6 Hypoallergenic Floor Cleaners | Branch Basics

Products in your home that have harmful ingredients impact everyone's health. And, if anyone in your family has allergies or chemical sensitivities, the ingredients in your cleaning products really matter.

As a healthy home expert for over 30 years, time and time again, I’ve witnessed the dramatic difference in allergy symptoms in adults, children, babies, and even pets from simply eliminating toxic cleaners.  My own experience of the complete resolution of severe allergies has been repeated over and over with my clients who have removed products with harmful chemicals from their homes.*   

And two of the biggest (and most ironic) triggers are:

• Certain floors that trap and harbor allergens and other toxins, like carpets and rugs
• And floor cleaners

This is especially true for young children, babies, and pets who spend much time on the floor.

This makes regular floor cleaning with a human-safe hypoallergenic floor cleaner essential.

Unfortunately, we cannot simply rely on the term “hypoallergenic” on labels because that term is not regulated. Nor does it always mean a product has safer ingredients.

That’s why we’re sharing our favorite top six hypoallergenic floor cleaners that are also human-safe, affordable, biodegradable, and super-effective.

What Does Hypoallergenic Mean?

Hypoallergenic means a product is made with less allergenic ingredients.

In the context of cleaning products, it means a product contains ingredients that are less likely to cause an allergic reaction than others.

It doesn’t mean the product is completely free from all allergens or potential allergens. Just that it’s free from or contains less of certain known allergens.

Sounds good, right? Not so fast!

Unfortunately, the term “hypoallergenic” isn’t regulated by the FDA, EPA, or any regulatory agency.

Here’s a quote from the FDA: 

“There are no Federal standards or definitions that govern the use of the term "hypoallergenic." The term means whatever a particular company wants it to mean. Manufacturers of cosmetics [or cleaning products] labeled as hypoallergenic are not required to submit substantiation of their hypoallergenicity claims to FDA.”

This means companies can claim a product is hypoallergenic even if it contains harmful ingredients or allergens.

Some products go a step further and claim they have been tested by dermatologists or pediatricians, but again, that’s not a provable or regulated claim. 

In our experience, a truly healthy hypoallergenic product should contain only human-safe ingredients sourced from nature and contain no harmful chemicals or contaminant by-products like 1,4 dioxane. They should also have independent third-party testing to verify that they are not skin or eye irritants.

This helps ensure less chance of an allergic reaction or sensitivity (no product is 100% hypoallergenic for everyone, not even lemon juice) while keeping other potentially harmful toxins out of our bodies and environment.

Here are six hypoallergenic floor cleaners that meet these criteria. 

Related reading: Can You Be Allergic Or React To Cleaning Products?

1. Branch Basics Concentrate

Branch Basics Concentrate is our top pick for hypoallergenic floor cleaners because:

• It’s formulated with ingredients gentle enough for the most sensitive skin
• It’s plant-based, 100% biodegradable surfactants and minerals easily power through dirt and grime
• It’s free from common allergens in cleaning products such as fragrance, bleach, ammonia,  terpene-containing essential oils, phthalates, dyes, glycol esters, triclosan, and petroleum products
• It’s Made Safe Certified
• Its ingredients are all rated 1-2 on EWG SkinDeep Database
• It’s completely customizable and can be used on nearly all types of flooring, including for carpet cleaning and spot treating

Branch Basics Concentrate is designed to be diluted with water to create custom cleaners, such as All-Purpose, Bathroom, Foaming Wash, Streak-Free, and Laundry.

Here’s how to use it for safe floor cleaning. Ideally, always first HEPA vacuum up loose dirt and dust from the hard-surfaced floor or carpet.

• Porcelain and ceramic tile: Use a solution of 1 teaspoon - 1 tablespoon Concentrate to 1 gallon of water with a microfiber spray mop or spray the solution on an unscented dry swiffer mop. Use Branch Basics All-Purpose dilution straight from the bottle for spot cleaning.
• Floors with sealers like cement or natural stone tiles may need a more dilute solution (small areas should be tested for compatibility), which can be added to a spray or steam mop.
• For hardwood floors finished with a synthetic finish: Dilute 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon of Branch Basics Concentrate in 2 cups of distilled water. Spray the solution on a spray mop or Swiffer microfiber mop. Do not spray directly on the wood floor to avoid excess moisture.
• For carpet cleaning: Always test carpets for colorfastness first. To make a human-safe carpet cleaning solution, dilute 1-2 teaspoons Branch Basics Concentrate per gallon of water and use according to carpet cleaner manufacturer’s instructions.
• For spot cleaning carpets and rugs: Always test for colorfastness. Then remove as much of the stain as possible by blotting, then use Branch Basics All-Purpose, spray on, agitate, remove, and repeat if necessary.
• Extra tip: Branch Basics Oxygen Boost is excellent for cleaning grout.

