7Jul2017
household chemicals
Basic DIY Cleaning Ingredients
Trade in household chemicals for cash
Did you known that by switching to organic cleaners—or creating your own—you can preserve the health of your home, children and pets by limiting exposure to harsh household chemicals, all while saving money in the process?
In a survey by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, on average, U.S households spent up to $645 on household cleaning supplies in 2013. By going green, you can save up to $300 a year! Want to create your own products? Start with these common ingredients that are devoid of household chemicals.

– Salt: Salt is good for scrubbing since it’s not too abrasive. Also, salt, coupled with vinegar, is excellent at removing stains. And there are no harmful household chemicals!

– Essential Oils: Ah, nature’s multi-purpose miracle oils! It’s great for your skin and hair, and it also serves as great organic cleaners. Not only that, but according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, essential oils of spices and herbs—namely thyme, origanum, mint, cinnamon, salvia and clove—possess the strongest antimicrobial properties.

– Lemon (the fruit or the essential oil): Lemon can brighten your laundry, serve as a nifty alternative to bleach, deodorize household odors and make your surfaces shine!

– Castile Soap: Castile soap is olive-based and can be used to clean everything from your face to your dishes. Dr. Bronners is a renowned fair trade and organic-cleaning brand. They are also certified cruelty-free.

– Baking Soda: Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and sodium carbonate (washing soda) are both great for getting rid of grease, especially when coupled with lemon. You should probably wear gloves when using sodium carbonate, as washing soda can be a little harsher on the skin than baking soda.

– Toothpaste: Toothpaste serves as a mild abrasive and can be used to clean silvers, as well as remove stain on white clothing and other items in need of light scrubbing.

– Cornstarch: Cornstarch also served as a starching solution when it comes time to cleaning your clothes, as it absorbs stubborn oils and greases with relative ease.

– Hydrogen Peroxide: When used as a disinfectant, hydrogen peroxide can be powerful stuff. In fact, it is especially effective on removing blood stains.
While the above household ingredients can do wonders for your cleaning woes, there is one “superhero” solution you won’t want to overlook:
White vinegar
The granddaddy of chemical-free, natural, eco-friendly cleaners, vinegar is, by definition, a water-based solution containing about 5% acetic acid — a powerful solvent. Translation: The secret ingredient in your mom’s recipe for potato salad spells “lights out” for most bacteria, viruses, mildew, and mold.
– Concoct an all-purpose cleaner: Fill a spray bottle with equal parts white vinegar and water (distilled is best), upping the amount of vinegar for tougher jobs. Spray it anywhere that could use a good cleaning, but steer clear of marble surfaces.
– Disinfect and deodorize cutting boards: Spray full-strength vinegar onto wood cutting boards, let it sit, then rinse with clean water.
– Deodorize dishwashers: Add 1 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle of your dishwasher. The vinegar smell will dissipate, de-stinkifying dishes in the process.
Soften clothes and reduce static: Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle of your washing machine in lieu of store-bought fabric softeners.
– Sweeten garbage disposals: Freeze white vinegar in an ice cube tray and then run the cubes through the garbage disposal to deodorize and clean drains. It’s better than any chemical-filled product you would use.
– Remove mineral deposits from shower heads: Unscrew your shower head, then place it in a plastic zip baggie filled with ½ to 1 cup of warm white vinegar. Let it sit for one hour to remove mineral buildup. For shower heads that can’t be removed, secure the baggie onto the shower head using a rubber band. (This also works for sink faucets.) Post soak, use an old toothbrush and a toothpick to further loosen deposits.
– Clean fresh produce: To help remove household chemicals and pesticide residue, gently wash fruit and vegetables in a solution of 2 tablespoons of white vinegar to a pint of water.
– Clean your coffeepot: Fill the reservoir of your automatic coffeepot with white vinegar, then allow the machine to go through a brew cycle as usual. Follow the vinegar with two cycles of fresh water to rinse.
For any questions or additional tips, feel free to browse the site or get in touch by leaving a comment below. We’d love to know what household chemical-free items in your pantry serve as organic cleaning products!
Jul 7, 2017 0

Basic DIY Cleaning Ingredients
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