Pregnancy Safe Bathroom Cleaners | Branch Basics

Pregnancy is an exciting time! With it comes baby showers, pregnancy cravings, and the urge to nest. During the third trimester, mothers will experience an intense burst of energy or urge to prepare, clean, and organize in anticipation for the baby's arrival.

During pregnancy, especially that nesting period, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends making and using pregnancy safe cleaners with common household items like vinegar and baking soda. They also suggest looking for truly pregnancy safe cleaning products and searching for product safety ratings on the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Guide to Healthy Cleaning.

Some pretty sound advice!

As a health-conscious mama, you know it’s important to create a healthy home for a healthy pregnancy. This includes taking proactive steps to avoid harmful chemicals in various aspects of your life – personal care products, baby toys and items, and household cleaning products.

In this article, we’ll be looking at and discussing cleaning while pregnant in the bathroom. Here we share how to tackle various areas of the bathroom using only pregnancy safe bathroom cleaners.

Read on to learn more.

Shower Cleaning

The shower is one of the first spots in the bathroom to get gross with soap scum, dirt, and grime build-up.

Bleach- or ammonia-based shower and tub cleaners should be avoided at all costs during pregnancy. Just breathing the fumes and exposure of these conventional cleaners can cause great harm to you and your baby.

Toss the toxins and opt instead for these natural, pregnancy-safe options to clean your shower, tub, and faucets.

Branch Basics All Purpose Cleaner

Branch Basics is safe to use during pregnancy because it’s completely natural, ultra gentle, and has no harmful ingredients. Our all-in-one, multi-purpose Concentrate can replace all conventional cleaners found in your home, including bathroom cleaners.

Use the Concentrate to make All-Purpose for safely cleaning your entire bathroom from top to bottom. Our All-Purpose dilution can be used to clean just about any surface, baby items, as a stain removal on clothing, furniture, carpets, rugs, and even the shower!

How to use Branch Basics All-Purpose as a pregnancy safe bathroom cleaner:

1. Spray your shower and tub liberally with Branch Basics All-Purpose solution.
2. Let sit for a few minutes.
3. Scrub and rinse clean using a scrub brush and microfiber cloth.

To deep clean your shower with Branch Basics:

1. Spray your shower and tub liberally with Branch Basics All-Purpose solution.
2. Sprinkle Oxygen Boost and spray with Branch Basics All-Purpose solution again to wet.
3. Let sit for at least 10 minutes and wipe, scrub, or rinse clean.

For more tips, check out How to Clean Your Shower Naturally with Branch Basics and other DIY cleaners.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is an all-natural, non-toxic, gentle scouring and cleaning agent that’s great to use on the shower. Combine it with other natural ingredients, such as natural dish soap, vinegar, and water, to create a pregnancy-safe cleaning paste.

Here’s how to use baking soda to clean your shower:

1. Make a baking soda paste out of 1 cup baking soda and 1 tablespoon of natural dish soap. We recommend liquid castile soap or Branch Basics Concentrate.
2. Apply the paste to your shower (do not use it on showers made of marble).
3. Let sit for about 10-15 minutes.
4. Scrub with a natural scrub brush or microfiber cloth, and rinse away.
5. Store extra paste in a glass mason jar.

For soap scum build-up, or mold and mildew, clean first with soap and water. Follow with equal parts baking soda with hydrogen peroxide. Brush the mixture onto any remaining stains, mold or mildew. Let sit a few minutes, then scrub with a stiff toothbrush. Rinse, and you’re done!

Read more about baking soda in Cleaning with Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate): 12 Surprising Uses.

Showers with Glass Doors

For showers with glass doors, we recommend avoiding ammonia-based cleaners. Not only are they ineffective, they’re highly corrosive and toxic, causing tens of thousands of poisonings annually.

Toss the “blue stuff” and instead, reach for Branch Basics Streak-Free - one of the most effective and economical, human-safe, and natural glass cleaner on the market.

Did we mention it’s a pregnancy safe glass cleaner?

