Greener Household Cleaners
35
Take a look under your kitchen sink and how many bottles, boxes, and sprays of cleaning “stuff”? Three? Five? Ten? Just for the fun of it, I actually did this last year when I finally decided to get serious about using greener household cleaners.
I counted 9 different products under my sink! Everything from Windex and Clorox Wipes to Comet and Lysol; and that’s without me looking under our bathroom sink! Pretty much your typical collection of go-to cleaners for whatever crazy mess I may ever imagine to encounter in our home. 
When I began finding green, frugal alternatives for cleaning and disinfecting our home, those nasty, toxic cleaners started disappearing, one by one. Would you believe it if I told you that you could replace everything under your sink with just a few non-toxic, cheap household products? Check out our cleaning dream team below.
The Dream Team:
Vinegar, Baking Soda, Peroxide, Alcohol (not pictured), Borax, Washing Soda, Essential Oils
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All-Purpose Cleaner & Disinfectant
A spray bottle with 50/50 solution of water and vinegar + a few drops of essential oil (tea tree or lavender)
Uses: counter-tops, stove-tops, floors, sinks, anywhere that could use a good wipe-down
Replaced: Clorox Wipes, Lysol, Swiffer Wet
NOTE: Don’t use this on marble/granite as the vinegar will eat away at it and may permanently etch the surface. See granite countertop cleaner below!
EDIT: I have also begun using my new and improved All-Purpose Cleaner 2.0! It’s great on laminate floors, windows, and stainless steel appliances! For the complete recipe, follow this link: Homemade Floor (And All-Purpose) Cleaner
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Granite Countertop Cleaner
Though it’s tempting to use the all-purpose cleaner on your granite countertops, it should NOT be used since it contains vinegar, which can cause etching on the surface over time (lemon juice is also a non-no). So here’s what has worked for me:
Just fill a quart-size spray bottle with 1/4 cup alcohol and a few drops of dish soap, swirl to combine, then top off with water. You may want to add some essential oils to help mask the alcohol smell.
Uses: granite counter-tops
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All-Natural Anti-Bacterial Spray
A spray bottle with some water and a few drops of essential oils. For the complete recipe, follow this link: All-Natural Anti-Bacterial Spray. I just spray this on surfaces after I’ve cleaned them for extra disinfecting action. Mostly on bathroom surfaces – just spray and let air-dry.
Uses: kitchen and bathroom surfaces in need of extra disinfecting action
Replaced: Lysol Disinfecting Spray
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Scouring Scrub
Spray with All-Purpose Cleaner, sprinkle with baking soda, scrub with a Sponge/Brush, then rinse clean.
Uses: sinks, bath tubs, toilet bowls, stove-tops, anything that could use some scrubbing action.
Replaced: Comet, Scrubbing Bubbles
Here’s how I’ve used this to clean up food spills on our glass-top stove:
Before
During
After
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Glass Cleaner
A spray bottle filled with 50/50 solution of water and vinegar, or
A spray bottle filled with 3 parts water and 1 part alcohol, or
My All-Purpose Cleaner 2.0 which includes water, alcohol, vinegar, and a couple drops of dish soap
Replaced: Windex
NOTE: I just spray it on the glass/mirrors/windows, then wipe up with a microfiber cloth – and never get streaks!
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Fruit/Vegetable Wash
One of two options:
For one or two items, I spray them with a 50/50 solution of vinegar/water, let them sit for a few minutes, rub them very well, then rinse with water.
For a bigger batch, fill a bowl with water and add 1/4 cup vinegar or peroxide + 2 tablespoons salt. Soak for 5-10 minutes then rinse very well
NOTE: Try to only wash what you will use immediately, otherwise, any remaining bacteria could start growing again.
Are you washing grapes? Check out my post on how to wash grapes the right way!
Just look at all the nasty stuff that will float to the top of the water:
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Cutting Board Disinfectant/Deodorizer
After cleaning with soap/water, sprinkle with baking soda, then spray with undiluted vinegar. Let it foam and bubble for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with cold water. If you’re in a hurry, you can just wash it with some peroxide to quickly disinfect it. Finish it off with a nice scent by either rubbing it with half a lemon or using a spray bottle filled with water and 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil (natural disinfectant) – just spray it on and let it air dry.
