Clean is not always green. Many cleaning products carry health warnings and contain chemicals and toxins not only harmful to you and your family, but they can damage the environment too. This usually ends up in rivers and the sea and affecting everything that lives there.
If you want to clean up your act, you have three options:
- Minimise the amount of cleaning products you use
- Choose environmentally friendly products
- Make your own with harmless ingredients
Green Cleaning Ingredients
1. White Vinegar: Natural disinfectant that also cuts grease. (Brown vinegar may stain)
2. Bicarbonate of Soda: This mildly abrasive alkaline powder neutralises grease and absorbs odours.
3. Washing Soda: A stronger version of bicarbonate of soda. It’s a natural cleaner and stain remover.
4. Lemon: The juice is a natural acidic cleaner and the lemons themselves can be used to scrub pots.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide: Natural antiseptic and bleaching agent (buy volume strength 10).
6. Essential Oils: Tea tree is an insect repellent and disinfectant, eucalyptus helps respiratory problems, thyme discourages bacteria, lavender soothes headaches and citrus oils are natural degreasers and disinfectants. Use a few drops only and avoid if pregnant.
Dishwasher Powder:
Combine 1 ¼ Cups (310ml) bicarbonate of soda, 3Tbsp (45ml) salt, 1 Tbsp (15ml) liquid soap and ½ cup (125ml) water. Add 6 to 10 drops essential oil if you like.
Laundry Liquid:
Mix 1 cup (250ml) washing soda, ½ cup (125ml) liquid soap and 8 cups (2L) water. Add essential oil of choice (optional). Use 1/3 cup (80ml) per 5kg load.
Stain Remover:
Apply undiluted lemon juice or vinegar to stain and leave for an hour.
Window Cleaner:
Mix 3Tbsp (45ml) vinegar with 2 cups (500ml) water. Add ½ tsp (3ml) liquid soap if windows are very dirty. Apply with newspaper, which is better than cloth for a smear and streak-free surface.
Floor Cleaner:
Dissolve ½ cup (125ml) bicarbonate of soda in a bucket of warm water. Add essential oil as desired. Rinse off with plain water. No-rinse option: Add ¼ cup (60ml) vinegar to a bucket of warm water. Add essential oil as desired.
Clean Tips
- Don’t use vinegar on natural stone, wood or waxed surfaces, it could ruin the finish.
- Keep mixtures in labelled airtight containers.
- Keep liquid in spray bottles.
- Most ingredients should keep several months.
- Cut up soft cotton rags or sheets to use as cloths.
- Vinegar has quite a pungent smell, so use sparingly or add essential oils to offset.
- Some ingredients may be mildly caustic (corrosive) and give off fumes so wear gloves and keep cleaning spaces well ventilated.
- Apply mixes and rinse off unless stated otherwise
Make the most of the natural ingredients to keep your home and laundry spick and span!