DIY Natural Cleaners!
I have been making my own laundry detergent for a few years now and constantly tell my friends and family how much money it saves our family and how good I feel that I know exactly what’s in the detergent. I have read so many times how easy it is to make all your household cleaners, but have never taken the plunge. Well, today’s the day! I threw all my chemical based expensive cleaners away and traded them for some new empty squirt bottles and some everyday natural ingredients, most of which I already had. I hope to get some shiny new glass bottles soon, some colored so my hydrogen peroxide does not lose its potency, but for now all I have are plastic.
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Here’s a simple list of the ingredients I needed to create my natural cleaners;
Hydrogen peroxide
White vinegar
Borax
Washing Soda
Baking Soda
Natural dish liquid soap (I like Seventh Generation)
Water
And a few essential oils- there are so many great essential oils you can be using to clean your house, but I started with just a few for these cleaners; lemon e.o.- antibacterial and smells SO good, eucalyptus and tea tree e.o- anti fungal, and grapefruit because of its amazing smell!
Here are the natural cleaners I am currently using that may work for your family. Please remember that although these ingredients are all natural they can still cause skin irritation and be dangerous if ingested. Always read the labels on all the ingredients, especially the essential oils as they are very strong, keep them out of reach of your children, and test to ensure they do not cause any kind of reaction for your family. Also, remember to keep your hydrogen peroxide in a dark or cloudy bottle as it will lose its potency with light.
My favorite all purpose cleaner- my son has named it indagrease oil- fill a spray bottle with hydrogen peroxide and add a few drops of lemon essential oil. I usually only make enough to last a couple days and refill as needed.
Laundry Detergent– grate one bar of fels Naptha and add to a sauce pan with 4 cups of water. Stir until melted over medium/low heat. Fill a five gallon bucket (like a paint bucket from Home Depot) half full with hot water. Add the melted soap, 1 cup Arm and Hammer washing soda, and 1/2 cup Borax. Mix well so all ingredients dissolve completely. Fill the rest of the way with hot water. Stir, cover, and let it sit over night. You can add your favorite essential oil when it has cooled if you desire. Use 15-20 drops. This will thicken overnight and will need to be stirred periodically.
Dingy whites laundry booster– add 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide to the wash water and let your clothes sit for 20-30 minutes. Then run your regular cycle. (Hydrogen peroxide has some bleaching properties so be careful with colors.)
Dish washing detergent– 1 cup Borax, 1 cup washing soda, 1/2 cup citric acid, 1/2 cup kosher salt. Use 1 tablespoon per load and fill rinse aid compartment with white vinegar (if desired) I have found the citric acid to be essential so there is no white residue left on my dishes.
Bath tub cleaner– mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Add a couple drops of tea tree and eucalyptus e.o. (these are very strong and can irritate or burn skin so use sparingly and rinse the tub well before giving your child a bath).
Shower and tub wall cleaner– fill a dishwashing brush half full with vinegar and the other half with a natural dishwashing liquid like Dr. Bronners or Seventh Generation. Add a couple drops of grapefruit or lemon essential oils if desired. Use brush on shower walls and rinse away with water. This can be done quickly and easily while you take a shower!
I hope you enjoy these natural cleaners for your home and all the money it will save you!
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