It’s that time of year – time for getting the house cleaned for Spring. I got a really good start with spring cleaning this month. It’s the perfect time because Ryan’s out of town.
This year I did something new for my spring cleaning – I used all “homemade” cleaning solutions. My old chemical-ly cleaners are finally all gone and now I’m trying something a little more natural.
If you are like me and looking for “recipes” for all natural cleaners you can make yourself, you’ve come to the right place. The following recipes got me through all my tasks easily and effectively.
Ingredients:
Salt
Distilled white vinegar
Dr. Bronner’s castille soap (I prefer the peppermint scent.)
Baking soda
Borax
Other supplies:
- Gather empty jars, shakers and spray bottles, to keep your homemade cleaners just like your normal cleaners. I label them with a label maker so I know what is what. Use the shakers for baking soda and salt. Use the jars to mix the soft scrub and others.
- Microfiber washcloths (I use these for everything. Cleaning counters, tubs, windows. Plus, I put these on my Swiffer to clean and dust the floors. They work like a charm and don’t create waste like the Swiffer wipes.)
- Mop
- Bucket for mopping and cleaning windows
- Sponges and scrubbers
And now – my favorite cleaners. They can be used for almost everything you currently purchase cleaners for.
Go-to all purpose vinegar spray
0 4 parts water
0 4 parts water
0 1 part distilled white vinegar
0 5-10 drops essential oils (I use grapefruit, lemon or lime)
0 1 squirt of Dr. Bronner’s soap
Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe clean. This spray can be used on counters, appliances, light fixtures, baseboards, and even most furniture.This is my go-to cleaner. It works like a charm on almost everything. (Indefinite shelf life.)
(This cleaner cannot be done wrong. You can add more or less white vinegar based on your preference.)
(This cleaner cannot be done wrong. You can add more or less white vinegar based on your preference.)
Window no-streak cleaner
0 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
0 1 quart warm water
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe with towel or soft cloth. (Indefinite shelf life.)
0 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
0 1 quart warm water
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe with towel or soft cloth. (Indefinite shelf life.)
Lemon-lime fabric and upholstery freshener
0 Water
0 5-10 drops of lemon and lime essential oils.
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle. I spray this on furniture, drapes and carpets to freshen. (Indefinite shelf life.)
0 5-10 drops of lemon and lime essential oils.
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle. I spray this on furniture, drapes and carpets to freshen. (Indefinite shelf life.)
Sink scrubber for stains
0 ¼ cup borax
0 ¼ cup baking soda
0 8 drops rosemary, eucalyptus, or tea tree essential oil
0 ¾ cup vinegar for rinsing
Combine borax, baking soda and essential oil in an airtight container and shake well to blend. Sprinkle a small amount of powder into the sink and scrub with a damp sponge. Rinse with vinegar and hot water. (Indefinite shelf life.)
0 ¼ cup borax
0 ¼ cup baking soda
0 8 drops rosemary, eucalyptus, or tea tree essential oil
0 ¾ cup vinegar for rinsing
Combine borax, baking soda and essential oil in an airtight container and shake well to blend. Sprinkle a small amount of powder into the sink and scrub with a damp sponge. Rinse with vinegar and hot water. (Indefinite shelf life.)
Mildew remover
0 Baking soda
0 Distilled white vinegar
Sprinkle baking soda in areas you want to clean. I use this in the tub around caulk lines. Then, spray vinegar on the baking soda, which makes it foam. Rinse thoroughly. (Use and discard.)
Toilet bowl cleaner
(identical concept to above)
0 Baking soda
0 Distilled white vinegar
0 Distilled white vinegar
Sprinkle the toilet bowl with baking soda. Spray vinegar and swish with a toilet brush. This not only cleans, by deodorizes. (Use and discard.)
Drain cleaner
0 1 cup baking soda
0 1 cup salt
0 ½ cup white distilled vinegar
Pour down sink, tub drain and toilet. Let sit for 15 minutes and flush with water. I put these into the drains before I start scrubbing and let it sit.
