To Clean Everything in the House

Learning to clean from scratch! Making homemade recipes can truly work if you take time to understand a bit about the chemistry behind how the materials work. Here are the five ingredients that I find to be the safest, most effective, and useful for cleaning.

Baking Soda

A commonly available mineral full of many cleaning attributes, baking soda is made from soda ash, and is slightly alkaline (its pH is around 8.1; 7 is neutral). It neutralizes acid-based odors in water, and adsorbs odors from the air. Sprinkled on a damp sponge or cloth, baking soda can be used as a gentle non-abrasive cleanser for kitchen counter tops, sinks, bathtubs,ovens, and fiberglass. It will eliminate perspiration odors and evenneutralize the smell of many chemicals if you add up to a cup per loadto the laundry. It is a useful air freshener, and a fine carpet deodorizer.

Washing Soda

A chemical neighbor of baking soda, washing soda (sodium carbonate) is much more strongly alkaline, with a pH around 11. It releases no harmful fumes and is far safer than a commercial solvent formula, but you should wear gloves when using it because it is caustic. Washing soda cuts grease, cleans petroleum oil, removes wax or lipstick, and neutralizes odors in the same way that baking soda does. Don’t use it on fiberglass, aluminum or waxed floors—unless you intend to remove the wax.

White Vinegar and Lemon Juice

White vinegar and lemon juice are acidic—they neutralize alkaline substances such as scale from hard water. Acids dissolve gummy buildup, eat away tarnish, and remove dirt from wood surfaces.

Liquid Soaps and Detergent

Liquid soaps and detergents are necessary for cutting grease, and they are not the same thing. Soap is made from fats and lye. Detergents are synthetic materials discovered and synthesized early in this century. Unlike soap, detergents are designed specifically so that they don’t react with hard water minerals and cause soap scum. If you have hard water, buy a biodegradable detergent without perfumes; if you have soft water you can use liquid soap (both are available in health food stores).

Mold Killers and Disinfectants

For a substance to be registered by the EPA as a disinfectant it must go through extensive and expensive tests. EPA recommends simple soap to use as a disinfectant. There are many essential oils, such as lavender, clove, and tea tree oil (an excellent natural fungicide), that are very antiseptic, as is grapefruit seed extract, even though they aren’t registered as such. Use one teaspoon of essential oil to 2 cups of water in a spray bottle (make sure to avoid eyes). A grapefruit seed extract spray can be made by adding 20 drops of extract to a quart of water.

NOW YOU'RE READY TO MAKE green CLEANING PRODUCTS!

Creamy Soft Scrubber

Simply pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid detergent to make a texture like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, and wash the surface. This is the perfect recipe for cleaning the bathtub because it rinses easily and doesn’t leave grit.

Note: Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a sealed glass jar, to keep the product moist. Otherwise just make as much as you need at a time.

Window Cleaner

1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water
Spray bottle

Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as you would a commercial brand. The soap in this recipe is important. It cuts the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.

Oven Cleaner

1 cup or more baking soda
Water
A squirt or two of liquid detergent

Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda that the surface is totally white. Sprinkle some more water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can easily wipe up the grease the next morning because the grime will have loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven. If this recipe doesn’t work for you it is probably because you didn’t use enough baking soda and/or water.

All-Purpose Spray Cleaner

1/2 teaspoon washing soda
A dab of liquid soap
2 cups hot tap water

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.

Furniture Polish

1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive (or jojoba, a liquid wax)
1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice

Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.

Vinegar Deoderizer

Keep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5 percent vinegar in your kitchen near your cutting board and in your bathroom and use them for cleaning. I often spray the vinegar on our cutting board before going to bed at night, and don’t even rinse but let it set overnight. The smell of vinegar dissipates within a few hours. Straight vinegar is also great for cleaning the toilet rim. Just spray it on and wipe off.

NEED TO GET RID OF MOLD?

Tea Tree Treasure

Nothing natural works for mold and mildew as well as this spray. I’ve used it successfully on a moldy ceiling from a leaking roof, on a musty bureau, a musty rug, and a moldy shower curtain. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little goes a very long way. Note that the smell of tea tree oil is very strong, but it will dissipate in a few days.

2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water

Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes two cups.

Vinegar Spray

Straight vinegar reportedly kills 82 percent of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing if you can put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few hours.

