When we were growing up, most of us used whatever chemical cleaner mom bought at the store. There was bleach, there might have been ammonia. There were plenty of sanitizing scrubs and sprays, and we didn’t care what they did to the environment, even if they did make our hands burn and our eyes water.
These days, we have better information about how cleaners can affect the environment, our health, and the health of our pets. We also know that there are plenty of natural ingredients that can kill germs without being as harsh as the chemical cleaners on us or on the surfaces we clean.
Check out these 3 cleaner recipes you can use all over your house. They’re cheap and effective ways to keep your whole house clean.
All Purpose Cleaner
This recipe has only three ingredients, and can be used on just about any hard surface in your home. It’s great for everything in the bathroom and the kitchen! However, it’s not the best for windows or mirrors since it will leave streaks behind.
- ½ cup Plain Vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Baking Soda
- 8-10 drops Tea Tree, Peppermint, or Lemon essential oil
Instructions: Mix the vinegar and oil in a small spray bottle with a little water, then shake well. Add the baking soda, then fill the rest of the bottle, and shake again.
Scrubbing Cleaner
This chemical free scrubbing cleaner will get your bathtub and sinks spotless. It’ll lift the grease, grime, and hard water stains without scratching your surfaces.
- 1.5 cups Baking Soda
- 1.5 cups Natural, coconut based Laundry soap
- 12-15 drops Tea Tree, Peppermint, or Lemon essential oil
Instructions: Simply mix these ingredients together in a resealable plastic tub. If this mix begins to dry or harden, just a little bit of water will soften it up again. You can scoop out a small amount with your hand, scrubbing rag, or cleaning brush.
Dishwashing Powder
Many people are scared to make dishwashing powder, fearing that it will damage the machine or overflow with suds. This recipe makes no suds, but it gets dishes sparkling clean. It’s also totally safe for your machine!
- 1 cup Plain Salt
- 2 cups Borax powder
- 2 cups Baking Soda
- 1 cup Lemi-Shine or citric acid powder
Instructions: Combine all four ingredients together in a resealable plastic container. Keep the mix dry so it doesn’t harden. Each load of dishes only needs two tablespoons of this mix, so it will last a long time, saving you a lot of money in the long run!
Conclusion
There are many homemade cleaners you can make, and most of them use vinegar or baking soda as a base, since these two are so versatile and safe. If you want to be extra economical, use reusable cloth wipes instead of paper towels. You’ll be saving money and the environment! Pro tip, you may want to wipe surfaces that have been cleaned with a very slightly damp cloth, since there may be a slight residue of baking soda left behind. It won’t hurt anything if you leave it there, though.
Photo credits: https://www.flickr.com/photos/97481684@N08/