0 ½ cup white distilled vinegar
Pour down sink, tub drain and toilet. Let sit for 15 minutes and flush with water. I put these into the drains before I start scrubbing and let it sit.
Basin, tub and tile cleaner
0 Half a lemon
0 Borax
Dip the lemon in borax and run on area to be cleaned. Rinse surface and dry with cloth. (Indefinite shelf life.)
*****Natural soft scrubber*****
(This is the best scrubber I’ve ever used. It’s perfect for sinks and tubs.)
0 ½ cup baking soda
0 Liquid castile soap
0 10 drops essential oil
Add enough soap to baking soda to make a creamy mixture. Use a sponge to apply and clean. Rinse surface well. (Use and discard.)
0 ½ cup baking soda
0 Liquid castile soap
0 10 drops essential oil
Add enough soap to baking soda to make a creamy mixture. Use a sponge to apply and clean. Rinse surface well. (Use and discard.)
Hardwood floor cleaner
0 ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
0 1 gallon warm water
0 Drops of essential oil (I use grapefruit)
Mix ingredients in a pail and mop. After washing, rinse with water. Don’t leave large pools of water to dry. (Use and discard.)
Mix ingredients in a pail and mop. After washing, rinse with water. Don’t leave large pools of water to dry. (Use and discard.)
Peppermint foam carpet shampoo
0 3 cups water
0 ¾ cups vegetable-based liquid soap
0 10 drops peppermint essential oil
Mix ingredients in a blender. Rub the foam into soiled areas with a damp sponge. Let dry and vacuum. This also works well on upholstery. (Indefinite shelf life, rewhip with each use.)
0 3 cups water
0 ¾ cups vegetable-based liquid soap
0 10 drops peppermint essential oil
Mix ingredients in a blender. Rub the foam into soiled areas with a damp sponge. Let dry and vacuum. This also works well on upholstery. (Indefinite shelf life, rewhip with each use.)
So, if you made it through this long post – props to you. What do you think? Can you go chemical-free with your cleaning?
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Anonymous says
Very enlightening and beneficial to someone whose been out of the circuit for a long time.
– Kris
Kristin says
Great tips! My little dude has the most sensitive skin and we have to be really careful what we clean with!
Elaine Coomes says
What a smart girl I’ve raised. I’m so proud of you and can’t wait to try some of these myself! Can you imagine learning these things from your baby?? OMG! Peroxide and water are suppose to be FANTASTIC for cleaning windows and mirrors without the streaking.
Kim says
Leigh – I haven’t used it on fabric, but I use baking soda on fabric to absorb liquids and it doesn’t ruin the fabrics. Try it on a little section and see what it does.
Good luck!
Carrie says
great list I use vinegar all the time if you put vineger in a bowl in the mircowave for thirty secs you can just wipe it clean it works great. did that make sense?
Carrie
Leigh says
Wow, thanks for the comprehensive list! I’m just starting to buy all natural stuff, but it is pricey and doesn’t last long. So making my own sounds good. Have you tried the Mildew remover on fabric? I have some outdoor cushions that need to be cleaned and the washing machine didn’t count it.
Carrie says
These things sounds so easy to make, and I’m guessing at least some of them are cheaper than the chemicals. Where did you find ingredients like borax and the castille soap? I wouldn’t even know where to begin looking…
Madeline says
WOW! Thanks so much for that post!! Props to you for all the hardwork. Can’t wait to try these!!!
Laurel @ Ducks in a Row says
Thanks so much for posting this – I look just the exact opposite of that picture when I clean. I mean, most of the time, cleaning or not!
Can’t wait to try some of these.
kari says
I have tried home made cleaning supplies and I’m just not a fan. I use Method and Seventh Generation products.
Lindsey says
What a great post!!! I really want to make some of these!
Ok that pic cracked me up, I can’t imagine being a wife in the 50s, oh my word!!
Mrs. Dirnberger says
I buy my natural products….I should try to make them, but I am lucky to even clean the house lately so I think buying them might be just as good??