Getting Greener, Part 2: Natural Cleaning
I’ve posted about this before, but since I’ve been making and using my own cleaners for several months now, maybe this can be even more helpful. After reading the book in the aforementioned post, I gave away almost all of the chemical-based cleaners that I had in the house. I invested in a few essential oils, bought a couple of spray bottles, and I was set.
Cleaning products are a big money-making industry. Think about how many different “all-purpose cleaners” you have to chose from at the store or how many aisles at Target are devoted to cleaning products. To become a more environmentally-friendly cleaner, you could chose to purchase more natural products such as Method and Seventh Generation, and those are great first step. But think about making your own - it is cheap, fun, and you know exactly what is in them.
All you need is a vegetable-based soap like Dr. Bronner’s castile soap, white vinegar, baking soda and some bottles and jars. Essential oils are optional, but I recommend using them as they add fun smells. You can find essential oils at your local natural food/health store, and our local HEB has them also. Pick one that you like (lemon or food-grade peppermint are cheap and versatile) and start there.
I typed up the recipes that I use for cleaning around the house and they are available at the link on the right: Super Cleaning Recipes. Let me know if you have any questions! Enjoy!
Stay tuned for the next post: Natural Body Cleaning (as in your body, not your car).
Edited to add more info about antibacterial cleaning:
Here are a few interesting articles you should read to determine if antibacterial cleaning products (including hand soap) are necessary and perhaps more harmful than good: More Harm than Good? and War on Bacteria is Wrongheaded (there are more good links at the bottom of this article.)
Soap and water is enough to clean, but if you feel like you need more in your home, here’s a more natural alternative: How to Disinfect with Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide
August 4th, 2007 at 10:00 am
oo, oo, oo! will the next post talk about rubbing crystals on your armpits for deodorant??
August 5th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Rachel, What are you thoughts about anti-bacterial cleaning solutions? Are there any non-toxic versions of those?
August 5th, 2007 at 8:52 pm
Just wait, D.O., it’s even better!
Tamara, I’m so glad you asked! I can’t believe I forgot to include that in my original post. Here are a few interesting articles you should read to determine if they are necessary and perhaps more harmful than good: More Harm than Good? and War on Bacteria is Wrongheaded (there are more good links at the bottom of this article.)
In my opinion, we are such germ-ophobes that we disinfect everything, making it harder for our bodies to fight normal bacteria. Soap and water is enough to clean, but if you feel like you need more in your home, here’s a more natural alternative: How to Disinfect with Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide
I think I’m going to just add this to the original post for future reference. Thanks again for asking!
August 7th, 2007 at 12:23 am
Hi!
Thanks for the tips. I use Grapefruit Seed Extract to disinfect naturally. It also has lots of different uses from a natural pesticide, ridding the body of parasites, to a disinfectant. Hospitals even use this to kill the ‘bad’ bacterias. It is worth looking up. My husband makes fun of me because I always talk about this liquid gold!
Lynsey
August 8th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
Rachel, you are a wealth of information and I love this series - I am learning so much just after two posts. I have another question - I really hope you don’t mind. What are you thoughts about bleach as a laundry aide/whitening agent?
Lynsey - where do you find the Grapefruit Seed Extract? I am interested in using it around our house! My husband is a little bit of a germaphobe!
August 8th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Lynsey may know exactly, but if she doesn’t check, I would guess HEB has it in their “natural living” section or at Brazos Natural Foods near Luby’s (or where Luby’s was).
I don’t use bleach as a whitening aid, I’ve never really needed it. On occasion, I’ll slip some oxiclean in the wash just because I have it, but the sun is supposed to be the best whitening agent there is. I started line drying our whites when it isn’t raining–which hasn’t been often this summer–and they seem to keep being white.
August 8th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Ok… so if I were to buy some of the Dr. Bronner’s for making my own cleaners, how much should I buy initially? I looked at the website, and there is quite a wide range of volumes available! Is it available places other than online? Also, what solution do you use to clean Josiah’s toys?
Thanks for the good info!
August 9th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Angela, the first time I bought Dr. B’s, I just bought the smaller, 8 oz. bottle and used it up after making a batch or two of cleaners. You could start there, see if you like it and get a different smell or more later. Now, I buy the bigger, 16-24 oz. bottles and they last forever. They have a ton of uses, including body wash, baby wipe solution, baby bath, etc. but I’ll talk about that later.
You live in Fort Worth, right? So, I’m sure you can find it at any Central Market, Whole Foods or other natural health/food store. Whole Foods even has their own brand of soap like this that might be cheaper, just compare ingredients.
As for cleaning Josiah’s toys, I haven’t in a long time. I think the last time was when we had a friend over with a VERY runny nose and cough, and I just used the soap and water spray and a warm, wet towel. If they are soft toys (without lights/sounds), you can wash them in your washing machine.
Here is a recipe for an antiseptic cleaner from the book, “Clean House, Clean Planet” using tea tree oil as a natural antiseptic (great for toys and cleaning a house with a germophobe husband):
Merlin’s Magic Antiseptic Soap Spray
Ingredients: liquid soap, purified water, tea tree oil and a 16-oz. squirt bottle.
Fill the bottle almost full with water and then add 3 Tbsp. of liquid soap (unscented or eucalyptus). Add 20-30 drops or more of tea tree oil. Shake to mix.
Squirt this on floors, laundry, toys, doorknobs, bathtubs, toilet seats, and more.
August 11th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Thanks Rachel! I am going to give it a try!:)
August 11th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
Thanks Rachel! I am going to give it a try!:)