And now we’ll continue the cleaning chit-chat with this handy little homemade cleaner breakdown. When we talked about getting even greener and experimenting with homemade cleaners in year three of YHL, an expert in that very area offered up a few of her favorite formulas.
And we jumped at the chance to learn how all natural and totally eco-friendly cleaning materials are easy and effective- and sometimes way cheaper than paying for the more toxic stuff that can hurt pets, kids, people in general and the planet at large. Here’s what Evan the all-knowing homemade cleaner girl passed along:
This has become an obsession for me. If you think of your home as a sanctuary you want it to be not only beautiful but safe for your health! Store bought chemicals and cleansers can not only be toxic, poisonous or cause other averse health effects (no wonder they have all those warnings and skull & crossbone images on them) but they can also be expensive, completely unregulated, bad for the environment and full of excess packaging that ends up in landfills every day. They often come with big bold warnings that say things like “danger”, “caution”, “corrosive”, “irritant”, and even “chronic health hazard” which by definition can mean anything from “chemicals that destroy tissue” (corrosive) to “causes sterility and birth defects” (chronic health hazard). And even those that just say “danger” or “caution” can be attached to warnings that say “may be fatal or cause blindness if swallowed” or “highly toxic, flammable, poisonous and corrosive.”
Well Evan, when you put it that way, the toxic store bought cleaners bearing those labels (which can commonly be found on everything from basic toilet bowl cleaners to oven and drain solutions) sound pretty terrible. Tell us more.
By contrast, some non-toxic and all natural ingredients like baking soda and vinegar are not only not corrosive, poisonous, or hazardous to your health in any way, they’re actually completely safe if ingested (after all they’re found in the kitchen and they’re 100% edible!).
- Baking Soda is a great naturally abrasive ingredient with mild alkaline properties, it’s also a natural deodorizer and stain remover, and it rinses easily, is completely non-toxic (no more dangers for kids and pets licking surfaces that you’ve cleaned) and it’s extremely affordable (you can grab a 12lb bag at Costco for next to nothing).
- Vinegar is an all natural and mild acid, it’s also a known disinfectant that can remove stains, sanitize, and it’s also completely non-toxic and inexpensive (you can also grab a giant jug of it at Costco for an extremely reasonable price). It should be noted that it shouldn’t be used on stone surfaces or acetate fabrics but there are many other natural cleaning methods that work for those surfaces.
- Hydrogen Peroxide is also non-toxic (learn more about it and it’s many uses here) and is known to be a natural bleaching agent with disinfectant and stain removing properties. It’s also extremely inexpensive (just $1 for three bottles at Walgreen’s).
- All Natural Tea Tree Oil And Grapefruit Oil (which have known antibacterial properties) And Lemon Juice (which naturally cuts grease and leaves a totally fresh scent) are also extremely helpful to have in your all-natural cleaning arsenal.
- Liquid Castile Soap (like Dr. Bronner’s, sold at Target, Trader Joe’s, etc) is a vegetable based soap as opposed to a petroleum based one, which makes it completely non-toxic so it can be used on your face and body but will also work well when it comes to cleaning your home. It’s not quite as inexpensive as baking soda or vinegar, but a large 32 oz containter is just $8.99 at Trader Joe’s.
But how do you put them all together? Here are some of Evan’s favorite all-natural homemade cleaning formulas:
Surface Spray:
- 16 oz spray bottle
- 2 tsp. borax
- ¼ tsp. liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)
- hot water
All Purpose Liquid Cleaner:
- 1 gal. hot water
- 1 tbsp. baking soda
- 2 tbsp. liquid soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)
All Purpose Abrasive Cleaner:
- liquid soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)
- 2 tbsp. baking soda
Mix to make a foamy paste.
Refrigerator Cleaner:
- 2 tbs. baking soda in 1 qt warm water
Wipe down inside and out and rinse with a clean wet cloth.
Oven Cleaner:
- Dampen with water
- Sprinkle liberally with baking soda
Leave 20 minutes, then scrub until clean.
