Say yes to nontoxic home cleaning! Here, you’ll find 8 basic green cleaning formulas to help you get started on the path to nontoxic living for the sake of staying healthy. Let’s divorce toxic household cleaners and marry natural ones!
BASIC ALKALINE CLEANER
Reach for this all-purpose cleaner first as it works on most dirt. Makes 2 cups:
- 1/2 teaspoon washing sodas
- 2 teaspoon borax
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid castile soap
- 2 cups hot water
- Combine the washing soda, borax, and soap in a spray bottle. Pour in the hot water to dissolve the minerals. Screw on the lid and shake well to completely blend and dissolve. Shake the bottle each time before using. Spray surface areas once or twice, wiping the cleanser with a rag as you go. For tough dirt, leave the spray on for a few minutes before wiping off.
BASIC ACID CLEANER:
Use this formula if you have hard water, pets, young children, or an ill person in your home as it helps to neutralize many-body fluid odours. Makes 1 cup:
- 1/4 cup white vinegar or lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid castile soap
- 3/4 cup warm water
- Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake to blend before use. Spray the problem area generously, then wipe with a clean cloth.
BASIC SINK CLEANER
This formula is safe for porcelain and stainless steel sinks. It will clean the sink basin and faucets, plus it will keep drains and garbage disposal fresh-smelling and free of clogs.
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 3 drops rosemary, lemon, lime, or orange essential oils
Combine all ingredients. Rinse sink well with hot water. Pour the cleanser in the sink and wipe with a sponge or cloth. Rinse again with hot water.
Note: A vinegar rinse can be used before the final hot water rinse to prevent residue from the baking soda.
BASIC ANTISEPTIC ALL-PURPOSE CLEANSER
Makes 2 cups, use to clean, disinfect, and freshen the air.
- 1 teaspoon antiseptic essential oil (thyme, sweet orange, lemongrass, rose, clove, eucalyptus, cinnamon, rosemary, lavender, or tea tree)
- 1 teaspoon washing soda
- 2 teaspoons borax
- 1/2 teaspoon liquid castile soap
- 2 cups hot water
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake to dissolve and blend the minerals. Spray onto a surface and leave for 15 minutes before wiping off with a cloth, to give the essential oil’s antiseptic quality time to work.
BASIC DISHWASHING CLEANER
- liquid castile soap
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 8 drops rosemary essential oil
- 4 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Fill a clean 22-ounce bottle with castile soap, add the essential oils, shake the bottle before each use. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of the liquid to the dishwasher and wash as usual.
TIP: for very greasy dishes, add 1/2 cup white vinegar or lemon juice to the dishwasher.
BASIC ANTIBACTERIAL SPRAY:
Makes 1 cup spray and enough essential oil base mixture for 5 cups spray.
- 1 cup water
- 20 drops sweet orange essential oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
- 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Pour the water into a spray bottle. Blend the essential oils in a glass jar. With an eyedropper, add 8 drops of the essential oil base to the spray bottle. Spray on and let set for at least 15 minutes, or don’t rinse at all.
TIP: Keep the spray bottle on your kitchen counter, spray the formula 2 times a week on clean cutting boards. You can also use the spray to freshen the air.
GERMS-BE-GONE-TOILET CLEANER
This antibacterial spray cleaner is specially formulated for cleaning the general surface area of the toilet, and under and behind the seat.
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
- 1 tablespoon tea tree essential oil
- 10 drops eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil
Combine all ingredients in a plastic spray bottle and shake well. Spray on toilet surfaces and wipe clean with a damp cloth or sponge.
BASIC FLOOR CLEANER
- 1-gallon hot water
- 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap
- 15 drops sweet orange essential oil
- 2 drops lemon essential oil (or 1/4 cup lemon juice)
Combine all ingredients in a large bucket. Dip a mop into the bucket and squeeze out excess liquid. Clean the floor by working in sections, using short strokes, and dipping the mop as needed. Rinsing is not necessary.
- Better Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living by Annie Berthold Bond
- The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier
Ahoy, I'm Eva!
Using my holistic nutrition savvy and psycho-spiritual point of view, I help you find and unapologetically follow your own nutritional mojo.
