And now we’ll continue the cleaning chit-chat with this handy little homemade cleaner breakdown. When we talked about getting even greener and experimenting with homemade cleaners in year three of YHL, an expert in that very area offered up a few of her favorite formulas.
And we jumped at the chance to learn how all natural and totally eco-friendly cleaning materials are easy and effective- and sometimes way cheaper than paying for the more toxic stuff that can hurt pets, kids, people in general and the planet at large. Here’s what Evan the all-knowing homemade cleaner girl passed along:
This has become an obsession for me. If you think of your home as a sanctuary you want it to be not only beautiful but safe for your health! Store bought chemicals and cleansers can not only be toxic, poisonous or cause other averse health effects (no wonder they have all those warnings and skull & crossbone images on them) but they can also be expensive, completely unregulated, bad for the environment and full of excess packaging that ends up in landfills every day. They often come with big bold warnings that say things like “danger”, “caution”, “corrosive”, “irritant”, and even “chronic health hazard” which by definition can mean anything from “chemicals that destroy tissue” (corrosive) to “causes sterility and birth defects” (chronic health hazard). And even those that just say “danger” or “caution” can be attached to warnings that say “may be fatal or cause blindness if swallowed” or “highly toxic, flammable, poisonous and corrosive.”
Well Evan, when you put it that way, the toxic store bought cleaners bearing those labels (which can commonly be found on everything from basic toilet bowl cleaners to oven and drain solutions) sound pretty terrible. Tell us more.
By contrast, some non-toxic and all natural ingredients like baking soda and vinegar are not only not corrosive, poisonous, or hazardous to your health in any way, they’re actually completely safe if ingested (after all they’re found in the kitchen and they’re 100% edible!).
- Baking Soda is a great naturally abrasive ingredient with mild alkaline properties, it’s also a natural deodorizer and stain remover, and it rinses easily, is completely non-toxic (no more dangers for kids and pets licking surfaces that you’ve cleaned) and it’s extremely affordable (you can grab a 12lb bag at Costco for next to nothing).
- Vinegar is an all natural and mild acid, it’s also a known disinfectant that can remove stains, sanitize, and it’s also completely non-toxic and inexpensive (you can also grab a giant jug of it at Costco for an extremely reasonable price). It should be noted that it shouldn’t be used on stone surfaces or acetate fabrics but there are many other natural cleaning methods that work for those surfaces.
- Hydrogen Peroxide is also non-toxic (learn more about it and it’s many uses here) and is known to be a natural bleaching agent with disinfectant and stain removing properties. It’s also extremely inexpensive (just $1 for three bottles at Walgreen’s).
- All Natural Tea Tree Oil And Grapefruit Oil (which have known antibacterial properties) And Lemon Juice (which naturally cuts grease and leaves a totally fresh scent) are also extremely helpful to have in your all-natural cleaning arsenal.
- Liquid Castile Soap (like Dr. Bronner’s, sold at Target, Trader Joe’s, etc) is a vegetable based soap as opposed to a petroleum based one, which makes it completely non-toxic so it can be used on your face and body but will also work well when it comes to cleaning your home. It’s not quite as inexpensive as baking soda or vinegar, but a large 32 oz containter is just $8.99 at Trader Joe’s.
But how do you put them all together? Here are some of Evan’s favorite all-natural homemade cleaning formulas:
Surface Spray:
- 16 oz spray bottle
- 2 tsp. borax
- ¼ tsp. liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)
- hot water
All Purpose Liquid Cleaner:
- 1 gal. hot water
- 1 tbsp. baking soda
- 2 tbsp. liquid soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)
All Purpose Abrasive Cleaner:
- liquid soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)
- 2 tbsp. baking soda
Mix to make a foamy paste.
Refrigerator Cleaner:
- 2 tbs. baking soda in 1 qt warm water
Wipe down inside and out and rinse with a clean wet cloth.
Oven Cleaner:
- Dampen with water
- Sprinkle liberally with baking soda
Leave 20 minutes, then scrub until clean.
