Green Homemade Cleaners

Distilled white vinegar is a cleaning staple.

While there are numerous commercial cleaning products on the market, many are expensive, toxic, contain phosphates and are not biodegradable. There are a number of safe and common household products, which effectively clean surfaces without harming the environment and your pocketbook. Basic green cleaners include distilled white vinegar, baking soda, borax, castile soap, salt, washing soda and lemon.

Vinegar

White distilled vinegar is the prime ingredient in many homemade, environmentally friendly household cleaners. While it is safe for most surfaces, it can etch and permanently damage marble and other stone surfaces due to its acidic nature. Vinegar cuts through hard water mineral deposits and sanitizes surfaces. Use it alone to remove hard water stains, or mix it with equal amounts water for a green all-purpose cleaner and disinfectant. The solution cleans countertops, glass, shower curtains and most non-stone hard surfaces in your home. Add 1 to 2 cups of vinegar to the rinse cycle of your wash to soften your laundry.

Baking Soda

Combine baking soda with vinegar to tackle specific cleaning projects. For cleaning the toilet, combine 1 cup of distilled white vinegar with 1/4 cup baking soda. Punch up the vinegar all-purpose cleaner by combining 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar with 1/4 cup baking soda and 1/2 gallon of water. As an alternative to a vinegar-based, combine 1 tbsp. of baking soda and 2 tbsp. of liquid dish soap with 1 gallon of hot water to create an all-purpose cleaner. Use baking soda as a scouring powder or use it dry to remove unpleasant odors. Sprinkle it dry over the carpet and upholstery and let it set for an hour before vacuuming it up.

Washing Machines and Dishwashers

Instead of purchasing cleaning detergents designed for your dishwasher and washing machine, make your own. Make 3 gallons of laundry detergent by dissolving 1/2 cup each of borax and washing soda, and a bar of castile soap in hot water. For dishwasher soap, combine 1 cup borax, 1 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup sea salt and 1/4 cup citrus acid in a blender and pulverize gradually, then add 30 drops of essential oil.

Leather Cleaner

Add a couple drops of lemon oil to 1/4 cup olive oil to make a leather cleaner. After combining the ingredients, saturate a white cloth with the solution and use it to clean and polish leather surfaces. Before using it on your leather, always read the manufacturer's care instructions regarding cleaning to avoid voiding any warranties.

References

• "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Stretching Your Dollar"; Shannon M. Medisky; 2009
• "Green Up Your Cleanup"; Jill Schoff; 2008
• "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Green Cleaning"; Mary Findley, Linda Formichelli; 2009
• Keene State College: Green Cleaning