Microwave Cleaner:
- ½ c. vinegar
- 2 c. water
Combine in microwave safe bowl, heat on high for 3-4 minutes, remove bowl and wipe down inside of microwave.
Dishwasher Detergent:
- 2 c. borax
- 2 c. baking soda
- 4 little packages of unsweetened lemon Kool-Aid (or generic)
Mix together and store. You can substitute ½ c. of citric acid for the Kool-Aid but it’s harder to find.
Fruit and Vegetable Wash:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp. baking soda
- 20 drops grapefruit seed extract
Spray on produce, rinse after 5 minutes.
Fruit and Vegetable Wash #2:
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. baking soda
Spray on produce, wipe after 5 minutes.
Drain Cleaner:
- 1 c. baking soda first
- 1 c. white vinegar second
- 1 gallon boiling water
Allow to foam for 5 minutes before adding water.
Window, Glass and Chrome Cleaner:
- 5 parts water to 1 part white vinegar, OR
- 1 c. water, 1 c. vinegar, ½ tsp. castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)
Toilet Bowl Cleaners:
- Liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)
- Baking soda or borax
Scrub with a toilet brush.
Tub And Tile Cleaner:
- Apply vinegar full-strength to a sponge and wipe
- Scour with baking soda
Soft Scrub for Fixtures:
- ½ c. baking soda
- Castile soap
- 10 drops of antibacterial essential oil (optional)
Add enough castile soap until you have a frosting like consistency. Scrub, then rinse with water.
Mildew/Germ Killer:
- 2 c. water
- 25 drops of tea tree oil
- 25 drops of lavender oil
Spray on tile and do not wipe off.
Mildew/Germ Killer 2:
- 16 oz spray bottle
- 1 part hydrogen peroxide
- 2 parts water
Spray, let sit. Rinse after 1 hour.
Wood Floor Cleaner:
- ¼ c. vinegar
- 1 gal. warm water
Mop or rag should be slightly damp for cleaning.
Linoleum Floor Cleaner:
- 1 c. vinegar
- 2 gal. warm water
Mop or rag can be fully wet for cleaning.
Carpet Stain Remover:
- 1 part borax
- 10 parts warm water
Combine in spray bottle. Spray on stain, wait 5 minutes, blot with clean rag.
Carpet Stain Remover:
- vinegar
- baking soda
Mix vinegar and baking soda into a paste. Gently work into stain with a toothbrush. Let dry then vacuum completely.
Carpet Deodorizer:
- Baking soda
- 10 drops of essential oil (optional)
Mix together then sprinkle generously on carpet, wait 15 minutes and vacuum.
All-Purpose Carpet Cleaner:
After vacuuming first,
- 1 c. white vinegar
- 3 c. boiling water
Blot mixture onto nap of rug with a wet rag, Dry and air thoroughly. Vacuum.
Air Freshener:
- 2 parts water
- 1 part rubbing alcohol
- Essential oil
Mix in spray bottle, don’t spray on silks or delicates. Experiment with how much oil to add, but start with 5 drops.
Air Freshener 2:
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. vinegar or lemon juice
- 2 c. hot water
Mix in spray bottle, don’t spray on silks or delicates.
Dusting:
- Slightly dampened microfiber cloth
Furniture Polish:
- ½ tsp. olive oil
- ¼ c. vinegar or lemon juice
Mix in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces.
Scratches:
- 1 part lemon juice
- 1 part vegetable oil
Rub into the scratches and polish.
Rust Remover:
- Sprinkle area with salt
- Squeeze lime onto salt
Leave sit for 2-3 hours, then scrub w/ lime rind (or try Almost-Doctor Dan’s method).
Metal Polish (copper and brass):
- 2 tbsp. salt
Add vinegar until you make a paste. Rub on metal with a clean rag. Wipe clean.