Microwave Cleaner:
- ½ c. vinegar
- 2 c. water
Combine in microwave safe bowl, heat on high for 3-4 minutes, remove bowl and wipe down inside of microwave.
Dishwasher Detergent:
- 2 c. borax
- 2 c. baking soda
- 4 little packages of unsweetened lemon Kool-Aid (or generic)
Mix together and store. You can substitute ½ c. of citric acid for the Kool-Aid but it’s harder to find.
Fruit and Vegetable Wash:
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 tbsp. baking soda
- 20 drops grapefruit seed extract
Spray on produce, rinse after 5 minutes.
Fruit and Vegetable Wash #2:
- 1 cup water
- 1 tbsp. lemon juice
- 1 tbsp. baking soda
Spray on produce, wipe after 5 minutes.
Drain Cleaner:
- 1 c. baking soda first
- 1 c. white vinegar second
- 1 gallon boiling water
Allow to foam for 5 minutes before adding water.
Window, Glass and Chrome Cleaner:
- 5 parts water to 1 part white vinegar, OR
- 1 c. water, 1 c. vinegar, ½ tsp. castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)
Toilet Bowl Cleaners:
- Liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)
- Baking soda or borax
Scrub with a toilet brush.
Tub And Tile Cleaner:
- Apply vinegar full-strength to a sponge and wipe
- Scour with baking soda
Soft Scrub for Fixtures:
- ½ c. baking soda
- Castile soap
- 10 drops of antibacterial essential oil (optional)
Add enough castile soap until you have a frosting like consistency. Scrub, then rinse with water.
Mildew/Germ Killer:
- 2 c. water
- 25 drops of tea tree oil
- 25 drops of lavender oil
Spray on tile and do not wipe off.
Mildew/Germ Killer 2:
- 16 oz spray bottle
- 1 part hydrogen peroxide
- 2 parts water
Spray, let sit. Rinse after 1 hour.
Wood Floor Cleaner:
- ¼ c. vinegar
- 1 gal. warm water
Mop or rag should be slightly damp for cleaning.
Linoleum Floor Cleaner:
- 1 c. vinegar
- 2 gal. warm water
Mop or rag can be fully wet for cleaning.
Carpet Stain Remover:
- 1 part borax
- 10 parts warm water
Combine in spray bottle. Spray on stain, wait 5 minutes, blot with clean rag.
Carpet Stain Remover:
- vinegar
- baking soda
Mix vinegar and baking soda into a paste. Gently work into stain with a toothbrush. Let dry then vacuum completely.
Carpet Deodorizer:
- Baking soda
- 10 drops of essential oil (optional)
Mix together then sprinkle generously on carpet, wait 15 minutes and vacuum.
All-Purpose Carpet Cleaner:
After vacuuming first,
- 1 c. white vinegar
- 3 c. boiling water
Blot mixture onto nap of rug with a wet rag, Dry and air thoroughly. Vacuum.
Air Freshener:
- 2 parts water
- 1 part rubbing alcohol
- Essential oil
Mix in spray bottle, don’t spray on silks or delicates. Experiment with how much oil to add, but start with 5 drops.
Air Freshener 2:
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 tsp. vinegar or lemon juice
- 2 c. hot water
Mix in spray bottle, don’t spray on silks or delicates.
Dusting:
- Slightly dampened microfiber cloth
Furniture Polish:
- ½ tsp. olive oil
- ¼ c. vinegar or lemon juice
Mix in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces.
Scratches:
- 1 part lemon juice
- 1 part vegetable oil
Rub into the scratches and polish.
Rust Remover:
- Sprinkle area with salt
- Squeeze lime onto salt
Leave sit for 2-3 hours, then scrub w/ lime rind (or try Almost-Doctor Dan’s method).
Metal Polish (copper and brass):
- 2 tbsp. salt
Add vinegar until you make a paste. Rub on metal with a clean rag. Wipe clean.
