If you want to reduce the pollutant levels in your home, save some money, reduce your exposure to toxins, avoid fragrances or dyes, and skip the protective gear needed to clean, here’s some great Green Cleaners that won’t harm you or the environment. They’re made from basic ingredients—distilled white vinegar, salt, baking soda, borax, and so forth—yet, for all their ordinariness, they’ll still do a great job.
You can make these cleaners in bulk, but store them in airtight containers that are well-labelled. Also, keep in mind that even though natural cleaners are not poisonous, they can still be harmful if swallowed, so keep them stored safely away from children and pets, and tape the recipe to the container in case someone accidentally swallows or misuses the cleaner. If you want to improve the scent, you can always add an essential oil to enhance the smell.
All-Purpose Cleaner: Use this cleaner to clean tough and dirty surfaces.
1/4 cup borax
1 quart hot water
Disinfectant: Use in bathrooms, kitchens, on counter tops, or anywhere you want to disinfect.
Isopropyl Alcohol makes a great disinfectant and is easy to apply; however, wear gloves and use it in a well-ventilated area.
Drain Cleaner: Use this to clear backed up or clogged drains.
Pour 1/4 cup baking soda down the drain.
Follow it with 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar.
Then follow with hot water and a plunger.
Fruit and Vegetable Wash: Put this in a spray bottle. Allow fruits or vegetables to sit at least five minutes in the solution before you wash them off.
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
2 Tablespoons baking soda
1 cup water
General Cleaner: Use this cleaner to cut grease and help clean any and all surfaces, such as countertops or appliance surfaces.
1/2 teaspoon washing soda (sodium carbonate)
2 teaspoons liquid soap
2 cups hot water
Glass or Window Cleaner: This cleaner is a great streak-free cleaner.
1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
1 quart warm water
You can also use plain, undiluted white vinegar in a spray bottle or equal amounts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
Mold and Mildew Remover: This works great in showers or bathtubs.
1/2 cup borax
1 gallon hot water
or
a distilled white vinegar and salt paste.
Polisher: You can make wood sparkle.
Olive oil (and use the cheaper brands that aren’t extra virgin because they work just as well as the expensive ones).
Rust Stains: Rust stains are hard to remove, but this works well.
Apply lemon juice or distilled white vinegar, full-strength. Allow it to stand until the spot disappears, and then rinse. Repeat as needed.
Scouring Powders: Use these to clean tubs, toliets, or tile.
Baking soda or table salt
Place either one of these mild abrasives on a sponge, and then scour and rinse.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner: This will make your toilet bowls sparkle.
Add 1/4 cup borax to your toilet bowl.
Allow it to sit overnight.
Scrub the next day with 1/2 cup borax to 1 gallon of water.
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Informational Note: Some essential oils can be harmful to pregnant women. Pregnant Always use distilled white vinegar rather than apple cider vinegar
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Here’s some more sites that have “Green” recipes:
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