Most cleaners that we use today are just a new twist on some old recipe for a cleaning product that was made hundreds of years ago. The main difference between cleaning products today and the ones used years ago are the chemicals that are added to make them smell a certain way or seem slightly more effective. In today’s eco-conscious world, we all realize that nearly everything we do has some sort of impact on our environment, whether it be a positive or negative.
One way to help create a positive impact on the environment is to use green cleaning products to ensure the safety of everyone in your household, from your children to your pets. Green cleaning products are a great way to keep your home safe while helping save the environment. Green cleaning products are quickly gaining popularity, yet there are still claims that these eco-friendly cleaners may not be nearly as friendly as they claim. In order to make sure that you, your family, and the environment are protected, you may choose to make your own cleaning products, which are guaranteed to be more green than most products you can find in stores.
Making your own cleaning products is simple, as you can find most of the ingredients in your own kitchen. In general, making your own cleaning products is also considerably cheaper than purchasing them at a store, adding yet another benefit to environmentally-friendly cleaning.
This article will provide you with 7 recipes for creating powerful and effective cleaning products. Please let us know if you use any of these and your opinion on them!
Bathroom Cleaner
Bathtubs are often difficult to clean because of the dirt and residue that build up on the sides, bottoms, and even walls surrounding the tubs. This home-made cleaner will easily take off this residue without leaving a gritty feeling that many harsh cleaners do.
Ingredients:
1/2 c. baking soda
liquid detergent
Directions:
Simply pour about 1/2 c. of baking soda into a bowl and add enough liquid detergent to make a texture like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge and wash the surface. Rinse.
Window Cleaner
Ingredients:
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. liquid detergent
3 Tbsp. vinegar
2 c. water
Spray bottle
Directions:
Put all ingredients into spray bottle, shake, and use just as you would a commercial brand cleaner. The soap in this recipe is highly important as it cuts through the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.
Oven Cleaner
Ingredients:
1 c. or more baking soda
Water
A squirt or two of liquid detergent
Directions:
Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda that the surface is totally white. Sprinkle some more water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can easily wipe up the grease the next morning because the grime will have loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven. If this recipe doesn’t work for you, try adding more baking soda and / or water.
All-Purpose Spray Cleaner
Ingredients:
1/2 tsp. washing soda
A dab of liquid soap
2 c. hot tap water
Directions:
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.
Furniture Polish
Ingredients:
1/2 tsp. oil, such as olive (or jojoba, a liquid wax)
1/4 c. vinegar or fresh lemon juice
Directions:
Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.
Deodorizer
Ingredients:
Vinegar
Spray bottle
Directions:
Keep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5% vinegar in your kitchen hear your cutting board and in your bathroom and use them for cleaning. You can spray the vinegar on the cutting board before going to bed at night and let is set overnight. The smell of vinegar will dissipate in a few hours. Straight vinegar is also great for cleaning the toilet rim. Simply spray it on and wipe off.
Mold Killers
Tea Tree Cleaner
Tea tree oil works wonderfully to remove mold and mildew. This is the best natural cleaner for the two. Tea tree oil is expensive, but it only takes a small amount to clean what you need. The odor is powerful, but will dissipate in a few days.
Ingredients:
2 tsp. tea tree oil
2 c. water
Directions:
Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes two cups.
Vinegar Spray
Straight vinegar kills approximately 85% of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing if you can deal with the smell. The smell will dissipate in a few hours.
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