Powdered Laundry Detergent:
- 1 c. grated Fels Naptha soap
- ½ c. washing soda
- ½ c. borax
For light load, use 1 tablespoon. For heavy or soiled load, use 2 tablespoons.
Liquid Laundry Detergent:
- 3 pints water
- 1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap, grated
- ½ c. washing soda
- ½ c. borax
- 2 gallon bucket
- 1 quart hot water
Mix soap in saucepan with 3 pints of water. Heat on low until dissolved. Stir in soda and borax until thickened. Remove from heat. Add 1 quart hot water to bucket, then soap mixture, mix well. Fill rest of bucket with hot water, mix and let sit for 24 hours. Use ½ c. per laundry load.
Laundry Pre-treatment (*do NOT use with bleach, since ammonia + bleach can create dangerous fumes):
- ½ c. ammonia
- ½ c. white vinegar
- ¼ c. baking soda
- 2 tbsp. liquid soap or laundry detergent
- 2 quarts water
Mix in spray bottle. Spray spot.
Laundry Pre-treatment 2:
- 1 tsp. liquid laundry detergent
- 2 tbsp. ammonia
- 1 pt. warm water
Mix in spray bottle. Spray spot, let sit for 20 minutes.
Fabric Softener:
Add ½ – 1 c. vinegar to your softener dispenser
Bleach Alternative (Laundry):
- ¼ c. hydrogen peroxide
************************************************
But wait, Evan has even more ideas to keep things green and clean around your casa:
- Run your dishwasher late at night without a heat-dry setting and let things air dry overnight instead
- Replace sponges with washable and reusable items like microfiber cloths and dishrags
- Premix large batches of cleaning formulas so they’re always on hand and you’re never tempted to buy store stuff again
- Set your washer to cold/cold for the most eco laundry you can get
- Have people take off their shoes when they enter the house and wipe down the shower after each use (these preventative methods will really keep the house cleaner and cut down on your work)
And just because she’s such a pro, Evan even included her resources so you can learn more or see where she got her facts. Gotta love a girl who’s so thorough AND considerate: Consumer Reports, Nat’l Geographic, The Green Guide, Do It Green, Frugal Living, The Vinegar Institute, EarthEasy, Coyne and Kutzen “The Urban Homestead”
Psst- Wanna know where we got something in our house or what paint color we used? Just click on this button:
Evan says
First of all, I’m super flattered that you would use all of my tips. I love getting the word out and think you presented it beautifully. But second of all, I’m a GIRL! I know, you couldn’t have possibly known because we’ve never spoken, but yes it’s true, I’m a girl with a boy’s name. It is my one burden in life :-) Keep up the great work guys (and by that I mean guy and girl!) Let me know if you’re ever going to be in MN!
YoungHouseLove says
Evan,
No way!!! That’s a big reveal. So sorry for the mix up. The post is now updated and all those he’s are now she’s. And know that we’re just so thrilled with the response to your amazing list. Your knowledge and generosity is definitely appreciated by many!
xo,
Sherry
kelly says
Yay! Love this post. I have been making my own cleaning products for years now and feel strongly about this topic, much like Evan. i am glad you guys are writing about this and sharing all the recipes and tips with your wide audience. Healthier people and planet!!
Mary says
I have a couple of questions… I have been making my own cleaners for over a year and have been wanting to change the ingredients. I have been hesitant to put hydrogen peroxide in my all purpose cleaner because I have read where hydrogen peroxide must be stored in a dark bottle, away from light, to prevent decomposing. Since I store my cleaners in a cabinet (like most people), would the cleaner with hydrogen peroxide still need to be stored in a dark bottle?
Question 2: I have also read where vinegar can deteriorate grout over time. Anyone have any issues with this? I would love to incorporate vinegar into my tub cleaner.
Many thanks!!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Mary,
Unfortunately we don’t know the answer to either of your questions. The first one seems as if storing the hydrogen peroxide in a cabinet (and maybe even clipping out a piece of brown paper and wrapping it around you clear bottle) should do the trick, but here’s hoping someone who knows a lot more on the subject chimes in!
xo,
s
Ana says
Hi guys!
