Homemade Cleaning Products

Many non-toxic or less-toxic products are available as alternatives to hazardous household chemicals. While more "elbow grease" may have to be used with some of these products, the benefits in terms of improved indoor air quality, decreased exposure to harsh chemicals, fewer waste disposal concerns, convenience, and lower costs should make the switch easy.

First and always, use soap and water, which are the appropriate cleaning solutions for most jobs. Skip the paper towels and use dish rags and cleaning rags instead. Towels and rags can be washed in your washing machine thousands of times, saving the many natural resources used in producing single-use cleaning supplies.

All-Purpose Green Cleaner

Ingredients:

2 cups white vinegar

2 teaspoons of your favorite essential oil (grapefruit or peppermint smell wonderful)

6 drops of food coloring (to help remind you there is a cleaning product in the bottle)

tap water

2 tablespoons dish soap (use one with no phosphates)

Supplies: 1-gallon plastic bottle with lid (you can make smaller amounts directly into your spray bottle by cutting the ingredients by 1/4)

Instructions: Add white vinegar, food coloring, and essential oil to the bottle in this order. Fill the rest of the bottle with cold tap water, leaving about 2 inches of space at the top. Add liquid dish soap (adding soap last prevents bubbles), close the lid, and gently tip the bottle back and forth to blend the ingredients.

How to Use: Use as you would any other all-purpose household cleaner. Put it in a spray bottle and use it in the kitchen, bathrooms, and for general cleaning. It is not for use on glass or windows.

Non-Toxic Green Cleanser

Ingredients:

Borax

Coarse salt (like Morton Kosher salt)

Baking soda

Essential oil (peppermint smells great!)

Supplies:

Plastic shaker bottle (Try recycling an old parmesan cheese shaker bottle)

Plastic funnel

Wire whisk

Instructions: The amount of each ingredient will depend on the size of your shaker bottle. Pour equal parts (1/3) Borax, (1/3) salt, and (1/3) baking soda into your container. Empty into a mixing bowl and blend ingredients with a whisk to break up any lumps in the baking soda or Borax. Mix in 10-20 drops of the essential oil. Stir well and carefully pour back into the shaker container using your funnel.

How to Use: Use as you would any other mildly abrasive cleanser. The coarse salt adds to the scrubbing action, and the baking soda and Borax leave a clean finish. Use in the kitchen and bathrooms.

Shower & Tub Cleaner

Caution: The ingredients in this cleaner can leave shower and tub floors slippery! Make sure to wash down all surfaces completely after cleaning.

Ingredients:

White vinegar

Dawn dishwashing liquid (any other degreasing dish soap will work)

Supplies: Spray bottle (any size)

Instructions: Fill your spray bottle half full with white vinegar. Slowly fill the remaining half with Dawn dishwashing liquid. Fill the bottle in this order to avoid foaming as it fills. Replace the spray nozzle and shake well.

How to Use: Use as you would any shower or tub spray cleaner. Spray on the tile, sink, or tub, and scrub the entire surface. Let the cleaner sit for a while before rinsing. This cleaner is good for removing body oils that trap dirt on surfaces. The vinegar leaves a clean finish on all surfaces, including hard water deposits on faucets and handles.