How to clean glass shower doors using Branch Basics:

1. Spray a microfiber cloth with 1-3 sprays of Branch Basics Streak-Free solution.
2. Wipe, moving from top to bottom, going in the same direction, with the microfiber cloth.
3. Buff the glass doors with a dry microfiber cloth for a streak-free finish.

For hard water stains on glass shower doors:

1. Follow the above cleaning procedure using Branch Basics Streak-Free solution.
2. Next, spray down with undiluted distilled white vinegar (while pregnant, we recommend someone else do the spraying!), and let sit for at least 15 minutes to 1 hour.
3. Wipe away with a microfiber cloth.
4. Repeat until all hard water stains are gone.

Toilet Cleaning 

When it comes to finding a pregnancy safe toilet cleaner, it’s important to look for one that is natural and effective on grime, germs, and stains. 

Avoid mutation of superbugs from over-sanitization in the bathroom! Opt instead for a natural toilet bowl cleaner, like Branch Basics or the other options listed below.

Branch Basics Bathroom Cleaner

Branch Basics is a plant- and mineral-based, fragrance-free, Made Safe Certified, septic-safe, pregnancy- and human-safe Concentrate you can use instead of those conventional toilet bowl cleaners.

For toilets, we recommend using the Branch Basics Bathroom solution. It can be used alone or paired with Oxygen Boost for extra cleaning and scouring power.

How to clean toilets using Branch Basics:

1. Flush the toilet to wet the toilet bowl.
2. Spray a few sprays of Branch Basics Bathroom in the toilet bowl, on the seat, and around the base.
3. If your toilet is soiled, add a sprinkle of Oxygen Boost on top of the Bathroom spray. Spray again with Branch Basics Bathroom.
4. Let sit for a few minutes, then scrub the toilet bowl. Flush.
5. Next, wipe down the seats and base until clean.

Learn more in: 5 Best Natural (& Effective) Toilet Bowl Cleaners.

Pumice Stone

A pumice stone is an inexpensive and non-toxic solution for cleaning your toilet bowl. 

This natural, porous rock is formed when lava and water mix and then cools. The holes in the stone gently exfoliate away stains and hard water mineral build-up.

Here’s how to use a pumice stone as a pregnancy safe toilet bowl cleaner*:

1. Soak the pumice stone in lukewarm water for a few minutes to soften. This helps prevent the stone from scratching the toilet bowl.
   Tip: For extra cleaning power, add a few drops of Branch Basics Concentrate to the water.
   
2. Flush the toilet to wet the toilet bowl.
3. Clean the toilet using Branch Basics Bathroom solution.
4. Using rubber cleaning gloves, gently rub the pumice stone around the toilet bowl in a circular motion. Don’t press too hard to prevent scratching. Gently scour until stains disappear.
5. Flush to rinse. Repeat as needed.

Natural pumice stones can be found at hardware stores or anywhere personal care products are sold.

Just make sure you store your “toilet pumice stone” separately from the one you use to exfoliate your feet! 

*Note: Before using a pumice stone to clean your toilet, test a small, inconspicuous area to ensure it doesn’t scratch the porcelain.

Vinegar

Combine distilled white vinegar with baking soda to naturally remove toilet stains, germs, and odors with minimal effort and no synthetic chemicals. Not only are they effective, they’re probably already stocked up in your pantry.

Here’s how to use baking soda and white vinegar as a natural, pregnancy safe toilet bowl cleaner:

1. Flush the toilet to wet the bowl.
2. Sprinkle ½ cup baking soda into the toilet bowl, covering as much of the bowl’s surface as possible.
3. Slowly pour about 2 cups vinegar over the baking soda.
4. Let sit for 1-5 minutes. For stubborn stains, let dwell for at least 15 minutes.
5. Scrub with a toilet brush and flush.

Important Note: Vinegar contains acetic acid, which is an irritant. When vinegar is used in a spray bottle, the acetic acid becomes an eye and lung irritant. Make sure you avoid breathing the fumes, especially if you are pregnant, and provide good ventilation to clear the air quickly of the acetic acid. If you’re pregnant, it’s best to let someone else clean with vinegar. Also, do not allow the elderly, babies, young children, or the chronically ill to be present when vinegar is being used as a spray.