Thank you so much for all these fabulous recipes. I have been making my own cleaning supplies with all these ingredients for a while and I assure everyone that they DO clean. What I would like to know (and I haven’t found anyone to ask) is: do they disinfect as well? Thanks so much!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Ana,
Hydrogen peroxide and tea tree oil have natural disinfectant qualities so recipes with them in them should be especially good as disinfecting. Although anything with soap and water (like all the recipes with Dr. Bronner’s) are certainly great at killing nearly 100% of germs and even getting rid of scary salmonella (read more about that in this old post by Almost-Doctor Dan… oh and check the comments for lots more info). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Kat Walker says
Maybe you guys have a better idea of what I’m doing wrong …I can’t figure this out.
When I use a mixture of water/vinegar to clean the floors, I’m left with a streaking mess. Am I alone here?!
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm Kat, we haven’t a clue! Anyone else a bit more versed in floor cleaning with water & vinegar who can sound off? We’re assuming you’re using white vinegar and not red, right?
xo,
s
Katie says
I have been using white vinegar as my fabric softener for almost 2 years now. I love that it leaves my clothes unscented, oh-so-soft, and all natural!
Melissa says
I am a huge fan of homemade cleaners and have finally converted my bleach-loving husband to them! Vinegar and Bronners do amazing things. Also, Kelly Coyne and Erik Knutzen have a blog, http://www.homegrownevolution.com, if you want to link to it. I have “The Urban Homestead” and highly recommend it since it is a great resource for all sorts of self-sufficient and cost-saving projects!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Melissa,
Thanks so much for the link! Good stuff.
xo,
s
Kevin M says
I had luck finding washing soda in the grocery store – Shop N Save here in St. Louis – (laundry aisle) after looking at Target & Wal-Mart unsucessfully.
J&S – any chance you could put numbers on the comments to help find where we left off? Also, why doesn’t our name & email auto-fill like every other blog I comment on regularly?
Thanks.
Kevin M says
RE: Front loaders – the borax/washing soda/soap recipe is naturally low sud so it works perfect in a front loader. We’ve used it for months with no issue. (I use Ivory soap or whatever is on sale and has minimal scent.)
YoungHouseLove says
Great to know Kevin. Thanks!
xo,
s
Nicole says
I love this post! I was looking through alot of different sites to find different cleaning solutions and it was getting confusing. I was wondering if anyone makes their own “bleach wipes”? I like to keep them by the toilet, since I have a 4 year old son, and wipe it down almost daily. That might seem obsessive I know but I’m a little OCD and can’t stand the thought of him touching the toilet. Anyway I’ve gone eco friendly on everything else but it’s just too hard to give up my bleach wipes!
Amber says
This post is phenomenal! I’ve had a desire to switch to more natural cleaning products for awhile now, but never had the time to do all the research required to figure out solutions and options for all the different jobs. Thanks for doing all the legwork so I can just do the cleaning! I will definitely be trying these solutions out.
Grace says
Love this post! Another green/natural microwave cleaner is to slice a lemon, put it a microwavable bowl, microwave for 1:30 to 2:00 minutes and then wipe out the mess. It also smells great!
LindsayB says
Thank you for this, youngsters! I used to be so good about all natural cleaners, but lately I’ve been slacking. This post was the kick in the butt I needed to go completely eco-friendly again :)
stephanie says
about the floor cleaner vinegar solution – I was using that for awhile, only to discover about half a year later, the finish of my wood floor stripping…i’m not sure if it was the acidity of the solution (i used an even more diluted version of the recipe) or if it was just the result of it being on the original 1950s hardwood floors, but I was pretty upset
So i swtiched to just using really hot water. And it does the job fantastic (just don’t forget the rubber gloves)
(And i just started use mrs. meyers all purpose cleaner diluted really well too)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Stephanie,
Thanks for the tip! We can definitely see how vinegar could be too acidic for hardwoods! We’re glad to hear hot water and a little diluted Mrs. Meyers do the trick. That’s our favorite formula too!
xo,
s
Katie says
Thanks Sherry & John! THANKS EVAN!!! You’re awesome for sharing this with everyone! I’m going to start using these formulas.
