Homemade non-toxic cleaning products

[Orchid]

The homemade detergent thread reminded me that I wanted to post this. Not only are these cleaning products cheap to make, they are non-toxic to children and pets and environmentally friendly. The following is from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

Basic Supplies: Baking soda
Bon Ami cleanser
Borax
Cornstarch
Lemon juice
Liquid dish soap
Vegetable oil
Salt
Washing soda (my grocery store does carry this!)
White vinegar

DO: Read and follow all label directions on all products you purchase.
Label all containers with ingredients, intended use, and date made.
Keep all containers out of children's reach.
Keep all containers closed when not in use.
Use only non-chlorine bleach if you feel you must use a bleach product. Use it by itself.
Control pests by eliminating their food, water and access.

DON'T: Use food or beverage containers for cleaning chemicals of any type.
Avoid using bleach and ammonia. NEVER mix these products with each other - or with any other product.
Avoid using chemical pesticides.


All purpose cleaner

1/4 cup white vinegar
2 tsp. borax
3 1/2 cups hot water
20 drops lemon or lavender essential oil
1/4 cup liquid dish soap

In a 32 oz spray bottle, mix the vinegar, borax and water thoroughly. Add essential oil if desired. Add dish soap last.

Floor cleaner

1/8 cup liquid soap
1/4 to 1/2 cup white vinegar OR lemon juice
1/2 cup herb tea (peppermint has antibacterial qualities)

Combine ingredients in pail with 3 gallons of warm water. Swirl until it is sudsy. Rinse with 1 cup of vinegar in 3 gallons of cool water.



More to come shortly!

[divinemisselle]

Love it!

I'm in need of something that has antibacterial properties, leaves no residue, smells good, and most importantly, is safe to use on vinyl. (Gym equipment....we're trying to be as green as we can in here )

[Shiloveshorses]

Now this is just awesome. Shi has major issues with cleaning products. Gives her major headaches and sinus infections. I will definetly work on making these. Thanks so much for posting this. Now I have a major list of things to be making.

[pippy]

So what do you use vegetable oil for cleaning wise?

[gbarmranch]

Those are great.. Lemon is also a great natural cleaner for sinks and drains - particularly those with garbage disposals.. and it smells good.

[Orchid]

So you're hungry for more?


Wood floor cleaner

Use 1/2 cup vinegar per gallon of water. Wipe dry.

Wood cleaner

1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap
a few drops olive oil (pippy! )

Combine the ingredients in a bowl, saturate a sponge with the mixture, squeeze out the excess, and wash surfaces. The smell of vinegar will dissipate in a few hours. (I would mix a few drops of an essential oil with this to make it smell good, personally.)

Furniture polish

1/2 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 cup vinegar or lemon juice

Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces.

Carpet spot remover

Blot spot immediately. Sprinkle with baking soda, cornstarch, or borax and let dry. Wash with club soda and vacuum.

Window cleaner

1/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
2 cups water

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle, and shake to blend. This stuff really works well, especially used with a soft rag (NOT paper towels)!

Oven cleaner - stormy! This one is for you!

1 cup or more baking soda
a squirt or two of liquid soap

Sprinkle or spray water generously over bottom of oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda so surface is totally white. Sprinkle more water over top. Let sit overnight. Wipe up the grease the next morning; then with a bit of liquid soap on a damp sponge, wash remaining residue from oven.



More to follow later!