Environmentally
safe DIY Cleaning Recipes
Have
you ever used one of those spray-and wipe cleaner but feels like choking on
the "aromas" everytime? Or the stain remover that 'fights the toughest
stains', and your eyes begin to water?
For many of us, we have been so desensitised to the many chemicals used in
the mass-produced cleaning products we are practically 'immune' to the fumes
and chemicals released by the products.
Every
time we use a toxic cleaning product in our home, we introduce chemicals that
linger for a long time. These toxins build up in the home and may lead to
ailments such as respiratory or skin allergies.
Here's
are a few quick and simple DIY recipes which are SAFE for our family's health
and the environment:
Disinfectant
- Mix 1/2 cup
of borax (a natural mineral that kills mold and bacteria) with 1 litre of
hot water
- Add a few
sprigs of fresh thyme or peppermint
- Steep for
10minutes, strain and cool
- Store in a
recycled plastic spray bottle and use as desired
- Optional:
add a few drops of lemon or tea tree essential oils to the mixture
Floor
Cleaner
- Mix 1 cup
of white vinegar with 4 cups of hot water
- For greasy
floors, add 1/4 cup of washing soda and 1 tablespoon of grated natural soap
to the above mixture
- To tame the
vinegar scent, add 2-3 drops of peppermint or lavender essential oils
Oven
Cleaner
- Make a paste
of baking soda and hot water
- Sponge onto
stains and wipe clean
Bathroom
Mould Remover
- Mix 1/2 cup
of white vinegar and 1/2 cup of borax to 2 cups of water
- Pour the mixture
on mouldy areas and let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub with a brush
or cloth. If the mould or mildew is still visible, use the mixture twice.
- To clean the
toilet bowl, combine equal parts of baking soda, Borax and white vinegar.
Pour generously around the bowl and scrub with a brush. Or leave overnight
if badly stained.
Laundry
Cleaning Mixture
- To
a normal wash load, add
1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide (available from pharmacy) for bleaching effect
and 1/2 cup of baking soda to deodorise.
- If your local
pharmacy does not stock hydrogen peroxide, you can substitute it with 1/2
cup of white vinegar and 1/2 cup lemon juice as alternative.
Drains
Unclogger
- To
remove grease and hair from drains and pipes, use equal parts of vinegar,
salt and baking soda. Pour
the mixture down the drain and let it stand for 15minutes. Then pour boiling
water down the drain. A very environmentally friendly recipe!
