Using Fewer & Less-Toxic Cleaning Products

Reusable disinfectant wipes

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 8-10 drops lemon essential oil
• 8-10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 5-7 drops tea tree essential oil

Mix ingredients together in a big jar, old baby wipes container, Lysol/Clorox wipes container, or any other airtight container you can find. Place a few washcloths or cut up fabric squares (an old t-shirt works great!) in the mixture and allow to soak. After use, discard in the laundry pile or in another jar/container. Launder the cloths, then repeat!

All-purpose surface cleaner #1

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 lemon juice (optional)
• 15 drops essential oil (optional)

Pour all ingredients into a spray bottle, gently shake to mix. Spray directly on surface and wipe clean with cloth. Store in fridge if using lemon juice.

All-purpose surface cleaner #2

• 2 cups distilled water
• 2 Tbsp to ¼ cup castile soap (depending on desired concentration)
• 15 drops essential oil (optional)

Pour water into spray bottle, followed by soap and essential oil. Gently shake to mix. Spray directly on surface and wipe clean with cloth. Store at room temperature.

Air freshener

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 Tbsp rubbing alcohol
• 10-20 drops essential oil

Mix essential oil into rubbing alcohol, add water, and stir. Pour into spritzer bottle.

Carpet cleaner

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 2 cups water
• 2 tsp salt
• 15 drops clear essential oil (such as lavender)

Pour water and vinegar in spray bottle, then mix in salt and essential oil and shake. Spray liberally onto carpets, continually shaking between sprays. Allow to dry, then vacuum.

Carpet deodorizer

• 1 lb baking soda
• 1 tsp clear essential oil (such as lavender)

Mix with a fork to smooth out lumps. Sprinkle on carpet and let sit for 1 hour, then vacuum.

Drain cleaner

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup vinegar

Pour baking soda down drain followed by vinegar. Let it bubble for 15 minutes, then pour down a teakettle full of boiling water. For stubborn clogs use a mechanical snake, or scrub pipes with an old toothbrush.

Fabric softener

• 1-2 cups vinegar

Add to rinse cycle. This will also deodorize, whiten whites, and brighten colors.

Floor cleaner

Check out this article from Tips Bulletin: 6 Homemade Floor Cleaner Recipes.

Glass cleaner (simple)

• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup distilled water
• 2 drops liquid soap

Mix in a spray bottle. Shake and apply. Wipe clean.

Glass cleaner (non-streak)

• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
• 1 Tbsp corn starch
• 2 cups distilled water
• 8-10 drops essential oil (optional)

Mix in a spray bottle, shake well before each use. Wipe using newspaper, coffee filters, or cotton cloth.

Mold and mildew remover

• Option 1: Apply white vinegar or lemon juice (or a mixture of both!) with a sponge or cloth and scrub to remove mold/mildew.
• Option 2: Dilute 10 drops tea tree oil into 1 cup distilled water and spray on mold/mildew. Let sit a few hours or overnight. Scrub with sponge and spray area with solution again.
• Option 3: Mix one tsp hydrogen peroxide with 1 cup distilled water in spray bottle. Spray on mold/mildew and let sit for 10 minutes. Scrub with more hydrogen peroxide.

Baking soda finish (after any of the three options): Apply mixture of ½ tsp baking soda and 1 cup water, scrub clean, and rinse with water.

Oven cleaner

• 3/4 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1/4 cup distilled water

Mix ingredients together and spread the paste inside oven. Let sit overnight, then remove with spatula and wipe clean.

Stain remover

• Salt
• Lemon or lime juice

Sprinkle surface with salt and squeeze lemon or lime juice over the area. Let sit and rub out. This can even remove rust if allowed to sit a few hours.

Toilet bowl cleaner

• 1/4 cup to ½ cup hydrogen peroxide
• 1 cup baking soda
• 3-5 drops disinfecting essential oil (such as lavender, tea tree, lemon, or clove)

Pour ingredients all around toilet bowl in the order listed above and let sit for 15 minutes. Scrub with toilet brush and flush.

Tub cleaner (simple)

• Baking soda
• White vinegar

Sprinkle entire tub with baking soda. Pour vinegar (either directly from container, or spritz with a spray bottle) over baking soda and allow to bubble for a minute or two. Scrub with moistened sponge. Rinse with water when finished.

Tub and tile cleaner

• 1 2/3 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup liquid soap
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1/2 cup water
• A few drops essential oil (optional)

Mix baking soda and soap. Then add water; then add vinegar. Store in a spray bottle and shake before using. Rinse thoroughly to avoid leaving a residue.

Wood furniture polish

• 3/4 cup olive or mineral oil
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon oil (optional)

Mix thoroughly in a squirt bottle. Squirt on furniture or rag and rub into wood. Shake well before each application.

More recipes

The above recipes are just the tip of the iceberg—there are SO MANY recipes out there. For more great green cleaning tips, check out:

• 42 DIY Recipes to Keep Your Home Naturally Clean (from Growing Up Herbal)
• Detoxify Your Home and Join the Green Cleaning Trend article and infographic (from Groom + Style)
• Non-Toxic Home Cleaning (from eartheasy)

Not into DIY? No problem! There are non-toxic cleaners you can purchase, as well. The Environmental Working Group can help you determine the healthiest and most environmentally friendly options. The U.S. EPA also has a guide for avoiding toxics. Additionally, there are cell phone apps you can use for similar purposes.

Essential oils are liquids derived from plants through a process called distillation. The end result is a highly concentrated form of a plant’s natural oils. Essential oils contain natural properties that can be very useful – such as antibacterial and antifungal properties, which make certain essential oils great for cleaning! Because each type of essential oil comes from a different plant with different qualities, not every type of oil should be used for the same purpose. There are specific oils that are great for cleaning, the top ten of which are listed below:

• Tea tree: antifungal and antiseptic, ideal for homemade disinfectants

• Peppermint: antibacterial, cool and refreshing scent, and also deters ants and spiders
• Lemon: antiviral and antibacterial, good for removing stains
• Rosemary: antibacterial and antiseptic, awesome for dish soap and laundry detergent
• Wild orange: grease fighting (good for dish soap)
• Eucalyptus: natural germicide, great against dust mites and other pests
• Cinnamon leaf: antibacterial and antiseptic, fights mold and deters pests
• Pine: yeast killing, effective against E. coli and other germs. Fights mold and mildew
• Thyme: powerful germ killer, effective against salmonella. Great for dish soap and cleaning surfaces in contact with raw meat

This list was modified from Hello Glow's article, "10 Best Essential Oils for Green Cleaning", and "The Best Essential Oils for Cleaning and Disinfecting" from Oh, the Things We'll Make!