I first embarked on finding healthier cleaners when my daughter was a toddler. There are so many chemicals in cleaning supplies...its truly frightening. I'm not completely converted from a few commercial cleaners though...I only make my own when they clean as well or better than store bought.
Finding the ingredients, initially, is the most daunting part of this project. Do a little research online and call your local stores to see if they carry some items..or can get them. Its worth it to buy in bulk when you can. Consider splitting the initial cost of some of the ingredients with a friend or two. OR...buy the smallest containers of each product to try out the cleaners...when you're a homemade cleaner convert, then invest in the bulk items.
Dr. Bronner's soap...this soap is made from hemp, a plant. I buy mine by the gallon online, and pay around $34.00/gallon. A gallon lasts me about 2-3 years. It comes in several scents. I would use the "baby mild" unscented one if you don't like scent. I like the peppermint. It always smells clean and fresh. It doesn't leave a lasting smell though.
Arm & Hammer Washing Soda...This comes in bright yellow box, and can be found in the laundry aisle as a laundry booster. Its a powder, and is more powerful than baking soda. I can't find it regularly though, so I substitute baking soda when necessary. It costs about $3.00/55 oz box. As of 2010, I am finding it at Meijer's.
Baking Soda...I buy this in bulk at Costco, or Sam's club. It can be used interchangeably with the more potent washing soda, but the results aren't quite as good.
Borax...This is found in every laundry cleaning aisle. If you have soft water you don't need it. Its a water softener that makes your soap more effective. If you have a gray water system don't use Borax, its not good for plants.(A gray water system sends the water from bathtubs/showers/washing machines/and sinks out of the house to be dispersed into the yard and garden. A great idea if you can get it rigged up. Toilets still flush into the sewer or septic system to be dealt with properly.) Keep this one out of the reach of children.
Fels Naptha soap...This is a bar soap. It's found in the laundry aisle. If you can't find it at your store ask the manager to order it. It costs about $1.00/bar. I wet it and rub it on stains to pretreat them. Buy several at once...so you don't run out. This soap has a smell to it that I personally like, but can be overwhelming to others. The smell doesn't stay in the clothes. But if you don't like it, use unscented ivory bar soap (in the Health and Beauty aisle). It doesn't work quite as well, in my opinion, but is a decent alternative.
Essential Oils...I buy these at the health food store. You can get them online too, but I need to smell them first. I like bergamot, lavender, lemon balm, rose, peppermint, rosemary, and ylang ylang. They run anywhere from $5.00-$18.00/bottle. One drop is pretty powerful though. There are synthetic oils...used for candles and potpourri...don't get those! Research shows that real essential oils help your mood and aid in healing in some cases. Essential oils are made from the actual plants.
Tea Tree Oil...It has a definite smell to it. I like it, but some people don't. It doesn't leave a lasting smell though. This is a disinfectant. You can add a few drops when washing dishes by hand too. I find it online, or at the health food store. It has many other uses too...do a little research. This is a chigger cure, too. Get a little tea tree oil on a cotton swab and hold on a chigger bite for 5 minutes. It kills the chigger and relieves the itch somewhat.
Lemon Juice...I buy this in bulk at Costco, or Sam's Club.
Hydrogen Peroxide...I buy this at Walmart in the first aid aisle...the price is still cheaper, or the same as Costco.
Spray Bottles...I usually find these at the Dollar Store. Try them out before you buy them...just open up the nozzle, and spray..feeling the bursts of air...the more the better...and make sure the spray handle doesn't hurt your hand after a couple of sprays.always label the name of the cleaner, the amount to use, and the recipe on the bottle with a sharpie marker!
White Vinegar...no particular brand here...cheaper at Costco or Sam's Club. Save the bottles, rinsed, for emergency water, or mixing bulk batches of your cleaners...always label the name of the cleaner, the amount to use, and the recipe on the bottle!
Pumice Stone...I keep this in a plastic frozen juice container in my cleaning supplies. Label the container so you don't use it on anything but the toilet! This is a super stain/hard water deposit remover for the inside of the toilet. I plunge the toilet to get most of the water out, then don my cleaning gloves. Wet the stone and rub the stain away. Don't get to enthusiastic, it will scratch the surface if too much forced is used. I do this once or twice a year.
I still use a few store bought cleaners...
Toilet Bowl cleaner...keep out of reach of children! I like the liquid ones that stick to the bowl.
Dawn dishwashing liquid...Don't skimp and buy a cheaper brand. Its well worth the few extra pennies...besides, you can afford it now that you're saving so much on other cleaners! I buy this in bulk at Costco, or Sam's Club.
Greased Lightning...This stuff is a miracle worker! I use it to pre-treat greasy stains on my clothes, clean grease off the stove and oven, and cut through the yearly grime on top of the kitchen cabinets...and more! Buy it by the gallon...its more economical that way. Especially good if you have a mechanic in the family. Its usually on the bottom shelf in the general cleaning supplies. If you can't find it, look at www.greased-lightning.com. Its well worth the search!
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (I've found a generic version at Walmart that works just as well.) Its a dry sponge material...apparently not toxic, because the label says you don't have to wear gloves...and there isn't any smell that I could detect...This is another miracle worker...I don't know exactly why it works, but it does! It takes permanent marker off of furniture, crayon and pencil off of walls, and everything else you can think of! Caution...do not use on wood surfaces that don't have a good finish...it'll leave white marks.
Murphy's Oil Soap...I use this, once or twice a year to clean all my wood furniture and motorcycle leathers. Follow the directions on the package.
Old English oil...NOT in the spray can. I use this on the furniture after cleaning it. It restores some oils to the wood.
Beeswax...If you can find good old fashioned clear beeswax furniture polish...invest in it! A can is a little pricey, but will last 5-10 years! This has been the best thing I've found to seal my wood furniture after I clean and oil it. Check the hardware store.
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