Homemade Green Cleaning Recipes

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We are all worried when we go outside to a smog filled sky. We are concerned with images of toxic waste being dumped into our waterways.

However, we let hazardous, toxic, and carcinogenic chemicals into our homes on a daily basis in the disguise of common household cleaners. These chemicals are finding their way into our bodies. Yuck.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers reports at more than 90% of poisonings happen at home. Medicines, household cleaners, and pesticides top the list of offenders.

A study on chemicals used in household products in New Jersey and Massachusetts showed that 28 million pounds of chemicals that are known or suspected neurotoxins, carcinogens, or reproductive or developmental toxicants were used in soaps and other detergents, in those two states alone. Additionally, 259 million pounds of these chemicals were accounted for in specialty cleaners and polishers.

Check out this PDF study for more great findings on Household Hazards.

Visit this site to read more info on toxic household cleaners.

Convinced? The good news is that making your own is cost effective and easy. One easy way is to start making your own eco friendly cleaners. A few common household ingredients and your essential oils is all it takes. It's cheap and easy and earth friendly.

I have been making my own cleaners and household products for quite awhile. Below are some of my favorite recipes.

SHOPPING LIST FOR RECIPES:

To make the cleaners below, you'll need the following:

• Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate), a sodium salt
• Washing Soda (Sodium Carbonate), related to baking soda
• White Distilled Vinegar, an acid
• Liquid Castile Soap, (Olive, Coconut, and other vegetable oils)
• Organic Soap Flakes (Organic Coconut and Soy or Palm)
• Food Grade Vegetable Gylcerin, natural component of fats and oils.
• Borax (Sodium Borate Decahydrate), sodium and boron- a natural mineral
• Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2), naturally occuring water like liquid
• Vodka (Can substitute Witch Hazel)
• Citric Acid, bitter acid found in fruits
• Essential Oils
• Kosher Salt
• Glass Spray Bottles, Containers, Mixing Bowls

Most of these ingredients can be found in your grocery store. A few might need a visit to the I Heart Oils DIY Shop or other internet retailer. Start up cost to get these ingredients might seem overwhelming. But, the cost per use remains significantly less than retail cleaners. They last a LONG time and you can use them in many ways around your home.

Also, it's a good idea to ditch the paper towel use as much as possible. Try microfiber clothes for cleaning. They work well and are a green alternative!

Clothes Washing Powder (for Machines including HE):

16 cups Baking Soda
12 cups Borax
8 cups Soap Flakes (can grate bars of soap)
3 tbsp Essential Oil of Choice, i.e. Lavender, Lemon, Grapefruit, etc.

Combine ingredients, mix with a wire wisk. Use 1/8 cup per load.

Makes enough to last a family of 4 one year. Can reduce the recipe by 1/4 for a smaller batch.

Fabric Softener:

1 cup Water
1 cup Baking Soda
2 cups White Vinegar
20 drops Essential Oil of Choice

Choose a container big enough to accommodate the chemical reaction of the baking soda and vinegar. Combine ingredients starting with water, essential oils, and baking soda. Add vinegar slowing to avoid volcano effect.

Use 1/2 cup in the rinse cycle or wet a washcloth and throw into the dryer with your clothes.

Air/Linen Spray:

1/4 cup Unflavored Vodka (or use Witch Hazel)
3 1/2 cups Filtered Water
20 drops Essential Oils of Choice- Lavender, Lemon, Ylang Ylang, etc.

In a small bowl, mix vodka and essential oil together. The alcohol works as an emulsifier, allowing the oil and water to mix evenly.

Pour the oil-vodka mix into a glass spray bottle, add the water and shake. Shake before using.

Dish Soap:

1 1/2 cup Hot Water
1/2 cup Castile Soap
1 tbsp White Vinegar
1 tbsp Washing Soda
1 tbsp Soap Flakes
10 drops Lemon Essential Oil

Combine castille soap, vinegar, washing soda, and soap flakes into a large bowl and add in the hot water. Whisk the mixture until ingredients are well blended and soap flakes have dissolved. Allow mixture to cool completely stirring occasionally. Add the Lemon after mixture has cooled.

Dishwasher Detergent:

1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax
1/2 cup Kosher Salt
1/2 cup Citric Acid
20 drops Lemon Essential Oil

Mix together salt and essential oils till combined. Add other ingredients and stir. Store tightly covered in a glass jar. Use one tablespoon per load with hot water.

Dishwasher Rinse Agent:

Fill rinse dispenser with vinegar and add 5 drops lemon essential oil.

All Purpose Cleaner:

1 cup Water
1 cup White Vinegar
2 tsp Liquid Castile Soap
25 drops Essential Oil of Choice, i.e. Protective Blend, Lemon, Melaleuca, etc.

Add all ingredients to a glass spray bottle. Soap will clump a little between uses. Shake well before spraying.

Creamy Soft Scrub:

1/2 cup Baking Soda
Liquid Castile Soap
1 tsp Vegetable Glycerin
Essential Oils of Choice, i.e. Melaleuca (for purifying properties), Lemon (for shine), etc.

Pour baking soda in a bowl. Add castille soap a little at a time to make a frosting like texture. Add in your essential oils and glycerin. Store in a sealed glass jar.

Window/Mirror Cleaner:

1/4 -1/2 tsp Liquid Castile Soap
3 tbsp White Vinegar
2 cups Water
10 drops Essential Oil of Choice- Peppermint, Lemon, Wild Orange

Pour ingredients into a glass spray bottle, shake and use.

Wood Cleaner:

1/4 cup White Vinegar
1/4 cup Water
1/2 tsp Liquid Castile Soap
1/8 tsp Olive Oil
10 drops Wild Orange or Lemon Essential Oil

Combine ingredients and pour into a glass spray bottle.

Wood & Stainless Steel Polish:

Olive Oil
10 drops Wild Orange or Lemon Essential Oil

Combine ingredients, use a soft cloth to wipe then buff surfaces.

Fruit and Vegetable Wash:

1 cup Water
1 cup White Vinegar
1 tbsp Baking Soda
10 drops each Grapefruit and Lemon Essential Oil