Many home cleaning products, unless organic, contain toxic chemicals that pollute indoor air, are harmful to our bodies, and damage our environment. Taking time to make your own organic or natural household cleaning products not only saves you money but it also saves the environment and eliminates potential health issues.

 

For most of your home cleaning chores, you can make your own natural alternative cleaners with ingredients already found around the home. Following is a list of eco safe supplies you will need to make your own cleaners:

1. water
2. white distilled vinegar – disinfectant, cuts grease and wax buildup, removes mildew and odors, eliminates some stains
3. baking soda – cleans, deodorizer, softens water, scours
4. borax – (sodium borate) cleans, deodorizer, disinfectant, softens water,
5. castile soap – (vegetable base soap) bath soap, dish soap, laundry detergent, general house cleaning
6. cornstarch – cleans windows, polishes furniture, shampoos carpets
7. fresh lemons – (one of the strongest food acids) effective against most household bacteria
8. organic essential oil – (your choice) tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon grass, rosemary
9. table salt
10. 10. ecofriendly cloths and sponges
11. 11. spray bottles – reuse old ones making sure you thoroughly wash them out, or you can buy new and keep refilling (recycling)

 

The Basic Mixture

The easiest recipes for homemade natural cleaning solutions begin with a basic mixture of 8 parts water to 1 part white distilled vinegar. If you cannot tolerate the vinegar smell, soak orange peels in the vinegar for a short while, then remove the peels and add the water. Depending on the cleaning need, various other natural ingredients are added to the basic mixture.

 

Recipes-Ingredients to Add to The Basic Mixture

Kitchen All Purpose Cleaner & Disinfectant: counters, non-porous surfaces, (further disinfect chopping blocks with lemon juice – squeeze on, let stand, wipe off)

• the basic mixture
• few drops lemon juice
• ¼ tsp. castile soap
• spray on, wipe off

Bathroom All-Purpose Cleaner & Disinfectant: shower stall, chrome fixtures, toilet (can add together right in the bowl-let stand for a couple of minutes, scrub with brush, flush), tub/tile (wipe surface with vinegar, scour with baking soda, rinse)

• the basic mixture
• ¼ cup baking soda
• spray on, wipe off

Glass and Window Cleaner: windows, mirrors

• the basic mixture
• few drops castile soap
• spray on, wipe off

Brick, Stone and Tile Floors:

• the basic mixture
• ¼ cup baking soda
• squirt or two of castile soap
• few drops of pine oil or lemon juice
• mop, rinse

Vinyl and Linoleum Floors:

• the basic mixture
• ¼ cup borax (use sparingly on linoleum)
• few drops baby oil
• mop, then rinse

Additional Recipes for Other Cleaning Jobs

Wood Floors:

• equal parts water and white distilled vinegar
• ¼ cup borax (use sparingly on linoleum)
• few drops baby oil
• mop, then rinse

Carpet Stains:

• equal parts water and white distilled vinegar
• spray directly on stain, let sit for several minutes,
• clean with brush or sponge using few drops of castile soap in 1 cup warm

Furniture Polish:

• 1/2 cup warm water
• 2-3 drops of lemon oil
• spray onto damp sponge, wipe furniture, wipe again with dry soft cloth

If furniture does not have a protective coating;

• 2 tsps. of olive oil
• 2 tsps. of lemon juice
• apply to a soft cotton cloth, wipe furniture using wide strokes

Oven Cleaner:

• table salt as needed
• sprinkle liberally before oven cools down
• let oven cool, rub off with damp cloth

Carpet Deodorizer:

• 3/4 cup baking soda
• 2 tbsps. corn starch
• mix, sprinkle on carpet, leave overnight,vacuum

Air Freshener:

• 1 cup baking soda or vinegar
• 1tbsps. lemon juice
• mix in small dish, leave around house to absorb odors

For cooking odors while cooking;

• 1 tbsps. vinegar or spice such as cinnamon
• simmer in 1 cup water on stove top

Mold Prevention:

• 2 cups water
• 3 drops of pure organic tea tree oil
• spray walls, wipe dry

 

Commercial home cleaning solutions are known to cause environmental damage through their manufacturing, use and disposal. Toxic chemicals in these solutions pollute our air, water, soil, and cause a variety of health issues. The preceding recipes are suggestions of natural ingredients that can be used in combination to provide a more ecofriendly way to clean most home situations. Results may vary and carry no guarantee. Before applying any of the mixtures test in a small area, consider individual response to ingredients and keep out of reach of children. Go green! It’s better for your health and better for our environment.