Homemade Cleaners.....

[Guest guest]

For my liquid cleaners, I purchased several different colored spray

bottles (like those for misting plants)...so I can tell by the color

of the bottle, which one I need by just a glance. Mine are about 16

oz. bottles. I also apply sticky labels to the bottles, on which I

write the type of cleaner it contains, so other household members

know which cleaner is which too. You can re-use these bottles over &

over again too, which eliminates all those store-bought cleaner

containers going to the landfill all the time.

 

All of these cleaners can be made without using any scents at all,

but essential oils can be added for those that like a nice scent to

their cleaners. Many essential oils can also add a bit of

extra " disinfectant " or " deodorizing " properties too, if desired.

(IE: tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil etc) Just make sure they are

pure " essential oils " , as there are several " synthetic " oils around,

that are just more chemicals. The label should read " essential oil " ,

NOT " fragrance oil " as those are chemically derived.

 

You can use a white vinegar/water combination for many cleaning

jobs. I put in about 1/3 of the bottle as vinegar, and fill the rest

with water. This makes a great Window/Glass/Mirror cleaner, but can

also be used for lots of other clean-ups too. You can add your

favorite EO for scent if you like. Some white vinegars can be made

from petroleum distillates/alcohols, so try to find one that is 100%

derived from grains. (I use Heinz White Vinegar for cleaning, as it

does not contain petroleum distillates) White Vinegar does kill many

types of bacteria/germs, and also helps to inhibit mold/mildew

growth, so I use it alot! You can also use 100% vinegar in the

bottle for really tough jobs.

 

For my Furniture Polish, I pour about 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and

then about 2-3 tablespoons of Olive Oil, then fill the rest with

water. I like to use either Lemon Essential Oil or Tangerine

Essential Oil in this recipe. You do have to shake the bottle during

use, to keep the olive oil dispersed evenly tho, or it will separate

from the water. The olive oil helps to keep the woodwork/furniture

moisturised.

 

For my All Purpose type cleaner, I use about 1/2 cup vinegar, and

then about 1/4 cup of a good non-toxic liquid castile soap (or eco-

friendly dishsoap). I like Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap (available at

most health stores). Dr. Bronner's comes in several scented

varieties, but I usually use the Aloe Vera Baby Mild as it isn't

scented, therefore doesn't compete with my EO scents. Fill the rest

with water, and whatever EO you want. I like peppermint for this

recipe. This you can use for heavier cleaning duties that can use a

bit of soap suds (countertops, inside the fridge etc). This makes a

pretty good " spot " remover for most carpeting too.

 

For mopping floors, just add about 1 cup vinegar to the hot water

bucket, and a bit of the liquid soap (or eco-friendly dishsoap).

 

For scouring powder, I just use Arm & Hammer Baking Soda. I use a

metal shaker can (with holes at the top) so it sprinkles easier, than

right out of the box, which sometimes " clumps up " . You can layer it

with EO by filling 1/4 of the shaker with Baking Soda, add a few

drops EO, then to the halfway mark on the shaker, then the 3/4 mark,

then to the top. You can use this for scouring sinks/tubs or " baked-

on " dirty pots/pans. I usually use one of those handmade scrubbies

you find at craft booths for the scrubbing. If there's lots of soap

scum on sink/tub, just spray down with the vinegar/water first, let

set a few minutes, then apply the baking soda and scrub with

scrubbie. If you end up with any baking soda residue leftover after

rinsing, just spray with the vinegar/water, and it will dissolve it.

 

To keep drains running clear, pour down some baking soda, then follow

with the vinegar. After it gets done fizzing/bubbling, pour in some

boiling water. Do this about once a month, and it should keep your

drain pipes from clogging, as it will help dissolve the scum/soap etc

that collects in them.

 

As a fabric " softener " , you can use about 1/4 - 1/2 cup of baking

soda in the rinse cycle (depending on size of the load). Or, you can

use about 1 cup of vinegar in the rinse cycle, whichever one you

prefer. If you " have " to have scented clothes (like those dryer

sheets), you can just add a couple drops of EO to a clean cloth and

throw it into the dryer with the clothes. (Fabric Softeners have

some really, really nasty chems in them, so its best to avoid them)

Try wearing natural type fabrics (IE: cotton, ramie, hemp, silk,

linen) rather than petro/plastics like acrylic/polyester, and you

won't have to worry about " static-cling " ...the synthetics are the

static producers.

 

I use eco-friendly laundry detergent (which is expensive), so I only

use about 1/2 the recommended amount. I then add about 1/4 cup of

Arm & Hammer Washing Soda to the detergent amount as a

laundry " booster " . The Washing Soda is also all natural (just like

their baking soda), and it helps to keep the expense of the detergent

down.

 

If you do " steam clean " your carpeting, you can just add a bit of

white vinegar to the hot water (and a bit of non-toxic liquid soap or

dishwashing liquid) and it does a pretty good job on the carpets.

 

For the toilet, just pour in vinegar, baking soda, and a bit of a

disinfecting EO, and let it set overnight. If you get mineral

deposits in the toilet bowl, use a pumice stone to remove them. Just

make sure the stone is wet, before scrubbing with it, so it won't

scratch the porcelain.

 

If you do purchase store-bought sponges, look for untreated 100%

cellulose sponges. Many sponges are treated with anti-bacterial/anti-

microbial " pesticides " nowadays, which you probably don't want to use

in your home. You can usually find the non-treated sponges at

hardware stores. The " pesticided " sponges usually say: Mold/Mildew

Resistant, or Odor Resistant or something on them, and will say in

very fine print " Not for use on Aquariums " on the label somewhere.

 

The above homemade cleaners cost only pennies to make, they are non-

toxic, non-polluting, and they are still effective. We share our

home will several " critter-kids " (dogs,cats,birds,fish) and first-

time visitors always tell me that they would never guess we have so

many critters, as they never " smell " any animals when they come into

the house.

 

Hope these tips help!!!

 

Jan (in Michigan)