How to Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit

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

CREAMY SOFT SCRUBBER

Simply pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid detergent to make a texture like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, and wash the surface. This is the perfect recipe for cleaning the bathtub because it rinses easily and doesn’t leave grit.

Note: Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a sealed glass jar, to keep the product moist. Otherwise just make as much as you need at a time.

WINDOW CLEANER

1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water
Spray bottle

Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as you would a commercial brand. The soap in this recipe is important. It cuts the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.

OVEN CLEANER

1 cup or more baking soda
Water
A squirt or two of liquid detergent

Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda that the surface is totally white. Sprinkle some more water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can easily wipe up the grease the next morning because the grime will have loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven. If this recipe doesn’t work for you it is probably because you didn’t use enough baking soda and/or water.

Next: How to make ALL-PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANER

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Jeannie F.

10:18PM PDT on Jun 1, 2013

Yep always better to make your own! Better for the family, the environment, & better for the pocket book

June 1
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Val M.

2:40AM PDT on May 25, 2013

Thanks

May 25
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Maria S.

2:37AM PDT on May 25, 2013

II use baking soda and vinegar to do most of my cleaning. Thanks for this information & reminder for those who know.

Ryan Y.

10:15AM PDT on May 20, 2013

Thanks for sharing!

May 20
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Tamara R P.

9:48AM PDT on May 16, 2013

Great info. Love the DIY non-toxic aspect. Saves money on toxic cleaners!!

May 16
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Duane B.

5:56AM PDT on May 15, 2013

Thank you for sharing.

May 15
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codruta O.

1:49PM PDT on May 10, 2013

Thanks, great tips.

May 10
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Kate S.

3:35PM PDT on Apr 21, 2013

THANKS

April 21
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Fi T.

5:30AM PDT on Apr 18, 2013

The cleaning ought to be both to our home and environment

April 18
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Mary T.

8:50PM PDT on Apr 16, 2013

will get some vinegar and baking soda this weekend for my big spring cleaning; the creamy soft scrubber will be the first thing I try, really hate using all the toxic cleaners so this might be a good substitute