Green Cleaning - DIY Cleaning Recipes



One thing I like about this blog is that it sometimes spurs me to make changes sooner than I might have otherwise.  But more often, I am a better compiler than doer.  Such is the case with Do-It-Yourself cleaners.  By far my favorite DIY cleaner has one ingredient: vinegar. But I haven't ventured too far beyond it.  But I am hoping to expand my DIY repertoire soon (especially when my current cleaners run out), and when I do, here are the resources I will turn to:

Martha Stewart Healthy Cleaning Habits: Do-It-Yourself Cleaners
DIY All-Purpose Cleaners
DIY Carpet Cleaners
DIY Dishwashing Liquid
DIY Drain Cleaners
DIY Fabric Refreshers
DIY Fabric Softeners
DIY Floor Cleaner
DIY Furniture Polish
DIY Laundry Detergent
DIY Silver Polish
DIY Oven Cleaner
DIY Spray Starch
DIY Stain Remover
DIY Tub and Tile Cleaner
DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner

DIY Glass Cleaner

Care2: How to Make a Non-toxic Cleaning Kit
(PDF of shopping list and all recipes)
Creamy Soft ScrubberWindow Cleaner
Oven Cleaner
All-purpose Spray Cleaner
Furniture Polish
Vinegar Deodorizer
Mold Killers

Women's Voices for the Earth: Green Cleaning Recipes
All-purpose cleanerCreamy soft scrub
Furniture polish
Toilet bowl cleaner (2 options)
Drain opener
Laundry detergent

Washington Toxics Coalition: Recipes for Safer Cleaning
Bathroom CleanerWindow Cleaner
Drain Cleaner
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Oven Cleaner
Copper Cleaner

Green Upgrader: 6 Reasons Why You Should Be Cleaning Your House with Lemon Juice
Whitener
Degreaser
DeodorizerStain remover
All purpose cleaner
Glass cleaner


The Vinegar Institute: Uses and Tips
Household Hints
Laundry Hints
Food Preparation
Health
Kids Stuff
Berry Ink and Quill Pens


Arm and Hammer Baking Soda: Solutions (uses by category and room)
BabyBathroom
Carpets & Floors
General Household
Kitchen
Laundry
Outside
Pets
Garage




DIY cleaners are a great way to save money and reduce your use of plastic.  Instead of buying new plastic containers of store-bought cleaners, you buy a couple of spray bottles and fill them again and again with your own cleaning concoctions (mixed from ingredients you bought in bulk in non-plastic containers, ideally).  If you are not up to making your own cleaners yet, here are some other ways to reduce your use of plastic related to cleaning:
  • Buy green cleaners! You will expose your family and the environment to fewer harmful chemicals while supporting green businesses.
  • Lower your standards and clean less. You'll save money on cleaners and reduce the amount of plastic packaging you recycle/discard.
  • Use cleaners that come in concentrated form. I use Murphy's Oil Soap on my floor, and the one bottle I bought has kept me going for well over a year now. I just mix up the concentrate with some water in my own spray bottle

The complete Green Cleaning Series:

What are your DIY cleaning tips? 

8 comments:

  1. What an amazing resource you have compiled here!!!!

    As for the popcorn, I too was baffled that you could do it on the stove and SHOCKED how incredibly yummy it was, with or without the caramel...love these surprises. ;) Thanks for commenting.
    I am also following you on twitter now- get excited. :)
    Emily/Miss Mommy
    http://www.theadventuresofmissmommy.com/

    ReplyDelete
  2. Just b/c you did such an excellent job of compiling this, I FB'd it and Tweeted it. thanks for your effort here!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Not sure why my sign-in changed...? I guess I am Emily & Miss Mommy, tho. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a great resource this is. I just found your site and will be adding links to here for others to find as well:) Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi there! I also just found your website and am really enjoying it. (Came over from Emily's link on Facebook.) Just read the series you did about making your own bread--looks great! Making my own bread is one of the things I'd like to start doing this year.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have been wanting to do this, too! Thanks for doing all the research for me! :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks, Emily/Miss Mommy for the social media love. I'm happy some of you can use this resource.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow, what a list! I love cleaning with baking soda, but it never occurred to me to check out the Arm & Hammer site. Thanks for the link!

    ReplyDelete

Have something to say? Please leave a comment!
I read all comments and try to respond to questions in a timely manner.
Comments are now moderated due to spam overload and have to be approved (by me) - so don't worry if your comment does not appear immediately after you publish it.

CONNECT WITH ME





© 2008-2020 Eco-novice: Going Green Gradually All Rights Reserved

Copyright © Eco-novice | Powered by Blogger

Design by Anders Noren | Blogger Theme by NewBloggerThemes.com