When we think of a clean home, what usually comes to mind is an array of cleaning products, most of which we have no idea what they are made of. For those of us with little people crawling and walking around, family members with allergies, or even pets who might lick the floor, it is important to know that we are not putting our family in danger with the products we use.
Recently, we decided to make the switch to all-natural and organic cleaning products. While some store-bought versions are a little pricey, I’ve collected a few homemade recipes that save some cash.
The All-Purpose Cleaner:
In a 16 oz. spray bottle, pour in 2 Tbsp of vinegar and 1 tsp Borax. Fill the remainder of the bottle with hot water and shake until the Borax has completely dissolved. This cleaner can be used around the house in an assortment of ways, from cleaning counters to toilets to baseboards.
Homemade Oven Cleaner:
Mix 1 qt warm water, 2 tsp Borax, and 2 Tbsp liquid soap. Spray on surface, wait 20 minutes, then wipe clean.
Homemade Tile and Tub Cleaner:
Mix 1 2/3 cups baking soda and ½ cup liquid soap. Then add 2 Tbsp of vinegar. Shake bottle and apply to surface. Rinse thoroughly.
And if you aren’t up for mixing your own cleaning solutions, here are a few conventional products to consider leaving out of your cart and why.
Air fresheners & deodorizers: Possibly contain formaldehyde, which is a known toxin.
Disinfectants: Possibly contain sodium hypochlorite, ammonia, and phenols, all of which are deadly if ingested, and can cause irritation and respiratory damage after long-term use.
Window cleaners: Contain ammonia, and possibly sodium hypochlorite.
Floor cleaners: Possibly contain diethylene glycol and ammonia, which are known toxins.
Oven cleaner: Possibly contain sodium hydroxide, which causes burning to skin and tissue.
The most important thing when it comes to cleaning products is that you and your family feel safe. Many manufacturers are not required to list all ingredients due to “trade secret” laws, and if you aren’t sure, then do a little research. It only takes minutes to Google search a product, find it’s greener version or a recipe to make it at home.
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Oh, super, I have a list of all natural scrubs and cleaners to make-
it seems like a good thing for gifts and for me!
Oh my… I LOVE your blog! So fresh and fun to read! I’m a follower and a fan!
-ME
This is great! I’m expecting and have been hesitant to get down and cleaning without knowing what is in my cleaning products! Now I can live in a cleaner house again. Thanks!
Great idea for gifts!!! My mom always talked about using Borax as a kid growing up–isn’t it funny how things always come back around!?
I think a “cleaning products party” would be a great idea. Have girl friends over and each person bring specific ingredients then spend a few hours mixing and making your new cleaning products. Make it fun!
I use these already, it’s better for your home and cheaper. Thanks for this post.
No more excuses for my dirty oven. I had been putting it off because of the fumes/chemicals from store bought oven cleaner. Now I’m looking forward to clean oven
My mom would get such a kick out of seeing these cleaning recipes. For her, this was the only way. Using borax was a natural part of her routine. So many years later, here we are trying to reconnect to natural ways that are better for us and our planet.
I have always kept Borax at home for my laundry…thank you for enlightening me to these cleaning recipes!
Love the homemade remedies! Thank you. I will definitely try out the tub and tile cleaner. For my oven glass I just use a thick paste consisting of baking soda and water only which I then use to rub the baked on splatters right off
. I also use this combo to clean my white sink. So easy and not harmful!
i’m gonna need to try out that oven cleaner! its been longer than i care to admit since i’ve cleaned my oven!
Great article and thanks for the recipes!
I love these tips! I’m always looking for natural ways to clean.
I love to make my own cleaning products. Currently I make my own Laundry Detergent, but after seeing this…my borax will be put to more uses!
Well I think I will try the homemade cleaner idea. I have wanted to for awile, but really just need to stop being so lazy…and actually do it!
I really enjoy cleaning with natural and organic cleaners! Our home feels and smells so much fresher!
Good to know.. I never realized air fresheners might have formaldehyde
I think I love this post the best
I’ve tried a few of these homemade cleaners in the past and really like them…add a couple drops of essential oils and then they smell great too!!
I have used these natural cleaners for years now. For some reason certain friends of mine have it in their head that if it doesn’t smell like a strong chemical it isn’t getting clean. I am sensitive to pretty much everything so going natural is an easy choice for me.
I love Charlie Soap for all my cleaning needs. Non-toxic, made in the USA, its good stuff. But I may try some of these recipes. thanks!
These are great! I love homemade recipes for cleaning products!
I also use a vinegar and water mixture to clean my windows!
I am a huge fan of using vinegar to clean. I will definetly try some of the recipes you posted. Great post!
I started making my own homemade products about 12 years ago and found a GREAT book back then called: Clean Home- Clean Planet. But then, I got a little lazy ( 4 kids after) and didn’t know wha tI wanted to what job etc. This article reminds me to keep it simple. Thanks for the reminder!
Great article! I will give the ones I haven’t tried already a try. Thanks!
I like the idea of using products better for our growing family!
Loving those all natural ideas…so hard to find something to clean well enough and still be safe for tiny ones!
Kind of pricey, but I like Method and Seventh Generation. I’ll have to try making my own!
I am loving these recipes for all natural cleaners, another bunch I need to copy. Thank you so much
I simply love this post & this site! I love Holly’s blog…it’s always so refreshing! I hope to win! what a great giveaway! Thanks ladies!!
~Terrell @ FrouFrouDecor~
Thanks for the tips!
I enjoy cleaning my house and will definitely try these recipes for natural cleaners. Thank you!
Great post. Great tips. Thank you!
Thanks for the great recipes! I have recently begun to make my own cleaners and would not have it any other way now!
um that’s scary! Trade secrets? thanks for those ideas though…never used borax!
Thanks for the recipes… I just printed them out so I can make them!!
FUN! Thank you for the tips
Very great ideas. Always on the lookout for more “natural” cleaning products. Love your blog Holly.
Thanks for posting these recipes! I’ve tried a few from other sites and they haven’t turned out as well as I’d hoped. I’ll have to give these a try
I’m definitely trying this!
I’ve always wanted to stir up some cleaners. Maybe I’ll give it a try.
I’ve had great luck cleaning grime off of wood furniture with vinegar + lemon juice and a few drops of olive oil. It gives my wood a nice sheen!
I’ve heard of Borax but I haven’t been able to locate it in any stores in Brooklyn. Isn’t that weird?
I’m totally up for mixing my solutions. Thanks for all the tips, I’m definitely recommending this to my friends.
[that picture at top is so pretty, even though it's symbolic, almost a fun idea to try for real, too]
I’m only a mild germ freak, and perhaps take too much solace in using clorox wipes to disenfect surfaces. So for my peace of mind, do these nice natural cleaning agents also disenfect well, or do they just wipe dirt away? Fortunately I’m just a young wife with no kids around yet (sense I didn’t realize some of this stuff could be so poisonous), but I’d like to mend my ways for me and my husband before that’s even a necessity.
And I love Randi’s idea to add essential oils for pretty scents. Does anyone know if that effects the cleaning ability of the products, or is bad to include for any reason, chemically or otherwise?
Also, Beth’s cleaning product party is the best. I’ve read recipes for laundry soap, etc. but never got to trying it, but it would be so fun to get it done together with other ladies!
Vinegar works each and everytime
Thank you! I love “greener” cleaning!
I am now fully committed to white vinegar on EVERYthing. I wish I had known of its miracle powers before!
Nice post…Thank you for sharing some good things.