The birds are chirping, the warm spring breeze is blowing and all my windows are wide open. That’s when I notice all the tiny hand prints plastered on the glass. While it is a sweet reminder of my young daughters and all our winter adventures it’s not very attractive. And so begins my spring cleaning.
Over the last two and a half years I’ve slowly transitioned to more “green” cleaning. Why? After I had my first baby in November 2007, I started getting concerned about the chemicals in our cleaning products. I first switched to earth friendly products, then I started making my own products straight from my pantry. Now, with few exceptions, I make all my own cleaners.
You can make 3 of my favorite “pantry” cleaners too!
All-Purpose Cleaner
- 2 cups vinegar
- 2 cups water
- 20-30 drops of essential oil
Combine in a spray bottle. Label.
Glass Cleaner
- Rubbing alcohol
- Several drops of essential oil
Combine in a spray bottle. Label.
Creamy Soft Scrub
- 2 cups baking soda
- 1/2 cup castile soap
- 4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin
- 4-5 drops of essential oil
Combine, place in a small tub, label.
Have you ever made your own cleaning products?
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I’m Sarah – wife, mother, and follower of Christ. I stay at home with my two daughters, Julia (2 yo) and Hannah (9 mo). I’ve been blogging at Loved Like the Church for almost 4 years. I write about my parenting mishaps, my cooking adventures, my chaotic but wonderful life, my desire to be “green” and my continual quest to be more like Christ. I hope you pull up a chair and enjoy!
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
I make all of my everyday cleaning supplies, too. I have been doing that consistently for about two years. Now, when I HAVE tried to use regular commercial cleaners (the regular kind and even the newer ‘green’ varieties by the mainstream companies), my lungs feel weird and I get a headache! That’s been good proof to me that whatever is in them is NOT good to have around the house!! Its so nice to be able to hand a bottle of vinegar/water and a washcloth to my kiddos and let them help without any worry of what it is doing to their lungs or what would happen to my son if decided to ingest it. LOL
A straight baking soda (with EO, if I want) scrub is one of my favorites for daily maintenance of my kitchen sink. And I use the same thing (with different EOs, usually) for a carpet deodorizer. My all-purpose recipe is the same as the one listed and it is great. I also use that recipe for mopping.
The only thing I have yet to find a reliable switch for is laundry stains. I use hydrogen peroxide for some things and I’ve tried various recipes but nothing that works most of the time.
.-= Tricia´s last blog ..Freezer Peanut Butter Pies =-.
I, too, started using more “green” cleaners after our first daughter was born. :) I mostly just use vinegar and water, but I love the idea of adding essential oils and I’ll use the glass cleaner for sure! Thanks! :) Love this blog!
.-= Catie´s last blog ..Book Review and I Actually Thought Something Through!! =-.
I have a few “recipes” for cleaners that are a bit different from yours. I make almost all of my cleaners.
-Phyllis
.-= Household Ways´s last blog ..Cinnamon Rolls =-.
I keep a bottle of vinegar and water by my kitchen sink at all times. I spray it on everything. It disinfects and keeps ants away all at the same time… :o)
When it comes to scrubbing sinks and cabnets I’m a baking soda and water girl. I do have to use a little bleach about once a week, but I do mean a little, maybe a capful or so is all it takes mixed with the baking soda and everything is nice and white again.
I use regular detergent but use borax as a booster and baking soda or vinegar for those smelly loads. Vinegar helps whiten too. I’ve read it softens but I’ve not found that to be true, but a dollar store dryer sheet does the trick. Frugal but not green.
Thank you for this informative post! I will be trying this. Somehow the idea of using lavender essential oil makes them all sound so much nicer (the idea of cleaning with vinegar has always turned me off due to the smell).
I also make all of my own cleaning products. They make life so much easier and it means you really do know what is in them!
I’ve been making most of my cleaning supplies for a few years now and I don’t miss the huge expense. I’m glad you posted a recipe for the soft scrub cleaner. That was one of the missing ones that I have been still buying – can’t wait to try this!
After my daughter was born I made the switch to making my own natural cleaning products. I couldn’t stand the smell or the thought of what those chemicals would do to her (and the rest of us). Here is what I use: http://delicious-nutritious.blogspot.com/p/recipes-for-home.html
Have been impressed with your recipes so far! I have been asked to teach a class on natural household cleaners and I have much to learn! I looked you up because I remembered you from twitter. Glad I found you:)
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