Caution:

Make sure to keep all homemade formulas well-labeled, and out of the reach of children.

by Annie B. Bond

Learn how to live a long green life by clicking here!

Other Receipes for Cleaning Products

Recipes listed here can be modified to best meet your needs. Have fun mixing your own!

All Purpose Cleaner

Recipe # 1
1 tbsp Borax
1/2 c. liquid castile soap
1/2 c. white vinegar
4 L hot water
20 drops of essential oil (optional)
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle for easy use. Works on multiple kitchen and bathroom
surfaces, including shower mildew and baked on microwave gunk.

Recipe # 2
4 tbsp baking soda
1L warm water
Dissolve baking soda in warm water, or use baking soda on a damp sponge.

Recipe # 3 (good for scouring)
1 2/3 c. baking soda
1/2 c. liquid castile soap
1/2 c. tap water
2 tbsp white vinegar (add last)
Mix together and use liberally

Recipe # 4
1 tbsp baking soda
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 c. hot water
Place all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well before use.
Note: The recipes listed here are enough for more than one use and can be stored.

Counter Cleaner

Recipe # 1
4 tbsp baking soda
2 tbsp lemon juice
Mix into paste and spread on surface. Let sit 30 minutes for ink and other tough stains. Wipe with damp
cloth. Great for getting rid of smells!

Recipe # 2 (Glass Cleaner)
1 c. white vinegar
1 tbsp lemon juice
3 c. Water
Mix with water and you can clean windows or any other glass, countertops and tile.

Glass Cleaner

NOTE: Before you go natural you may have to use rubbing alcohol to remove the waxy residue from the store bought stuff.

Recipe # 1
1 c. white vinegar
1 c. water
Mix together (always equal parts) and store in a pump spray container for easy use.

Recipe # 2
1 c. white vinegar
1 tbsp lemon juice
3 c. Water
Mix with water and you can clean windows or any other glass, countertops and tile.

Recipe # 3
2 tbsp Borax
3 c. hot water
1 old newspaper
Mix and put in spray bottle. For best results, use newspaper to wipe off.

Recipe # 4
1 L water
2 tbsp white vinegar
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle.

Recipe # 5
1 c. rubbing alcohol (isopropyl)
1 c. water
1 tbsp white vinegar
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle and use as needed.

Tub Scrub

Got Mildew? Try vinegar and salt to remove it!

Recipe # 1
1 c. Borax
1 Scouring pad or sponge
Sprinkle Borax in the tub and begin to scrub. The Borax will act as an abrasive cleaner. Add a bit of
water if needed. Rinse well.

Recipe # 2 (All purpose Cleaner)
1 tbsp Borax
1/2 c. liquid castile soap
1/2 c. white vinegar
4 L hot water
20 drops of essential oil (optional)
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle for easy use.
Works on multiple kitchen and bathroom surfaces, including shower mildew.

Recipe # 3
4 tbsp baking Soda
1 tbsp liquid soap (castile or dish soap)
2 tbsp vinegar
Mix the ingredients together and apply to tub surface. Scrub well and wipe or rinse clean

Carpet Deodorizer and Stain Removal

Recipe # 1 (Deodorizer)
2 c. baking soda
4-5 crumbled bay leaves
1/2 c. cornstarch
1 tbsp ground cloves
Mix the above ingredients together and sprinkle on the carpet. Let it sit for up to 24 hours and vacuum it up!

Recipe # 2 (Carpet Stains)
1 box baking soda
Sprinkle baking soda, rub in and let sit one hour. Scrub with stiff brush and vacuum out.

Wood Floor Polish

Recipe # 1
1/4 c. olive oil
1/4 c. white vinegar
10 drops essential oil (optional)
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray liberally on
wooden floor and polish.

Recipe # 2
4 tbsp white vinegar
4 tbsp vegetable oil
Mix together in a spray bottle and spray generously on the floor. Wipe up with either a mop or rag.

Automatic Dishwasher Detergent Soap

Recipe # 1
1 c. washing soda
1 c. Borax
2 tbsp white vinegar
Mix equal portions washing soda and Borax. To prevent build up, use only every
4th or 5th load, otherwise you’ll end up with a white film on your dishes. Add white
vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Recipe # 1
1/2 c. baking soda or Borax
1/2 c. washing soda
2 tbsp white vinegar
Mix washing soda with baking soda OR Borax. Apply to surface, scrub, then flush. Add splash of white vinegar to deodorize.

