To clean in a green way, you need to use naturally-sourced cleaners. Using renewable, safe and sustainable products to clean your house is better for you, your children and the environment. Dionna over at Code Name: Mama, offered six great reasons why Parents Should Consider Using Natural Household Cleaners, so I would like to offer some easy recipes for non-toxic and green household cleaners.
Bathroom Cleaning
Bathtubs: For a sparkling bathtub, baking soda and a natural liquid soap (Murphy’s works great!) can do the trick All you need to do is sprinkle a bit of baking soda into your bathtub. Add a few drops of soap to your cleaning rag or sponge, and make sure to rinse the tub well to avoid leaving a residue.
For tough bathroom cleaning an all natural scrub will work well also. You will need a 12 ounce jar, baking soda, castille soap and antiseptic essential oil. Mix the following until you have a consistency like cake frosting and clean away.
• 1/2 cup baking soda • 1/2 cup castille soap
• 15 drops of an antiseptic essential oil
Mirrors: To get your mirrors and windows shining, white vinegar and water work well. Add one-fourth cup of vinegar to a spray bottle, filling the rest of the way with tap water. Seal the bottle up, shake well, and spray on all the glass surfaces in your home. Rub with a soft but lint-free cloth. A vinegar and water combination can also be used to get your floors spotless. Mix one-half cup vinegar into a bucket of warm water. Don’t worry about your house smelling like vinegar- the odor will disappear as the floor dries.
You can also mix 4 tablespoons of lemon juice with half a gallon of water to make an effective green window cleaner.
Toilets: To clean and shine toilet bowls, sprinkle some baking soda. Add some liquid soap, scrub with a brush as you normally would, and flush. For a job that needs an antiseptic cleaning try this recipe use a spray bottle with 15 oz. or so of purified water and add the following..
• 3 tbsp castille soap
• 30 drops of tea tree essential oil
Floor Cleaning
Wood Floor Mop Solution • 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar • 1 tsp. vegetable glycerin • 20 drops lemon essential oil
• Water
Combine in a 20 oz. spray bottle. Spray, mop as usual, and quickly buff dry to protect your floors. Your floors will be glossy and clean!
General Mop Solution Perfect for tile floors, vinyl, or linoleum. • 1/4 cup castille soap • 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
• 20 drops of tea tree essential oil
Combine in any old bottle or spray bottle. Mop as usual, and keep a bucket or clean sink close-by filled with 2 gallons of hot water per solution for rinsing.
Kitchen Cleaning
All-Purpose Natural Cleaner • 1:1 solution of distilled white vinegar and water
• 15-20 drops of an essential oil with antiseptic qualities (tea tree, lavender, lemon)
Use this solution for wiping tables, kitchen counters, cleaning blinds, painted walls, molding, fan blades, etc.
Kitchen drains: Hot lemon juice and baking soda is a good drain cleaner that is safe to use in septic systems. If you have a garbage disposal, toss in some lemon peels occasionally to keep it smelling fresh.
Oven: You can also clean your oven in a safe and natural way by mixing a cup of baking soda with water to make a paste. Spread the paste on the inside of a cold oven and let it stand for a bit. Use a scrubbing pad for smaller areas, and a scraper or spatula for baked-on foods. This method requires a little more effort, but it’s completely safe for your family and the environment.
To clear clogged drains, pour a half-cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by a half-cup of vinegar. Allow it to bubble for a little while, then pour a pot of boiling water down the drain. Use a plunger if you have one, and repeat if necessary.
Cleaning copper cookware is as simple as mixing equal parts vinegar and salt. Apply it to the tarnished copper, and polish with a soft cloth. Rinse it well, or the copper will corrode.
It’s definitely possible to have a clean home and take care of the environment at the same time. Use the recipes suggested, or come up with your own using different essential oil’s and mixtures until you find your favorites. Mixing your own green cleaning supplies may take a bit of time, but it’s time well spent.