A clean home is a must, but many of today’s cleaning products have toxic chemicals that can not only harm our home and the elements in it, but also our bodies!  There are other ways to keep a clean home without the harm of these products by simply putting together your own solutions. While that may sound like a huge undertaking, it’s really rather simple and much safer for you, your home, and the environment.  Let’s go through our top 5.

All-Purpose Cleaner

A must for sure, and the one we use most frequently. While there may still be some debate about Borax in natural cleaning products, remember that it is naturally occurring, but can be an irritant if it is overused. So be sure to use only the proportions as they are described. This recipe was shared by Wellness Mama on her blog.

When everything needs to be clean, this is the formula for you!

INGREDIENTS:

2 Cups Distilled Water

1 tsp Borax

½ tsp Washing Soda

1 tsp liquid Castile Soap

A few drops of your favorite essential oil

DIRECTIONS:

Mix all ingredients in a plastic bottle. Cover & shake well.

Spray where needed, and wipe with a dry, clean rag.

 

No Tough Scrubbing Oven Cleaner!  Yes Please!!

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ C Baking Sold

½ C Sea Salt

½ C Washing Soda

Filtered or Distilled Water (enough to make a thin paste)

½ C White Vinegar

10 drops Lemon Essential Oil

10 drops Melalueca Alternifolia Essential Oil

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to the lowest temperature setting. Turn it off once it reaches that temperature.

Mix the soda, sea salt, and washing soda in a small bowl.

Add essential oils and vinegar to the baking soda mix (the mixture will fizz a little)

Slowly add water until the mixture forms a thin paste. Make sure the mix is thin enough to spread on your oven walls without clumping.

Spread the oven cleaner paste inside your oven, and make sure not to miss any parts of your oven walls.

Let the mixture work overnight then wipe off with warm water in the morning. Voila!

 

Streak-Free & Sparkly Glass Cleaner!

This is what we all strive for but is always hard to achieve…until now! And chemical free!!

INGREDIENTS:

¼ C rubbing alcohol (this amps up the effectiveness of the cleaning power, but if you really dislike the idea- omit it)

¼ C White Vinegar

1 Tbsp Corn Starch

2 C Warm Water

DIRECTIONS:

Mix all the ingredients in a plastic spray bottle until evenly dissolved.

Shake before using, and spray as you would regular glass cleaner.

**NOTE: Do NOT forget to shake this cleaner before use. If the corn starch settles on the bottom and you don’t shake it before using, it might plug the spray nozzle.

 

Bleach Alternative

Discover the DIY and green cleaning and whitening power of bleach without the dangers of market bleach cleaners!!

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide

1/2 cup of Lemon Juice

1 Tbsp. of Citric Acid (optional ingredient. Naturally whitens clothes & helps to soften water)

Just slightly less than a 1 gallon of distilled water

10-30 drops of lemon essential oil

DIRECTIONS:

Pour all ingredients except water into a gallon jug. Mix until citric acid is dissolved.

Fill the jug by adding distilled water.

Use in place of bleach around your home and laundry room.

**NOTE: Always test a little on any fabric before using it for stain removal. This is a powerful cleaning agent, whitener & germ killer just like bleach. DO NOT use on anything you would not normally bleach. 

 

Fantastic Furniture Polish

Who loves their furniture to shine and look like new? I know I do! This formula works like a charm and creates effortlessly beautiful wood furniture in minutes!

INGREDIENTS:

3/4 cup of Olive Oil

1/4 cup of White Distilled Vinegar

30-40 drops of your favorite Essential Oil

DIRECTIONS:

Mix all ingredients in a large spray bottle and shake well.

Apply the spray directly to your furniture and polish with a dry, clean cloth.

**NOTE: Be careful not to overspray.

 

Going green in our homes can truly be a simple task and a healthy choice. Do you have tips for a healthy home living you’d like to share? I’d love to hear from you and share with our friends and neighbors. Send your comments and suggestions here.

Are you contemplating a move? Buying or selling a home is a huge decision and one I’m happy to help you with by answering any questions you may have about the Beaufort real estate market. Please feel free to contact me at any time.