Natural Cleaning

Using natural cleaners has been very important to us since Little Man was born.  We have greatly reduced the dangerous chemicals in our home.  Regular cleaning supplies are chock-full of chemicals some of which are dangerous if ingested and toxic if breathed or even touched.  After reading another label that warned it caused blindness (blindness!), I decided it was time to live healthier and cleaner. 

An added benefit: natural cleaning supplies will save you a ton of money!  Seriously, my laundry detergent costs 1/4 of what I was paying previously for standard, mainstream soap.  Saving money is always sweet. 

I could get on my soapbox about the added benefits to the environment, indoor air quality and local water supplies, but hopefully you already know that.  OCA has some great information.  GAIAM points out that "No law requires manufacturers of cleaning products to list ingredients on their labels or to test their products for safety. It’s up to you to make sure your home is not only clean, but also nontoxic."  How scary is that!  No law requires the listing of ingredients.  So what is in that "98% other" listed on so many bottles??

To that end, here are some of our tried and true homemade cleaners:

Upholstery Cleaner
Vinegar
New Sponge
Test in an inconspicuous spot first!  I sprayed my microfiber glider and ottoman with a good coat of vinegar (not soaking) and then used a new sponge to scrub it in/away.  It now looks brand new!  What a difference and so easy. 

Laundry Detergent
1 bar Castille soap (we like Dr. Bonner's fair trade almond)
1 cup washing soda
1/2 cup Borax
Shred the soap with a kitchen grater (small holed); add the soda and Borax.  Mix very well.  Use 1-2 Tbs per load of laundry: 1 for regular loads, 2 for large or especially dirty loads.

Fabric Softener
Vinegar
That's it.  Fill your automatic softener dispenser with vinegar or add a 1/4 cup to your rinse cycle.  This eliminates static and smells!  I have found it to be safe on all of our clothing.  We use it to neutralize odors in our cloth diapers and my husband's gym clothes.  ; )

Bathroom Scrubber
3/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup liquid Castille soap
1 Tbs water
1/4 tsp Tea Tree oil
Combine ingredients and mix well.  Mixture will be paste-like.  Store in an airtight container.  This is amazing for sinks and showers/bathtubs.  Use a sponge and scrub away.  One batch allows me to scrub 2 sinks and a bathtub many times.

Toilet Bowls and countertops
Baking Soda
Vinegar
Sprinkle baking soda generously around the slopes of the toilet bowl.  I keep baking soda in a sugar shaker because I use it so much to eliminate odors (diaper pails!).  Spray in vinegar to dampen the soda.  There will be fizzing.  I let it sit for 5-10 minutes while I scrub something else.  Then just use your toilet brush to clean. I find that this prevents mildew and water rings.  This same idea works great on kitchen countertop stains!  Let it sit a little longer (20-30min) and finally remove those hot sauce marks, lol.  Also works on stubborn pots and pans.

Floor cleaner
Water
Vinegar
15-20 drops Tea Tree oil
Use a squeeze bottle.  Fill it 2/3 with water and 1/3 with vinegar; add tea tree oil.  Shake to mix.  Squirt on your floors and use a flat mop.  Tea tree adds a disinfecting boost, but you can also add any oil with a smell you enjoy.

Mirror/Window Cleaner, Toy Disinfectant, Diaper Pail Cleaner, etc.
Vinegar
I keep a spray bottle of vinegar on hand that I use for many things.  My bottle is full-strength vinegar with some Tea Tree oil added, but just vinegar or even half vinegar/half water would work for glass.

Dishwasher Rinse Aid
Vinegar
Yep, just add vinegar in the rinse aid or put a good splash in the bottom of the machine before you start it.  Result: sparkly glasses and film-free dishes.

Oven Cleaner
Plenty of baking soda
Little bit of vinegar
Very generously sprinkle baking soda inside the oven.  Give it a good coating.  Now spray or drip enough water inside to dampen the soda.  Let it sit and do the work.  If you clean regularly, you may only need to wait an hour.  If you're like me and the oven gets cleaned only after several months and many dripping pizzas, go ahead and let it sit overnight.  In the morning use a damp sponge to scrub.  This may still require some elbow grease (depending on number of pizzas) but it will clean your oven and is SO MUCH SAFER than those highly toxic oven cleaners.  When all wiped out, give the oven a once over with a vinegar soaked sponge.  This will remove any residue.


Vinegar's acidity kills most mold, mildew and bacteria.  Tea Tree oil naturally fights bacteria, viruses and fungi. 

See, you don't need those expensive, dangerous chemicals that marketing lures us into buying!


P.S.:  Please use common sense and your own discretion to determine if these cleaners are right for you.  I can make no promises or guarantees.  We have had great success with our attempts!