DIY Green House-Cleaning Products
With modern cleaning products you may be approaching your cleaning tasks more armed and dangerous than necessary.
Some of the weapons in the modern day cleaning arsenal include artificial colors, fragrances, harsh cleaning agents like bleach, ammonia and acids. A lot of cleaners today contain types antibacterial agents that sound like a good idea but actually give rise to stronger, more resistant bacteria.
And commercial cleaners are expensive! So think a little greener and make your own products to keep your home spotless and hygienic. You can honestly make just about everything you need for the biggest messes and toughest stains with the following ingredients:
- Borax laundry booster
- washing soda (in the laundry aisle of the grocery store)
- Castile soap (liquid and bar - also found in the laundry aisle)
- ammonia
- baking soda
- distilled water, white vinegar
- apple cider vinegar
- salt
- lemon juice
- olive oil
- essential oils (Can be found in natural health stores.Lavender for repelling insects, tea tree oil a safe antibacterial and fungicide, lemon, orange, or tangerine for cutting grease)
Gather yourself some half-gallon and gallon jars, spray bottles and labels and create your own healthier, green house-cleaning products.
Powdered Laundry Soap
- 1 bar (4-6 oz) Castile soap, grated (may use Fels Naphtha)
- 2 cups Borax
- 2 cups washing soda
- 1 cup baking soda
Combine ingredients. I put them in the blender for a few seconds. Store in a covered container. Use 2 Tablespoons for tough loads. This is a low-suds detergent.
Lavender Laundry Softener
- 1 quart white vinegar
- 2-4 drops lavender essential oil
Mix and store in a glass jar with a plastic lid. To use: Add 1/2 to 1 cup to rinse cycle.
Dusting Spray
- 1 cup distilled water
- 2-3 drops essential oils
Combine in spray bottle. Spray onto cotton cloth and wipe the dust away.
All-Purpose Cleaner
- 1 T white vinegar
- 1 T lemon juice
- 1 T liquid Castile soap
- 1 T Borax
- 1 cup distilled water
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle.
Window Cleaner
- 1/4 -1/2 t liquid Castile soap
- 3 T white vinegar
- 2 cups distilled water
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake a bit before using. This may be doubled for big window jobs. Also use newspaper rather than paper towels which may streak. If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, you may use straight lemon juice or club soda instead.
Fungicide
- 2 t tea tree oil
- 2 cups water
Combine in a spray bottle. Shake well before using on areas that are moldy or musty.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- 1 gallon water
- 1 cup ammonia
- 1/2 cup vinegar
- 1/2 cup baking soda
Combine and store in spray bottles.
Lemon Dishwashing Liquid
- 2 cups liquid Castile soap
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
- 5 drops tea tree oil
Combine all ingredients in a squeeze bottle. Works well as a hand soap, too.
Tub Scrub
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup salt
- 10 drops citrus essential oil (optional)
- 5 drops tea tree oil (a disinfectant)
Combine all in airtight container. Sprinkle around tub, scrub and rinse.
Automatic Dishwasher Detergent
- 1 cup Borax
- 1/2 cup baking soda
Combine ingredients and add to dispenser as you would your regular dishwasher detergent. Fill rinse dispenser with white vinegar to remove spots.
Soft Scrub
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 2-3 T liquid Castile soap
Combine and mix until smooth. Apply with cloth, then wipe clean.
Oven Cleaner
- 1 small box baking soda
- Liquid Castile soap
Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven and cover with baking soda, avoiding heating coils. Sprinkle more water over soda. Let sit overnight. Wipe up in the morning, suing a scrubbie pad. To remove the residue, put a little Castile soap on a damp cloth and wipe clean.
