Make homemade cleaners using common, inexpensive and less toxic ingredients
1. Baking Soda – eliminated odors and gentle scouring powder, freshen drains
2. White vinegar – an anti-fungal and germicide
3. Borax – eliminates odors, removed dirt, possible disinfectant
4. Hydrogen peroxide – nontoxic bleach and stain remover, disinfectant
5. Club soda – stain remover and polisher
6. Lemon juice – nontoxic bleach, grease-cutter, stain remover
7. Liquid castile soap – all purpose cleaner, grease cutter, vegetable-based
8. Corn meal – picks up carpet spills
9. Olive oil – furniture polish
10. Essential oils – lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass – antibacterial, anti-fungal or insect repelling properties, peppermint repels mice and ants
11. Hard floor cleaner: Author and Care2.com healthy living editor Annie Bond recommends this solution for all hard floors (except when directed by the manufacturer to avoid even mild detergents) combine ¼ cup liquid castile soap, up to ½ cup white vinegar or lemon juice, and 2 galions of warm water in a large bucket. Use a mop or sponge.
Credits: “Ten Simple Ways to Clean Green”, Green American newsletter feature article july/aug 2006