.

Download the Free Ultimate Home Detox™ Starter Pack

This Nontoxic Cleaning Guide is just one of five practical downloads included in the free Ultimate Home Detox Starter Pack.

Inside, you'll also receive:

  • 🍳 A guide to safer, non-toxic cookware

  • 🧪 A forever chemicals detox guide

  • 📱 An EMF detox challenge

  • 🍽️ A kitchen detox checklist

Each guide includes Sophia’s #1 tip—so you can start detoxing your life, even if you're short on time.

👉 Click here to download your free Starter Pack »

Listen to Episode 116 Now: The Nontoxic Cleaning Swap You Can Make Today

Want to hear Sophia explain the science and soul behind this detox step?
🎧 Tune into Episode 116 of the Practical Nontoxic Living Podcast for a short, grounding dose of insight.

Your Home Can Be a Healing Space

With just one small swap, you begin reshaping your environment—and your well-being.

This is your time to return to your nature.

Sophia and Ruan Living are here to walk with you—one mindful shift at a time.

About Ruan Living

Ruan Living is a research-informed lifestyle platform dedicated to helping people engage more intentionally with their homes, habits, and everyday environments. Rooted in the philosophy of Practical Nontoxic Living™, Ruan Living offers educational guidance, tools, and experiences designed to bring clarity, simplicity, and thoughtful design to modern living.

Founded by Sophia Ruan Gushée, author of the bestselling book A to Z of D-Toxing.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding personal health concerns.

Some recommended products or services may provide affiliate compensation. All endorsements are based on honest opinions and belief in their potential benefit.

Your
Ultimate Home Detox™
Kickstart Series

A free, guided start to detoxing your home—calm, practical, and science-based.

START THE KICKSTART→

DISCOVER 

BOOKS

BLOG

ENGAGE

EVENTS

PODCAST

PRACTICAL NONTOXIC LIVING

RUAN LIVING

SOPHIA RUAN GUSHEE

DETOX 

40-DAY HOME DETOX™

DESIGN

D-TOX ACADEMY 

 

Educational content only. Ruan Living does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn more.