Get more tips and guidance for specific floor types in: 

• Branch Basics Ultimate Guide to Synthetic Chemical-Free Floor Cleaning: It’s Easier Than You Think!
• 5 Carpet Cleaner Alternatives That Actually Work
• Our 5 Go-To Natural Stain Removers For Carpets

2. Dry Steam Mopping

Dry steam mopping is the ultimate hypoallergenic solution because it contains just one ingredient: water! 

The Ladybug Dry Steam Cleaner is our top pick for performance and durability. It delivers a next-level clean as it denatures allergens, deodorizes, sanitizes, and kills dust mites, fleas, and other pests.

It’s also generally safe for all types of flooring (check with the manufacturer to confirm).

Note: Dry steam-cleaned carpet takes minutes to dry, whereas a steam-cleaned carpet may take a few days to fully dry. This is one reason we recommend dry steam cleaning over steam cleaning for porous materials that easily get saturated with moisture like carpets, bedding, and upholstery.

Advap offers Branch Basics customers a 20% discount on their Ladybug Dry Steam Cleaner! Use coupon code BRANCHBASICS at checkout.

3. Steam Mopping

Steam mopping is another hypoallergenic solution for cleaning hard surface floors. Note: We don’t recommend steam cleaning for carpet because it can take up to two days to completely dry. 

The Hoover brand (steam) mop is our top pick for performance and durability.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and always use distilled water to extend the life of the mop.

An important note: Steam mops have the potential to inflict severe burns. Therefore, always take extreme caution when using a steam mop around babies, children, and pets.

4. Liquid Castile Soap

100% pure fragrance-free liquid castile soaps are another excellent DIY hypoallergenic floor cleaner. Here are a few of our favorites that are fragrance-free and have all ingredients rated a 1-2 on EWG Skin Deep!

• Vermont Castile Soap
• Natural Way Organic Castile Soap
• St. Clare Castile Soap
• Carolina Castile Soap
• Cove Castile Soap

It’s also ideal for anyone who does not wish to use an acidic cleaner, like lemon juice or vinegar.

To use:

1. Combine 1 teaspoon Castile soap with 1 quart (4 cups) of water.
2. Add to a spray bottle or spray mop, mop your floors, and let dry completely.

This works on nearly all types of flooring, including hardwood floors, and is safe for babies, pets, and very sensitive or allergic individuals.

5. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is a naturally hypoallergenic DIY cleaning ingredient that can be teamed up with soap and water to freshen most types of tile and vinyl flooring. The first step in cleaning is always to use a product that has a surfactant that removes dirt, grease, and grime like Castile Soap or Branch Basics. Then follow with the lemon juice

Lemon juice’s cleaning power comes from naturally occurring citric acid, which gently cuts through dirt, grime, odors, stains, and grease without harming most finishes.

To use:

1. Add either 100% fresh or bottled lemon juice or a 50:50 mixture of lemon juice and water to a spray bottle
2. Spray onto floors and wipe clean.

Note: Acidic cleaners, such as lemon juice, may not be suitable for concrete tiles, natural stone, marble, hardwood floors, or unglazed quarry stone.

However, lemon juice mixed with olive oil and water makes a great hardwood floor cleaner. Get the ratios here.

6. Vinegar

Distilled white vinegar is a wonderfully economical option for hypoallergenic floor freshening after cleaning with soap and water.

Vinegar contains acetic acid, which acts as a natural cleaner, stain remover, and degreasing agent. It also kills some germs like salmonella, listeria, and E. Coli.

Note: acetic acid is also a lung irritant when sprayed. Therefore, always ventilate when using vinegar and do not use it around babies, small children, or anyone with a lung condition.

To use:

• Fill a spray bottle with 100% vinegar or equal parts distilled water and vinegar.
• Use this solution in a spray bottle, spray mop, or mop and bucket method to clean your floors.

