There are simple and inexpensive recipes to decrease your chemical exposure and effectively clean your home. These recipes can be found here and in the
Guide to Healthy Household Cleaners.
Getting Started
All-Purpose Cleaners
Bathroom Cleaners
Kitchen Cleaners
Floor Cleaners
Glass CleanersGetting Started
The ingredients below serve as the building blocks for safe home cleaning. These ingredients are inexpensive and can easily be found at a grocery store or discount retailer near you.
- Baking Soda - Cleans and deodorizes. Softens water to increase the sudsing and cleaning power of soap. Good scouring powder.
- Borax - Cleans and deodorizes. Excellent disinfectant. Softens water. Available in the laundry section of grocery stores.
- Liquid Soap - Look for soap with non-synthetic, plant-based ingredients such as olive oil-based. Biodegrades safely and completely and is non-toxic. Available in grocery stores and health food stores.
- Washing Soda - Cuts grease and removes stains. Disinfects. Softens water. Available in the laundry section of grocery stores or in pure form from chemical supply houses as “sodium carbonate.”
- White Vinegar or Lemon Juice - Cuts grease and freshens.
- Vegetable Oil - Works well when polishing and cleaning wood.
Cleaning Tip: Stock your cleaning kit with reusable and washable cleaning supplies such as rags, sponges and spray bottles. Label each spray bottle or container clearly.
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All-Purpose Cleaner Recipes
Recipe 1
1 teaspoon vegetable-oil based liquid soap
1 quart warm water
A squeeze of lemon
Combine ingredients in a small bucket or spray bottle. Apply with a sponge or rag and wipe clean.
Recipe 2
1/8 cup washing soda
1 tablespoon vegetable-oil based liquid soap
1/4 cup vinegar
2 gallons hot water
Mix ingredients in a pail. Apply with mop or cloth and wipe clean.
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Bathroom Cleaners
Tub and Tile Cleaner
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil-based liquid soap
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups hot water
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle or pail. Apply and wipe clean.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Baking soda
Sprinkle baking soda in and around toilet bowl. Let sit for a few minutes. Scrub clean.
Scouring Powder
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup vinegar
Mix in small bowl and rub on surface with damp sponge. Let stand for a few minutes. Rinse well.
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Kitchen Cleaners
Grease Cutter
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon vegetable-oil based liquid soap
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups hot water
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray and wash. Wipe clean.
Pots and Pans
3 tablespoons baking soda
Dash of salt
Water
Mix ingredients in a small bowl to form a paste. Dip a sponge into paste and rub onto the metal. Let dry. Rinse with hot water
Oven Cleaner
1 teaspoon EACH of vegetable-oil based liquid soap, borax, lemon juice, and vinegar
1 quart warm water.
Apply and let sit on grease for 30 minutes. Scrub and rinse clean.
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Floor Cleaners
Wood Floors
1/8 cup plant-based liquid soap
I gallon water
Mix and apply. Wipe clean.
Tile Floors
1 cup vinegar
1 gallon hot water
Mix and apply. Wipe clean.
No-Wax Floors
1/2 cup vinegar
2 tablespoons plant-based liquid soap
1 gallon hot water
Mix and apply. Wipe clean.
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Glass Cleaners
Recipe 1
1/2 cup vinegar
4 1/2 cups water
Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake and apply. Wipe clean.
Recipe 2
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon plant-based liquid soap
3 tablespoon vinegar
2 cups water
Mix and spray. Wipe clean.
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