How to Make Your Own Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Making your own cleaning products is not only easy on your pocket, but it’s also great for the environment. Homemade cleaning products often use natural ingredients, making them less harsh with skin allergies.
While they might be milder on the skin, they’re still effective for getting the job done. With just a few ingredients from your pantry, you can develop effective cleaners that are safe for your family and the environment. Here’s how you can go about making your own eco-friendly products.
Keep These Essential Ingredients on Hand
You need some important ingredients ready if you want to tackle the process of making cleaning products from scratch. Not all ingredients work as efficiently; the following are some you should keep on hand:
- White vinegar for disinfecting and cutting grease
- Baking soda for scrubbing and deodorizing
- Lemon juice for natural bleaching and fresh scent
- Castile soap for general cleaning
- Essential oils for fragrance and antimicrobial properties
- Hydrogen peroxide for tough stains
- Kosher salt for scrubbing
- Spray bottles and glass jars for storage
Making an All-Purpose Cleaner
You can make a cheap but effective all-purpose cleaner for various cleaning duties. Try a blend of equal parts water and white vinegar. Next, add 10-15 drops of tea tree, lavender, or lemon essential oil and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Shake the concoction well before each use and prevent using it on marble or natural stone surfaces.
Natural Glass Cleaner
Say goodbye to expensive commercial glass cleaners with an effective and affordable alternative. Combine 2 cups water, ¼ cup white vinegar, and ¼ cup rubbing alcohol, followed by 1-2 drops of essential oil (optional). Use this mixture with newspaper or a microfiber cloth for streak-free results. Store the mixture in a labeled spray bottle.
A Natural Bathroom Scrub
Baths can get really bad with soap scum, and this next “potion” is a powerful scrub that tackles tough grime. Mix 1 cup of baking soda with ¼ cup castile soap. Next, add 1 tablespoon water and 10 drops tea tree oil. Mix the solution into a paste-like consistency. When you’re done using it, store the rest in an airtight, labeled container. You can use this with a scrub brush or a sponge.
An Effective Kitchen Degreaser
Combat kitchen grease naturally without the fuss and price tag of store-bought variations. Combine 2 cups warm water with 2 tablespoons baking soda, then add a ¼ cup of castile soap. Add about 20 drops of orange essential oil for that citrus freshness and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Always shake it well before use to ensure everything blends nicely.
Get the Sparkle With Homemade Wood Furniture Polish
Keep wood surfaces gleaming with a natural polish. Mix a ¼ cup olive oil with ¼ cup white vinegar. Next, add 10 drops of lemon essential oil and pour it into a glass jar. When using this mixture, use a soft cloth. Also, do a test on a small section of the furniture before using it all over.
A Tough Floor Cleaner
You can also get a natural floor cleaner that works effectively but doesn’t have those harsh chemicals. This mixture is good for many floor types. For tile/vinyl floors, combine 1 cup of vinegar with a 1 gallon warm water. For wood flooring, mix 1 cup of vinegar, 1 gallon water, and 10 drops essential oil of your choice. While these are good for many floor surfaces, they should not be used on unfinished or waxed wood floors.
A Natural and Fragrant Air Freshener
For a natural air freshener use blend 1 cup water with 20-30 drops essential oil of your choice. Mix in 2 tablespoons baking soda, then pour into a spray bottle and shake before each use.
Take Control of the Cleaning and the Ingredients
Making DIY cleaning products puts you in control of what goes into them while reducing plastic waste and saving money. Since it’s natural, some eco cleaners may require more elbow grease in contrast to commercial variants that are often laden with harsh chemicals.
Still, even some of the most humble ingredients in natural cleaners are enough to tackle even burnt-on stains. See what works and adjust your measurements accordingly.
