I think the time has come for me to start talking about the way my home functions. I’ve been going on for a long time, slowly developing how I clean without chemicals and figuring out what works and what doesn’t. At this point, I think I like each component and I don’t long for something that ‘works better’ or wish for something conventional. I’m satisfied with the functionality and am ready to share.
The Greener Cleaner
The components I use in cleaning are as follows.
- white vinegar
- baking soda
- hydrogen peroxide
- essential oils
- borax
- washing soda
- fels naptha
- Dr. Bronners
- Seventh Generation dish soap
- Surface disinfectant
- hydrogen peroxide (half a cup)
- water (fill the rest of the spray bottle up)
- pepperment oil (few drops)
This surface cleaner I use for everything from mirrors and windows to floors and countertops. It kills germs, makes things shine and smells great! In combination with a similar vinegar spray, it kills more germs than bleach. In combination with a sprinkle of baking soda it can work on soap scum or mold.
2. Vinegar Basic
- vinegar
- water
Simple as that! This can be used on floors, on surfaces, on glass, and even dishes.Like I mentioned above, the combination of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide kills more dangerous germs than bleach without the danger to YOU.
3. Dr. Bronners Shine
- Dr. Bronners (peppermint) 1/2 cup
- water (enough to fill the spray bottle)
I use this for shining up things like my range or appliances. It smells good, it shines well and it has the grease cutting of soap for fingerprints and cooking residue.
4. Laundry Detergent
- 1 cup Borax
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1/3 bar fels naptha (grated)
Boil 1/2 gallon water and dissolve grated soap. Then remove from heat and add borax and washing soda until they dissolve. Add 1 1/2 gallon water. Let it cool and use 1/4 cup in each load.
5. Borax carpet defunker
- Borax
Sprinkle heavily over carpet and brush in with broom. Let it sit for at least an hour and then vacuum.
6. Counter, sink, bathtub, toilet bowl, floor scrub.
- Baking soda
In combination with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide it can pull up most stains, and with water it can deep clean a kitchen or bathroom sink, and works wonders on the countertops.
I don’t think the dangers of bleach and ammonia are not a big secret. I’m pretty sure we all know something about how they’re damaging to our respiratory system, neurological system, skin, and mixed with other cleaners can actually be fatal. I have to say that those are definitely the big reasons I use natural cleaners but there are other hidden dangers that I am also concerned about like fragrances, dyes, and fillers. The fact of the matter is, when you buy a conventional cleaner, you’re buying a promise. A promise of clean, a promise of fresh and no whisper of danger but those promises can be met without danger using things you might already have in your house.
The key here is to make them accessible for yourself. Actually make each cleaner and put them in spray bottles, make sure they’re in your bathroom, kitchen or laundry room. That way you’ll make the switch effortlessly.
Question: What sort of cleaners do you use? Is it hard for you to think of clean without the scents of conventional sprays?
The CDC says the use of vinegar is inconclusive and needs to be studied further and I only found this after using a multitude of search terms to try and weed out the 934462 sites on the web that basically say, “Vinegar is the Greatest Cleaning Agent Ever!!! I don’t have any evidence, so you’ll just have to trust me because I say so”.
http://www.cdc.gov/hicpac/Disinfection_Sterilization/3_3inactivBioAgents.html
where it says:
” Some environmental groups advocate “environmentally safe” products as alternatives to commercial germicides in the home-care setting. These alternatives (e.g., ammonia, baking soda, vinegar, Borax, liquid detergent) are not registered with EPA and should not be used for disinfecting because *** they are ineffective against S. aureus. *** Borax, baking soda, and detergents also are ineffective against *** Salmonella Typhi and E.coli;***
” however, undiluted vinegar and ammonia are effective against S. Typhi and E.coli 53, 332, 333. ”
Remember:
Bleach is Sodium and Chlorine and Oxygen. 3 elements. (NaClO)
Table Salt is Sodium and Chlorine. (NaCl)
I function the same way in our home. I love knowing the ingredients I use to clean are the same ingredients I’m comfortable feeding to my family in our meals (vinegar & baking soda) or using on my children (dr Bronners & essential oils). I love shaking up a few drops of grapefruit oils with baking soda as my carpet freshener. It’s such a cheerful aroma! I do use a few drops of shaklee basic H when my floors have been abused & ignored for far too long, but my go-to solutions are cheap, safe & effective!! Hooray for non-toxic households.
Also, in regards to grandpa’s comment-I rely heavily on the natural power of antibacterial essential oils (such as Thieves blend, lemon & oregano) to keep our family out of the way of dangerous bacteria. The quality of essential oil is imperative to its effectiveness and I find therapeutic grade oils (young living) to be worth every penny.
The only thing I have trouble utilizing consistently is hydrogen peroxide. I use it to clean our toothbrushes and as an oral rinse, but I haven’t gotten around to finding a dark spray bottle so it wont degrade. Otherwise, I’m a huge fan of natural cleaners and very hot water [I think even Grandpa would agree that hot or boiling water effectively kills almost all harmful organisms]. I use your laundry detergent recipe all the time, though! I’ve found nothing else [even conventional soaps] gets my clothes and cloth diapers/wipes cleaner.
I’m terrified of carcinogens and harmful products. The fact that the ingredient list isn’t widely available on products we don’t consume should speak for itself. Bleach has terribly unpleasant fumes–that alone keeps me away from it. Something that is so offensive [and corrosive] to our bodies shouldn’t be used anywhere we, or our children, can touch.
I don’t even use fragrance in my home anymore–I use a simple solution of 1/3 cup vinegar or rubbing alcohol, water [rest of the way up the bottle], and about 10 or so drops of essential oil. Shake each time before use and spray liberally. The vinegar or alcohol will de-germ [for the most part] and evaporate, leaving only the delicious smell of the oils.
This is so helpful! I just copied the recipes into my phone so I can pick up the ingredients on our next big shop. We use several natural cleaning products (all unscented, because that “laundry smell” makes me REALLY allergic) but are trying to move towards all non-bleach, non-chemical products.
[...] couple weeks ago I did a post on how I clean my house with only natural products. Today I want to talk about another part of life [...]
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