I've been working on eliminating chemical cleaning products from our household. Why? Well for a couple of reasons. All of the
research I've been doing while I write for Thirsties has really helped grow my appreciation for the less-expensive, earth-friendly alternatives that I already keep on hand. Now that I've expanded my knowledge about anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-microbial products such as Tea Tree Oil, grapefruit seed extract and colloidal silver, not to mention my staples of white vinegar and baking soda, I've got just about every base covered from cleaning the kitchen, to wiping down the leather couch and getting rid of the ring around the tub. I've just given myself a challenge: not to buy a single commercial household cleaning product between now and 2013. The mad-scientist in me likes the idea of mixing my own "potions," adding a drop of this and a dab of that and experimenting with my own concoctions. I've already started buying both baking soda and vinegar in bulk. My very favorite thing about natural cleaning products is that their ingredients can be used for so many other things around the house--from cooking to cleaning and treating cuts and scrapes. As I was searching for a recipe for homemade dish-soap, one of the few things I've yet to figure out on my own, I came across a really great website called frugallysustainable.com. The frugally sustainable homeowner herself (Andrea) says "100% of her cleaning needs are met with the following products:" Borax Baking Soda Super Washing Soda White Vinegar Castille Soap **essential oils Here is Andrea's recipe for liquid dish-soap, or rather, her daughter's. One thing that I just recently realized is that I love my dishwasher. I mean, I love my dishwasher so much that I just wrote a whole blog about it. Can I possibly make my own dishwasher detergent? Because otherwise I'll be making an exception to my Green Goal and I haven't even started yet! Give me a minute. Ok, I'm back and guess what?? I found a recipe on myhealthygreenfamily.com. I have to make a big trip to the grocery store but this is going to be fun. Now I just need a some beakers and white lab coat and I'll be ready to get to work on my first batch of cleaning products and detergents. I'll let you know how it goes.
The worst is oven cleaner. I used some recently when we were cleaning our apartment after moving out, and the stuff made my throat constrict so I could barely breathe. Baking soda and vinegar seems like a pointless combination since they will neutralize each other, but my friend said she used that solution to clean her oven the other day and it worked better than oven cleaner, so maybe it’s time for me to try it out. Maybe it’s grit from the baking soda?
Thanks for the help! I’ve started making my own produce wash and would love to keep going making my own cleaning products. Makes one less thing to worry about as I start into baby proofing :)
I love this! I am not as brave as u but I am trying to buy all natural cleaner to cut down on the chemicals and toxins in our house. Priorities change when you have little ones crawling around on your floors. I don’t want my little ones exposed to any kind of chemical I am using to clean the floors counters ect. We are working on getting our cleaning supplies more and more “green” every day.
That’s a really great goal! I love that you provided some resources for us to follow along with you! :)
I’ve noticed that the homemade cleaners give me fewer headaches than some of the very perfumey commercial stuff (essential oils seem to be OK for me) — AND I have less to worry about when my little one proves that there’s no such thing as child-PROOFing!
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