6 Ways to Clean Green with Homemade Cleansers

The lists of chemicals in our favorite household cleaners are cringe-worthy, and that’s why I’m ditching them all. 

– Chemicals are absorbed through our skin and through our lungs when we breathe. Many staple ingredients are considered toxins and are linked to asthma, cancer and hormonal imbalances, to name a few.

– Chemicals in our cleaners pollute our water and our air. The Environmental Protection Agency labels ‘indoor pollutants’ as one of the greatest threats to our planet.

– When compared to their homemade counterparts, household cleaners are incredibly expensive.

If – like me – you’re tired of paying for cocktails of poison, consider making your cleaning solutions at home with ingredients you already own.  

1. A simple, all-purpose cleaner:

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Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

*If your countertop is made of marble, granite or stone, mix water with rubbing alcohol or vodka instead of vinegar, as vinegar is too acidic for some countertops.

2. A cleanser for windows and mirrors:

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Mix one part white vinegar with four parts water and a splash of lemon juice.

3. A better way to clean your carpets:

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For deep stains, attack with soapy water, vinegar and a bristle brush, or blot with soda water and a clean rag.

For carpet odors, sprinkle on baking soda, let sit, then vacuum up.

4. Polish your wood furniture:

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Mix one cup vegetable oil with one teaspoon lemon oil and apply to furniture with a clean rag.

5. Clean those toilets:

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Pour undiluted white vinegar around the bowl, then scrub.

6. Scour your pots and pans:

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Mix sea salt with lemon juice into a paste, then rub away.