For you who wish to make your own environmentally safe, green cleaning products, you only need a few common household items to be completely stocked and ready to tackle any mess.
What you should have on hand:
- Baking Soda – a potent whitener and cleanser
- soap (a pure soap like Dr. Bonner’s)
- Lemon – cuts grease, antibacterial, a strong natural acid
- Borax – Also known as sodium borate, this white powder is commonly found on the laundry aisle of grocery and department stores like Walmart or Target. Great cleanser
- White Vinegar – cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.
- Isopropyl Alcohol – a great disinfectant. Some say that high doses/quantities can cause illness. If this is a concern, one can try grain alcohol (100 proof)
- Corn Starch – a softer cleanser than baking soda which can be used to clean and polish surfaces.
- Witch Hazel – good disinfectant
- Washing Soda -sodium carbonate. You can usually find it in the laundry aisle of your supermarket. Combine it with borax and soap for a laundry detergent or boost or use as a dish detergent.
- Epsom Salts – Good for bleaching/whitening and scrubbing
- Olive Oil -it adds luster to surfaces when dusting or cleaning, cleans garden tools and stainless steel and restores cutting boards.
These ingredients alone or in combination (plus a few other household items) provide highly effective cleaning and disinfecting while not exposing humans or animals to harsh and potentially toxic chemicals. Add your own essential oils for a non-toxic, fragrant clean!
Websites that provide details for making your own cleaners