Going green often means finding new ways to perform tasks around the house. Many cleaning products use environmentally unfriendly chemicals that can contaminate the water table. Luckily, there are many earth-friendly options for home cleaning, some of which you can make yourself out of common household items. Taking the time to make your own green cleaning supplies can be an effective and fun way to reduce your impact on the environment.
White Vinegar
The workhorse of the green cleaning team is white vinegar. White vinegar has natural disinfectant and deodorizing capabilities and is good for a variety of uses. Used at full strength, it can dissolve scale and hard water stains on bathroom fixtures. Diluted with an equal amount of water, white vinegar makes an excellent antibacterial cleaning spray for counter tops and other surfaces. A few teaspoons in a quart of water makes a glass cleaner that will leave your windows sparkling.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is another common component of green cleaners. Sprinkled onto a damp sponge, it makes an excellent abrasive and deodorizes as you scrub. You can also pour baking soda into your toilet before scrubbing for extra odor-fighting power. Mixed with vinegar, baking soda's foaming action can help remove tough stains and even clear clogged drains.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a natural degreaser and is good for dealing with tough stains. Two parts lemon juice and one part baking soda will make a paste good for cleaning tough pots and pans. Simply let the mixture sit for a few minutes before wiping off and rinsing. A few drops of lemon juice added to any homemade cleaning product will give it a fresh citrus scent.
Borax
Borax is a crystalline salt and is a common component in detergents. Mix equal parts borax and baking soda and add a few drops of scented oil to make a carpet deodorizer that will leave your home smelling fresh and clean. Add borax to your laundry to freshen and clean clothes, and you can even sprinkle the powder around baseboards to repel ants, roaches and other pests.
Essential Oils
Fragrant and essential oils make great additions to any homemade cleaning product. A few drops of lavender or citrus oil can increase the deodorizing power of cleaning sprays or homemade soaps, and tea tree oil has natural antiseptic and antibacterial qualities. When using these oils, be sure to add them sparingly, as a little will go a long way and in their concentrated forms, they can irritate the skin.
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