The Hidden Harm of Cleaning Products: How They Affect Your Gut Health & Microbiome
Gut health isn’t just about food and supplements—what you use to clean your home matters too. In this blog post, we break down the surprising ways cleaning products can impact your gut and share easy steps you can take to protect your health and reduce your toxic load.
The Hidden Ingredients in Cleaning Products
Many conventional cleaning products are loaded with harsh chemicals designed to wipe out bacteria and leave your surfaces sparkling. But those ingredients don’t just stay put—they can end up on your hands, in the air you breathe, and even on your food. Over time, these chemicals quietly build up in your body, adding to your toxic load (the accumulation of toxins stored in your cells and tissues).
These products don’t just target the “bad” bugs; they can also wipe out the good bacteria living in your environment, on your skin, and inside your gut microbiome.
Common culprits include:
Ammonia
Bleach (sodium hypochlorite)
Synthetic fragrances
Antibacterial agents
Phthalates
Parabens and more
How Cleaning Chemicals Impact Gut Health
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria (your microbiome) that help regulate digestion, immunity, mood, and even hormone balance. When you’re regularly exposed to harsh cleaning chemicals, these substances can:
Disrupt the balance of your gut microbiome (killing off beneficial bacteria along with the bad)
Inflame the gut lining and contribute to “leaky gut”
Increase your toxic load, making your liver and detox pathways work overtime
Impact your immune system (since much of it lives in the gut)
Interfere with hormone regulation through endocrine-disrupting chemicals
Contribute to chronic disease, as chemicals in cleaning products can be linked to asthma, autoimmune conditions and even some cancers.
Symptoms of a Disrupted Microbiome & High Toxic Load
If your gut microbiome is out of balance or your body is struggling to process toxins, you might notice:
Bloating, constipation, or irregular bowel movements
Fatigue and brain fog
Skin issues like rashes, breakouts, or eczema
Low mood or irritability
Weakened immunity (catching every cold going around)
Headaches or unexplained aches and pains
What You Can Do At Home
The good news? You don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. Small, consistent changes can make a huge difference for your gut and overall wellbeing.
1. Make Gradual Low-Tox Swaps
As your old cleaning products run out, replace them with low-tox or DIY alternatives. Simple ingredients like vinegar, bicarb soda, and essential oils can keep your home sparkling—without the nasties. We love making DIY products with Kindred Self Essential Oils
2. Try At-Home Enema Kits
Supporting your body’s natural elimination pathways is key. Our enema kits (available in-clinic and online) are a gentle way to help your gut clear out waste and reduce toxic build-up, right from the comfort of home. You can read more about enemas here.
3. Get Outside
Spending time outdoors helps diversify your microbiome, lowers stress, and supports your immune system. Even a daily walk or time in the garden can work wonders for your gut.
4. Eat Whole, Unprocessed Foods
Focus on a rainbow of veggies, good fats and protein to feed your beneficial gut bacteria and help your body process toxins more efficiently.
5. Stay Hydrated
Water supports every detox pathway in your body, including your gut and liver.
How Gut Recovery Centre Can Help
If you’re ready for extra support, our Gut Recovery Package is designed to help restore balance and lighten your toxic load:
Colon hydrotherapy: Gently flushes out waste and toxins, giving your gut and liver a fresh start.
Naturopathy: Personalised support to help you reduce chemical exposure, repair your gut lining, and rebalance your microbiome.
Microbiome testing: See exactly how your gut is coping with your environment and get targeted recommendations.
Low-tox living guidance: Practical tools and advice for swapping out harmful products and supporting your body at home.
Switching to low-tox cleaning products and supporting your gut’s natural detox pathways—both at home and with our team—can help you feel lighter, clearer, and more energised.
Ready to give your gut the support it deserves?
Cleaning Product Recommendations
Looking for some cleaner cleaning products? Check out our picks on Vital.ly—it’s an online health food shop and our go-to spot for practitioner-approved products!
You’ll need to sign up with us first by clicking the button below, and then we can make recommendations for you. If you already have a Vital.ly account with another practitioner, you can search for the products we mention when you place your next order. Please check with them to ensure they are a good fit for you.