Powdered Laundry Detergent:
- 1 c. grated Fels Naptha soap
- ½ c. washing soda
- ½ c. borax
For light load, use 1 tablespoon. For heavy or soiled load, use 2 tablespoons.
Liquid Laundry Detergent:
- 3 pints water
- 1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap, grated
- ½ c. washing soda
- ½ c. borax
- 2 gallon bucket
- 1 quart hot water
Mix soap in saucepan with 3 pints of water. Heat on low until dissolved. Stir in soda and borax until thickened. Remove from heat. Add 1 quart hot water to bucket, then soap mixture, mix well. Fill rest of bucket with hot water, mix and let sit for 24 hours. Use ½ c. per laundry load.
Laundry Pre-treatment (*do NOT use with bleach, since ammonia + bleach can create dangerous fumes):
- ½ c. ammonia
- ½ c. white vinegar
- ¼ c. baking soda
- 2 tbsp. liquid soap or laundry detergent
- 2 quarts water
Mix in spray bottle. Spray spot.
Laundry Pre-treatment 2:
- 1 tsp. liquid laundry detergent
- 2 tbsp. ammonia
- 1 pt. warm water
Mix in spray bottle. Spray spot, let sit for 20 minutes.
Fabric Softener:
Add ½ – 1 c. vinegar to your softener dispenser
Bleach Alternative (Laundry):
- ¼ c. hydrogen peroxide
************************************************
But wait, Evan has even more ideas to keep things green and clean around your casa:
- Run your dishwasher late at night without a heat-dry setting and let things air dry overnight instead
- Replace sponges with washable and reusable items like microfiber cloths and dishrags
- Premix large batches of cleaning formulas so they’re always on hand and you’re never tempted to buy store stuff again
- Set your washer to cold/cold for the most eco laundry you can get
- Have people take off their shoes when they enter the house and wipe down the shower after each use (these preventative methods will really keep the house cleaner and cut down on your work)
And just because she’s such a pro, Evan even included her resources so you can learn more or see where she got her facts. Gotta love a girl who’s so thorough AND considerate: Consumer Reports, Nat’l Geographic, The Green Guide, Do It Green, Frugal Living, The Vinegar Institute, EarthEasy, Coyne and Kutzen “The Urban Homestead”
Psst- Wanna know where we got something in our house or what paint color we used? Just click on this button:
Caitlin says
Thanks for such a great list! ^_^
Here’s one for pet-based carpet stains using only vinegar, baking soda, water, and peroxide and dish soap, though I bet the Dr. Bronner’s would work just as well: http://www.catsofaustralia.com/urinestainremoval.htm
It really works wonders! Thought you might like to include it since you and many of your readers have pets!
Deb says
This is AWESOME-thanks for posting this! I had been looking for something like this for a while. I recently switched from using carpet cleaner (for pet accidents) to using baking soda and alchohol. It really works AND best of all keeps the little one from being tempted to “re-mark” the area. Here’s what I do:
*Soak up accident with a towel (quickly put it in washer-ick)
*Sprinkle baking soda over area to absorb anything left behind
*Vacuum
*Using spray bottle, spray alchohol generously on accident area.
The other thing I discovered when my pooch came back from vacation with a few unexpected guests (gross fleas) is that if you use boric acid powder it will kill the fleas (it’s cheap and won’t hurt the pup)! Just sprinkle on carpets, upholstery,etc. Note: Make sure your little friend is not in the area. Vacuum up and enjoy a flea free house!
Mary Joy says
Are those laundry detergant recipes safe for front loaders? Or would I need to alter?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Mary Joy and Beth from CT,
Good question! We haven’t tried them with our high efficiency washer yet so we would proceed with caution. Maybe you can water it down a bit or google for something meant for a high efficiency washer. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Lindsey says
Thank you so much for the post!! I also use Baking Soda as an exfoliant on my face my dermatologist said to add it to a mild cleanser like Cetaphil and make a paste and there you have a very cheap facial exfoliant. I also use peroxide to get blood off of cloths or towels like when I cut myself shaving. Thanks again for the great info!!
