Eco Friendly Cleaning Products
All Purpose Cleaner
1/2 cup vinegar
1 cup of hot water
1/4 tsp of liquid dish soap (non bleach)
20 drops of orange essential oil
Add all ingredients to a large spray bottle (about 650mL) and shake before using. This formula can be used on any washable surface in your home.
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Soft Scrub (Gumption, Jif)
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup liquid detergent
1/8 cup of vinegar
6 drops eucalyptus oil
Mix the baking soda and dish detergent first, add the vinegar then the eucalyptus oil. Adjust the baking soda or vinegar amounts until you have the consistency you like working with.
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Oven Cleaner
1 cup baking soda
A squirt of 2 of liquid detergent
Water
Generously sprinkle water on the bottom of the oven, cover the grime with baking soda, sprinkle more water over the baking soda. Let is sit overnight. For really stubborn stains you could use a mild abrasive scrub from the grocery store. When you have wiped out the oven, you could get a bucket of warm soapy water out to rinse the oven to remove any excessive baking soda.
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Drain Cleaner
1 cup baking soda
1 cup vinegar
Toss baking soda down the plug hole, then pour the vinegar down, put the plug back into the sink. Let it sit for 30 minutes then remove plug and pour a kettle full of boiling water down the drain.
tip: this is good to do every couple of weeks to keep your drains cleans
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Floor Cleaner
Add equal portions of water and white vinegar to the bottle, and shake well to combine. Leave a little room at the top of the bottle to prevent overflow. Ideally, add around 7 oz. of each liquid. Next, add 15 to 20 drops of your essential oil of choice. You may use multiple essential oils, but do not exceed 15 to 20 drops in total. For example, you could use 10 drops of lemon essential oil and 10 drops of tea tree oil for a powerful germ-killing floor cleaner. Shake thoroughly to combine all of the ingredients, and before each usage.
White distilled vinegar, water and essential oils are the basic ingredients you’ll need to make your own natural floor cleaner. Use any essential oil you like best, or choose one based upon its properties. Peppermint repels insects and leaves a fresh, minty scent behind. Tea tree or eucalyptus essential oils are good for cleaning high-traffic areas, as they degrease and help remove tough, ground-in dirt. Lemon essential oil is perfect for disinfecting surfaces, as are most other citrus oils. A 16 oz. squirt or spray bottle is also required to store your natural floor cleaner.
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Window Cleaner
1/4 cup vinegar
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
2 cups of water
Combine all ingredients into a spray bottle, shake to blend
Furniture Polish
1/2 cup warm water
A few drops of lemon oil
For varnished wood, add a few drops of lemon oil into a 1/2 cup warm water. Mix well and spray onto a soft cotton cloth. Cloth should only be slightly damp. Wipe furniture with the cloth, and finish by wiping once more using a dry soft cotton cloth.
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Metal Cleaners and Polishes
gold: clean with toothpaste, or a paste of salt, vinegar, and flour.
silver: line a pan with aluminum foil and fill with water; add a teaspoon each of baking soda and salt. Bring to a boil and immerse silver. Polish with soft cloth.
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Oil and Grease Spots
For small spills on the garage floor, add baking soda and scrub with wet brush.
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Washing Powder
2 gallons Water (hot)
1 bar Soap (grated)
2 cups Baking soda not washing soda
Melt grated soap in a saucepan with enough hot water to cover. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring frequently until soap is melted.
In a large pail, pour 2 gallons hot water. Add melted soap, stir well.
Then add the baking soda, stir well again.
Use 1/2 cup per full load, 1 cup per very soiled load.
NB:You can add between 10 to 15 drops of essential oil (per 2 gallons) to your homemade laundry detergent. Add once the soap has cooled to room temperature. Stir well and cover.
Essential oil ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil, eucalyptus
