Whether you have little kids to look out for, or are just all about green living, these recipes are for you! Natural DIY cleaners take the toxicity out of keeping your home in tiptop shape, and can save you big bucks on your next grocery bill. Here are a few alternatives for some of the most common cleaners used in your home and stored in your kitchen cabinets, and how you can make them in just minutes.
# 1 Glass Cleaner
This simple DIY glass cleaner will be your go-to for getting grime off glass surfaces and shining up mirrors. It has only three ingredients, and the citrus aroma from the lemon cancels out the salad-like scent of the white vinegar. Really, we promise!
What you need: a spray bottle, one lemon, one tablespoon of white vinegar and one cup of hot water
What you do: Squeeze two tablespoons worth of juice from the lemon and then mix it together with the white vinegar and hot water. It’s easiest to do this right in your spray bottle and just shake it up to blend. Use your eco-friendly glass cleaner just as you would a traditional ammonia based chemical solution.
#2 Multi-Surface Cleaner
This chemical-free cleaner combines essential oils to clean surfaces in your bathroom and kitchen. It’s easy to make, easy to store (keep it somewhere cool and dark to increase longevity) and works just as well as store bought multi-surface cleaners.
What you need: a spray bottle, one cup of distilled water, one cup of white vinegar, lemon essential oil, and tea tree essential oil
What you do: Mix all your ingredients together in your spray bottle and shake. You’ll want to use about twenty drops each of the lemon and tea tree essential oils. Because of the antifungal and antibacterial properties of these essential oils, you not only get the great refreshing scent but the peace of mind that your surfaces are free of germs!
#3 Bleach Substitute
Think of all the times you’ve grabbed for the bleach to clean up a mess and then hated the lingering scent afterwards. Rid your home of harsh bleach and use one of these safer (and better smelling) combinations instead. You can make either of these bleach alternatives with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen cabinets or bathroom vanities.
What you need: a spray bottle, hydrogen peroxide, borax, white vinegar, and hot water
What you do: For cleaning grout and mold, make a solution of one-part hydrogen peroxide and three-parts water. Mix it up in a spray bottle and use it to remove problem areas from your tiled floors and surfaces (let sit for an hour before wiping away to deep clean those tough stains). Another great combination to disinfect surfaces is taking three cups of hot water and adding two teaspoons of borax and three tablespoons of white vinegar. You can dunk your sponge or rag right in there and use it to wipe down any surface in your kitchen or bathroom.
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