Katie says
Great post, I love these “recipes” and I’ll definitely be printing them to keep on hand!
One tip I read somewhere and LOVE: Soak paper towels in straight vinegar and squeeze most of it out. Drape/wrap the paper towels over the chrome fixtures in your bathroom and kitchen so the entire surface is coated by the paper towels. Leave for 20 minutes or so while you clean the rest of the bathroom. Then, wiping as you go, remove the paper towels and rinse w/ cold water. No scrubbing and the chrome SPARKLES :) The vinegar smell dissipates quickly, I promise.
Lauren says
I love this post – what a great list! I stumbled onto natural homemade cleaners accidentally. One day I was out of some product (don’t even remember what) and I thought, “there’s gotta be a homemade way to clean this” and searched online for recipes. Now I only use kitchen ingredients to clean, and I love it. It is less expensive and so much better for you! I call up my sisters to share every time I find a new use for vinegar (put it right in the Downy ball in the laundry – so easy)
Rachel Ridd says
This post is so helpful for daily life. Thanks so much for sharing!
Erin S says
Thanks for the great post, while my husband and I were living in Spain I started cleaning with vinegar and water because their cleaning solutions tended to be VERY perfumed, and I found that I had fewer headaches and it cleaned even better than all of the chemicals! It was awesome, but now we’re back in the states… and we just bought a front-load washer, do you use 7th generation detergent even though the front-loaders need the high efficiency detergent? How does that work out for you?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Erin,
They actually sell Seventh Generation laundry soap for high efficiency washers at Target (which we use and love). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Lindsey says
I love this! I’ve been experimenting with home made cleaners! I like it so much more than store bought. I hope I can add a few of these ‘recipes’ to my list. Here are a few I’ve tried and liked: http://lindseyis.blogspot.com/2009/08/green-cleaning.html.
Sally says
Love it! I liked your cleaning method post a couple of months ago, but this is even better! I tend to think we all spend too much money and worry on eco-friendly, but still store bought and produced cleaning products…especially when we can all whip up really easy solutions at home for so much less. Thanks for all the great resources!
Here’s a post on the homemade cleaners we’ve switched to:
http://oh-bla-di-oh-bla-da.blogspot.com/2009/08/weve-gone-green.html
Angela says
Wow, thanks so much for all the cleaning recipes. I can’t wait to try them! I’ve searched online for these before; it’s so nice that they’re all here now in one spot. Thank you!
Amanda Herzberger (Orchard Cove) says
SUPER great post – thanks for all the recipes. I think I’ll be using up all my toxic cleaners and then creating some of these. THANKS!
Mariel says
Sometimes I place a small plate or bowl filled with vanilla inside the fridge for a nice and fresh smell. Also, when I get a perfume/fragance as a gift that I’m not particularly excited to use, I spray it to light bulbs to make a room smell wonderful when the light bulb goes on. Not exactly cleaning tips per se but makes the house smell good!
Great post!
NancyV908 says
Love this post–thank you! I have been mixing my own cleaners for years, & after initially following a lot of recipes, I just narrowed it down to a general purpose cleaner (Dr. Bronner’s + water), occasional vinegar & water, baking soda + dish soap as an abrasive, & borax or baking soda + vinegar for toilets. I personally don’t believe disinfection is necessary in most places (& I think the science backs me up) except you need to be cautious in the kitchen.
However, I have found that often the home-made stuff doesn’t work as well, or requires more effort. I find keeping the toilet & tub clean the most challenging. (I also know that the deodorizing properties of baking soda have come under question.) This is all OK with me, but I think it’s important to be up front about it. It’s worth it to me to give up some performance or ease for environmental (& economic!) reasons.
Jen Z. says
What a great post. Thank you so much. I can’t wait to try some of these that I haven’t used before.
