Think plain old soap and water. Zero fumes if you use something like Dr. Bronners. Vinegar is good if you have build-up due to hard water. Baking soda if you need some abrasive action.

Below is a link for anyone interested in not using harsh chemicals in the home.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mothering.com Natural Home/Body Care forum

For anything really nasty that needs scrubbing, I use a lemon cut in half and salt. Smells wonderful and works good.

I used Sun and Earth products when I was preggo. I ordered a kit on-line and it was affordable and contained a lot of cleaning supplies.

Ecover are good!

Congrats! I'm 18 weeks pregnant today :)

I haven't really worried about it, but I don't think I use anything that's very harsh. I use baking soda for things that need to be scoured. I usually just swish the toilets out without any chemicals - it doesn't seem to get dirty any faster, so why bother? I have used the Mr Clean Magic Eraser on the tub - there are no fumes and I didn't even think about the chemicals, maybe I'll wear gloves next time (or get DH to do it!)

I use Simple Green. I get it from Home Depot, but Pick N Save sells it as well. Non toxic and environmentally safe.

Try this website, lots of useful information regarding toxic chemicals in your household and in cosmetics. www.EWG.org.

If you are pregnant, I'd avoid using nailpolish too. I'm trying to get pregnant right now, and read a lot of info on nailpolish and other toxins that can affect your baby that are in cosmetics, lotions, deoderants, etc. Doesn't hurt to play it safe.

You might want to check out this post from a few months:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cleaning/msg0310424121778.html?9

Also I would recommend switching forever. Why use the bad chemicals after the baby arrives? I just learned the #1 cause of fatal poisonings in children is diswasher detergent. Never even thought of hiding that from my children. But I'm just starting to try green cleaning. Another company to look into is Shaklee. I saw it on Oprah and I have a catalog but haven't tried any of the products yet. My MIL has been using their laundry products for years.

Heidi

You are wise to be concerned about using safe non-toxic products especially being pregnant and having children. I can see this is an old post...but I wanted to respond anyway.

I am a homeschool SAHM of 5 children. I have been shopping with Melaleuca for going on 7 years now. I really love that I can just order online or toll free and they ship what I need directly to my home. They manufacture safe, non-toxic, eco-friendly home and personal care products that you and I use every day! I have always enjoyed using all the products they manufacture, but had not been told all the benefits of them, and the difference between them with what is out on the market today, until recently.

Like most people, we assumed that if a product is on the market and highly popular it must be safe. We now know better. Did you know that more than 150 chemicals commonly found in household products have been linked to human ailments from allergies and skin cancer to psychological abnormalities and learning disabilities? I have been stunned at all I am finding out. And really want to get the word out!

Think of this, how do the chemicals in the transdermal patches people wear for everything from help with smoking cessation to seasickness, get to where they are going? Right, through the skin! With that in mind, imagine your clothes as "patches" washed in toxic laundry detergent. How does that affect your immune system?

Did you know that each of us has a different tolerance for what has been coined a "body burden" of chemical exposure, and that some chemicals can live on well past the time of exposure in our bodies?

If you could create a safer indoor environment and thereby take one step towards creating better health for us all and for generations to come would you do it?

The good news is that toxic household products are easy to replace because there are safer and effective alternatives now available.

I would love to share more with you! You can either post me a message or email me if you would like to know more, with your name, phone number and a good time to call. If you would feel more comfortable to call me, email me and I will send you my number.

wileywagon@roadrunner.com
Hayley

Here is a link that might be useful: Safer for Your Family!

Hayley, the following is from the Terms of Service. You are not allowed to troll for customers on the Gardenweb.

"Any use by you of any other member.s or site visitor.s information, personal or otherwise, for any purpose, commercial or otherwise, or to obtain direct financial gain (e.g. mass marketing) is prohibited. Any such use shall be deemed to be a violation of these Terms of Service. The GardenWeb Network is to be used by you for your personal use only. Commercial uses of the GardenWeb Network are strictly prohibited unless prior written consent from iVillage has been granted."

I use white vinegar, baking soda, borax and lemon juice for cleaning. Not all at the same time of course! I got most of my information from The Queen of Clean books and website. Not all of her ideas are the best, but I've learned a ton from her, and I feel better about using less toxic products in my house.

I use vinegar, baking soda, lemon, and a steam cleaner. I just got the steamer and I love it. It'll clean anything. If you don't want to use all homemade products, there are some great ready made ones out there. Seventh generation and ECOS (Earth Friendly Products) are my favorites. You just have to try them and see what works best for you. I only like certain products from each company.