Many of the cleaning products that line the shelves of the store are loaded with chemicals and scents that are hard on our skin, our respiratory tract, and our environment. They may make our house look and smell clean, but this may come with a trade-off that is bad for our health and our planet. A lot of the products that we purchase to clean our homes can be made simply and with little expense. Most importantly, it will put less strain on our physical health and will reduce exposure to pollutants that harm the precious environment that we live in. Read below to find a few recipes to make your home sparkle, while feeling good about doing it.

Mirror/Glass Cleaner

• 3 cups distilled water
• 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol or vodka
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• To add a fresh scent: 20 drops of peppermint, tea tree, or lavendar essential oil

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a quart-sized spray bottle
2. Shake to combine, and then spray on mirrors, windows, or stainless steel
3. Wipe off with paper towels or old newspaper for streak-free shine

All-Purpose Cleaner

• 2 cups white vinegar
• 2 cups water
• 1 teaspoon natural dish soap
• To enhance the anti-bacterial nature, add 30 drops lemon & 20 drops tea tree essential oil

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a quart-sized spray bottle
2. Shake to combine
3. Spray and wipe on counters, cabinets, sinks, toilets, floors, etc.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

• 1 cup white vinegar
• ¼ cup baking soda

Directions:

1. Mix ingredients together
2. Pour into toilet bowl & let stand for 15 minutes
3. Scrub and flush

Laundry Detergent

• 3 coconut-oil based soap bars, shaved
• 6 cups soda crystals
• Lemon or lavender or orange essential oil

Directions:

• Stir together shaved soap and soda crystals thoroughly
• Add 2-3 tbsp and 5 drops of essential oil per load

Air Freshener

• 2 cups water
• 1 tbsp baking soda
• 15-20 drops of your favourite essential oil (lavender, mint, frankincense, tea tree, eucalyptus, bergamot, etc.)

Directions:

• Poor baking soda into a bowl
• Drop essentials oils into soda and mix
• Add water, stir until dissolved
• Transfer to a spray bottle and spray in any room as desired to give a fresh scent!

Here’s wishing you a happy, healthy, naturally clean & fresh house!!

Author Info

Ashely Gordon