Ingredients for Homemade Green Cleaners
BAKING SODA (comes in a large box in the baking aisle)
ESSENTIAL OILS (mint, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, or tea tree*)
GLYCERIN (in stain-removing recipes because it helps oil mix with water)
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE (3% – useful in kitchens and bathrooms)
LIQUID SOAP (vegetable-based or castile soap such as Dr. Bronner’s)
LIQUID DETERGENT (vegetable oil-based vs. petroleum-based)
VINEGAR (white distilled vinegar derived from grain)
WASHING SODA (sodium carbonate – in the laundry detergent aisle)
*Note: These ingredients may be toxic in their concentrated form. When used in small amounts in cleaning recipes, they are non-toxic.
Recipes for Non-Toxic Cleaners
Several websites offer non-toxic, do-it-yourself recipes including tub and tile cleaner, furniture polish, glass cleaner, rust remover, and drain opener.
• “Homemade, Non Toxic Household Cleaners” by Karen Logan from Clean House, Clean Planet, Pocket Books, 1997. http://www.ecomall.com/greenshopping/coamerica.htm
• “How to Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit” from Healthy Living by Annie B. Bond, April 3, 2009 http://www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-own-non-toxic-cleaning-kit.html
• “Clean Housekeeping: Toxic Free Solutions.” Natural Resources Council of Maine free downloadable brochure: http://www.nrcm.org/publication_housekeeping.asp