I’m not a frequent commenter (most of the time because I sneakily read blog posts through Google Reader while I’m at work) but this post convinved me to comment!
Thanks again!
Amanda Wright says
I’m hoping one of this mixtures will work as well as Tilex for getting my grout clean. The Tilex fumes are going to kill me!
Meghan says
Thank you for these great tips!
This probably isn’t considered an all-natural cleaner, but I have used dish soap (I use Green Works) combined with peroxide as a stain remover, specifically to remove red wine. I was able to get a red wine stain completely out of my favorite yellow sweatshirt.
However, since peroxide does have bleaching properties, you have to be careful with the type of fabric.
Nicole says
I found both washing soda ($3.69) and Fels Naptha soap ($1.29) in the laundry section of Harris Teeter (Fairfax, VA).
Heather says
Everyone should also get a steam mop! They are so fabulous! We have a little Shark steam mop and it was only like $75! No chemicals, just clean floors! Safe for us and the animals! :)
ronda says
What about cleaning granite, so far I use method but I would love to be able to make something…I am just not sure what would work or be safe for the stone. Any ideas??? thanks.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Ronda,
Any mild cleansers like Dr. Bronners or Mrs. Meyers work like a charm. You definitely don’t want to use any homemade mixtures with vinegar because that’s too acidic for granite, but mild things work really well. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jackie says
Great post!
Is the liquid detergent safe for HE front load?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jackie,
We have heard that both recipes work for HE front loading washers from others above, so here’s hoping they do for you! Feel free to confirm it for us so we can tell others when they ask (since we haven’t been able to whip them up for ourselves yet!).
xo,
s
jodi says
I just made the dishwasher detergent and am using it right now but didn’t have the lemon kool-aid/citric acid so I just put vinegar in the “pre wash” container and the homemade mixture in the washer compartment … I think it’ll do the same trick … it just needed the acidity right?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jodi,
We’re actually not sure about altering the recipes (you’re brave!) but we hope it works out. Definitely let us know how it goes!
xo,
s
Carrie says
I’ve seen several mentions of Mrs. Meyers products here. I have recently really taken to those products (dish soap, counter spray, shower spray, multi-purpose formula). But, are these products considered “green” and non-toxic? I bought them for that purpose, but the labels don’t really say one way or the other. Just curious…
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Carrie,
Good question! Since Mrs. Meyer’s has cleaning agents derived from plant sources and all natural essential oils (as opposed to artificial fragrances and chemical cleaning agents) it’s definitely considered a green choice that’s a lot less toxic than many of the other options on the market. It’s not as super pure as Dr. Bronner’s but it’s a great compromise when you’re looking for something mild and non-irritating that’s full of natural ingredients. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jim says
What a great list! I want to try the dishwasher detergent, but my wife is concerned about Borax. I’m sure you guys have done more research on this than I have. Do you have any educated information I could share with her? Thanks.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jim,
We’re afraid we’re in the “learn as you go” category when it comes to homemade cleaners so this is all new to us! Apparently borax is suggested by many vets to use as a natural alternative to flea control (as opposed to more toxic chemical pesticides that you apply directly to your pet’s collar area) so it is known to doctors in that profession as being a more mild and natural alternative, but we definitely think that if your wife is concerned she should do any and all research in order to feel more confident about her choices. Hopefully she can google it or get a natural cleaning book or two at the library and go from there. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
jodimichelle says
Definitely needs the citric acid, I think. Or I need to prewash better. It doesn’t “fight the grime” as well … but it does clean and I’m very happy with it – I’m off to buy the citric acid today and try it again, I’ll let you know if there’s a huge difference.
D says
Love this post and I can’t wait to adopt some of these green cleaning techniques in my home.
