Homemade Cleaning Products

Cleaning products are another area where you can make major changes that will drastically reduce both your ecological footprint, and the money you spend for your home.

If you remember nothing else, remember this, having a large bottle of white vinegar in your home at all times is essential. It also helps to have a couple of spray bottles on hand. You can reuse bottles, but I would only do so if they initially contained something non-toxic. For example, I have reused two old Method cleaner bottles for all purpose cleaner, but I would not reuse a cleaning bottle that had had caustic chemicals in it. It's very hard to get all of that out of the bottle and know it's going to be safe for your family. Otherwise, I would suggest checking your grocery store or garden supply store for empty spray bottles. Typically I can find them for less than a couple dollars a piece.





All Purpose Cleaner

Fill bottle

• 1/3 full of white vinegar
• 2/3 full of warm water
• 8-10 drops of your choice of essential oil

I like sweet orange essential oil for cleaning (I think it smells fresh and clean). Adam likes peppermint. Mix it up and enjoy. The oil is simply to kill the smell of the vinegar, so it is not necessary by any means.


Glass Cleaner

Fill bottle

• 1/3 full of white vinegar
• 2/3 full of warm water

Do not use essential oil for cleaning glass or mirrors. It will leave an oily streak.





Mold & Mildew Killer

Fill bottle with:

• 4-5 cups of warm water
• 2 tsp of tea tree oil
• 8-10 drops of essential oil (optional)
  

It's up to you whether you want to kill the tea tree oil smell or not. It is very medicinal, but sometimes that's nice when one is killing mold and mildew. I spray generously and let it sit on there for 10-15 minutes before wiping down.


For Scrubbing

When you need something abrasive for scrubbing you can use an oxygen-based cleaner (like an Oxy Clean, etc), just try and make sure it does not have any chlorine bleach added to it. You can also use straight baking soda. Either of these can be applied, slightly damp, allowed to sit and then scrubbed hard into the surface. They will dry out and get nice and hard and able to scrub very good.

Later I will share with you my favorite laundry detergent recipe, but that is for another post.

Enjoy cleaning!