Here are a couple of earth-friendly, and family-friendly (they do not contain any of the harsh chemicals in typical cleaning products that expose us to dangerous toxins) cleanser ideas:
1. ALL PURPOSE CLEANSER
Combine 1 teaspoon washing soda (Arm & Hammer makes one), 2 cups very hot water, and a dab of all-purpose liquid detergent (Ecover and Seventh Generation make earth friendly versions) in a spray bottle. Use on countertops, baseboards, toys and appliances.
2. SOFT SCRUB
Add liquid detergent to 1/2 cup baking soda and mix until it forms the consistency of frosting. Use to scrub sinks, shower stalls, and stainless steel.
3. DRAIN CLEANSER
Pour a cupful of white vinegar, a natural antibacterial, down the sink weekly to sanitize your drain. I like to add a squeeze of lemon to the vinegar to give it a fresher scent.
Annie B. Bond, author of Better Basics for the Home, says that we can replace our arsenal of traditional cleaners with just four items: baking soda, washing soda, distilled white vinegar or lemons, and an all-purpose liquid detergent.
The good news is that not only are the cleansers listed above better for us and our planet, they also cost far less to make than the cleaning products we buy in the stores.
Now, if I could just figure out how to make them clean my house for me while I visit the beach...
-ab
I really want to switch to green house cleaning (once I am out of the stuff I already bought) and this is exactly what I need - recipes!! I haven't tried these yet, but I am wondering if these are enough to use for more than one cleaning or do we have to mix up each cleaning?
ReplyDeleteIt depends on how much you clean with the recipe you make. the first one for the all purpose cleanser makes quite a bit. I also used up my old stuff and then used the old Windex bottle to store my new green cleanser. I really like it.
ReplyDeleteIf you stumble on any other recipes please share them with us.