Ann says
Baking soda is by far the most versatile of these cleaners, it is also great at unblocking drains and sinks.
Jan@ Homemade Cleaners says
Hey great job guys! That is probably the single longest article I have ever seen on the subject of homemade cleaners. I think it is great, I always get excited when I see more people trying out the natural cleaning methods that our family has used for a lot of years.
They really are the way to go. I couldn’t even begin to tell you how much money we have saved over the years making our own cleaning products.
Luke says
intersting stuff, although afew of these have some questionable chemical validity, e.g. the Laundry pre-treatment alternative #2, which features ammonia (a base), vinegar (an acid), and a buffer (baking soda). Together, they sound like a great recipe for neutralizing most cleaning ability.
Borax is another interesting example– generally not too problematic for households (though not non-toxic), not too bad for sewage systems, but atrocious for greywater systems.
All cleaning is a combination of chemical reaction, kinetics, and mechanical assistance, or in other words– cleaner, heat/time, and elbow grease. You shouldn’t need more than high school chemistry to get the basics right– use it!
umma says
Is there anything you can recommend for a hood fan cleaner? For those filters that are reusable and washable that cuts grease?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Umma,
We would imagine that any of the basic cleaning formulas listed above would work to cut grease and clean and reusable, washable filter (we especially like Mrs. Meyers or Dr. Bronner’s soap for the job). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jody says
Here’s a tip for cleaning fine jewelry.
Take an old toothbrush put some toothpaste on it and scrub away at your jewelry, that’s right use any toothpaste, at our house we use crest but any kind works! Then just be sure to rinse off your toothbrush and scrub your jewelry a little more under warm water and dry them with a lent free towel.
I scrub my wedding rings a couple times a week before I go to bed and then usually dry them off with my t-shirt. Try it, they’ll shine like crazy!
Jenn Robinson says
Hi I think your blog is excellent! I went to Whole Foods today and purchased Dr. Bronner’s liquid soap as highly recommended by your website. I bought the 16 fl oz bottle of almond liquid soap for $9.99. The peppermint one costs a dollar cheaper for the same size because the clerk told me that they have to remain competitive with Trader Joe’s. You stated a 32-oz bottle costs $8.99. I’m not sure if this is because you are in a different area as I am (South Jersey area). Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Jenn,
Yup, it’s probably a regional thing. Our price is from Target here in Richmond. Oh and you can also find it affordably on amazon.com so that’s worth a look. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Elisa says
Evan = Guy? Girl? Or did I miss something?
“And just because SHE’S such a pro, Evan even included HIS resources so you can learn more or see where HE got HIS facts. Gotta love a GIRL who’s so thorough and considerate”
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Elisa,
Good catch! If you scroll back through the comments you can actually see that we learned Evan was a she only after we published the post. We went back and tried to fix all the pronouns afterwards but it looks like we missed a few. All fixed now! Thank goodness Evan is not only extremely sweet to share her homemade recipes she’s also extremely understanding about any name mix-ups. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Lisa says
I do a bowl of water for cleaning the microwave, but with a few whole cloves and half a lemon. The steam softens up all gunk in the microwave so it wipes right off, and the cloves make the kitchen smell delicious. Then the lemon goes down the garbage disposal to freshen it up!
ashley bailey says
Is there something that you recommend from this list or something you use that is affordable yet works for most things? I was excited about this list but found it overwhelming to think I would have to use tons of combinations for just basic household cleaning. I’m looking to be more efficient and willing to make my own cleaners, I just don’t want to have a different cleaner for every little thing I clean, especially the more frequent things to clean.
ashley bailey says
For instance, in an all purpose type of cleaner, like the one mentioned above, I’d like to be able to have something that I could keep mixed up and not everytime I want to use it. Is the above like that? Thanks so much!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, you can keep an all purpose cleaner mixed and on hand in a spray bottle for easy use. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Amanda says
I wanted to report back on the items I’ve been using and attempt to explain how much I love them:
The powered dishwasher and laundry detergents work fabulously for, like, $5 a month (maybe less). SERIOUSLY! I make batches of detergents once a month, doubling or tripling the recipes above. I go to Costco and stock up once every month and a half -ish (5 lb bag of baking soda = $6; 2 gal of vinegar = $3). Washing soda and borax are about $3 each and Fels-Naptha bar is $1, all at most grocery stores.