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Drain Cleaner
Pour 1/2 cup baking soda, followed by 1 cup vinegar down the drain. When the bubbling stops, flush it with hot water. After about 5 minutes, flush again with cold water.
Replaced: Drain-O/Liquid Plumber
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Floor Cleaner
To clean your laminate wood (and tile!) floors with a streak-free shine, make up a solution of water, vinegar, alcohol, a few drops of dish soap and essential oils. View the full post here for the complete recipe: Homemade Floor (And All-Purpose) Cleaner. This also works great for stainless steel appliances and glass/windows!
Replaced: Pine-Sol & Stainless Steel cleaner
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Carpet Cleaner
Rub light carpet stains with a mixture of 2 tablespoons salt dissolved in 1/2 cup vinegar. Let the solution dry, then vacuum. For larger or darker stains, add 2 tablespoons borax to the mixture and use in the same way.
Replaced: Resolve Carpet Cleaner
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Dishwasher Detergent & Rinse Aid
Mix 1 cup each of borax and washing soda and 1/4 cup each of citric acid and kosher salt. Use 1-2 tablespoons in the detergent compartment. To give your dishes a spotless shine, add some vinegar to the rinse aid compartment.
Replaced: Cascade detergent & Finish rinse aid
Well, that’s my list so far, and I’m sure I’ll be adding to it! So, who’s ready to kick out at least one commercial cleaner from under the sink and replace it with something on this list? Do you have any other recipes to add to this list? I’d love to hear from you
Where can you buy washing soda? Here are some tips on where to find washing soda (which is NOT the same as baking soda!)
- in the laundry aisle
- in the pool cleaner aisle at Walmart, brand name is AquaChem. Just make sure the only ingredient listed is sodium carbonate!
- call this phone number 1-800-524-1328 and have the UPC code 33200-03020. The service will ask for your zip code and then tell you places in your area that sell the item.
- you can make your own by cooking baking soda in the oven until it becomes washing soda!
Where can you buy essential oils? You can find them at any health food store that sells natural and organic products. If you can’t find a store near you, you can always purchase them online. Mountain Rose Herbs has really good quality oils – love them!
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What can I clean my granite countertops with? I am glad you told me about the vinegar. That is what I was using!
Hi Michelle, I just did a quick search for you, and it looks like alcohol works well. Just fill a quart-size spray bottle with 1/4 cup alcohol and a few drops of dish soap, swirl to combine, then top off with water. You may want to add some essential oils to help mask the alcohol smell.
Hope that helps! Let me know if it works (since I don’t have granite to test it on), and I’ll add this new info to the post!
Works like a charm!! Thanks soooooo much! I really don’t mind the smell as the alcohol evaporates really fast and doesn’t last long.
What is “washing soda”? Is that the same as baking soda?
Hi Jamie, no washing soda is not the same as baking soda, and they cannot be interchanged. Washing soda is sodium carbonate (whereas baking soda is sodium bicarbonate). You can usually find washing soda in the laundry aisle of your grocery store, and more likely than not, it will be from Arm-n-Hammer. If you can’t find it in a store near you, you can call the company and they’ll tell you the nearest place to your location. Call this phone number 1-800-524-1328 and have the UPC code 33200-03020. The service will ask for your zip code and then tell you places in your area that sell the item.
Hope that helps!
Also, sodium carbonate can be found in the pool cleaner aisle at Walmart. The brand I used is AquaChem. Just make sure the only ingredient listed is sodium carbonate. Great tips! Thanks!
Thanks Emilee! I’ll add this to the post to help others find it
I got my washing soda from Amazon.com. Free shipping, arrived in 2 days. Could not find it in my area.
Cool, thanks for that, Diane! I will update my list to include Amazon as well
you can turn your baking soda into washing soda really easily! I’m going to try this later today! http://naturesnurtureblog.com/2012/05/08/ttt-turn-baking-soda-into-washing-soda/
For those who can’t find the washing soda in your area, google how to make washing soda from baking soda. I came across the info several months ago. It actually works, my only suggestion is make sure you have your oven vent fan on when you do it and to do it in small batches
You know, Mimi, I came across this a few weeks ago too and I wanted to try it before I blogged about it. Glad to see it actually works, since I’m just about to run out. Also, thanks for the tips and suggestions!
You can’t really make baking soda washing soda. They are two totally different compounds. You can get it pretty cheap online from soap retailers.
