Nowadays it seems everyone is trying to do their part to be green. We all know the more we consume and waste the more damage we are doing to the earth and we are starting to wise up to the fact that we should reuse and recycle more things rather than just throwing them out. I have been working with making my own cleaners for a while. I was making them out a powdered soap I have called Rockin Green but they were too chalky and messy so I gave up and switched back to good ol’ Mr. Clean. I love how clean it gets my house but cleaning with the stuff gives me a horrible headache and leaves my house smelling too sanitized. I recently started buying Mrs. Meyers for it’s more natural properties and because the Orange Clove scent is AMAZING. But when I ran out and couldn’t find anymore I got frustrated and after some advice I decided to try to make my own cleaners again.

Making your own cleaners is really easy to do and you probably have most of the things you need in your house already. Some of the things you will need are:

Castille Soap (you can find this at your local health food store. I got the unscented version)

Baking Soda

Essential Oils (you will see me refer to these as EO’s):

Tea Tree

Lemon

Orange

any others you enjoy!

Vinegar (White works best but I used Apple Cider because I have a huge 2 qt.  jug of it.

Olive Oil

and water!!

See not so crazy I am sure you have most of that stuff right in your kitchen pantry!

Here is what I have going on in our house. As a bonus I am throwing in my dryer room. Don’t mind the funky outdated paneling and curtains. It has looked like this since we bought the house and redecorating the laundry room is not at the top of my list.

Top of my dryer.

Where I keep all my cleaning supplies and the ingredients to make them.

My EO basket

Cleaners!

EO disks go in the dryer with the clothes to scent them.

These aren’t really doing the job yet. Still have to tweak the recipe.

Soapnuts.

Yep I wash my clothes with those crazy looking things!

Powdered soapnuts.

Going to try using my soapnuts this way.

This is how they look after a violent turn through my Vitamix.

Lots of towels.

We are not to keen on paper towels.

Using towels for all your cleanup is a great way to start being greener.

looking into my laundry room.

I think this is called a kitty caddy.

I use it for all my brooms and such.

Folding table and baskets.

There are typically 3 baskets.

1 for me and the hubby

1 for the kids

and 1 for the bathroom and linen closet.

The things I keep under the table are

stuff that needs to be steam cleaned or washed on it’s own

and a bag for clothes the kids have outgrown.

Keeping the bag there makes it easy for me to just go through the stuff as i fold it

rather than going through their room.

My dryer.

I have an old broom handle above the door to hang things that need to air dry.

PS. That broom handle hurts when it falls on your head.

Ok now here is the list of cleaning recipes.

No I did not come up with all of these and some I have made variations to. If you search the internet you will find a ton of recipes if you do not like mine. For all of my cleaners I used peppermint oil. A few reasons:

A. I love the smell of peppermint.

B. It seems to make the house feel more cheerful.

C. Peppermint EO in itself is know for being motivating. And I need motivation.

D. It repels bugs and rodents. (We tend to get the big tree/water roaches in the winter and summer so I figured this would help. I will also help you if you have a mouse problem)

All purpose cleaner:

1 Tbsp. Castille soap

1 qt. warm water

EO 10-15 drops

Mix in a spray bottle and use to clean your countertops, sink, stove, oven, table etc.

Floor cleaner:

1.4 c castille soap

2 G. warm water

EO – as much as you want if you want

Mix in a mop bucket and clean your floors.

Floor shine:

1:1 ration of Veg. Oil and vinegar

EO if you want it.

Rub into your floors with a soft rag in a circular motion.

For linoleum floors add skim milk to water and a damp mop for a clean shine.

“comet”

3/4 c. baking soda

EO  30-40 drops

Mix in a bowl and let sit. Place in a shaker (old parmesan jar works well).

Clean with it just like you would comet.

Follow up with scented vinegar for a perfectly clean disinfected surface.

This is also great for deodorizing your carpet.

Scented vinegar:

Vinegar

EO 20-30 drops

Mix this up in a 16 oz. spray bottle and use it to disinfect and clean.

“febreeze”

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vinegar

2 c. water

EO – 100 drops

Mix in a spray bottle and enjoy!

Dusting spray:

2 tsp. olive oil

1.4 c. vinegar

EO 20 drops

water

Mix in a spray bottle and use it just like pledge.

Dish soap:

1:1 ratio of water to castille soap

EO

Mix in a bottle and use it to wash your dishes!

Baby Wash/Hand Soap/Pet Shampoo

Ingredients

my finished product in a recycled bottle!

10 oz. water

1 oz castille soap

1 oz of your favorite oils

I used almond and grapeseed

and a few drops of EO

I put a little bit of tea tree and some peppermint.

Lavender would be lovely for baby wash.

Mix and pour in the bottle of your choice.

Safe for all humans

and

Guinea Pigs!