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Green Cleaning Tips: All Purpose Cleaners

Commercial cleaning products are among the most hazardous products sold to consumers. The best alternative for the health of your family and the planet is to make your own non-toxic Green Cleaning products at home. This can be done easily with just 6 household ingredients, a couple spray bottles and a glass or plastic bottle for storage. Roll up your sleeves and get ready to make your own green cleaning kit!

Baking Soda - Powerful all purpose cleaner that deodorizes, neutralizes acids, softens hard water and can be used as a mild abrasive .

Borax - Found in the laundry aisle of most grocery stores (20 Mule Team Borax is the brand name most commonly found). Borax is a light cleaner that removes odors, prevents mold & mildew growth and increases the cleaning power of soap. Also a disinfectant, but milder than bleach, it is even more effective when combined with vinegar. NOTE: Although this is a natural and non-toxic product, it is harmful if ingested (keep it out of reach of children.)

Essential Oils - Not only do these add wonderful scents to your recipes, but they have strong disinfecting properties as well. Pine and citrus are the most popular for disinfecting/cleaning. Also try clove, tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, spearmint and peppermint.

Hydrogen Peroxide - 3% solution (this is the solution sold in stores) - disinfects and becomes even more effective when combined with vinegar.

Isopropyl Alcohol (Rubbing Alcohol) - disinfects, as well as cleans chrome, mirrors & ceramic.

Lemon Juice - Excellent cleaner. It cuts grease, deodorizes, cleans glass, removes stains from porcelain and clothing (use caution as it can bleach).

White Vinegar - Kills bacteria, mold, mildew, and germs; cuts grease, mineral deposits, soap scum, dirt, detergent residue, hard water deposits, and even wax. Once the vinegar dries, the smell will disappear " taking other undesirable odors with it. NOTE: Do NOT use any other type of vinegar besides white, as it will most likely stain whatever surface you are using it on.

Unvarnished wood - Apply a small amount of almond, walnut or olive oil to a cloth and rub into the wood. It will absorb the oil. Wait one hour and rub off any excess.

Varnished wood - Rub mild vegetable oil soap into the wood with a soft cloth. In a glass jar, mix olive oil and vinegar or lemon juice in a 2 to 1 ratio. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely. See the wood floor polish recipe using mineral oil and vinegar.

Scratches - Rub the scratch with the meat of a pecan or other oily nut. If you are worried about doing more damage with the nut then try peanut butter which also works. Apply vegetable or olive oil to scratches with your thumb. Follow by polishing the surface with a clean soft cloth.

Watermarks - Rub white toothpaste on the spot and allow the paste to dry. Polish with a soft cloth to finish.

Glass Cleaners - Mix a 1/2 cup of cornstarch with 2 quarts of warm water. Apply to cool window with sponge then wipe with absorbent cloth or towel. Mix warm water, vinegar, and lemon juice together in a spray bottle, and use as needed. Mix 1/4 cup of vinegar and one quart warm water and apply using a spray bottle or sponge. Wipe dry with a crumbled newspaper rather than paper towels for lint-free results. Try adding 1 tablespoon of cornstarch for extra dirty windows. Combine 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon dish washing detergent, 3 tablespoons of vinegar, and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle. As mentioned above - the dish soap only needs to be used the first time after using traditional glass cleaning products. Note: It is recommended when switching from traditional glass cleaning products that dish soap and warm water be used before using one of the recipes listed here. This will remove the film many traditional products leave behind. After doing this once the film will be removed and the below recipes can be used on their own. Or try mixing 1-2 drops dish soap in with the recipe directly on the first use to avoid the two separate steps.