Now that Halloween is over, many of us are thinking of the upcoming holiday season, and the accompanying “Fall cleaning” where we strive to make our homes sparkle before the onslaught of relatives, gifts and a multitude of food!
Sometimes, however, the very solutions we use to clean can work against our health, as they can be toxic to our skin, our breath, our very health. Most of the commercial cleaners available contain toxic products like chlorine bleach, formaldehyde, alcohols and ammonia. And, they can be costly! Sources say 30-80% of the cost of store-bought cleaning products is the packaging, not the product, and the gigantic jugs of things like laundry detergent are usually 60-80% water!
It’s easy to make our own! You’ll make the products you use safe and efficient at the same time.
One of the most basic, all-purpose cleaners is this recipe:
- 2 cups water
- ¼ cup white vinegar
- 1 T cornstarch.
Mix together in a spray bottle and shake. This works on most surfaces, even glass and mirrors.
You can also mix white vinegar with baking soda and lemon juice for a squeaky-clean surface solution. Lemon juice added to just about any cleaning solution is a great idea! Try mixing white vinegar with some salt and baking soda. Add an abrasive brush or sponge and you’re set!
Use:
- Half a lemon or white vinegar to clean the lime scaling from faucets, sinks, etc.
- Hot lemon juice and baking soda to clean a drain – and this is safe for septic systems, too
- A mixture of salt and lemon juice to remove mildew
- Olive oil as a furniture polish
- White vinegar to keep countertops clean and disinfected
- Baking soda to clean stainless steel
Make a safe, delicious smelling air freshener:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 T vanilla extract
- 1 tsp. whole cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
Put the above in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 2-3 minutes. Cool, strain, and put the liquid into a spray bottle. Aah…fresh! This will usher in the holidays safely!
The Environmental Working Group offers more ideas and suggestions at ewg.org/cleaners. Check them out!
To Your Vitality!