Green Home Cleaning
After thinking about it for a long time, I decided to clean my kitchen! I opened up those under-sink cabinet doors and began rummaging through the tub of cleaning products.
I found one that said “With Real Lemons!” on the label. How great! I couldn’t help but notice that the back label said “Harmful to Humans and Pets”. My other cleaners also had warnings like: “Do not inhale!” “May Bleach Skin” “Harmful Eye Irritant!”
After further investigation, many of these hazardous looking cleaning products did not include their ingredient lists, and I like knowing what I’m spraying all over my counter tops or rubbing into my carpet. I did some research and found some natural and more safe ways to clean. I’ve tried all of these myself and was happy to clean with out the fumes and harsh smells! Though the vinegar IS a little stinky. Here are some natural recipes!
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Grocery List (From MarthaStewart.Com)
Baking soda (aka sodium bicarbonate) A deodorizer and gentle scrub; softens hard water, removes acidic stains, and polishes shiny surfaces like stainless steel without scratching.
Distilled white vinegar A deodorizer, disinfectant, mild acid, and preservative; breaks up dirt, grease, mineral deposits, mold, and soap scum.
Essential oils Aromatic plant oils; some, including eucalyptus, lavender, and tea tree, are natural disinfectants and antifungals. Pure essential oils can irritate eyes and skin upon contact, so handle carefully. Pregnant women should consult a health-care practitioner before using. Available from mountainroseherbs.com and natural foods stores.
Lemon A deodorizer, stain remover, and grease cutter; acts as a mild bleach when exposed to sunlight.
Olive oil A natural oil that helps to nourish and polish wood.
Plant-based liquid soap Gentle soap made with oils such as olive (”Castile soap”), palm, and coconut, rather than petroleum derivatives or animal fat.
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Natural Cleaning Recipe
Baking Soda, Soap, Lemon
All Purpose Scrub:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- Plant-based liquid soap
- 1/2 of a lemon
Pour baking soda into a bowl. Add just enough liquid soap to make a creamy paste. Spread mixture on the flat side of lemon and scrub. The lemon acts as a sponge and leaves a natural citrus scent. Use a damp rag or sponge to wipe away any residue. You’ll find the paste will stay moist for a few hours.
Helpful Hint: To save leftover scrub, add in a few drops of vegetable glycerin and seal in a glass jar.
Environmentally Friendly Window Cleaner
Safe Window Cleaning Formula
- 1/2 teaspoon Castile or plant-based liquid soap
- 3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
- 2 cups water
Pour all ingredients into a spray bottle and shake. Spray onto window and wipe clean with newspaper or a 100 percent cotton cloth.
Helpful Hint The liquid soap included in this recipe helps remove any streak-causing wax left on the window from commercial cleaners used in the past. You can eliminate the soap after a few washings. Safety note: Always be careful to label containers of homemade cleaners intended for storage and keep them well out of the reach of children.
Mold and Mildew: Natural Bathroom Cleaner, Outdoor cleaner
Vinegar
- 2 cups distilled white vinegar
Pour vinegar into a spray bottle and spray on infected area. The smell will dissipate in a few hours (open a window to speed up the process).
Helpful Hint For areas with persistent mold problems, use tea tree oil instead of vinegar, combining 2 drops of tea tree oil with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. A natural antiseptic and fungicide, tea tree oil costs more than vinegar but will kill most types of mold and help prevent new growth.
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Cleaning Green Products:
Other products are Hydrogen Peroxide, Tea Tree Oils, Sunlight and many more. My friend, Febe Long, sells Melaleuca products; a human, pet, and environmentally friendly line of cleaning products. You can view these natural cleaning products, and contact Febe at FebeLong@live.com to order!
Comments about YOUR personal experiences with natural cleaning are welcome!