Safe Green Cleaning Recipes
Most cleaning products contain various chemical ingredients such as detergents, disinfectants, surfactants, solvents, corrosion inhibitors, fragrances, and preservatives. Some of these chemicals are classified as corrosives, irritants, sensitizers, carcinogens, or neurotoxic agents. These can be harmful to your health and the environment.
Cleaning manufactures are required by the EPA to list ingredients that are active disinfectants or potentially harmful. Otherwise cleaning manufacturing companies usually keep their other ingredients secret. The government only requires companies to list chemicals of known concern on their labels. The government has no idea whether most of the chemicals used in everyday cleaning products are safe because it doesn’t test them and doesn’t require manufacturers to test them either (Earth Talk., 2011).
As a health professional, I think it’s important to share how easy, fun and economical it is to make your own effective cleaners that are safe for your health and the environment. If you’re not interested in making your own safe and effective green cleaners, but don’t want to use harsh chemicals, check out Better Life Cleaning Products. Better Life was a company featured on the hit show, Shark Tank.
Click the link below to download a free printable PDF copy of the recipes.
All Purpose Cleaner #1
- 3 tbsp. white vinegar
- 1/2 tsp. washing soda
- 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil-based liquid soap
- 2 cups hot water
- Mix ingridients in spray bottle or bucket. Apply and wipe clean
All Purpose Cleaner #2
- 2 tbsp. borax
- 1/4 cup vinegar
- 2 cups hot water
- Combine the borax and vinegar with the water in a spray bottle. Use as you would any all-purpose cleaner.
Floor Cleaner for Greasy, no-wax floors:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 washing soda
- 1 tbsp. vegetable oil-based liquid soap
- 2 gallons hot water
- Combine all ingredients, stirring well to dissolve the washing soda. Mop as usual.
Laminate Cleaner
- 1/2 cup of white vinegar
- 1 gallon warm water.
- Mix ingredients. Avoid over-wetting the floor by using a spray bottle to apply the mixture to the floor. Mop as usual. (microfiber mops work best)
Refrigerator Cleaner
- 2 tbsp. baking soda
- 1 quart warm water
- Dissolve baking soda in water. Use to wipe all surfaces inside and out. For stubborn spots, rub with baking soda paste. Be sure to rinse with a clean, wet cloth.
Wood Cleaner
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 tbsp. white vinegar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- Mix ingredients. Using a soft cloth, rub into the wood, in the direction of the grain.
Furniture Polish
- 1 lemon
- 1 tsp olive oil (least expensive)
- 1 tsp water
- This polish should be made fresh each time you use it. Extract the juice from the lemon. Mix with oil and use water. Apply a thin coat
Drain Cleaner
For slow drains, use this drain cleaner once a week to keep drains fresh and clog-free.
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 gallon boiling water
- Pour baking soda down drain/disposal, followed by vinegar. Allow the mixture to foam for several minutes before flushing the drain with boiling water.
Oven Cleaner
- 2 tbsp. vegetable oil-based liquid soap
- 2 tbsp. borax
- Mix the soap and borax in a spray bottle. Fill the bottle with hot water and shake well. Spray oven and leave for 20 minutes. Scrub off.
Garbage Disposal Cleaner
- 1 cup ice
- Used lemon or orange rind
- To eliminate garbage disposal odors and clean and sharpen blades, grind ice and rinds until pulverized.
