All Natural Cleaning Recipes

Spring is just around the corner!  And with Spring comes the burning desire to clean.  So here it is, my complete unabridged version of Recommended Cleaning Recipes.  Many of these were obtained from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.  Happy Cleaning!!!

All-purpose Cleaner
1/4 cup white vinegar
2tsp. Borax (if desired)
3 1/2 cups hot water (must be hot to dissolve Borax)
10-20 drops lemon or lavendar essential oil
1/4 cup liquid dish soap
Mix in vinegar and water in spray bottle.  Borax can be added to boost the cleaning capabilities.  Essential oil can be added to make the smell more pleasant.  Add dish soap last.

Disinfectant
Straight solution of 5% white vinegar (and 95% water) is effective for eliminating harmful bacteria, mold, and germs.  Keep a bottle on hand in the kitchen and bathroom.

Window Cleaner
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent
2 cups water
Mix in spray bottle.  Use to clean windows with crumpled newspaper or coffee filters for a lint-free shine.  Clean when windows are cool to prevent streaking.  Heat makes the cleaner evaporate faster than you can wipe it off, resulting in streaks. 

Floor Cleaner (including wood floors)
1/2 cup vinegar
1 gallon water
10-20 drops lemon or lavendar essential oil

Oven Cleaner
1 cup baking soda (or more)
Moisten bottom of oven with water, then cover the grease/grime with enough baking soda so surface is totally white.  Sprinkle more water over top and let sit overnight.  Wipe up the grease the next morning.  Then use a bit of water and liquid soap if necessary to remove remaining residue from oven.

Dish Soap
2 cup liquid castile soap (such as Dr. Bronner's, can be found at Target or Walmart)
1/2 cup water
10-20 drops of lemon juice or vinegar
a few drops of lemon or lavendar essential oil (if desired)
Mix together in a squeeze bottle.  Add lemon juice or vinegar to cut through grease on dishes.  Add essential oil to make the smell more pleasant.

Bathroom Scrub (tub, sink, tile)
1/2 cup baking soda
liquid soap or detergent
Mix baking soda in bowl with enough liquid soap to make a paste with a frosting-like consistency.  Use sponge to wash surface.  Rinse with water.

Furniture Polish
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 cup vinegar or lemon juice
Mix ingredients in glass jar.  Use a soft rag to wipe onto wood surfaces.

Rust Remover (for sinks and tub)
Sprinkle a bit of salt on the rust area.  Squeeze a lime over the salt until soaked.  Leave mixture for 2-3 hours.  Scrub with leftover lime rind.  Wipe off area and rinse with water.

Unclog Drains
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda in and around drain opening.  Then pour down a cup of white vinegar.  Repeat if needed.  Then flush with very hot water.

Carpet Spot Remover
Blot first.  Sprinkle with baking soda or cornstarch and let dry.  Wash with club soda and vacuum.


As I've mentioned before, I'm lazy and always looking for the most simple way to do things.  So I must warn you that the following recipe is a little bit more time consuming than the others listed above, and may not be appropriate for the energetically challenged.  Although, once you try it, you'll likely find that it can save you a lot of money.

Laundry Detergent
1 bar Fels Naptha soap (or any other bar soap, approx 5.5 ounces)
1 cup washing soda
1 cup Borax
Grate bar of soap using a grater or food processor. Mix in an airtight container with one cup each Borax and washing soda (not baking soda). Use 1-2 tablespoons per load.  Can also follow up with a cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle as a fabric softener.


What about you:  Do you make your own cleaning solutions?  Do you think they clean as well as store bought cleaners?  Are there any recipes that I'm missing?