I use vinegar and baking soda for everything (except hardwoods), from the tiles in the tub, to the garbage disposal (sometimes lemon juice instead of vinegar), countertop, windows, drains (clogs), EVERYTHING!
Castilles is so awesome, too.
Also, I get recycled and recyclable/compostable paper and plastic goods here: http://letsgogreen.biz/. They even give a portion of proceeds to charity if you designate one on the website.
Thanks so much for these awesomely responsible and cash-saving tips! I’ve given them to everyone!
YoungHouseLove says
So glad to hear that you’re putting these “recipes” to good use! It sounds like you’re saving tons of money and we bet your house shines like nobody’s business!
xo,
s
J Rob says
Hi guys
What is a washing soda?
Also, how do you apply the baking soda on the bathtub/bathroom tile to scour? I can’t find an effective way to do this. Thanks
YoungHouseLove says
It’s kind of like baking soda. If you scroll back through the comments you’ll see that you can find it pretty easily and that it’s super affordable. As for how to apply the baking soda on the bathrub/bathroom tile, how about a sponge with one of those textured sides for scrubbing? Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Kristin says
Hey guys! Thanks to your handy new “Topics” list, I stumbled on this article just in time for spring cleaning. I tried to look through all of the previous comments to see if you’d already answered this question, but it didn’t take long for my eyes to glaze over; sorry if this is a repeat…
Can you add tea tree, peppermint, lemon, etc. essential oils to any of these mixtures to create a more pleasing odor (“eau de elementary school science project,” anyone)? I would assume so, but I’m not sure if they would leave a residue or cause some sort of strange reaction.
Thanks, and keep up the great work!
YoungHouseLove says
We agree that it stands to reason that you can add any of those for fragrance but we’re not 100% sure since these formulas aren’t ours (and we’re admittedly new at the homemade cleaning formula thing). We always stick to the descriptions and don’t deviate out of fear of messing something up. Maybe you can google around for that answer (or check back to see if any readers know more on the subject than we do). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Felicity says
Have you guys found a natural fabreeze-type concoction? I have a natural lavender essential oil spray thingy for pillows, but it’s expensive and I’m looking for an alternative to spritz our bed with each morning before we make it. I’d also like to use it on the couch and in the car as a deodorizer that doesn’t require vacuuming (like sprinkling baking soda would).
YoungHouseLove says
How about a spray bottle of water with a drop or two of essential oil for some subtle scent? You can probably grab a small bottle of rose oil, eucalyptus oil or even lavender oil at a whole foods store and just add a drop or two to an the entire spray bottle full of water (so it’ll practically last a lifetime). You might want to test it first on an old pillowcase or towel to be sure that it’s not too strong and that it doesn’t stain but we would assume if it’s that watered down and you’re spraying it on (as opposed to dousing it with a gallon of the stuff) it wouldn’t. Hope it helps!
xo.
s
Dena says
I was wondering if you know of a website that offers eco info on household products…like the Skin Deep cosmetics database does… I saw the post on the daily shower spray recipe and it included Jet Dry. I am wondering about the eco impact of Jet Dry…then that got me thinking about laundry (don’t know how I made that leap). I use Biz to get me out of many a tough laundry situation and I was wondering about its eco impact, too.
Anyway, I love your site–info and inspiration all wrapped up in one!
