Cleaning Guide

In many cases, you can make your own cleaning fluids without needing the expense and pollution of bought ones.

Eco Cleaning Ingredients

There are several wonder products that can be used for simple every day cleaning

• white vinegar – great for glass and has disinfecting properties
• baking soda – good for scouring and odor reduction
• lemon juice – anti-bacterial and odor reducing
• hydrogen peroxide – polishing, clothes whitening, removing blood stains (hydrogen peroxide is seen as an environmentally safe alternative to chlorine-based bleaches, as it degrades to form oxygen and water and it is generally recognized as safe as an antimicrobial agent by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, although care must be taken to ensure a sufficiently dilute solution is used). Add lemon, orange or tea tree essential oils to a bottle and you have an effective and nice smelling cleaner. As well as a disinfectant, sanitizer, mould remover, it can be used in the garden as plant fertiliser.

Make your own floor cleaner

There are several ways to make a floor cleaner using eco-friendly ingredients. Here are a few simple recipes you can try:

1. Vinegar and Water Cleaner: Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the floor and wipe it up with a mop. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant and can help remove dirt and grime from floors.
2. Baking Soda and Water Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup of baking soda with 1 gallon of warm water. Dip a mop into the solution and wring it out before using it to clean your floors. Baking soda is a natural abrasive that can help remove stains and odors.
3. Citrus Cleaner: Save the peels of citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. Place the peels in a jar and cover them with white vinegar. Let the mixture sit for at least a week. Strain the liquid and dilute it with water before using it to clean your floors. The citrus peels will help give the solution a pleasant scent, while the vinegar will help clean and disinfect your floors.
4. Tea Tree Oil Cleaner: Add 10 drops of tea tree oil to 1 gallon of warm water. Dip a mop into the solution and use it to clean your floors. Tea tree oil has natural antifungal and antibacterial properties and can help keep your floors clean and fresh.

Remember to always test any cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area of your floor before using it to clean the entire surface.

Make your own window cleaner

Here are a few ways to make an eco-friendly window cleaner using simple, natural ingredients:

1. Vinegar and Water Cleaner: Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto your windows and wipe them down with a clean cloth or newspaper. Vinegar is a natural cleaning agent and can help remove dirt, grime, and even water stains from your windows.
2. Lemon Juice and Water Cleaner: Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray the solution onto your windows. Wipe them down with a clean cloth or newspaper. The acidity in lemon juice can help cut through grime and stains on your windows.
3. Cornstarch and Water Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup of cornstarch with 2 cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray the solution onto your windows. Wipe them down with a clean cloth or newspaper. Cornstarch is a natural abrasive that can help remove stubborn stains and grime from your windows.
4. Alcohol and Water Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol with 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray the solution onto your windows. Wipe them down with a clean cloth or newspaper. Rubbing alcohol is a natural disinfectant and can help remove dirt and grime from your windows.

Remember to always use a lint-free cloth or newspaper when wiping down your windows to avoid leaving streaks or lint behind. Also, be sure to test any cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area of your windows before using it to clean the entire surface.

Make your own kitchen cleaner

Here are a few eco-friendly ingredients you can use to make your own kitchen cleaner:

1. Baking Soda and Vinegar Cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda on your kitchen surfaces and then spray with white vinegar. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes and then wipe down with a sponge or cloth. The baking soda will help scrub away grime and the vinegar will disinfect surfaces.
2. Lemon Juice Cleaner: Cut a lemon in half and rub the cut side onto kitchen surfaces. The citric acid in the lemon juice will help break down grease and stains. Wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth or sponge.
3. Castile Soap and Water Cleaner: Mix 1 tablespoon of castile soap with 2 cups of warm water in a spray bottle. Shake well and spray onto kitchen surfaces. Wipe down with a sponge or cloth. Castile soap is a natural and gentle cleanser.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide and Water Cleaner: Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide with 3 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray onto kitchen surfaces and let it sit for a few minutes. Wipe down with a sponge or cloth. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural disinfectant and can help remove stains.

Remember to always test any cleaner on a small, inconspicuous area of your kitchen surfaces before using it to clean the entire area. And never mix bleach and vinegar or other cleaners, as this can produce toxic gases.