diy cleaning products for a sustainable sanctuary
Table of Content
Welcome to a world where cleanliness meets consciousness! Transforming your home into a green haven not only supports a healthier lifestyle but also contributes to a sustainable planet. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the process of creating your own DIY cleaning products that are not only effective but also eco-friendly. Let’s embark on a journey to a cleaner, greener home!
the green cleaning revolution
Green home cleaning has grown in popularity as awareness of the effects of harmful chemicals to not only the environment, but also our health, has grown.
From caustic cleaners to laundry detergent, every type of home cleaner has been scrutinized for its chemical makeup, longevity, and even its disposal. For good reason – if you have visited Niagara Falls, for example, you may have noticed the permanent suds at the base creating a grey film across the river. This pollutant is attributed to laundry detergent and is devastating to wild life.
The great news is there are lots of brands tackling these issues, and there are also homemade solutions which have the added benefit of being very affordable.
your green clean shopping list
Creating a variety of cleaners in the house is relatively straight forward and requires only a handful of ingredients.
-Water – most cleaners are water-based solutions
-Disinfectant – disinfectants kill bacteria and tend to be highly acidic. Lemon juice, white vinegar, and apple cider vinegar are great options
-Odor absorption and stain removal – baking soda’s fizzy properties when combined with water make it an excellent stain remover
-Scent – essential oils, dried herbs, rinds, are all great options to infuse into a cleaner
-Miscellaneous bases – ammonia, bleach (note – never mix ammonia and bleach as it creates chlorine gas which can be lethal), dish soap, borax, rubbing alcohol, corn starch, olive oil
-Containers – glass options last a long time, are versatile, and infinitely recyclable – not to mention they can look very chic
all-purpose wonder
Great for disinfecting surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom, the vinegar neutralizes bacteria and at less than $3 for a large container, you cannot beat the cost. For an added bonus, let lemon or orange rinds cure overnight to neutralize the sharp vinegar small.
Simply combine 1 cup of vinegar (or infused vinegar) with equal parts water and a few drops of essential oils. Please note if you have pets, especially cats, essential oils are not recommended as they can be toxic to them. For the full recipe, check out Live Simply.
home-made glass cleaner
The key to a great glass cleaner is being streak-free. Windex uses wax to accomplish this, but corn starch combined with rubbing alcohol and white vinegar in a water solution also does the trick. For the full recipe, check out The Spruce.
wood polish
Wood polish can emit some harsh fumes depending on the brand but a natural remedy can be found easily in your kitchen which not only polishes, it disinfects too. Olive oil combined with white vinegar, water, and essential oils creates an affordable and hypoallergenic solution for keeping furniture conditioned and protected. The full recipe can be found at housewifehowtos.com. Careful on the amount of vinegar as it can have a bleaching effect.
There are many more recipes available throughout the web to green-ify your home cleaning ritual. Once you get the basics, it becomes easier to create and tweak your own and you can feel good doing it because not only are you saving money, you are cutting waste and removing hazardous chemicals from your home. There are also home cleaning services available who specialize in sustainable home care. On pigybak, find sustainable companies using the filter on the “Active Services” screen and reach out to them to understand what sustainable practices they infuse into their businesses. Happy cleaning!
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