However, today I wish to share thoughts on "eco-friendly" cleaning. Earth friendly cleaning products are becoming increasingly popular on store shelves. I believe a lot of consumers are placing more thought into what they are spraying all over their homes, especially when children and pets are involved. So many popular cleaners (like Swiffer) are not safe to use in homes with pets. And, in my opinion, if something isn't safe for other mammals it probably isn't so good for us either.
Once upon a time, I had a house rabbit that scampered all around my apartment just as a dog or cat would. When he got up in his years and started getting sick more frequently I rethought my cleaning routine and did away with all chemicals. As you can imagine, the change was expensive. So, I started researching and through other blogs and websites, I found recipes for pet, people, and eco-friendly cleaners that are easy to make and far less expensive than store-bought finished cleaning products. Here are some cleaners I use that are working well for my household:
Easiest of all is homemade multipurpose cleaner and floor cleaner:
Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Vinegar does have antibacterial properties, can be used on any hard surface (when diluted), and the smell does go away once the cleaner dries. It is extremely effective and inexpensive. If you have areas with tough stains you can add a little baking soda as a brightener. Keep in mind that when you mix vinegar baking soda, it foams up quite a bit.
Dish soap:
1/2 bar shaved castile soap (such as Kirk's)
1/4 c baking soda
1 Tbsp washing soda
1 qt hot water.
Simply combine all ingredients until they are dissolved. If you have trouble getting them to dissolve, you can gently heat the mixture in a pot on the stove. Keep stirring as you heat it. This dish soap does not make suds. The chemicals used to make cleaning products and soaps suds up are toxic.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner:
1/2 c baking soda
1/4 c hydrogen peroxide
1/4 c vinegar
1/4 c liquid castile soap
1 c hot water
1. Mix together baking soda and castile soap in a very large bowl (you need to have space for safe chemical reactions)
2. Add the hydrogen peroxide
3. Slowly add the hot water, whisking gently until the ingredients are incorporated.
4. Add the vinegar and stir until the foaming stops
5. Pour mixture into a squeeze bottle
Laundry Detergent (This recipe makes 10 gallons):
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!
•Works well in traditional or HE machines.
•Low sudsing. It is the ingredients in the soap, not the suds, that does the cleaning.
•Clumping and geling of the detergent is normal. Stir before putting in dispenser, and shake before each use.
•For stains, consider using an inexpensive spray-on stain remover before washing. (Zout, Spray 'n' Wash, Oxyclean)
And finally, who doesn't like Febreeze? It is awesome to have around when you have pets to get rid of the smells on furniture. However, Febreeze is toxic to animals and is also very expensive. Here is a simply recipe for inexpensive homemade fabric refresher:
1/8 c fabric softner (I like 7th Generation)
2 Tbsp baking soda
Hot tap water
27 oz spray bottle
Pour fabric softner and baking soda into the spray bottle and then fill the rest of the way with hot tap water. Screw the lid on tight and shake it up.
I like my cleaners to be unscented. However, if you like scents you can purchase a vial of essential oil in the scent of your choice and add a few drops to any of these cleaners (except for the fabric refresher)
*ESSENTIAL OILS ARE NOT SAFE FOR CATS. They are wonderful for people and other pets but cats cannot process essential oils and if exposed to concentrated essential oils can suffer liver damage and even total liver failure.
Instead of buying squeeze bottle and spray bottles to store all of these cleaners in, I kept my old cleaner bottles and rinsed and reused those. Also, I find it extremely helpful to purchase the biggest bulk sizes of vinegar and baking soda that I can find.
*I did not write any of the above recipes. All recipes were taken from other websites for the purpose of sharing with other individuals. They are not to be used for products you intend to sell.
I don't think cleaning is ever fun. But, at the very least, it should be safe for your entire family, pets and all. Also, it shouldn't be a financial burden. I hope these ideas help you on your way to an eco-friendly and economical cleaning routine.
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