Homemade Cleaners: Green Cleaning Recipes

Since we started making our own Laundry Soap it only seemed natural to start making our own cleaners too. Not only for the natural aspect of it, but for the savings. Homemade cleaners can be up to 95% cheaper than store bought cleaners. Savings also come from getting the best efficiency from your appliances, you must keep them clean and in good working order. 

When we moved last October I picked up some of Martha Stewart's cleaners. They worked great but at over $5 a bottle I thought I could do better. Now we make our own and funnel it into Martha's Spray Bottles because they are the perfect shape, they are tall and slim and take up very little space.

Homemade Cleaning Supplies:

• Vinegar
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Baking Soda
• Borax
• Washing Soda
• Castile Soap (Dr.Brommers)
• Dish Soap
• WATER
• Citrus
• Olive Oil
• Tea Tree Oil

The Manor's All Purpose Cleaner:
1/2 cup Warm Water
1/2 cup Vinegar
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
15 drops Tea Tree Oil
The Tea Tree oil makes this cleaner a germicide, fungicide and anti bacterial. It's great for wiping down counters, and is especially useful during the cold and flu season, I squirt a cloth with it, then go around the house wiping down door knobs and light switches.
or
1 tsp Borax
2 Tbsp Vinegar
1/2 tsp Washing Soda
1/2 tsp Castile Soap
20 drops Tea Tree Oil
2 Cups Hot Water
We've used both recipes, I just like the top one because it's easier to make. I like this second recipe for cleaning shelves in the fridge or dirty sinks, anything in need a little more power (I sound like Tim Allen, "More Power")

Grease Cutter:
2 Cups warm water
1/4 Cup Castile Soap (we use Dr.Brommers)
10 Drops essential oil, we use Lemon
Mix together in a spray bottle and spray on surface, let sit for a few seconds then wipe off with a damp sponge.

Garbage Disposal Deodorizer:
After we use a lemon we cut it into strips, then cut the pulp out, and throw it down the garborator, with a sprinkle of baking soda and a dash of vinegar, works like a charm!

Microwave Cleaner: (you've probably heard this one before but it works amazingly well)
A bowl of warm water, with lemon slices. Put the bowl in the microwave and cook it for 1 minute. After it's done 'cooking' Let it sit in the microwave for 3 more minutes, then wipe it out with a damp sponge, the steam makes it so easy to clean!!

Toilet Bowl Cleaner:
1 Cup Borax
1/4 Cup Vinegar
Mix together in a cup then pour into toilet. Let sit for 15 min, then scrub. Works great, I've also used plain old liquid dish detergent and it worked fine too, the borax give you a bit more scrubbing power!

Window Cleaner:
I haven't been able to find a glass cleaner that works as well as commercial glass cleaners, so I still buy my glass cleaner. I usually buy Seventh Generation (I still decant it into the Martha Stewart Cleaner bottles).
For the outside of windows, about 3 times a year we mix up a batch of
2 cups Water
3 Tbsp Vinegar
1/2 tsp Liquid Dish Detergent
Mix it all together in a bucket, use a sponge to scrub the windows, and hose off!

Carpet Stain Remover:
First try to get as much up as possible, and any "chunks"
Next, sprinkle corn starch or baking soda on the spot to absorb some of the stain
Combine 1Tbsp Clear Dish washing Liquid, with 2 tbsps Vinegar, add 2 cups warm water, and blot stain. It's simple but it works just as well as any store bought carpet cleaner!

Carpet Re-Fresher:
About once a month, I sprinkle baking soda all over the carpet, leave it for about 30 minutes then vacuum it up. It pulls out any smells, and leaves the carpet nice and fresh!

Among other reasons for not using Commercial Air Fresheners, they are full of phthalates, chemicals that manufacturers use as plastic softeners and to hold fragrances. California and Washington have banned the sale of children's toys containing phthalates because of their link to hormonal disruptions in additional studies on animals. Which raises concerns for me over why phthalates weren't banned from air fresheners too??? Solid Air Fresheners contain pollutants that can damage the lungs is inhaled in higher concentrations, and if ingested by children or pets, they can be poisonous and even fatal.

Homemade Room Spray:
3/4 cup Filtered Water
2/3 cup either rubbing alcohol or vodka (use the cheap stuff :)
15 drops scented oil (we use lavender) (or Vanilla)
12 drops complimenting scented oil (grapefruit is good) (or Orange extract)
Shake it all together in a spray bottle (a plant mister works even better).

Wow that was A LOT of information. I hope you found that useful!
Cleaning with natural solutions keeps your homes connection to nature, just like we resonate with natural materials when we decorate, it's the same idea when we clean with natural solutions, it just feels right, and good! There's a reason we don't feel cozy and warm at the public pool . . . too many chemicals (and old men in speedos hehe)