I already use baking soda and vinegar at home. Love it. And clothes that I can wash, but I’m going to buy some of the ones you bought. Didn’t realize they are that good for dusting. Very nice. :-D
Cecelia says
I’m not sure if something is going on with my immune system, but I’ve recently become highly sensitive to a variety of things, including store bought cleaning agents.
I’m sick for a full day after any exposure to bathroom spray cleaners that I have used for years.
My sensitivity has even extended to eczema (a newly acquired condition)from the small amount of nickle that is in even sterling silver jewelry.
Thank you so much for this terrific and helpful information!
Torey says
Another super cheap cleaner that is multi-purpose and is very earth friendly – Bon Ami! It will take stains out of surfaces, floors, tubs and at 89 cents a can you really can’t beat the price.
Meredith says
I think I’ve mentioned this before, but my husband works in plumbing, which means lots of sweaty, greasy, disgusting clothes.
Most people think that color-safe bleach is the answer, but it can actually seal in stains, especially sweat. Instead, I was given the great tip to use vinegar instead of bleach with his laundry and let it sit overnight in the washer before running it!
Heather says
Very excited to try some of these out. Some people might have an issue using vinegar to clean with if they have pets. Some pets connect the smell of vinegar with urine and will “cover” the spot with their own urine. I will see what my critters think, but people may have that problem.
Amanda says
Absolutely love this. Will definitely be printing and using! Hopefully I will be able to find an alternative to Dr Bronner’s that they sell in Australia.
We recently switched to mirco fibre clothes as well – what a change!!! We can easily keep the house cleaner without wasting products.
Also, another idea to add on is for silver cleaner! We use Epsom salts and a sliver of aluminum (can be reused) – shines them up in no time!
Val says
Great post! Printing it right now!
Anybody know a good place to get not-horrifically-ugly spray bottles for all this homemade stuff? The dollar store has spray bottles, but they’re usually shaped like a sea-shell or a rose or something bizarre.
Val says
Ooh, also, Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint soap is a really good anti-flea doggy shampoo. Fleas can’t abide peppermint oil. Lather puppy up and watch the fleas jump ship (eww!). And puppy will smell awesome.
YoungHouseLove says
Such a great tip Val. Love it.
xo,
s
Kate says
Thank you so much for this post! I’ve been doing some of these things for awhile now but not all. Definitely will be working on creating a “green cleaning kit.” Will definitely be using the methods listed for dusting above. I’d been using olive oil and lemon juice but found it sometimes left a dull residue on things and after awhile it became tacky.
Cheryl Provence says
I use my homemade laundry soap in my HE front load washer with no problems. I use vinegar as the fabric softener, which helps prevent soap scum buildup. I use grated Ivory Soap and add some Oxyclean to the mixture for extra stain fighting power. We love it!!!
My favorite all-purpose cleaner is 2 cups hot water, 1 tsp Borax, 2 TBl white vinegar and about 1/4 tsp of lavender castile soap. Smells great, works great too. Lavender is a natural disinfectant.
Borax works great as cleaner on fiberglass showers/tubs. Don’t use washing soda on fiberglass!!!! It will etch it.
I switched to all natural cleaners about 16 months ago and love it!
If I could plug a great book here, check out “Clean and Green” by Annie Berthold-Bond. Best natural cleaning recipes for ALL kinds of cleaning needs.
Love you youngsters! Keep up the great blogging!!!
Juliet says
Thank you all so much for this fantastic post and all the thoughtful comments! I’m going to print it out the recipes and pin it to the bulletin board on the inside of my kitchen cabinets — another YHL great idea!
Regarding cleaning solutions — I use Dr. Bronner’s for so many things our house, but when I try to combine it with vinegar to create a multi-purpose spray it becomes an oily mess and even clogs my sprayer. Does anyone else have this problem or have any idea why it happens? I’ve resorted to a spray bottle of diluted Dr. Bronner’s and a separate bottle of vinegar on the kitchen counter.
Also, Dr. Bronner’s mixed 50:50 with water in a foam soap dispenser works beautifully for hands, face and body and lasts forever.