Grout and Tile

Tile and grout should be cleaned regularly to remove dirt, stains, and built-up soap scum. Fortunately, there are several ways you can go about this without resorting to harmful conventional cleaners.

Note: Always remember to test compatibility of any cleaner used on an inconspicuous part of the tile. If you’re unsure what kind of tile you have, or its finish, stick with a non-acidic cleaning option like Branch Basics, or another natural dish soap.

Let’s explore a few options with these three natural pregnancy safe grout and tile cleaners.

Branch Basics Oxygen Boost 

Branch Basics All Purpose is the perfect pregnancy safe bathroom tile and grout cleaner. It’s effective for cleaning porcelain and ceramic tile. Floors with sealers like cement, or natural stone tiles may need a more dilute solution (test a small inconspicuous area for compatibility), and Oxygen Boost is excellent for cleaning up grout.

Here’s how to clean bathroom tile using Branch Basics:

1. HEPA vacuum or use a dusting microfiber to remove dirt and dust from the shower floor and walls.
2. Spray tile with Branch Basics All Purpose or Bathroom solution (depending upon the type of tile and how heavily soiled it is).
3. If tile is heavily soiled, use a scrub brush to remove soap build-up.
4. Wipe clean with a microfiber mop or cloth.

For more tips, check out How to Clean Floor Tile Naturally.

Stains, mold* and mildew can quickly build-up on shower tile grout. To clean and remove these spots and stains, Branch Basics paired with Oxygen Boost will do the trick!

How to clean bathroom grout with Branch Basics:

1. Spray grout lines liberally with Branch Basics Bathroom solution.
2. Sprinkle with Oxygen Boost. Wet the Oxygen Boost with a spray of Bathroom solution.
3. Scrub with a toothbrush or natural scrub brush.
4. Let sit 1-5 minutes.
5. Rinse or wipe off with a microfiber cloth.

*Note: If mold is present in the shower, we recommend pregnant women avoid cleaning or agitating the mold to prevent illness. Mold exposure has not been well studied in pregnancy, and has unknown health effects to the mother or the health of the baby before and after delivery. In this case, it’s best to leave the cleaning to someone else.

Lemon Juice

Fresh lemon juice contains naturally-occurring citric acid, which acts as a natural degreaser and powers through dirt, mildew, soap scum, and stains.

It’s also extremely safe to use as an all-purpose tile cleaner in the bathroom while pregnant.

Here’s how to clean tile using lemon juice:

1. Always clean first with soap and water. 
2. Fill a spray bottle with either 100% fresh or bottled lemon juice or a 50:50 mixture of lemon juice and water.
3. Spray onto tile floors and walls.
4. For stains, spray directly with the lemon juice and let dwell for 5-15 minutes. Scrub clean.
5. Wipe clean.

For stained grout, spray the above lemon juice solution directly over the grout and let sit for 10-15 minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush, then rinse and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth.

Double the cleaning power by combining lemon juice with other natural cleaning ingredients, such as vinegar and baking soda. 

Here’s how:

1. Combine ½ cup baking soda, 1 juiced lemon, and ¼ cup vinegar into a spray bottle. Top off with water.
2. Spray the solution onto tile and grout. Let sit for 10-15 minutes.
3. Scrub and rinse.

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

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is among the most pregnancy safe cleaners available. It’s made of water with an extra oxygen molecule that gives it its natural (and safe) antiseptic, brightening, and cleaning power.

Here’s how to use hydrogen peroxide as a pregnancy safe grout and tile cleaner:

1. Combine equal parts of the following ingredients to make a cleaning paste:
• 3% hydrogen peroxide
• Baking soda or Oxygen Boost
• Warm water
• A few sprays of Branch Basics All-Purpose
2. Apply the paste to grout and tile using a microfiber cloth.
3. Let sit for 5-10 minutes, then wipe or rinse clean.

Hand Soap

Many skin and body care products, including hand soaps, contain harmful chemicals like fragrances, phthalates, and parabens, just to name a few.

When choosing a hand soap to use during pregnancy, it’s important to choose a product that is free of synthetic chemicals, fragrance-free, and safe for sensitive skin.

