Detox Your Cleaning Part 2
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THERE'S A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE TO SHARE ON THIS TOPIC, so treat this as an introduction. If you have any specific questions, please ask them in comments below and I'll go into more detail. However, it can all be summed up in a pretty simple statement: You don't need a slew of expensive products to clean your house, filled with hard to pronounce ingredients. You can clean your house very simply with just a few simple ingredients, and it's NOT that much more work. And yes, they do work, BUT you might need a teensy bit more elbow grease.
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NATURAL CLEANING SUPPLIES:
While the available recipes out there to make cleaning products at home are virtually endless, the ingredients they use are fairly common. Here are a few that you probably already have at home!
WHITE VINEGAR
- purchase plant-based, as regular white vinegar may be made from petroleum by-products
- acidic nature cuts through grease, natually anti-bacterial
LEMON JUICE
- acidic nature cuts through grease, natually anti-bacterial
BAKING SODA
- alkaline base that reacts with acids like vinegar
- somewhat gritty texture makes it great for scrubs
- also great for deodorizing (sprinkle on, let sit, vacuum up)
CASTILE SOAP
- the basis of many, many recipes, it is a plant-derived surfactant
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
- good for bleaching and tough cleaning
WATER
OLIVE OIL
- a good base oil
- super easy to find
VODKA
PURE ESSENTIAL OILS
- you'll probably create your own signature scent, but my favourites to have on hand at all times are rosemary, thyme, lavender, oregano, cinnamon and eucaplyptus because they pack a powerful antibacterial punch.
OTHER: microfiber cloths are pretty powerful, they clean either dry or just with water. Invest in a good one and you'll have it forever. I use mine to clean my shower tiles and glass, windows, mirrors and regular dusting.
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A FEW SUPER BASIC RECIPES:
These are a few basics that I've used in my home (and my mother used, for that matter) for years.
Basic Vinegar Spray
Simply mix vinegar and water in a 1:1 ration in a spray bottle and use as a basic, anti-bacterial cleaning spray for hard surfaces and glass. I use this for 90% of my cleaning.
Furniture Polish
Mix 1 part lemon juice with 2 parts olive oil. Shake well (you'll need to keep shaking periodically) and use a soft cloth to wipe on. Buff with a clean dry cloth.
Cutting Board Scrub
For a deep clean, sprinkle your cutting board with baking soda and scrub well with half a lemon. Scrub until the juice has come out of the lemon and you've formed a paste. Allow to sit, rinse and dry well.
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RESOURCES:
My go-to resource for non-toxic cleaning recipes is Homemade Cleaners by Mandy O'Brien and Dionna Ford. Get the book, and also see our interview with them inside Volume 8 along with some of their favourite, must-have cleaning recipes!
We interviewed Mandy & Dionna and featured their favourite cleaning recipes for Volume 8, which is available in print or digital!
Also, this is a MUST if you're just learning and to help you find commercially available, non-toxic cleaners: EWG's Guide To Healthy Cleaning