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You are right that they are different compounds. The only difference is simply water and carbon dioxide. When you heat the baking soda at high temps (about 400 degrees for an hour), it releases steam and carbon dioxide, leaving you with washing soda.
Hmm…this may be interesting to try. Is it safe to breath which you are heating it or does it need to be very well vented? (sorry, trying to determine if it needs to be done outside with my soap stuff in the garage).
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Where can you find lavendar oil? I’m with you that I can’t handle too much vinegar smell, but I don’t know where to look for the oils you meniton.
I’ve just added this to the end of the post, but you can find essential oils at any health food store that sells organic or natural products. If you can’t find a store near you, you can always purchase them online. Mountain Rose Herbs has really good quality oils. Hope that helps!
I tried the vinegar/salt mixture to clean pet urine stains from the carpet. It did not work and my room smelled worse than ever. Stains actually looked darker too. I did not try the borax in the mixture yet. Where do get Borax from? Also, if anyone has suggestions on how to remove pet urine stains from carpets I would be EXTREMELY GRATEFUL!!!
Hi Farrah, pet urine stains is not something I have experience with and I’m so sorry you’re having trouble with it! You can find borax in the laundry aisle at the grocery store. Here’s a link with some other options to try to get the stain out: http://www.essortment.com/pet-care-tips-remove-pet-stains-carpet-46826.html
Hello Farrah, my mother had great success with a product called “FOLEX Instant Carpet Spot Remover”. She tried it on a cream colored area rug with an old cat urine stain. The smell and color are completely gone and there was no damage to the rug! The spray is safe enough for you to use your finger to rub in! My mom found it at a local Food Lion grocery store and here is the website: http://www.folex.net. Hope this helps.
mix 1 bottle peroxide with 1 cup of baking soda and 1 tbsp of dish soap….. thoroughly saturate the stain, scrub it in and wait till it dried and vacuum up the soda….. OR if the accident is fresh (ie still wet) sprinkle baking soda, and spray with vinegar, cover the area with an old plate or something similar (to protect it) and let it sit over night, vacuum up yellowed soda in the morning
Thanks for posting all your cleaner recipes! I love cleaning with natural ingredients. My husband can’t stand the smell of vinegar so I make my all-purpose cleaner with tea tree castile soap. Since vinegar can’t be used on marble and granite, it’s a great alternative for those surfaces.
http://www.ourhomemadehappiness.com/2012/02/homemade-all-purpose-cleaner.html
Thanks for sharing your link, Kendra! I do love castile soap and all it’s versatile uses. Some folks have mentioned making a citrus enzyme mix by steeping orange peels in vinegar for a couple weeks and shaking the jar every once in a while – it’s supposed to help with the vinegar smell. I’m going to try it and test it out some time.
Do you know what I can use to clean an acrylic tub? I have to be careful of what I use because it scratches easy. Thanks for the great tips!
Hi Sheri! I believe borax (or plain old baking sofa) would be a safe scouring agent that won’t scratch the surface. Maybe adding a little to some warm water and scrubbing with a soft sponge. You could even add some vinegar to the mix for extra mold/mildew removal power. If using borax, I would advise wearing gloves to protect your hands. Also, I would test out a small spot just to be sure before doing the rest of the tub. Hope that helps and let us know how it worked out!
Is there anything I should not use this all purpose cleaner on? I read it wouldn’t be good for granite and marble counters. Is this true?
Hey Ashley, I thought I included this on the post but guess not. Yes, you can’t use anything acidic (like vinegar or lemon juice) on granite because it will eat away at the finish and cause etching overtime.
I made a granite cleaner for my mom a couple weeks back and will post it soon, but it’s basically 1 cup water + 1/4 cup alcohol + few drops dish soap + few drops essential oil.
Hope that helps!
I made dishwasher soap. Unfortunately, it didn’t clean as good as my old Cascade. Well, back to Cascade. As soon I will finish my Jet dry in dishwasher I will try to use vinegar instead.
All purpose cleaner and dry laundry soap are working perfect. Thank you.
Fabulous! I have extreme sensitivity to chemicals, and most commercial cleaners will put me into a severe asthma attack. I can’t wait to try these recipes.
Love these posts!! Thank you so much!
I use your dishwasher detergent. And it does not work, it leaves a film over all my dishes. Am I doing something wrong?