Recipe # 2
1 c. hydrogen peroxide
Pour throughout the toilet and scrub. Leave for at least 20 minutes before flushing.

Vegetable Wash

Recipe # 1
1 tbsp vinegar
1.5 L water
Mix together and rinse vegetables thoroughly.

Recipe # 2
1/2 tbsp environmentally friendly dish soap
1.5 L water
Mix together and rinse vegetables thoroughly.

Microwave Cleaner

Recipe # 1
2 tbsp baking soda
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 c. water
Mix together in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 5 minutes or until the mixture boils. Wipe the condensation from the inside of the microwave.

Laundry Recipes

Recipe # 1 (Liquid Laundry Soap)
1/2 c. Borax
1 1/2 c. washing soda
1 c. soap flakes or grated bar soap
7.5 L water
20 drops essential oil (optional)
Combine Borax, washing soda and most of the water. Boil soap flakes in remaining water and add to
first mixture (you can also melt grated bar soap in the microwave). The soap will gel the mixture. If your water is hard, add more washing soda. Use about ½ cup per load. Works in cold water! Soap flakes and washing soda work well on natural fabrics when there are few stains. Add a tablespoon of vinegar to rinse to keep colors bright.

Recipe # 2 (Powdered Laundry Soap)
1 c. soap flakes or grated bar soap
1/2 c. Borax
1/2 c. washing soda
Mix ingredients together well. Use 1 tbsp for light loads and 2 tbsp for heavier loads.

Recipe # 3 (Fabric Softener)
1 c. vinegar
Simply add to the rinse cycle.

Furniture Polish

Recipe # 1
1c. olive oil
1/2 c. lemon juice
Put in squirt bottle and use cloth to polish.

Recipe # 2
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp white vinegar
4 c. warm water
Mix and store in spray bottle. When ready to use, spray the mixture onto a cloth and rub furniture.

Recipe # 3
3 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
1 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
Mix together in a spray bottle and shake well before use. Do not spray directly on furniture but apply a small amount to a cloth for use.

Septic Tank Treatment

Recipe # 1
2 c. brown sugar
1 tbsp baker’s yeast
5 c. warm water
Mix together until everything is dissolved and pour the solution into the toilet. Flush. You’re done!

Oven Cleaner

Recipe # 1
5 tbsp baking soda
3 tbsp water
Scour oven to remove big, black chunks. Mix ingredients into paste and spread over all surfaces to be cleaned. Let sit for one hour. Scrub and rinse.
NOTE: Some ovens are self– cleaning and would not require.

Drain Cleaner

Suggestion from a Pro
If your are continuously having trouble with your drain, try using a plunger or a snake to clear the drain.

Recipe # 1
4 tbsp baking soda
4 tbsp vinegar
3 c. boiling water
Pour baking soda down the drain and follow it with vinegar. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes and flush the drain with boiling water.

Recipe # 2
4 tbsp Borax
Boiling water
Pour the Borax down the drain and wait for 5-10 minutes. Flush with 1 c. at a time of boiling water. Repeat if needed.

Metal Cleaners

Recipe # 1 (Stainless Steel)
1 c. olive oil
1 c. white vinegar
Rub the metal’s surface with a cloth dosed in olive oil. Wipe away with a vinegar soaked cloth. Let it dry
and watch the streaks and smudges disappear.

Recipe # 2 (Silver Polish)
1 L water
1 tbsp baking soda
1 tbsp salt
Aluminum foil
Put ingredients in a pot with silver items. Boil for three minutes, making sure the foil stays in contact with the silver. Wipe dry when finished.

Recipe # 3 (Silver Polish)
1 L warm water
1 tbsp baking soda
1 tbsp salt
Aluminum foil
Put a sheet of aluminum foil into a plastic or glass bowl. Sprinkle the foil with salt and baking soda and fill bowl with warm water. Soak your silver in the bowl. The tarnish will migrate to the foil. Dry and buff.

Recipe # 4 (Brass Polish)
1 lemon
1 tbsp salt
Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle it with salt and rub the lemon on the metal. Buff with a cloth.
Recipe # 5 (Brass Polish)
1 c. white vinegar
1 c. flour
1 tbsp salt
Mix into a paste and rub onto your copper, leave on for
an hour and then buff with a cloth.

Recipe # 6 (Chrome Polish)
1 tube toothpaste
Rub chrome with toothpaste and buff with a cloth.