Home Care and Health: Non Toxic, Easy Cleaners for your Home

Radon, Lead Based Paint- these are things that realtors address with their clients when buying a home. These are things that sound scary and come with homes, especially older ones. I’m fairly certain I have asbestos in my sparkly popcorn ceilings (please still feel free to come over!) but I’m looking past that for now.

I think the arrival of spring has inspired me to create a fresh, clean, and healthy home. Or, it could be a manifestation of my lack of control living with three “boys.” But really, I feel like I spend so much time on BPA -free water bottles and non-high-fructose corn syrup ketchup and don’t really address what I spray all over, wipe with and wash with. Let’s open up the windows and breathe!!!

And let me just lay it out there: I don’t sell essential oils, I’m not pushing any products, I’m not a fanatic (really, ask anyone :).  I just kind of recognize that when I spray the 409 and I gag from the mist in the air that there’s a “listen to my body” warning there. I was acutely aware when the boys were babies and everything went into their mouths. As I watched them lick and eat off the counter top, their high chair tray- the very surfaces that I was spraying that stuff on, I freaked out and became a member of a “club” purchasing $75 a month in cleaning supplies. After accumulating an entire cabinet full of supplies, I knew the madness had to stop- the boys would be off to college by the time I used all of those cleaners up. So I switched back to the incandescent blue laundry detergent. Disappointing.

I may be behind the curve, but I’m about to enter into the DIY world and try out some non-toxic and easy cleaners that I can make on my own. For now, I’m focusing on anything that has direct contact with our clothes, our mouths, and the air we breathe. Here’s some recipes that others have shared with me, all containing ingredients that are pretty easy to get a hold of (Amazon).  Keep me posted if you have other good ones!

All-Purpose Cleaner (great for counters)

To make: to a glass spray bottle add ¼ cup white vinegar, 1 ½ cups distilled water, and 25 drops lemon essential oil.

To use: shake to combine, spray on surface, and wipe clean

Mold & Mildew Cleaner

To make: to a glass spray bottle add 1 cup white vinegar, 15 drops lemon essential oil, and 15 drops melaleuca essential oil.

To use: shake to combine, spray on surface to be cleaned, wipe with microfiber cloth, spray again with cleaner and allow to air dry.

Soft Scrub

To make: to a glass bowl add 3 Tbsp. unscented liquid Castile soap, 1 cup baking soda, and 15 drops lemon essential oil.

To use: mix together into a paste, take a small amount on a damp microfiber cloth, and scrub the surface. If the stains are really tough, let the mixture sit for a few minutes. Store the remaining soft scrub mixture in a glass jar.

Daily Shower Spray

To make: to a glass spray bottle add 2 cups distilled water, 2 Tbsp. unscented liquid Castile soap, and 10 drops lemon essential oil and 15 drops melaleuca essential oil.

To use: shake to combine, spray it on shower doors and tile every day after you shower and you should have to clean a whole lot less often.

Wood Floor Cleaner

To make: to a glass spray bottle add 2 cups distilled water, 2 Tbsp. white vinegar, and 10 drops lemon essential oil.

To use: shake to combine, squirt a little on the floor, and mop up with a damp mop

Dusting Spray

To make: to a glass spray bottle add 1 cup distilled water, ¼ cup white vinegar,

2 Tbsp. olive oil, and 15 drops lemon essential oil,

To use: shake to combine, spray on surface to be cleaned, wipe clean with microfiber cloth

Wood Polish

To make: to a glass spray bottle add ¼ cup white vinegar, ¼ cup olive oil, and 10 drops lemon essential oil.

To use: shake to combine, apply to a microfiber cloth, and wipe wood surface clean. Repeat every 2-3 months or as often as needed.

Mirror & Window Cleaner

To make: to a glass spray bottle add ½ cup white vinegar, ½ cup rubbing alcohol, 1Tbsp cornstarch, and 10 drops lemon essential oil.

To use: shake and spray on windows, mirror, or glass. Wipe clean with a lint-free cloth.

DIY Dish Soap

2 cups unscented castile soap
20 drops Lime essential oil
8 drops Lemon essential oil
6 drops any other citrus essential oil of your choice

Directions:

Fill a large bottle with castile soap (if the castile soap is concentrate, make it to its specifications).

Add essential oils.

Shake each time before use. Ad 1-2 TBSP of dish soap to your dish water as you are filling up the sink.

Dishwasher Powder

3 cups borax
1 cup baking soda
½ cup citric acid
½ cup kosher salt
5 drops Lemon essential oil

Directions:

Combine all ingredients and mix well.

Store in sealed container.

To use, add about 2 tablespoons per load.