Branch Basics Gel Hand Soap

Our Branch Basics Gel Hand Soap is consciously crafted for the whole family in mind, including pregnant mothers and babies. It is very concentrated and versatile. Many report loving it as a body and face wash, eye makeup remover, and even shampoo!

We use only healthy, nourishing ingredients like aloe, chamomile, and meadowfoam oil to soothe and hydrate your skin with every wash. 

Our Gel Hand Soap is fragrance-free, meaning it is ultra human- and pregnancy-safe. Because fragrance chemicals can disrupt hormones and wreak havoc on yours and baby’s health, we are committed to providing naturally fragrance-free hand soap, always.

Cleaning Tips to Consider During Pregnancy 

Keeping a clean home is important, but during pregnancy, it’s especially important to do it safely and gently. 

Here are a few tips to consider while cleaning during pregnancy:

Tip #1: Avoid harmful ingredients found in conventional cleaning products, including (but not limited to):

• Ethylene Glycol - in cleaning products, ethylene glycol serves as a surfactant and solvent. Found in various detergents, surfactants and solvents help loosen and trap dirt while acting as a wetting agent. The problem? Ethylene glycol is highly toxic to pregnant women, and has been associated with a 3 times greater risk of miscarriage.
  
  Not to mention, it’s rated a 6 on EWG Skin Deep - even more of a reason to avoid it!
  
  
• Phthalates - these endocrine-disrupting chemicals can be highly toxic to pregnant women. Often found in fragranced products and plastics, phthalates interfere with hormonal function and can cross the placental barrier, causing harm to both the mother and her baby.
  
  This chemical alone is rated a 10 on EWG Skin Deep.
  
  
• Bleach - often used to clean in the bathroom, studies now show that exposure to bleach during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage and preterm birth, among other health issues. The bottom line: Avoid bleach, pregnant or not!
  
  We go into further detail about the issues associated with these ingredients, and more, in Cleaning While Pregnant: Products to Use & Avoid (plus safe swaps to use instead).
  

Tip #2: Protect yourself and your unborn child

Aside from avoiding harmful ingredients, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself and your baby while cleaning the bathroom.

• Make sure you provide good ventilation while cleaning. Open windows and turn on fans.
• Wear protective rubber gloves and clothing to protect your skin.
• Never mix chemicals or cleaning products, such as vinegar and hydrogen peroxide. When mixed, these two create a toxic gas.
• Ask someone else to do the cleaning.

Tip #3: Vet cleaning and laundry products

Not all cleaning products are truly safe for pregnant mothers and their unborn child. Keep in mind, just because a product is labeled “all-natural”, “organic”, and more doesn’t mean it’s safe.

When searching for pregnancy safe bathroom cleaners, we recommend only using products with all ingredients rated a 1 or 2 in EWG Skin Deep.

Their database rates every ingredient on a scale of 1 (least toxic) to 10 (most toxic). Simply enter the ingredient into the search bar to learn how safe it is. Toss any bathroom cleaner that has ingredients rated a 3 or more.

Learn to be your own product advocate so you know How to Avoid Toxins During Pregnancy.

We also recommend checking out Allison’s Pregnancy Q+A, and Cleaning While Pregnant for more tips.

Safer Cleaning with Branch Basics

If you’ve been on the hunt for pregnancy safe bathroom cleaners, we hope this article has inspired and empowered you to toss the conventional options and reach instead for the natural, human-safe cleaners.

At Branch Basics, our mission was to create one human-safe cleaner to replace every single cleaner in the home. We worked until we had a Concentrate that didn’t irritate the eyes, lungs, or skin when sprayed.

Our Branch Basics Concentrate is perfect for pregnant women because it’s completely natural, human- and baby-safe. Our Concentrate can be diluted to make All-Purpose, Bathroom, Streak-Free, Foaming Wash, and Laundry.

In addition, our Oxygen Boost (which comes with our Starter Kits), is a natural alternative for bleach, laundry boosters, brighteners, and stain removers. It also compliments our All-Purpose and Bathroom solutions for cleaning (as demonstrated in this article!).

Check out our Premium Starter Kits to learn more about safer cleaning during pregnancy with Branch Basics.