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How to Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit

a Care2 favorite by Annie B. Bond

 

Most modern synthetic cleaning products are based on age-old formulas using natural ingredients that were passed down through the generations because the chemistry was right. Going back to the original naturally derived ingredients is a way to make cleaning products that work, don’t pollute and save you money. Most are found in your kitchen cupboards. Mix and match with well-chosen and environmentally friendly green cleaning products found in health food stores, and you can easily and simply transform your home into a non-toxic and healthy haven.

Non-toxic cleaning can give you a deep feeling of gratification in knowing that your family’s health is protected, and that your home is a place for your bodies to rest and recuperate rather than promote harm.

Making your own nontoxic cleaning kit will take you no time at all with these simple, straightforward directions, and with this kit you will be supplied with enough cleaning product for months of cleaning.

As an added bonus, ounce for ounce homemade cleaning formulas cost about one-tenth the price of their commercial counterpart—and that includes costly, but worthwhile essential oils, and concentrated, all-purpose detergents for homemade recipes.

SUPPLIES
Baking soda
Washing soda
White distilled vinegar
A good liquid soap or detergent
Tea tree oil
6 clean spray bottles
2 glass jars

Next, How to make CREAMY SOFT SCRUBBER 
Click to end of article for a downloadable .PDF and Shopping List

More on Easy Greening (43 articles available)
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271 comments

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868 practical wormulas that are simple solutions for less toxic living. Written by Care2.com's Healthy Living channels producer.buy now

271 comments

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271 comments add your comment
Suz H.
  • Suz H. says
  • Nov 14, 2009 3:29 PM

Okay here I go, I have bought all of the products and am attempting to make my own cleaners..I enjoy cleaning and keeping my home clean so will be interesting to see what happens...what this space!

Louise K.

I use the micro fiber cloths for everything including use as a face cloth - I think it helps with exfolliating! Dollar Tree has them for $1.00.

Micah K.

Oh and here is my number:

810-240-7717

Micah K.

For those of you who are like me and don't have time to make your own non toxic cleaning products. Here is a website you might be interested in:
http://www.melaleuca.com/ProductStore/ProductCategory.aspx?id=52
There products are just as cheap and sometimes up to 30% cheaper than Walmart. If you like it let me know and I'll help you get a membership so you can buy what you like! My wife and I love this stuff!
A friend of ours has a 2 yr old that drank the bathroom cleaner from Melaleuca and poison control told her not to worry about it. Her child never had any ill effects.

Caralien S.

Clogs: baking soda + citric acid or vinegar.

We were trying a "natural" enzyme-based clog remover (Draincare by Zep) and it did little. Tried it for a week, waited a week, then tried again...the bathtub was still filling with 2-3" of gunky water whenever we bathed. Fed up, I grabbed a packet of citric acid I had purchased at the Indian store (100gms, $1.49), poured half down the drain, then 1/3C baking soda and some cool water, and repeated this process 2 more times over the course of the day.

The clog is gone and I no longer have to re-rinse my feet after leaving the shower. Next time, I'll probably use white vinegar and baking soda, as I had planned to do something else with the citric acid (which takes more effort to obtain).

katerina f.

You should know that constant use or high concentrations of tea tree oil on the skin, inhaling or taking internally can cause kidney disease. Tea tree oil isn't recommended for use on children and pets particularly cats since it's considered toxic! You can google this information... Neem oil and rosemary oil work just as well as a disinfectant. Neem oil is great for pets and humans as a bug repellent. Hydrogen peroxide and white vinegar work well for mold as well.

Jen Stewart

I used to make all the homemade cleaners and they worked pretty good but they just weren't very convenient. If you're a time-strapped new mom like me and want to go totally green, I highly recommend microfiber cloths from Norwex. These things are amazing. No vinegar, chemicals or anything needed but plain old tap water.
Anyone else use them? They've made my life so much simpler and less complicated.
http://www.norwexecomom.com/

Leslie H.

I read about the window cleaner yesterday while looking around the net and I just tried it. Wow! It works wonders I was so amazed.

I really didn't expect it to work, or at least well anyway. Thanks for the tips on making it. I tried out a few other homemade cleaners that really worked well too, I don't know why people even spend their money on commercial products?

I won't anymore, that is for sure.

Sue K.
  • Sue K. says
  • Sep 21, 2009 5:42 PM

Wow, I can't wait to try these recipes out.. and I am so cross that I used everything but tea-tree on the mouldy bathroom grout - still not too late to try that tomorrow!! Vinegar is definitely an excellent odor eliminator as I know it is recommended by pest control when a dead rodent is trapped under floor boards (temped on switchboard!!)
Incidentially, tea-tree shampoo is excellent for children and dogs to help keep fleas away - none of my dogs developed any problems as a result and all lived to a good age. I used a tea-tree skinwash on my own hair and body in my almost daily shower and the odd bed-bath during some lengthy hospital stays and avoided MRSA and C-diff (despite these infections having been rather too close for comfort) - amazing stuff.. I highly recommend Australian Bodycare - it was their shampoo and conditioner which my dogs shared too!!
Mind you most of my dogs also enjoyed the odd bit of milk chocolate - my Yorkie loved smarties - so maybe they were just rather special dogs...

Laurie T.

When I first bought my ceramic cook top I thought it was great..until I thought I would have to continually use the harsh chemical cleaner that came with it. I cringed each time I had to clean it. Then, the mother of invention kicked in, as I ran out of this horrible cleaner. I simply sprinkled baking soda onto the stovetop, then sprinkled white vinegar over it..let it sit for a bit, and, using a nylon scrub pad and a small amount of elbow grease, the cooked on mess came right off!

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  • Excerpt: [...] and instructions for your own Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit are at Care2.com. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)Green Cleaning for Way ...
  • Blog: Make Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit « Thriftify
  • Tracked: Mar 4, 2009 8:08 pm

Disclaimer: Care2.com does not warrant and shall have no liability for information provided in this newsletter or on Care2.com. Each individual person, fabric, or material may react differently to a particular suggested use. It is recommended that before you begin to use any formula, you read the directions carefully and test it first. Should you have any health care-related questions or concerns, please call or see your physician or other health care provider.

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