While we are trying to keep our homes and workspaces clean, we don’t give real thought into what chemicals we are imbuing into our dishes, countertops, floors and clothes. We may see brighter fabric, shinier floors and smell fewer odors, the real result is that most cleansers you buy in a store deposit harsh chemicals into our homes and therefore our bodies then those chemicals can leech into our food, water, skin and lungs over time. Not to mention that continuously buying plastic bottles full of cleanser and then throwing them out does nothing to reduce our carbon footprints.
Instead of cleansing with harsh and unsafe chemicals, nurture your home and your family with cleansers made of organic materials that won’t pose any health hazards. Making your own cleansers allows you to control what you bring into your home and conserve plastic bottles to boot.
All Purpose Cleaner
Combine 2/4 cup of water, ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol, five to ten drops of peppermint, lemon or orange essential oils and one squirt of natural dish soap. Combine these ingredients in a squeeze bottle, spray on and wipe off of all surfaces to clean, but avoid using on glass.
Degreaser
If you need to remove grease and dirt from all surfaces except for wood, combine two cups of water, two tablespoons of lemon juice, ½ teaspoon of Castille soap and one tablespoon of baking soda in a spray bottle to make a great degreaser
Disinfectant
For a good thorough natural disinfectant when things get particularly messy, mix one part white vinegar, one part vodka and one part water with ten drops of lavender oil and ten drops of lemon essential oil.
Hardwood Floor Cleaner
If you have hardwood floors that need to be cleaned but are afraid of them drying out and cracking, you can use ½ cup white vinegar, one gallon of warm water and three drops of essential oil. Your floors will sparkle and the oil will moisturize and provide an amazing scent.
Laundry Detergent
To keep your clothes smelling clean and fresh without harsh chemicals ruining the fabric, mix 1 bar of grated bar soap, one cup of washing soda, one cup of borax and twenty drops of lemon essential oils. Store in an air-tight container and add one to two tablespoons per load.
The Alternative
It’s likely that the bottle of chemical cleaner you have under your sink right now contains over 60 toxic chemicals. These chemicals have been linked to the development in asthma, cancer, reproductive disorders and neurotoxicity in otherwise healthy people. In 2000, 10% of all toxic exposures that were reported to US Poison Control were because of household cleaners. Over 120,000 of these incidents involved children under the age of six years old.
Some of the most common ingredients in household cleaners include:
- Phthalates
- Perchloroethylene
- Triclosan
- Ammonia
- Chlorine
- Sodium Hydroxide
Natural cleaners smell better, are safe to get on your skin accidentally, and are unlikely to damage delicate surfaces. The ingredients are not toxic so you don’t have to worry about using them around pets and children, although they should never be ingested.
Sources:
http://realsimple.com/home-organizing/green-living/natural-cleaning-recipes?crlt.pid=camp/KTFFt96NO1ul
https://experiencelife.com/article/8-hidden-toxins-whats-lurking-in-your-cleaning-products/
https://www.organicconsumers.org/news/how-toxic-are-your-household-cleaning-supplies
http://wellnessmama.com/27059/diy-laundry-detergent/
