Make a Green Home Cleaning Kit

Cleaning house is a necessary evil for us all, and the scent of a cleaning day throughout your home is enough to make one nauseous, even with all the windows open.  Just remember how horrible the spring cleaning smell is!  Now try to imagine what it could be doing internally, as well. 

So how do the environmentally conscious make it through spring cleaning without having a breakdown from all those chemicals and harsh smells?  Very easy -we don't use them.

That is not to say we don't clean house. We take just as much pride in a clean and fresh-smelling home as anyone, we just find more eco-friendly ways of attaining one. This is not as difficult as many believe it to be, and is actually cheaper in the long run and less hassle than trips to the store!

Even if you have not quite jumped on the green living bandwagon, you can benefit from green cleaners by spending less money, and less time in the grocery store lines.

Not to mention saving the air in your home, and yourself and children, from all of the toxins in today's cleaners. Here are a few essential cleaner recipes.

Green Cleaner Recipes

Green All Purpose Cleaner - Dissolve 2 tablespoons baking soda in 2 cups of warm water, add 1 teaspoon Borax and then shake to mix. Use just as you would use 409.

Note: For an abrasive cleaner (like Ajax), poor baking soda directly on the area to be used and then scrub with damp cloth, then rinse.

Green Window Cleaner - Combine 2 cups warm water with 2 TBSP white vinegar, 1 TSP lemon juice, and 2 drops eucalyptus essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake well and use like any other window cleaner.

Green Dish Soap - Mix 10 oz Liquid Castile Soap (about 22 oz), 4 drops lemon essential oil, and ¼ cup of water in an empty bottle. Shake bottle before each use.

Green Dish Washer Soap - Add 1 Tablespoon Borax and 1 Tablespoon Baking soda together and put them in the detergent holder for your dishwasher.

Green Surface Sanitizer - Use 100 proof (or higher) alcohol. Mix 3 TSP with 3 cups water in a spray bottle. Spray on surfaces to kill germs. The smell may be strong, so ad 2-3 drops essential oil of your choice for a more pleasant smell.

Green Air Freshener - Add 2 cups of warm water and 1 tsp white vinegar to a bottle, then add a few drops of any essential oil you wish. I like to use orange or tea tree oils. Shake before using, and don't use this on fabrics.

Green Fabric Freshener - Mix ½ tsp lemon juice, 1 c. water, 1/4 tsp vegetable glycerin, and 3-6 drops Lavender essential oil in a spray bottle and spray on furniture or other fabrics.

This whole home cleaning bundle takes about 30 minutes or less to make and requires no special tools or mixing methods. The great thing is there is also no need to store these cleaners any differently than you store commercial cleaners and they last just as long if not longer. It definitely beats spending an hour on a store trip to get these cleaners at higher than necessary prices!