HOMEMADE LESS TOXIC HOUSEHOLD CLEANERS

Air Freshener

Squeeze lemon onto a small cup of baking soda, or add a few drops essential oil to baking soda

You can also add a few drops to the side of your toilet paper roll so when you pull it, it releases the fragrance. Be careful not to douse w/something like peppermint oil or you will get a zing!

Glass & General Purpose Cleaner

1 part white vinegar  + 1 part water  + few drops essential oils

Tub Shower Scrub

1 part Dawn dishsoap + 1 part hot/microwaved vinegar

Oven Cleaner

Before going to bed- Mix  1/2 cup to 3/4 C baking soda, a few TBSP vinegar, good squirt or two of dish soap. Stir. Apply w/a damp rag to the bottom, sides & inside the over door. Close it up & Leave overnight. Scrub out in the morning with a hot, wet rag.

Microwave Cleaner

Heat bowl of 1 part vinegar + 1 Part water in microwave until evaporates & soaks gunk good, open & wipe down

Drain Cleaner (For metal pipes)

Pour 3/4-1 cup baking soda in drain.

Then pour 1/2 cup vinegar in drain, immediately cover

Let work for abt 30 min

Remove cover & run HOT water run thru pipes for abt 2-3 min

Drain Freshener

Mix 1/2 cup baking soda w/ 1/4 cup table salt

Pour down drain

Follow w/ 1 cup heated vinegar down drain (it will foam)

Let it sit for 15 minutes, then run Hot water for 1 min

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

3/4 cup baking soda (or as ½ C baking soda, ¼ C borax)

1/2 cup water1/2 tsp castile soap scented or add  few drops tea tree oil
Combine, mix gently or you will get bubbles.



Carpet Spot Cleaner (Test for carpet discoloration first)
Combine 1 TBSP w/ 3TBSP vinegar
Add 2 C Water
Spray on carpet, let stand for 5 min
Scrub stain w/damp rug
Let Dry and Vacuum

Laundry Stain Treatment (Test on material for discoloration first)

1 part Dawn Dishwashing Liquid (I've used a generic brand w/ great results)
2 parts Hydrogen Peroxide
Mix together & pour directly on the stain

LAUNDRY

Whitening - Add ½ C Borax, Washing Soda, Baking Soda, or Hydrogen Peroxide to wash cycle w/ your detergent

Deodorizing- Add Baking soda, or Vinegar to Wash Cycle

Hard Water- Add ½ Cup White Vinegar to Rinse Cyle to help w/hard water problems

Laundry Detergent

Dry Detergent- Store in airtight container, add 2 TBSP/load

Grate Fels-Naptha laundry soap, Add1/2 C Borax, ½ C Washing Soda

Liquid Detergent- shake before use, 1 C/load

Grate Fels-Naptha laundry soap, dissolve on stove w/ 4 qt water, turn off heat, add 1C Borax + 1 C Washing Soda, put mix in 5 Gallon bucket, fill to top w/HOT water, cover & let sit overnight, in morning stir until gelatinous stuff mixed in, pour ½ into another 5 gallon bucket, fill both buckets to top with hot water, stir, fill your containers.

Fabric Softener

6 C warm water
3 C white vinegar
2 C hair conditioner - pick a scent you like

Measure out as you would w/ store bought fabric softener.

Alternative Fabric Softener

4 cups hot water

2 cups white distilled vinegar

2 cups baking soda

10 drops essential oil of your choice

Mix & use as you would store bought.