Using most commercial products to clean your home may expose your family and pets to dangerous chemicals. Some ingredients in these products, including bleach, formaldehyde and phosphates, are also harmful to wildlife and the environment. Keep your home clean and your family and environment healthy by using non-toxic cleaning products whenever possible.
Vinegar
Vinegar is very versatile in the home. According to the Charity Guide, it can cut grease, clean windows and deodorize. Use diluted to half-strength to mop the floor or full-strength to remove soap and lime build-up from sink and shower faucets. Mix vinegar with baking soda to unclog drains or to clean your toilet. Setting a few shallow dishes filled with vinegar around the kitchen can help absorb cooking smells.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a mild and non-toxic abrasive that can remove staining from the bathtub or toilet, or grime from a dirty oven. Placing a box in the refrigerator to absorb bad smells is a popular use for baking soda.
Lemon
Lemon is fresh-smelling, as well as acidic. Cut up a lemon and run it in your garbage disposal to clean the blades and deodorize, recommends Eartheasy. Also, try rubbing a cut lemon on your clean cutting board to kill bacteria and deodorize it.
Salt
Salt is abrasive, and can remove some bathtub stains with a bit of elbow grease. Pour salt into a paper bag, place silk flowers in the bag, and shake. This will remove any dust with almost no effort. Mix salt with baking soda and water to form a paste, and use the mixture to clean your oven.
Mineral Oil
Instead of toxic furniture polishes and sprays, coat wood furniture with a light coat of mineral oil. Do not use vegetable oil, as it can become rancid.
Washing Soda
Eartheasy says that washing soda is an environmentally sound abrasive, stain remover and water softener. Use it in the bathroom on the fixtures and walls. One caveat is that it can irritate skin and mucous membranes, so use with caution.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an antifungal oil that kills mold and mildew. The Simple Dollar recommends mixing 2 cups of water with 2 tsp. of tea tree oil and spraying on mildewed areas in your bathroom. As the smell fades, the mildew will also fade.
Borax
Borax is earth-friendly, and is usually sold in the laundry detergent section of the grocery store. Mix 2 tsp. borax with one half cup vinegar and a half gallon of water, suggests Eartheasy. Use this as an all-purpose cleaner.
Liquid Soap
Liquid dish washing soap adds cleaning power without strong and harmful chemicals. Use mixed with vinegar and water as an all-purpose cleaner. Make a paste with baking soda and liquid soap, and use it to scrub stubborn stains from porcelain fixtures.
Commercial Natural Products
If you prefer to buy a product rather than make your own, look for natural brands in the grocery store. Look for phosphate-free dishwasher and laundry detergents and disinfectant cleansers made with citrus oil instead of chemicals.
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