Green Clean Ideas Abound!

When I began having children I started looking into everything that was unsafe in our home. One main thing that most homes have: chemicals. All of the cleaners under our sink and in our bathroom had harsh chemicals in them, which means the floors I clean and the countertops and everything else has chemicals on it! The very things my babies would be crawling on and touching were filled with chemicals. I knew I had to get rid of the chemicals just to have peace of mind with my babies in the house, but what would I clean with? I had no idea about all of the natural cleaners that I could make myself that were so much safer for my family, and not to mention cheaper!

One of the main things I use is all-purpose cleaner. It’s great for hard surfaces like countertops and kitchen/bathroom floors, windows and even mirrors! Here’s what I use in my all-purpose cleaner: 

1. 2 cups white distilled vinegar
2. 2 cups water
3. 25 drops of essential oil (optional, but I love it in mine) 

It’s very simple to make, safe for your family and cleans great! If you have a tough mess, you can microwave it until barely hot to boost the power! Be sure to only microwave this in a glass container.

One thing that everyone dislikes cleaning out is the oven. The oven cleaners you can purchase have some of the strongest scents: chemicals we don’t need to breathe, let alone have sitting in our oven while “working” on the mess. Oven cleaner is again, very simple, but takes a bit longer. Simply take one cup of baking soda and sprinkle it over the bottom of your oven to the point of it looking white. Once that’s done, sprinkle with water and let it sit overnight. When you wake in the morning just take cloth and wipe it out. Rinse the cloth and then add a bit of liquid soap and wipe clean. If your oven is still a mess you just didn’t use enough baking soda: try again the next night. 

Another cleaner that is full of chemicals is toilet bowl cleaner. It’s really so easy to naturally clean a toilet bowl, here’s what I use: 

1. Sprinkle baking soda around the toilet bowl
2. Pour small amounts of vinegar over the baking soda
3. Let soak for 40 minutes and then scrub with toilet brush (soak longer for persistent stains)

Who has problems with drains clogging? We have had this happen and my husband was the first to go buy some liquid drain opener as soon as he thought our drain was getting clogged. I have turned him around though because all you need is some baking soda and vinegar for drain opener! Yes, that’s it! You want to pour the baking soda down the drain and follow with vinegar. Once you’ve done that, let it sit for about 30 minutes and then flush with boiling water. It’s inexpensive, it works and it’s the green way to clear your drain!

One final cleaner I want to tell you about is furniture polish. I try to make sure my furniture is always dusted and cleaned off because my two-year old and six-month old are mobile and touching everything right before their hands go in their mouths. Here’s what I use in my home to polish our furniture: 

1. ¼ cup olive oil
2. ¼ cup white distilled vinegar
3. 25 drops of lemon essential oil

You want to shake this well before using. Use a dry cloth and dip it into the polish. When cleaning the furniture rub the wood in the direction of the grain. 

Homemade cleaners are rather easy and much healthier for your home! Try one and compare the scent to what you previously used. That alone is enough to make you want to change, and if that’s not, think about all of the money you’ll be saving!

Happy Cleaning!

~April :: Mama on a Green Mission