Safe Natural Products For Cleaning

With growing concern about the impact of industrial chemicals found in home cleaning products on the environment, many consumers are choosing safer, less-toxic alternatives for cleaning their homes. Today's safe and natural home cleaning products are the same as the tried-and-true ingredients Grandma used, and they're just as effective as commercial products. These natural solutions are good for both you and the environment.

Baking Soda

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, has multiple uses around the home, from deodorizing your refrigerator to scrubbing grime from porcelain. When mixed with a little water, it makes a handy paste for gently but thoroughly scouring bathrooms, kitchen countertops, floors and other hard surfaces. Baking soda won't scratch and leaves a shiny, clean look. A half-cup of baking soda added to the laundry will improve the detergent's cleaning power and give clothes a fresh, non-artificial scent. Baking soda is cheap and many big-box retailers sell it in bulk for big cleaning projects.

Distilled Vinegar

Like baking soda, distilled white vinegar is a multipurpose, natural cleaning product. Mix water and vinegar in a 1-to-1 ratio in a spray bottle to clean and disinfect tabletops, countertops, appliances, bathrooms, kitchens and floors. This convenient solution eliminates the need for separate window cleaners, bathroom cleaners and disinfecting sprays, and won't harm the planet or you. Lemon juice can also be used in place of vinegar.

Castile Soap

Made from pure vegetable oils, Castile soap is a safe, natural alternative to industrial cleansers and detergents made with petroleum byproducts. Unlike chemical cleaners, Castile soap won't irritate your skin or pollute the environment when it enters the wastewater stream. Add a tablespoon or two of liquid Castile soap to the vinegar-and-water solution for an extra-strength, all-purpose cleanser that cuts through kitchen grease and soap scum with ease. Or, use Castile soap in the shower for an all-natural body wash.