Juliet
Eva says
It’s happening because Vinegar and Castile Soap should not be mixed together. They cancel eachother out. See this article by Mrs. Bronner explaining why.
http://lisa.drbronner.com/?p=292
micah says
THANK YOU for this post! I will be bookmarking it and referring back often for sure.
Jessie (Vegan-minded) says
Wow! With so many good cleaning formulas, I can’t wait to clean my house and try them out. Thanks for the great information :)
April in CT says
Val- In the travel sizes aisle at Target they sell some (12 oz I think) spray bottles that are cute and I use for my all purpose spray for the kitchen and a water/vinegar mix I clean my floors with. I like that they’re smaller than the ones you get in the cleaning aisle and just look cuter on my counter top. hehe
RE: Trouble finding washing soda, make sure to look on the aisle with the laundry detergent, not where the regular baking soda is usually at. My local grocery store sells it, but alas I can’t find Fels Naptha anywhere!
I tried a few homemade cleaners for my bathroom, but nothing works quite as well as Method bathroom spray and the bathroom scrub. Any cleaners I used in the past literally took my breath and made me sick for a few days so I’m SO thankful to have found Method and that it really WORKS!
Stacy says
Go to meijer.com for the best prices on washing soda. With shipping it’s around $3.50 a box. I found only one local store carrying it, and it was a bit of $4. Although right now, they’re sold out.
For Fels Naptha the best price I found was on soapsgonebuy.com
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Stacy,
Thanks for the tip on washing soda! Hope it helps everyone on the hunt- and you can’t beat that price.
xo,
s
Sarah says
Ok, I’m back to post my homemade daily shower spray recipe and homemade laundry detergent recipe (that is cloth diaper friendly)
Laundry Detergent:
1 55 oz. box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda
1/2 cup Mule Team Borax
2 Cups Oxygen Cleaner-(don’t use expensive stuff, just the kind you can get at Big Lots, or Dollar General) NOT OXYCLEAN
1/2 cup Simple Green (or any multi purpose cleaner will do)
1/2 cup Calgon Water Softening Powder (I have never been able to find the powdered so you can use the liquid, but you have to add a small box of baking soda to counter act liquid)
Daily Shower Spray:
16 oz. Size Spray bottle
1/2 cup alcohol
1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide
6 drops blue Dawn dish soap (just the regular stuff)
cap full of jet dry (or any rinsing agent)
about 5 drops of Essential oil of your choice (I use TTO & lavender)
fill the rest of the bottle up with water…..done!!
Now I increased mine to a gallon size b/c I like to make a big batch. An old vinegar jug works great. I also write the recipe on the side of my containers so it’s right there when I need it. Here is the gallon size recipe so you don’t have to figure it out:
2.5 cups alcohol
2.5 cups hydrogen peroxide
10 cups water
5 caps Jet Dry
30 drops of Dawn
15 drops of EO
Someone asked earlier where you can find washing soda. It is made by Arm & Hammer and is in a yellow box (not orange). The only place that I have been able to find it & Fels Naptha is at Kroger. But if you can’t find it you can contact A & H and they will tell you stores around you that do.
Oh and the febreeze recipe I found on someone’s blog that I love:
2 tbsp. of white vinegar, 10 drops of EO, & water
I could go on & on….can you tell I’m excited about your post?? XOXO
Melissa says
THANK YOU!
maria says
How much water???
YoungHouseLove says
Anyone have an answer for Maria?
xo
s
maria says
For the Febreeze recipe, I mean…oops.
Tara says
I found a recipe for granite cleaner and it has worked very well for me and according to several websites, it also disinfects…
1 part isopropyl alcohol
5 parts water
1 tsp dish soap
I also add a squirt or 2 of Mrs. Meyer’s all purpose cleaner (for the scent)
I have been using this mixture on my granite countertops for over a year now and it always leaves them clean and shiny and it has not damaged them at all.
