Avoid Toxic Fragrance in "Floor" Cleaning Products

Let’s talk about cleaning your floors.

Hold up, don't get so excited. LOL. Truly this isn't the topic I thought I would be blogging about either. But I get this question all too often... How do you manage to clean your floors without using toxic fragrance?

We all want products that work well, smell good, and don't leave us in the poor house? But here’s the thing: that “fresh scent” you love might be hiding a whole lot of nasty chemicals.

Yep, I’m talking about fragrance (again) —that one sneaky word on labels that can mask hundreds of undisclosed (and often harmful) ingredients. The good news? You don’t need artificial fragrance to have clean, sparkling floors or a fresh-smelling home.

Here’s how I’m tackling my floors these days with safer, fragrance-free products—and I think you will love the results as much as I do!

Why Ditch Fragrance?

Let’s get real: fragrance sounds harmless, but it’s basically a chemical free-for-all. Under U.S. regulations (or lack thereof), companies can lump hundreds, even thousands, of untested or harmful chemicals under that one little word.

Those hidden chemicals? They’re often linked to hormone disruption, allergies, respiratory issues, and more. No thank you! 

Did you know that switching to artificial fragrance-free products is one of the simplest ways to cut down on unnecessary toxins in your home? We could go down a complete rabbit hole here but right now let's just stick to recommendations for cleaning our floors. 

How I Clean My Floors Without Fragrance

I’ve tried my fair share of products over the years, and here’s my tried-and-true approach.

Carpet Cleaning

When it comes to my carpets, I swear by Humble Suds Concentrate (link here) paired with my Bissell Turboclean Powerbrush Pet Carpet Cleaner (link here). I prefer the grapefruit/lemon concentrate made with essential oils as I love the citrus scent that lingers. 

Now, full disclosure: I don’t even have pets. I just loved the compact size of this machine, and it works like a dream! I love how easy it is to store in my "broom" area. It is super light to carry and easy to travel in and out of the RV. This has a clean water reservoir and a cleaning solution reservoir. I add about 3 tablespoons of Humble Suds Concentrate to my water as my cleaning solution. Not only do my carpets come out fresh, clean, and completely free of harsh chemicals..they smell really good! 

Pro Tip: Always, ALWAYS spot test first. I’ve never had an issue, but the one time you don’t spot test… well, you know how that goes.

Hardwood & Tile Floors

To be completely transparent, I’m still working through a stockpile of hardwood cleaner concentrate from a local company that sadly went out of business. Once I run out, I’ll definitely use Humble Suds Concentrate for my hardwood and tile floors. For hardwood and tile, I will use Humble Suds Concentrate here too. But I’ll be honest: if you’re mopping often, this might not be the most cost-effective option.

Since I’m not mopping like I did in my toddler-cleanup days (hallelujah!), it works great for me.

For Frequent Mopping

If you’re still in the trenches of daily spills and sticky floors, I recommend Bona Hardwood Unscented Cleaner (link here). It’s unscented, budget-friendly, and perfect for regular use.

If for some reason we are entertaining guests and I am mopping more often, this will be my go to pick. 

If You Prefer Just Water

If you’re a fan of cleaning with just water, I have the perfect solution: the Norwex Mop System (link here), which my friend Stacy sells. To be honest, I use it more like a broom than a mop and I use it often. However, even though I know that this would be 100% fine to use all of the time- I just like the way my floors smell after I use Humble Suds. 

Here’s why it’s awesome:

• No chemicals, just water: Clean floors quickly and easily using only microfiber and water.
• Safe for everyone: No chemical residue means safer floors for kids and pets.
• Multi-purpose: The telescopic handle makes it easy to clean walls, windows, and even ceiling fans with the EnviroWand® attachment.
• Eco-friendly: The Wet Mop Pad is made with 70% recycled content, and the Dry Mop Pad uses 82% recycled content.
• Antimicrobial protection: The Wet Mop Pad features BacLock® to help prevent odors and bacteria buildup in the pad.

It’s a great investment if you’re looking for a simple, chemical-free way to keep your floors clean—and it’s safe for wood, laminate, tile, marble, and vinyl!

Why Bother?

I get it—reading labels, switching products, and finding the right fit can feel like a lot of effort. But trust me, it’s worth it. Every small change you make adds up to a safer, healthier home for you and your family.

Plus, once you start noticing the difference in how your home feels (and smells!), you’ll never want to go back.

Quick Tips for Getting Started

• Read the Labels: Even “fragrance-free” products can have sneaky additives. Always double-check! Don't assume the marketing is telling you the truth. 
• Spot Test: Before you go all in with a new product, test a small area to avoid surprises.
• Take Baby Steps: You don’t have to overhaul your entire cleaning routine overnight. Start small and build from there.

Your Turn

Have you thought about the fragrance in your cleaning products? What’s your favorite way to clean floors without it? Or maybe you’ve tried Humble Suds or Bona or Norwex? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to swap tips and tricks!