Are you looking for an alternative to harsh cleaning products that can be damaging to your skin and lungs?
Here are 4 easy (and healthy) cleaning solutions that you can make with household items:
- Glass Cleaner
This recipe makes a great streak-free glass cleaner:
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup vinegar
- ¼ cup rubbing alcohol
- 1 drop orange essential oil (optional, for scent)
- All-Purpose Cleaner and Deodorizer
Simple mixture that creates a cleaning solution perfect for kitchen counters and appliances:
- 4 tablespoons baking soda
- 4 cups warm water
- Citrus Cleaner
This multi-purpose cleaning solution takes about 2-3 weeks to complete but is worth the time and effort to make an effective cleaning product without toxic chemicals:
The ingredients:
- Container with tight fitting lid
- Orange peels
- 1 tablespoon salt
- Vinegar
- Distilled water
- 5 drops essential oil (optional)
To make this recipe, cut orange peels and fill empty container. Lightly cover peels with salt and let them sit for 20 minutes. Fill the container halfway with vinegar and then top it off with distilled water. Put on your tight fitting lid and let the mixture sit for 2-3 weeks. Strain the solution into a spray bottle and you have an effective natural orange cleaner!
- Deodorizing Spray
This solution is a great alternative to expensive sprays like Febreeze – made with only two ingredients:
- White vinegar
- Essential oil of your choice – lemon, tea tree, lavender, orange, etc.
Fill a spray bottle almost completely with vinegar and add about 10 drops of the essential oils of your choosing. Shake up the bottle and you are good to go! Since vinegar is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer it is actually quite effective on its own. The oils will give it a nice fresh scent.
A Few Household Ingredients that Have Cleaning Power on Their Own:
Baking Soda: Sodium Bicarbonate (or baking soda) is a natural substance that fights dirt, grease and odours. Although it can be added to many homemade cleaning recipes, baking soda should never be combined with vinegar (they cancel each other out).
Vinegar: Vinegar is 5 per cent Acetic Acid – this acid fights against bacteria and makes vinegar a versatile cleaning product. Although it is very useful, it cannot be used on surfaces like marble and granite.
Castile Soap: A vegetable-based product, castile soap is gentle on the skin and effectively fights dirt, grease and germs.
Citrus: Lemons and oranges are amazing natural cleaners. Lemons contain antibacterial properties that help fight germs and bacteria in your home. They can also be used to help brighten dull linens or to add a fresh scent to homemade cleaners.
Essential Oils: Essential oils are concentrated oils derived from plants. They provide fresh natural fragrance and contain disinfecting properties. A few great oils for cleaning include: lemon, tea tree, peppermint, lavender, and orange.
Salt: Salt has long been used for its cleaning and preserving properties. It can be used to soften hard water, as a natural scent booster or its abrasive properties can be used to scour dirty surfaces.
There are hundreds of recipes for healthy household cleaners that make excellent alternatives to store-bought products – what have you tried?