Thanks for the post, Sherry – I’ll definitely be trying some of these new recipes.
Sarah says
Forgot to mention that the above recipe for laundry detergent can be used in front loaders. It is a low suds detergent. Also all you need for a full load are 2 of those little scoops that come in your oxygen cleaner. (one scoop for small loads or diapers)
YoungHouseLove says
So good to know Sarah! Now everyone with front loaders has an easy recipe that they can follow without fear (see her detailed recipe above).
xo,
s
kelly says
thanks for the recipes. i love using fewer disposable items–microfiber cloths are DEFINITELY indispensable. i use them instead of paper towels for cleaning mirrors and glass tables, for dusting, and they are GREAT for polishing. not just stainless steel, but any surface. i usually spray cleaner (on stove, counters, faucet, coffee-maker, microwave, etc), wipe with sponge, then wipe with the microfiber. it removes the residue and makes it super shiny with minimal effort. and i have this one cloth that is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better than others i have…the brand is StarFiber, i got it at a home show, but i’ve never been able to locate another anywhere… :( anyway, i hardly ever use paper towels anymore. also, i use plastic “dryer balls” from bed bath & beyond instead of fabric softener, and i put vinegar in the fabric softener tray on my washer. :)
Juliet says
Hi, I just found this blog and am so glad that I did! I have been trying to “go green” and these are wonderful tips… especially since I am a clean freak too! Have you ever tried the Shaklee products? They are next on my list of laundry detergents to try, but they have a whole cleaning line!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Juliet,
We’re so glad you found us! We’ve actually not tried Shaklee yet since we like to grab things at places like Target when we can (to avoid shipping) but we’ve heard nothing but great things about it!
xo,
s
Jennifer says
I love all of these cleaning recipes! I use vinegar and baking soda in the kitchen and on the floors, but I gotta tell ya, and I know its a dirty word in a post like this, but I love my bleach for the bathroom. Nothing else feels clean to me in the bathroom like bleach does! The smell doesn’t even bother me so I’m stickin to my guns on the bathroom cleaning. But I am definitely going to try several of these tips so Thanks!
Allison says
This is amazing, thank you Sherry! You are always a wealth of information.
I read something recently that said to not spend extra money buying an eco-friendly dishwasher. By using the ‘smart wash’ cycle and skipping the heated drying option, your current dishwasher will use the same amount of energy as an eco-friendly model.
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip Allison! Now anyone’s dishwasher can be Energy Star- or close to it!
xo,
s
Amy Mason says
you might enjoy checking out this video that was, incidentally, shot at my home:
http://healthyliving.msn.com/default.aspx?section=video&contentType=video&contentId=59&source=mailtoyou
It is all about healthy living presented by Kashi.
Amy
tae says
this is the COOLEST thing ever. Thank you so much for posting this amazingly-handy list of cleaners. i’ve been looking for something like this for so long – i knew the different products that could be used, but never the amounts or functions of each type of natural cleaner. thank you thank you!!!
p.s. for most of the cleaners listed (aside from maybe drain cleaner, which you make on an “as needed” basis), would you say it is safe to make them ahead of time? will any go “bad” if they sit in a spray bottle or container?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Tae,
Yup, Evan actually encourages people to make them in advance (and even in bulk) so you always have them around for convenience (so you don’t run out and buy the toxic stuff). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Kelly says
Loved the post! Thank you so much. I will be saving this. I make my own all purpose cleaner.
Do you use rechargeable batteries? I can’t believe how many batteries we use at home and I can’t find anywhere to recycle them! I want to start using rechargeable batteries but I want know the best brands and also want to know if they hold a charge for a long time.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kelly,
We do use rechargable batteries where we can. It definitely cuts down on battery waste over time. We’ve also found that most home improvement stores or even places like Walmart and Target may have battery recycling drop boxes- so maybe you can ask around and find one for those oddly shaped batteries you use that are hard to find as rechargables. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Janis from Glasgow, Scotland says
Hi Sherry/John……….I already use the vinegar at home and the lemons to clean and I use tea trea oil around my loo and worktops now and then. When you mention: 1 c. water, 1 c. vinegar, ½ tsp. castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)
What is the c.? In Scotland I don’t think we use that – does it stand for carton???
