Make your own green cleaners
Most cleaners on the market are toxic and must be disposed of as
household hazardous waste. But you can make your own cleaners at home for a third of the cost of the eco-friendly versions. The recipes at right include non-harmful ingredients you can find at the grocery store.
Use a sponge or old rags instead of paper towels and a mop with a washing cleaning pad instead of disposable floor wipes. When you are finished cleaning, the washing machine can finish the job!
Notes about essential oils*:
A 15 mL (half ounce) bottle of essential oil contains about 350 drops. You can find essential oils online, in the natural foods section of grocery stores and at stores that sell vitamins and supplements.
Tea tree oil is naturally antibacterial and antifungal—very effective for killing germs. We like to use it in our kitchens and bathrooms.
A few scent combinations to try:
- Lavender and rose
- Grapefruit and basil
- Lemon and orange
*Essential oils like tea tree oil can provide added cleaning benefits. Be sure to follow instructions as it can be a skin irritant to some and is considered toxic if consumed or inhaled by humans or pets.
Recipes adapted from
Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan