DIY Cleaning Recipes

After a series of weeks where my kids have been coughing indoors due to typical winter weather and being stuck inside, it dawned on me that we need better indoor air.  Then it got me thinking about all the chemicals we use in our house just to clean it, but we end up leaving the air and eventually our earth more polluted.  My kids have sensitive lungs so it was high time I got rid of all the nasty store bought cleaners and replaced them with all natural cleaning supplies.  

My cupboard went from this:

BEFORE

To this:

AFTER

The following four recipes are awesome and you'll find them easy to make and easy to use. Here is what you need to make the following recipes for Glass Cleaner, All Purpose Cleaner, Toilet Cleaner, and Laundry Detergent. 1) White Vinegar, 2) Corn Starch, 3) Borax (found in your laundry aisle, 4) Rubbing Alcohol, 5) Liquid Castille Soap (sometimes found in the natural food aisle or beauty aisle) 6) Washing Soda (found at your grocery store laundry aisle,) and 7) Natural bar soap like Dr. Bronner’s, Ivory, or other natural bar soap,) and 8) Essential oil like lemon oil.

You'll also need three large spray bottles and a glass jar to hold your laundry detergent. I found these at Target.

Glass Cleaner

• 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 2 Tbsp Cornstarch
• 4 cups warm water

Combine everything in the spray bottle using a funnel if you have one. Shake well each time you use it to make sure the cornstarch doesn't clog the spray bottle.  I used an old cloth diaper to clean my windows and they have never looked so sparkly!

All Purpose Cleaner

• 2 tsp borax
• 1 tsp washing soda
• 2 tsp liquid lavender castille soap (or orange)
• 4 cups warm water

Combine everything in the spray bottle using a funnel if you have one. Shake well each time.  You can use as a bathroom cleaner, floor pre-treater, or kitchen cleaner. Works great to disinfect.

Heavy Duty Toilet Formula

1 1/2 cups borax
2 cups white vinegar
5 drops lemon essential oil

You can combine everything in a squirt bottle or add directly to the toilet to clean. You can let sit overnight to remove rings from the toilet too.

Laundry Detergent

• 2 cups Borax
• 2 cups Washing Soda
• 2 bars of Dr. Bronner's Castille Bar Soap grated

Mix everything in a glass container and use 1/8 cup to 1/4 cup per load depending on size of wash. It's so easy even your kid can help!

This amount of detergent should last for at least 36 loads if not more.  I'm happy to use less plastic and have cleaner clothes with no dyes, perfumes, or chemicals going into our water supply!

BEFORE

AFTER

I can't wait to try more natural DIY recipes for cleaning. It's been fun cleaning the house without feeling like I'm going to pass out from harsh chemicals. :)  Happy Cleaning!

xo
Cathleen