Dena
P.S. I have to say I love the name “Young House Love” much better than “This Young House.” In the end, the whole ordeal was a blessing…Young House Love suits your fun personalities so much more!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Dena,
Unfortunately we don’t know of a site like that (although we love Skin Deep and hope that the Environmental Working Group expands to include cleaning products someday). There definitely are some 100% organic and fair trade cleaning products like Dr. Bronners or Seventh Generation that you can rely on in the meantime since they have nice high eco standards that you can trust. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Chandra says
I have a 2 month old so is the laundry detergent baby skin friendly? I hope so because as a single mom every penny matters in our house.
YoungHouseLove says
It’s definitely all natural and no toxic so that sounds perfect for babies to us. We have actually been washing the beanette’s clothes in vinegar (which rids them of some of the dyes and chemicals that non organic clothes come covered in) and they come out super soft and don’t smell at all. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Lisa says
These are great! We’re just finishing up the last of our store-bought cleaners and I plan on making my own from now on.
One question, though – I checked out the Fels Naptha soap and noticed that it contains some animal byproduct ingredients. Sodium tallowate, tallow acid, and probably the glycerin are derived from slaughtered cows. As a vegan, I’m hoping to find an inexpensive alternative to this one ingredient. Do you know of any?
You mentioned in the response above that you’ve been washing the beanette’s clothes in vinegar. Is that by hand or in the washing machine?
Thanks! Love you guys :).
YoungHouseLove says
In the washing machine! I’m not really a by-hang girl when it comes to washing clothes. Except for delicates and things like that. As for the Fels Naptha soap I’m so sorry but we don’t know of any alternatives. Maybe you can google around for other formulas. We’re sure there’s more than one approach! Good luck…
xo,
s
Lisa says
Nevermind! I poked around a little more on the internet and found this link, which recommends Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Castille Soap as an alternative to Fels Naptha. Here’s a vegan recipe for laundry detergent, for anyone who might be interested!
http://chetroy.com/healthyvegan/?p=135
YoungHouseLove says
Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing that info!
xo,
s
Chandra says
Vinegar you say? Interesting. I will give that a try. Thank you!
marla lundquist says
Is there anything besides vinegar that can be used as fabric softener? I’m ready to start hanging the clothes outside to dry but my children do not like their clothes being “hard”,as they call it, but I don’t want my clothes to smell like vinegar!
marla lindquist says
What can I use to make LIQUID dish soap? I only run the dishwasher when full so sometimes I need to clean just one or two things.
YoungHouseLove says
Good questions. Anyone have any ideas for Marla?
xo,
s
Marla Lundquist says
I have found a way to make the liquid dish detergent. Soap Nuts, they are supposedly good for cleaning, laundry, repelling insects on people and in the home. This may be too good to be true one all natural product that does it all!!
YoungHouseLove says
Great tip! Thanks for sharing. We know they sell them at greendepot.com for anyone looking for them!
xo,
s
Jackie says
Found whole soap nuts ( approx 12 per pack) at local middle eastern Indian store in the spice section. They were $3.00 CAD per pack. I am not sure where the soap substitute comes from, the outside of the shell or the inside, so I crack them with a hammer and put them in an old sock and throw in the wash.
Leigh says
I love this article – I have been thinking about slowly switching over to homemade cleansers for a while – I have been waiting to use up all that I have already bought.
My question is – I know you have tried to remove BPA from your house – do you buy spray bottles that are BPA free? Do you buy glass ones or what? If so where do you find them?
Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Leigh,
We have done our best to remove BPA from our lives when it will be absorbed by our body (studies show that drinking from BPA bottles can transfer BPA to your body, but using plastic spray bottles to clean doesn’t seem to transfer it since you don’t drink from them). For that reason, all of our tupperware is glass, and we have stainless steel sport bottles to drink from- but for cleaning we still have regular old plastic spray bottles. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Melissa @Cellulite Investigation says
We just moved into a new house and now I have to figure out how to clean it! I don’t want to use all the chemically products people usually use for this sort of thing, so this post is EXACTLY what I need right now. I’m off to make my list of cleaning ingredients and then to the store to stock up. Good thing I just bought a huge jug of the Dr. Bronner’s castile soap and several spray bottles from home depot. Thanks for putting all these recipes in one place!