Dear Readers,
How many of us have toxic cleaning solutions in our homes and garages?
Gather all your cleaning products and read the labels!
Contact your City or County and find out where to drop off toxic products.
Now, replace all those toxic products with safe, “green” cleaning solutions.
The recipe [below] is safe and non-toxic, which is especially important for those of us who have children and grandchildren. [Note: Keep the kids away from the solution, anyway.]
I use this solution to clean every surface in the house: kitchen, bathrooms, floors, and furniture. I use it to pre-spot laundry. However, “test first, in an inconspicuous spot.”
I keep only seven products/ingredients in my Housekeeping Closet:
- Arm & Hammer Baking Soda [I buy this in bulk, online]
- Bon Ami Scouring Powder [I buy this in multiples, online]
- White [clear] distilled vinegar [I buy this in a gallon jug.]
- AlphaChemicals.com: Anhydrous Citric Acid, 100% pure organic, food grade, non-GMO
- SeventhGeneration.com: Natural Dish Liquid [Free and Clear]: USDA Certified BioBased Product. [I buy this via grove.com]
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Essential Oils: Choose a single-source oil or a blend. See www.auracacia.com and search for “Solutions:” They offer 11 blends. You will need LEMON essential oil for the “Safe Bleach.”
Recipe for Homemade All-Purpose Cleaning Solution
CAUTION: Mixing the vinegar and the baking soda will cause a temporary volcano — so use the kitchen sink!
You will need:
Note: “T.” means Tablespoon.
32 ounces hot water [in a Pyrex glass measure, made in USA]
2 T. baking soda
2 T. white [clear] distilled vinegar OR 2 T Anhydrous Citric Acid
2 T. Natural Dish Liquid
4 – 8 drops of 100% organic Essential Oil of your choice
Next Steps:
Mix all the ingredients well, until the powders dissolve. You may have to re-heat the liquid in the microwave for a minute. Stir well.
With a funnel, pour the liquid into two empty 32-ounce plastic bottles: [one with a sprayer lid; one with cap lid.]
Label each bottle, with white electrical tape and black Sharpie pen.
Note: This is a concentrated liquid. You must dilute the solution, according to the household task.
I am merely guessing at these “solution to water” ratios.
You will need to experiment but you should not have to rinse the surface, after cleaning! If you have to rinse, further dilute the solution.
For tough jobs: This solution works best if you spray, soak, and wait for the solution to do its work: For example, toilets, tubs, showers, stove top, etc.
Here are my estimates for the “solution to water” ratios but, seriously, you are own your own: Do your own experimenting!
For bathrooms & kitchen: 1:4
For ceramic tile surfaces & floors: 1:8
For wood floors & furniture: 1:16 [Use a damp — not wet — microfiber cloth or microfiber damp mop.]
For glass & mirrors: 1:32
Laundry: Use All-Purpose Cleaner:
For pre-wash spot clean: 1:2 for whites; 1:4 for colors.
To avoid set-in stains on laundry: Pre-spot stains, as soon as you notice them.
- Pre-spot and scrub the item, with “All-Purpose Cleaning Solution.”
- Allow the item to sit, at least 30 minutes [or overnight.]
- First, rinse the item in cold water.
- Then, wash the item, in warm water, detergent, and softener. [I use Seventh Generation.].
- Before placing the item in the dryer, inspect the stained items.
- If stains are still visible, repeat the steps.
Recipe for “Safe Bleach:”
1 cup hydrogen peroxide
1 cup distilled water
1 T. citric acid
12 drops lemon essential oil
Automatic Dishwasher Detergent:
My favorite is:
MethodHome.com: Method Smarty Dish Plus Dishwasher Detergent: 45 Packs, Triple Action Power, Fragrance-Free: With naturally derived, non-toxic mineral-based PowerGreen Technology. [I buy this via grove.com]
Prefer to Use a Concentrate?
SeventhGeneration.com offers a set of three concentrates. [I buy these from grove.com]
- All Purpose Natural Cleaner
- Glass & Surface Cleaner
- Tub & Tile Natural Cleaner
Here’s to Better and Safer Housekeeping!
Margot
Margot’s Corner 