Spring Cleaning: DIY Non-Toxic Cleaning Products

Thursday, 4/29/2010

In the words of Kermit the Frog, it’s not easy being green, but with Earth Day last week, it seems as if the whole world has embraced environmentalism.

And with the good reason too – we want to leave our world a better, healthier place for our children. Especially if you have kids, one easy and important way to go green is to remove toxic cleaning products from your home.

Switching from toxic unnatural products to homemade natural cleaners can make a huge difference in the health and happiness of your home.

The Advantages:

• Natural cleaners are better for the environment
• They cost pennies on the dollar
• They are safe to use around children
• The work better than their toxic counterparts in most cases

Making and using homemade natural cleaners really is a win-win.  So, this year make the switch in your home. It’s easy and fun.

The Basics

DIY, non-toxic cleaning starts with a few basic household ingredients:

• Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda). This mild alkali powder can be used for a variety of household cleaning purposes, such as removing stains from tile, glass, oven doors, and china; cleaning the inside of refrigerators; helping to absorb odors; and removing baked-on food from pans. It also acts as a stain remover for fruit juices and other mild acids.
• Borax. A powder or crystalline salt sold in most grocery stores, borax is a water softener and sanitizer. It makes an excellent freshener when added to laundry and is an all-around deodorizer.
• Cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate). This common baking ingredient is a mild acid that can be used as a sink and bathtub stain remover. It can also be used to remove spots from aluminum cookware.
• Lemon juice. This familiar ingredient can be used to lighten stains and cut grease. It can also be used to remove tarnish can be used on brass, copper, bronze and aluminum (not to be used on silver).
• White vinegar. Good for a variety of household cleaning tasks, vinegar may be used to help kill germs and deodorize, remove some carpet stains, and clean coffeemakers, chrome, cookware, and countertops. It can also be used to unclog drains. Note that while white vinegar has a slight scent while wet, when dry, it leaves no odor. However, don’t use it on acetate fabrics, such as in some tablecloths, because it can dissolve the fibers.
• [via Greenerchoices.org]

DIY Recipes

These recipes are so simple and fun to make, your kids might even want to join in - who could pass up a few extra little hands during spring cleaning?

Basic All-Purpose Cleaner

• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. baking soda
• 1 liter hot water
• a few drops of essential oil (optional)

1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl
2. Let cool for a moment before putting into a squirt bottle

Tub and Sink Cleaner

• 1 2/3 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup liquid soap
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tablespoons vinegar

1. Mix the first 3 ingredients. Add the vinegar right at the end. If you add it too early, the baking soda and vinegar will react. Immediately apply, wipe, and scrub.

Window Cleaner

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water

1. Mix vinegar and water in equal parts. Pour into a recycling squirt bottle. For a streak-free shine, use recycled newspaper instead of paper towels or cloth.

Additional Resources:

• GreenerChoices.org
• HealthyChild.org
• SimpleMom.net
• DIYNetwork.com

Posted by » walden
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