Have you read our earlier post about the toxins in everyday housecleaning products? If so, you may be on the lookout for safer alternatives, but be having a hard time finding them. How about making them from ingredients you already have in the kitchen?
To get you started, we gathered some information on a few key ingredients you can use to make several basic cleansers. It’s easier than you think. Give these a try, and see if your home doesn’t feel cleaner-and safer!
What You’ll Need
- Baking soda
- Washing soda (if you can’t find it in the store, look in your local grocery chains, drug stores, or try Amazon)
- White distilled vinegar
- A good liquid soap or detergent (without triclosan)
- Tea tree oil
- Spray bottles
Soft Cleanser
Pour ½ cup baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid detergent to thicken the texture until it’s similar to frosting. Use with a sponge to clean the bathtub (it rinses clean). To store, add a teaspoon of vegetable glycerin and put into a sealed glass jar.
Window Cleaner
Combine ½ teaspoon liquid detergent with 3 tablespoons vinegar and 2 cups water. Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up, and you’re ready to go.
Oven Cleaner
Sprinkle water liberally over the bottom of the oven. Cover with baking soda until the surface is white. Sprinkle more water and leave overnight. In the morning, you’ll be able to easily wipe clean. Finish off the job with a little liquid detergent.
Spray Cleaner
Combine ½ teaspoon washing soda, some liquid soap, and 2 cups hot water in a spray bottle. Shake until the washing soda dissolves. That’s it!
Furniture Polish
Using a glass jar, mix ½ teaspoon oil (olive, jojoba, or a liquid wax) with ¼ cup vinegar or lemon juice. Dip a rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces.
Deodorizer
Create a mixture with water and 5% vinegar in a clean spray bottle. Use on your cutting board, toilet seat, kitchen counters-anywhere that needs deodorizing. Just spray, wipe, and leave. The vinegar smell dissipates in a couple hours.
Mold Killer
Combine 2 cups water with 2 teaspoons tea tree oil in a spray bottle. Tea tree is a great anti-bacterial and general bug killer that works great on mold. Try it on your moldy shower curtain, rug, or ceiling. Simply spray. Don’t rinse.
Do you have other recipes for home cleaners? Please share with us!
Photo courtesy elana’s pantry via Flickr.com.