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Janis,
It actually stands for cup, so hopefully there’s some conversion website for you guys over in Scotland. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Kristin says
Hi,
these are nice tips, and definitely better than many common cleaners as you know what’s inside, but please keep in mind that some of these components are quite toxic:
Borax: Toxic, irritant, may impair fertility
Vinegar: with 10% acetic acid or more it’s considered irritant, concentrated acetic acid is corrosive
Hydrogen peroxide: High concentrations are corrosive and explosive, domestic-strength solutions can cause eye irritations, swallowing can lead to internal bleeding etc.
Tea tree oil: Is toxic when swallowed (pets can ingest it during grooming when they sat on tea-tree-oil treated surfaces before!), is skin irritant and can cause contact dermatitis.
Not all natural components are harmless, they are just a mixture of molecules in the end.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kristin,
It’s definitely good to remember that just because things are safe to swallow when cooking or non-toxic they can still be irritating and bad to drink in bulk (so keeping them away from kids is still a good idea). Also following known homemade cleaning recipes (like the ones listed here) instead of playing scientist might be the way to go so you don’t end up with anything too concentrated and corrosive. And it’s always good to remember that it’s not wise to drink large amounts of hydrogen peroxide and go crazy with the boric acid. I also didn’t know it was bad for pets to ingest tea tree oil, so thanks for that tip!
xo,
s
Anamaria says
Thanks for this great list! I’ve been wanting to de-toxify my cleaning products and this info is very helpful.
I had never heard of Fels Naptha before so I Googled it. The Wikipedia page says that “it should not be used as an overall body soap or regular laundry additive since it contains Stoddard solvent, a skin and eye irritant.”…”Repeated or prolonged exposure to high concentrations [of Stoddard solvent] has resulted in upper respiratory tract irritation, central and peripheral nervous system effects, and possibly hematopoetic, liver and kidney effects.”
Further Googling found some people who say that Fels Naptha has been reformulated and no longer contains Stoddard solvent, but that it now contains turpentine processing by-products
I just wanted to share what I found, as perhaps people with very sensitive skin may want to avoid this product.
Emilie et Guillaume says
All this tips are very interesting !
I’m gonna print this page, to use it every day.
Crystal says
Great post!
I’ve recently gotten the bug to green up my cleaning routine at home, but still have significant amounts of non-natural cleaning products. I’ve been slowly switching when I run out of things, but I still have tons of chemical based products that I am eager to be rid of. What should I do about them? Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Crystal,
Just find out where your closest local recycling center is and when you get there you should see an area marked “chemical cleaners” or something to that effect where you can leave all those toxins so they don’t end up in the wrong place. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Kari says
Does anyone know how to get bacon grease (or grease/oil of any kind) out of grout?!? I had an accident AND I’m a cake decorator, so I’m constantly making a mess of my kitchen and my tiled countertops and floors are hating me for it!! I’ve tried dawn, comet, industrial strength degreaser…
Cas says
I can attest to the copper polish. Last night in preparation for painting my front door I took off my badly tarnished brass door knocker and soaked it in vinegar and salt. One hour later it turns out actually have a copper door knocker.
Lauryn says
We use Gorgeously Green’s all purpose spray recipe! We put about ten more drop of lavender oil though because the vinegar makes me sneeze!
Lauryn says
OH! and the powdered laundry detergent recipe, but we use grated ivory soap. k thats all!
Cathy says
I’ve tried the homemade laundry detergent only I used ivory soap instead of the fels-naptha. Ivory soap is milder so some people prefer that. It seems to work pretty well. I’m going to keep using it for now.
Jamee says
Great tips! Thanks for taking the time to give such great information-I love knowing there are natural alternatives out there!