INGREDIENTS
Liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronners)
Baking soda
Borax (in the laundry section of most stores)
Washing soda
White distilled vinegar
Lemon juice
Table salt
Essential oils: tea tree, eucalyptus, lemon, lavender, peppermint, spearmint, clove, rosemary, etc. (at most health food stores)
TOOLS
Firm bristle brush
Rubber gloves
Spray and/or squeeze bottles
Cheesecloth or reusable rags
Sponge
Reusable containers (with lids)
ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER
2 tablespoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon borax
1/4 cup liquid castile soap
16-ounce spray bottle
Add white vinegar and borax. Fill the rest of the spray bottle with water and shake to blend until the borax is dissolved. Add liquid castile soap only after you’ve completed the above steps (to avoid suds).
TOILET CLEANER
Baking soda or borax
White vinegar
Sprinkle baking soda or borax, or pour white vinegar into the toilet, and let sit for a few minutes. Scrub with a good toilet brush.
OVEN CLEANER
Baking soda
Water
Cover the oven floor with baking soda, spray with water until very damp, and let sit overnight. Spray with water every few hours before you go to bed, to keep damp. In the morning, clean out the baking soda.
MOLD CLEANER AND INHIBITOR
2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake to blend. Do not rinse. The strong odor will dissipate in a day or so.
SOFT SCRUBBER
1/2 cup baking soda
Liquid soap
5 to 10 drops antibacterial essential oil (lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus)
This scrubber is used on the bathtub, sinks, Formica countertops and the shower stall. Stir baking soda and liquid soap until the consistency thickens. Add the essential oil (if using). Scoop the creamy mixture onto a sponge, wash the surface, and rinse well.
WINDOW CLEANER
1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
2 cups water
remove with a squeegee, lint-free towel or newspaper.
LAUNDRY DETERGENT
1 cup washing soda
1 cup borax
Always combine a one-to-one ratio of washing soda and borax and mix with water. Although the combination all-natural whitening alternative.
FLOOR CLEANER
1/4 cup liquid castile soap
1/2 cup white vinegar or lemon juice
2 gallons water
Use with a mop or sponge. Combine in a spray bottle and shake. Spray on and then does not bleach material, the washing soda is a powerful Combine ingredients with warm water in a large bucket.
CARPET CLEANER
1/2 cup baking soda
1 cup borax
1 cup cornmeal
Sprinkle mixture over rug and rub with a cloth. Let rest for several hours or overnight, then vacuum. To remove stains: Mix 1/4 cup liquid castile soap and 1/3 cup water in a blender until foamy. Spread on the carpet and let sit for a few minutes, then scrub the stain with a brush or clean rag. To deal with big carpet spills, pour cornmeal on the spill, wait 15 minutes, then vacuum.
For more green living recipes visit care2.com/greenliving/nontoxic-cleaning
