Effective DIY Non-Toxic Cleaning Products Ingredients. How to make homemade and effective cleaning products. Ingredients and Recipes Guide.
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Green Ingredients for Non-Toxic Effective Cleaning
Before we get into the ingredients that go into DIY cleaning products and their properties, check out my post on why you should ditch chemical-based cleaning products and their impact on your health. If you are convinced and ready to make the switch, keep reading!
Now that we got the nasty details of chemical-based cleaners out of the way; Now what? What are the alternatives? Are they effective?
YES! But, you have to choose the right formula for the right job. When it comes to green cleaning, you have two options, a DIY product, or purchase green cleaning products from the many different labels. First, I will show you how to prepare several simple formulas that are effective, easy to make, wallet-friendly, and smell amazing. I will also share with you some of my favorite green products you can purchase when the job calls for it!
Effective DIY Non-Toxic Cleaning Products Ingredients
You can easily make non-toxic cleaning products with essential oils and ingredients commonly found in your kitchen cabinet. A prepared 16 oz bottle of DIY homemade toxin-free cleaner will cost you a fraction of the cost of a purchased “green product”. When I started making my own, I purchased several glass spray bottles. There are many options.
These are the ones I got:
Empty Amber Glass Spray Bottles with Labels (2 Pack) – 16oz Refillable Container for Essential Oils, Cleaning Products, or Aromatherapy – Durable Black Trigger Sprayer w/Mist and Stream Settings
16oz Clear Glass Spray Bottles with Measurements – Empty Reusable Refillable Container with Funnel and Labels for Mixing Essential Oils, Homemade Cleaning Products (2 Pack)
Effective DIY Non-Toxic Cleaning Ingredients and Recipes
DIY Non-Toxic Cleaning Ingredients From Your Cabinet
Vinegar – Vinegar is a well-known cleaning agent and very natural; if you can put it in your salad, you know it is safe. It is so effective because it is an acid. The acid in vinegar destroys bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli. It is important to note that while it kills bacteria, it is not an approved disinfectant by the CDC to kill viruses. But according to this study, 10% malt vinegar is strong enough to kill the flu! Yet white distilled vinegar is the favorite for green cleaning.
Also, it is not safe for all surfaces, so you need to be careful where you use it. I have polished marble floors and vinegar will damage the polish. Also, it should not be mixed with hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, or castile soap.
Here are some good recipes and tips on how and where to use it
Vinegar Based Cleaners Recipes
Hydrogen Peroxide – A commonly used disinfectant. Disinfects, deodorizes, and sanitizes surfaces. It is also anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-mold, and anti-mildew. It is very effective in removing tough stains when combined with baking soda.
Take a look at this article comparing Hydrogen Peroxide to QUATs
Baking Soda Based and Essential Oils Cleaner Recipes for Non-Toxic Effective Cleaning
Baking Soda Baking soda is a powerful, multi-use powerful. It can be used to deodorize, degrease, and clean nearly everything in your home
Cleaning With Essential Oils
Why use essential oils?
It is good for your health -essential oils are potent antioxidants with versatile health benefits. You’ll be inhaling the aromas of these powerful drops as you clean your home. And they are extremely capable of destroying microbes such as viruses, bacteria and fungi!
Makes your house smell good
It saves you money – A few drops of essential oils will go a long way. Natural cleaners can get very pricey. A few bottles of essential oils and a handful of reusable glass spray bottles will save you a lot of cash over time and it is good for the environment.
Essential Oils Properties Guide for Non-Toxic Effective Cleaning
There is no set rule on what essential oils to use. There are so many options with similar properties. It all depends on the scent you like and the type of cleaning you intend to do. Here is a list of some of my favorites and their amazing properties.
Lavender Essential Oil – Wonderful scent with calming and relaxing properties that promote sleep and ease tension and anxiety. But this oil also has antibacterial properties. This is a perfect oil for homemade hand soap and to use in the laundry with its many therapeutic uses and flowery scent.
Lemon Essential Oil – When diffused, it purifies the air, clearing the room of pathogens. It gets rid of bad smells, is antibacterial and antifungal, it can inhibit Listeria, Salmonella, E.coli, and Staph. Also, it is a great option for DIY wood polish.
Orange Essential Oil – One of the most popular scents in cleaning products. The natural essential oil is antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal.
Oregano Essential Oil – packed with bactericidal phenols that can help you improve your Kitchen and Bathroom cleaning. It is strong enough to inhibit E Coli and germs commonly found in hot tubs, pools, and standing water. This is a great option for areas exposed to moisture.
Tea Tree Essential Oil also called Melaleuca – Tea tree oil is a great option, it smells amazing and it has powerful antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. It is good for mold and mildew, and for all-purpose cleaners to clean, floors, sinks, countertops. It also has the added benefit to boost the immune system and purifies the air. It can be used as a cleaning agent and it also cures infections such as athlete’s foot and warts. Take a look at this article published in Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. Their research showed that tea tree oil combined with eucalyptus essential oil was successful at fighting staph infection and E. coli. Tea tree oil blends well with lemon, lavender, and ylang-ylang essential oils.
Thyme essential oil (thymol chemotype) – This a wonderful option. It has many health benefits, it is calming, it deodorizes, it is antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal. A very good option for kitchen counters and chopping boards as it can inhibit salmonella and other food borne bacteria. Blends well with lavender, oregano, grapefruit, and rosemary essential oils.
Clove essential oil – Another great alternative with antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. Good to combat E. coli, Staph Aureus, pneumonia-causing Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, and Mold.
Peppermint Essential Oil – I love the refreshing smell of peppermint. It is also a natural insect repellent and pesticide. And has powerful antibacterial properties. A great option for bathrooms as it effective against bacteria commonly found in toilets. Mixes well with lemongrass, tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus essential oils.
Eucalyptus essential oil: This is a widely used natural remedy. When diffused can kill germs in the air and clear sinuses. It is also antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. It has antimicrobial effects on bacteria that cause tuberculosis, staph infections, different viruses, and fungi, including Candida It is good for mildew and mold. Mixes well with peppermint, lavender, and lemon essential oils
Other Essential Oils with disinfecting power include rosemary, wild orange, lemongrass, and geranium
Brands I recommend
- Aura Acacia
- Plant Therapy
- DoTerra (This is the priciest and I don’t recommend it for cleaning. It won’t give you better cleaning power). I would use these in a diffuser or for therapeutic purposes.
Castile Soap Based and Essential Oils Cleaner Recipes for Non-Toxic Effective Cleaning
Castile soap is a great option if you have surfaces that could be damaged by vinegar such as natural stone tiles, marble, granite, etc. Also, some people really do not like the smell of vinegar. Castile Soap is effective and highly concentrated so it is very economical for DIY cleaners.
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