Cleaning the bathroom can be a pain, especially when you are dealing with the side effects of the toxic and chemical laden products that are so popular. While they certainly do the job when it comes to combating germs and grime, they tend to strip more than the dirt when cleaning.

The toxic chemicals in everyday cleaning products are dangerous and can hurt your skin, eyes, and lungs if not used very carefully. Most people tend to not pay attention to proper ventilation or overuse of these products, and truthfully they can be harmful even if you are careful.

There are methods and products to use that are not full of these toxic chemicals, however. Some products are now being sold either online or at the local supermarket; others can be made safely and easily at home.

Store Bought Products

There are a few brands that are putting out safe and chemical free cleaning products. Be careful of false marketing, however, and make sure to read labels. Words such as xylene, ethylene, propylene, benzene, and long names ending in -ethanolamine are all chemicals that are made from petroleum based products and can be harmful or irritants.

Brands such as Seventh Generation, Dr. Bronner's, and Better Life have become popular for their largely chemical-free and non-toxic products.

Finding store bought products that are chemical free and non-toxic can be daunting, however, there is one surefire way to know that your products are safe- make them yourself.

Homemade Products

Making your cleaning products at home seems like it would be a tough job, but it is actually a lot easier than you might think. All of these homemade cleaning products are super simple to make and many of them can be used all over your house.

In your bathroom, you want cleaners that are going to be safe as well as effective. Try a few of these easy recipes for homemade chemical-free bathroom cleaners:

Window Cleaner: Mix one teaspoon of vinegar into two cups of warm water.

Extra tip: You can use recycled newspaper instead of paper towels for streak-free window and glass cleaning. Make sure to only use black and white newspaper, and crumple the page up into a loose ball instead of laying it flat.

Toilet Cleaner: Stir ¼ cup of baking soda into one cup of white vinegar. Pour into the bowl, scrub, and let sit for about five minutes. Scrub once more with your toilet brush and flush.

All-Purpose Surface Cleaner: Mix together ¼ cup of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of borax into one quart of water. This solution can be used on any surface of your home and can be kept for weeks. If you don't have borax, you can substitute 1/8 cup of baking soda.

Air Freshener: There are many non-toxic solutions for bathroom air fresheners that you can make yourself, often with items you already have in your home. For example, leave a small dish of baking soda to absorb odors, or a glass of vinegar and lemon juice. For stronger scents, make your own reed diffusers with water and a few drops of essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, or sandalwood oils.

Bathroom Mold Solution: In a spray bottle, mix a solution of ½ cup hydrogen peroxide and 1 cup water. Spray the solution onto the mold and wait. After an hour, the mold should simply rinse away.

With these tips, you can clean your bathroom effectively and safely, without the use of harmful chemicals. Like these tips, or have a favorite homemade solution of your own? Leave your comment below.