This is the first in a series of articles about how to avoid toxic chemicals that you find in most cleaning supplies bought in stores. In this article I’ll give you ‘recipes’ to use to create your own safe cleaning products to use throughout your home.
Natural Cleaning Recipes for your Home
Air Freshener:
- Put shallow plates of vinegar in rooms to absorb the odors.
- Sprinkle ½ cup of borax in the bottom of trash cans or diaper pails to prevent bacteria and mold from growing. (Caution: See note below about using borax)
All-Purpose Cleaner:
- Place 4 tablespoons of baking soda in 1 quart of warm water and shake well. Add to bucket or spray bottle for cleaning.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of clear, non-sudsing ammonia, 1 tablespoon of clear laundry detergent and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle or bucket.
- Use 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup water in a bucket or spray bottle and apply to surfaces. Add a sprinkle of baking soda for scouring power.
- Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar, and 3 cups hot water in a spray bottle or bucket to clean and disinfect. Add 1/4 teaspoon liquid soap for tough grime.
Disinfectant:
- Apply isopropyl alcohol to surfaces.
Metal cleaner and polish:
- Use undiluted white vinegar for stainless steel.
- Put 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 cup of white vinegar into a large pan, add tarnished copper items, and bring to a boil.
- Use sliced lemons to clean tarnish from copper, aluminum, brass and bronze. For extra cleaning power, sprinkle them with baking soda before rubbing with lemons.
- Clean sterling silver by lining a plastic or glass bowl with aluminum foil. Sprinkle foil with a little salt and baking soda before filling the bowl with warm water. Soak items in mixture; tarnish will migrate from silver to foil. Rinse and dry silver well, then buff it with a clean, soft cloth.
Polish Furniture:
- Rub surface with mineral oil using a soft cloth.
- Mix 1 cup olive oil and 1/2 cup lemon juice or vinegar in a spray bottle, then shake well. After applying evenly to the entire surface, polish with a dry cloth.
Clean Glass and Mirrors:
- Rub with lemon juice.
- Mix 1 tablespoon clear, non-sudsing ammonia (or white vinegar), 1 cup water and 1 cup rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle.
- Add 3 tablespoons of vinegar to 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. For extra dirty windows, add 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap, 3 tablespoons vinegar and 2 cups of water. Use recycled newspaper to dry streak-free.
Clean Carpets and Rugs:
- Sprinkle with corn starch or baking soda over the surface, let stand 20-30 minutes and vacuum.
- For a heavy-duty cleaning and stains, make a paste of 1/4 cup of each of these ingredients: salt, vinegar, and borax. Rub well into the area and let dry before vacuuming.
Clean Drains:
- Pour ½-1 cup baking soda down drain, add 1/2 cup white vinegar and cover the drain. Wait 15 minutes then pour 1 gallon of hot water down the drain.
Floors:
- Clean linoleum floors by combining 1/4 cup washing soda, 1 tablespoon liquid soap, 1/4 cup vinegar and 2 gallons hot water. Do not use on waxed floors.
Additional Tips:
- People who work with borax should use gloves and handle with caution. In small amounts, it’s fine but you should it keep away from children and pets, and make sure it’s never ingested.
- Never use vinegar on marble surfaces and make sure you dilute it well when using on grout.
- Keep an eye out for follow-up articles I’ll be adding throughout the following weeks and months. One will be about avoiding toxic chemicals used in most cleaning supplies you buy in stores; the first telling you about the harm they can do and what to look for, the second how to clean your kitchen with products you probably already have in your home that are all-natural and safe for you, your family and your pets. You’ll also later learn about natural cleaning products for your bathroom and laundry room so check back often!
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