Eco-friendly cleaners are currently priced higher than non-eco products. It’s possible to make your own all-natural, eco-friendly cleaners made from many items you have right in your pantry. These include baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, lemon juice, salt and many other common household items that can be mixed together to form cleansers that scrub, brighten, freshen, and disinfect.
Check out the recipes below for eco-friendly cleaners that really work: |
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KWIK TIP:
Vinegar is a great air freshener. Pour a half-cup in a small bowl and leave it in your bathroom.
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Disinfectant: Put 2 teaspoons borax (available at drugstores), 1/4 cup vinegar, and 3 cups of hot water in a spray bottle. For a little extra cleaning power, add 1/4 teaspoon Castile liquid soap.
Castile is soap made from vegetable substances such as olive, jojoba, or coconut oils.
Countertops: Mix baking soda and Castile liquid soap into a soupy consistency. Only make enough for what you need as it dries quickly.
Stovetop Cleaner: Mix 1 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup washing soda until it’s the consistency of a paste. Apply to inside of oven with paste and let sit overnight. The wipe and rinse oven.
Oven Cleaner: Make a paste of one-cup vinegar and 1/4 cup powdered laundry detergent. Heat your oven for 5-minutes at 350 degrees and turn off. Spread the paste around the oven, applying it more heavily to very greasy areas. Leave paste on for an hour, and then use a plastic spatula to gently scrape the dirt away. To prevent future greasy buildup, dip a sponge in full-strength vinegar and wipe down all sides of the oven after cleaning.
No-Wax Floor Cleaner: Mix 1 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup washing soda, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil-based liquid soap and 2 gallons hot water. Mop as usual. A pencil eraser removes heel marks from a floor.
Furniture Polish: Mix olive oil & vinegar in a one to one ratio and polish with a soft cloth.
Windows: Add 3 tablespoons vinegar to 1 quart water in a spray bottle. Use newspaper instead of cloth for streak free windows.
Laundry Brightener: Add 1/2 cup strained lemon juice to rinse cycle.
Stain Remover: Use hydrogen peroxide. Mix with baking soda for additional strength. Apply, let dry, then rinse.
Tub and Tile Cleaner: Combine 2 cups baking soda, 1/2 cup Castile liquid soap, 1/2 cup water, and 2 tablespoons of vinegar (do not add vinegar until the very last as it will react with the baking soda). Apply immediately apply, rinse, and wipe dry.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Pour 1 cup borax into toilet bowl before going to bed. Next morning, scrub and flush. For an extra strength cleaner, add 1/4 cup of vinegar to borax. |