Due to its acidic nature, vinegar is not recommended for natural stone, concrete tiles, or waxed wood floors.

If unsure, you can test your vinegar solution in a small, inconspicuous area of the floor to observe its effects and different dilutions.

Like lemon juice, vinegar can be combined with olive oil and water to use on cleaning hardwood floors. Learn more here.

Benefits Of Switching to Hypoallergenic Floor Cleaning

There are numerous benefits to switching to a hypoallergenic human-safe floor cleaner, including:

• Less risk of allergies or sensitivities
• Better indoor air quality
• Less exposure to harmful cleaning chemicals
• Safer floors for babies and toddlers
• These hypoallergenic cleaners are pet-safe
• When used properly, these gentler cleaners can help extend the life of your flooring
• Cost-savings as these floor cleaners are generally less expensive than other methods

Ingredients To Avoid In Floor Cleaners

If you choose to use a floor cleaner not on this list, we recommend avoiding the following ingredients:

• Ammonia 
• Bleach 
• Essential oils: Although 100% pure essential oils may be natural, they can also be toxic and/or irritating to pets and babies. 
• See Our Guide To Pet-Safe Cleaning for a list of essential oils to avoid.
• Ethanol 
• Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing chemicals, including certain terpene-containing essential oils, can react with ozone and create formaldehyde chemicals in the home. 
• Glycol ether benzoic acid
• Glycol ethers such as propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, and diethylene glycol
• Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
• Perchloroethylene
• Phenols, a type of chemical toxic to pets, are found in pine-scented floor cleaners.
• Phosphates
• Phthalates (found in products with fragrance)
• Quaternary ammonium compounds (aka Quats or Quacs): Alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate and Ammonium Hydroxide. 
• Sulfates
• Synthetic surfactants, which fall into the “forever chemical” category
• Triclosan

Tools like EWG SkinDeep site or app are quick, easy, and accurate ways to vet floor cleaners.

Just plug in the ingredients, and EWG will rate them from 1-10. We only recommend choosing products with all ingredients rated 1-2 on EWG.

Discover more in: 7 Floor Cleaner Alternatives For A Human-Safe Home

Toss The Toxins With Branch Basics

Finding safe and low-tox cleaning products can be quite a journey, especially if you have allergies or chemical sensitivities. Become your own product expert - Take our *Toss the Toxins course to learn how to create a healthy home by simply removing products with harmful ingredients. The process creates an immediate improvement in your home's air quality. Better air means better health!

Tossing the toxins doesn’t take much time; it doesn’t need to be repeated, and you are not asked to throw anything away. You are invited to experience what happens when these products are removed.  

We created Branch Basics to share information that can change your life. Our products are a vehicle for this message as the concentrate can replace every toxic laundry and cleaning product in your home. The formula is based on experience with the chronically ill and extremely chemically sensitive. It is a human-safe and hypoallergenic option for the most sensitive people.

Our Starter Kits contain Branch Basics Concentrate with refillable glass or plastic bottles to make the following:

• 3 Bottles All-Purpose 
• 3 Bottles Bathroom
• 3 Bottles Foaming Wash
• 3 Streak-Free
• 64 loads worth of Laundry soap

Premium Starter Kits also come with Oxygen Boost, a two-ingredient mineral-based laundry booster, stain remover, soaking aid, scouring agent, and bleach alternative.

Just two products will clean your whole home (and laundry) without harmful allergy-inducing ingredients, what a concept!

If you’d like to learn more about our all-in-one hypoallergenic, human-safe, Made Safe Certified, biodegradable, plant- and mineral-based cleaning line, see: How To Get Started With Your Branch Basics Kit 

Ready to test us out for yourself?

If you’re all in, Branch Basics Starter Kits are the perfect place to begin.

Or maybe you’d like to test us out first and see how you react (good idea!).

In this case, we suggest our Trial Kit which contains a trial size Branch Basics Concentrate plus All-Purpose Bottle for just $5.00.

We hope this article has helped simplify your process and armed you with the information you need to choose the safest and most natural hypoallergenic floor cleaners for a healthier home.

To learn more about allergens in cleaning products, see:

• Home Cleaning Guide For Allergy Sufferers
• Can You Be Allergic To Bleach? Try These Safe Alternatives
• Best Cleaning Products For Asthma Sufferers