Trying to find products that are healthier, greener alternatives is not always any easy endeavor. Especially when searching for household cleaners that won’t break the bank. I did a little research and found some simple recipes made out of ingredients you can find at your local grocery store that will keep your home and clothes looking, smelling, and feeling fresh.
White Vinegar:
Vinegar can be used to dissolve dirt, soap scum, and hard water deposits, clean hardwood flooring, and used as a fabric softener (don’t worry, once dry it’s aroma disappears). For a cleaner, mix equal parts water and vinegar. You can use this solution to clean kitchen and bathroom counter tops, range surfaces, and other hard surfaces. Heat the solution to effectively clean very soiled areas such as shower stalls. Use undiluted vinegar for the inside of toilets, and add one cup of it to the laundry rinse cycle to supplement fabric softener.
Baking Soda:
Do you use Comet powder? Instead, replace it with baking soda! For tougher grime, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply to the tub or sink, and allow to stand for 10 to 20 minutes. It also works as a natural deodorizer.
Rubbing Alcohol:
Instead of Windex, use rubbing alcohol for an even better streak free glass cleaner! Just mix together 1 cup alcohol, 1 cup water, and 1 tablespoon white vinegar in a spray bottle and you are ready to go.
Laundry Detergent:
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of Arm & Hammer® Super Washing Soda
- 1/2 cup of Mule Team® Borax
- One hand grated bar of Ivory Bar Soap
Mix all three ingredients together in a bowl and you are set! Use one to two tablespoons of detergent per load.
As you can see, being green can be both easy and cost effective. Enjoy!
~Maria
kkdkutler
2 years ago
have you tried this out? or is this something you found online? that is really interesting i want to try the baking soda and the rubbing alchohal.. the only thing is i like the windex smell more.. who doesn’t?
admin Reply:
December 7th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Yup! These actually work. If you really want, I believe you can add a few drops of organic essential oil (try Aveda) to add some scent in.