Green Cleaning Recipes

The EPA estimates that the air quality in some homes is up to 10 times worse than the outdoors. Surprisingly some of the worst offenders in polluting our homes are cleaning products. Resolve to clean up your housekeeping this year! It can be as simple as just replacing toxic cleaning products with environmentally friendly options. However, weeding through aisles of products can be confusing, especially when they all claim to be “green”. Plus those green options often cost more than traditional cleaners.

You can save some green while being green by using everyday household supplies to make your own natural cleaning products. These cleaners often cost only pennies to make and can be just as effective as toxic cleaners. The downside is that because they are so natural, some of the recipes don’t last in the cabinet and need to be made in small quantities when you need them. Read on for a few recipes, and don’t forget to check with Grandma for more DIY cleaning tips! 

*As with all new products, spot test surfaces on a hidden area first!

All-Purpose Cleaner: Combine nine parts water with one part white vinegar in a spray bottle. For big messes, like a dirty countertop, spray full-strength vinegar on the surface, and follow with a spray of hydrogen peroxide to kill germs.

Drain Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup of salt in a gallon of water, heat and pour down the drain. For tough clogs, pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. After 15 minutes, pour in hot water.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar. Pour into the toilet and let sit for a few minutes. Scrub with a toilet brush and rinse.

Produce Wash: Combine equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray produce and rinse well. Alternatively, you can soak produce in the same mix.

Scrubbing Paste: Pour a small amount of baking soda in a container, and mix in castile soap slowly to make a paste. Scrub surfaces and rinse.

Glass Cleaner: Mix 3 tablespoons vinegar with a couple drops of castile soap in 2 cups of water. Pour into a spray bottle. For a quick dry solution, use a mix of 1 cup water, 1 cup rubbing alcohol and 1 tablespoon vinegar instead.

Happy Green Cleaning!