Home-Made Household Cleaners

Commercially made cleaners can be expensive removers of dirt that home-made solutions can cure equally well. I think many homemakers like me do like the fresh smell of alcohol in Windex and the lemon scent in Pine-Sol, but very often those products can run a couple to seven dollars a bottle. Many commercially made cleaners are not healthy to breathe either. After cleaning my bathroom while pregnant one day, I had to leave the room several times to breathe then hold my breath until the job was done because the fumes of the product I was using was so strong. I knew breathing all those chemicals could not be good. Later I read some articles that a lot of common household cleaners have chemicals that are linked to hormones in our body, causing damage to the reproductive cells and cancer. Many products have labels to warn consumers of those dangers, but few of us read them. In fact, much to my chagrin, a lot of the diffusers and plug in air freshers have shown a decrease in lung capacity and cancer increase. Since then I became inspired to try some more natural, but just as powerful solutions to clean house. 

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/allergy-and-asthma/articles/2008/07/25/health-hazards-in-household-cleaners-exposed

Natural Home Cleaning Products:

White Distilled Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar

(A gallon can be purchased for $2)(store brand)

Baking Soda

(A box can be purchased for .50) (Walgreen's coupons)

Salt

(A 32oz. carton for .50) (Walgreen's Coupons)

Toothpaste

(cheep brands run less than 1.00) (I get for free with coupons)

Lemon Juice

(a 32oz bottle runs about $2) (I always buy the store brand)

Olive Oil

(Can be $2 or more for a 16oz bottle) (Usually don't need much)

Fresh Lemons and Limes

(Purchase by the bag for $3)

Black Tea

(1-2$ a box)
Mineral Oil
($2 for a liter at the pharmacy)

Plant Extracts and oils for scents-optional

(Prices Vary)

4 Chemical Compounds these are optional for the 100% naturalist, but they really do aid in the more difficult cleaning jobs around the house. They should be used with good ventilation and kept out of reach from children.

Washing Soda/borax-found in the laundry detergent isle at the supermarket

Ammonia-Found in the supermarket with cleaning detergents

Rubbing Alcohol-found with bandages in the pharmacy

Glycerin-Found with dish-soap or household cleaners in supermarkets

Recycle Scrubbers

There is no need to ever purchase cleaning rags-the whole idea is almost humerus

Rags-I rip up mu husbands old T-shirts for softer rags and use old washcloths and towels for more abrasive ones

Old Toothbrushes
Newspapers

Recipes and Uses

All-Purpose Household Cleaner A (windows, floors, bathrooms, carpet, appliances)

1/4 c. vinegar

2 c. Water

All Purpose Cleaner B

1/4 c. vinegar

1/2 c. ammonia

1/8 c. baking soda

1/2 gallon hot water

Furniture Polish

Juice of 1 lemon (1/2 c.)

2 c. mineral oil or 1 c. olive oil

Scrubbing Solution 

Sprinkle baking soda and salt on sliced side of half a lemon and scrub (Good for soap scum and hard water stains)

Dish-soap

1/2 c. lemon juice

1/4 c. vinegar

1/2 c. baking soda

1/4 c. salt

1 c. water

Dishwasher Soap

1Tablespoon of Borax

1 Tablespoon of baking soda

1 Tablespoon of vinegar

Counter-top stain remover

Spray stained area with water, sprinkle baking soda on and leave overnight-wipe clean-this will even remove food coloring stains

Window Cleaner

Spray undiluted vinegar on windows and wipe down with newspapers

Rust Remover
Sprinkle salt and baking soda on rust

Squeeze the juice of one lime on top and let set 3 hours

Scrub with rind

Faucet Polish and Anti-Bacterial

Rub faucets with a soft cloth dipped in rubbing alcohol

Drain Cleaner A

1/c c. salt 

4 liter hot water

Drain Cleaner B

1/2 c. baking soda-pour down drain

1/2 c. vinegar-pour down drain after baking soda

Wait 15 minutes and slowly pour a gallon of boiling water down the drain

Oven Cleaner A

1 box baking soda

add enough water to make a spray-on paste

spray on and let set till dry 

wipe off with a warm cloth

Oven Cleaner B

2 c. hot water
1 T. Lemon juice
1. T. Baking Soda
1 t. Borax
Spray on oven and let set 20 minutes wipe first with old newspapers then clean cloth

Wood Cleaner (baseboards/kitchen cabinets)

1/2 gallon water-boiling

7 tea bags

Best if used warm-can be reheated in a microwave before use

Air Freshener

Spring/Summer-simmer fresh lemons, limes, oranges, or lavender on the stove

Fall/Winter-simmer whole cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger on the stove with or without citrus fruits

WARNINGS:

!!!Never use ammonia and bleach in the same formula or in the same room while cleaning-they are a highly toxic combination.

!!!Don't use vinegar in marble or grout as it will corrode.

!!!Don't use drain cleaner if a commercial drain product has already been used.