Earth Friendly Cleaning Products.

Clean Using Earth Friendly Cleaning Products

The harsh cleaning products that we buy to keep our homes clean are not just toxic but many have been linked to physical problems as well.

But it’s easy to keep your house clean and be good to the environment using earth friendly cleaning products.

The best earth friendly cleaners are vinegar, borax, baking soda, lemon, mineral oil, baby oil and hydrogen peroxide. These are not just effective but natural cleaners that will help keep the house clean and germ free.

You will save a small fortune by using these basic cleaning supplies so you can toss your toxic commercial alternatives goodbye.

Cleaning with Vinegar

I love vinegar. We use it extensively at Mrs. Clean. White vinegar is a natural and eco-friendly cleaning solution and a great way to clean various surfaces throughout the home.

All Purpose Cleaner

To clean with white vinegar as an all purpose cleaner, mix equal parts of plain white vinegar with water and put in a spray bottle. You can use this to clean glass surfaces, some countertops as well as appliances.

Cleaning Stainless Steel

To clean stainless steel surfaces, dampen a clean cloth with undiluted white vinegar and wipe in the direction of the grain. Rinse and dry.

Cleaning Floors

Many types of floors can be cleaned using a mixture of water and vinegar. Mix 1 cup vinegar with a gallon of warm water. Dry thoroughly when done.

For wood floors, use about 1/2 a cup of vinegar to one gallon of warm water to clean wood floors. Dry thoroughly when done.

Do not use on natural stone.

Cleaning the Dishwasher with Vinegar

Place a cup of vinegar on the top rack of an empty dishwasher and run a hot water cycle to help remove mineral buildup.

Natural Deodorizer

Vinegar is a natural deodorizer, disinfectant and germicide. It is acidic and cleans streak free without leaving a residue like soap leaves behind.

Avoid using vinegar on natural stone surfaces such as marble, granite, or unsealed surfaces as it can damage the stone.

Cleaning with Borax

Borax is a natural mineral that is used extensively in commercial cleaning products. A common brand is 20 Mule Team. Borax is a multipurpose cleaner, it is an effective and eco-friendly alternative to many commercial cleaning products. It is a water softener and conditioner and helps your laundry detergent work better so you can use less.

Use Borax as a Laundry Booster

Add 1/2 cup of borax to your regular laundry detergent to help brighten whites, remove stains and deodorize.

Clean Tile Grout with Borax

Make a paste of water and borax, about the consistency of toothpaste, and apply to grout lines. Use a toothbrush to scrub, let sit a bit, then rinse off.

Cleaning with Baking Soda

You can use baking soda all by itself, or in conjunction with water to create a fantastic abrasive cleaner that gets rid of dirt and grime.

Baking soda is also a natural deodorizer. When made into a paste, it works great to scrub caked on gunk. You can put it in the washing machine with your regular laundry and deodorize your clothes, plus it gives your detergent an extra boost of power.

Using Lemon Juice to Clean

Lemons smell great and they have an antiviral and antibacterial effect.

A half a lemon tossed in the garbage disposal will deodorize and clean buildup that may be causing odor. Lemon juice will also bleach away and remove stains, especially when placed in the sunlight.

Cleaning a Cutting Board with Lemon Juice

Rub half a freshly cut lemon over the cutting board to help remove stains and neutralize odors. Rinse with water.

Using Baby Oil or Mineral Oil

Baby oil and mineral oil are the same thing. Baby oil just has a fragrance added to it. Mineral oil is different from other oils as it’s extracted from the earth and it does not go rancid like other oils we use in food like: vegetable, canola, olive oil, etc.

Shine Up the Toaster

Mineral oil cuts through dirt and grease which is why it’s a great way to shine some appliances. Add a small amount to a clean cloth and polish surface. It’s a great way to remove fingerprints.

Removing Stickers and Label Residue

Apply a small amount of oil to the residue left behind after removing labels or stickers. I use my fingernail to scrub the surface. Let sit for a while, then wipe away residue. May have to repeat the process.

Only use a small amount- a little goes a long way.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide When Cleaning

Hydrogen peroxide might be my favorite homemade cleaner ever. When stains or residue remain after cleaning, an application of regular household strength hydrogen peroxide will usually do the trick.

I’m not a chemist but hydrogen peroxide is water with an additional element. That’s H2O2 vs H2O. Hydrogen peroxide is an oxidizer and it works amazing as a bleach without the harmful effects like chlorine bleach has.

Hydrogen peroxide changes to regular water when exposed to sunlight, so you need to keep whatever you are working on out of direct sunlight. That might mean you place a towel over the area you are cleaning.

You don’t have to rinse hydrogen peroxide because it has no residue, just pour it straight on the stain, cover it and check it in a couple hours.

There you have it! A list of environmentally friendly cleaning products; that you may already have in the house, that clean, sanitize, reduce odors, deodorize and remove stains.

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