Making your own eco-friendly cleaning products

While thumbing through last months issue of Conscious Choice, I came across a brief article entitled, "Alchemistas of Clean." It asked, "What's the best way to know-I mean really know-you're scrubbing that floor with an unadulterated, tried-and-true non-toxic product? By making it yourself, of course."

I excitedly read on, hoping for a few recipes and suggestions. But, it was about hosting today's green craze version of a Tupperware party: a Green Cleaning party. Apparently, if you pledge to host one of these parties, Women's Voices for the Earth will send you information on using basic household products instead of commercial cleaning products that contain nasty chemicals that are harmful to you and the environment.

I figured, with the internet at our fingertips, why not just compile some information in an easily accessible way and blog it?

So here you go:

Bathroom Cleaner (for tile and tub)

1 2/3 cups Baking soda
1/2 cup Liquid detergent (liquid soap can leave a residue)
2 Tablespoons White distilled vinegar
1/2 cup Water
10-15 drops Essential Oil, like lavender or tea tree (optional)

Shake well before using, use a spray bottle to apply to toilet bowl or tile and let sit before scrubbing.

Glass Cleaner

Good ol' club soda works great! Did you know that most glass cleaners are 95% water and contain ammonia, alcohol, and detergents that are irritating to breath?

Kitchen Cleaner

1 cup water
1 cup vinegar

Mix in a spray bottle and use for all your kitchen surfaces and for cast iron skillets.

Rust Remover

Sprinkle a little salt on the rust, squeeze a lime over the salt until it is nicely soaked in the lime juice. Let sit for a couple hours and use the leftover rind as a scrubber. Voila!

Furniture Polish

1 part white distilled vinegar
3 parts olive oil
squeeze of natural lemon oil (not synthetic!)

For Slow running drains

Pour 1/2 to 3/4 cup baking soda into the drain, and dribbling just enough hot water to wash the solution down. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, then flush thoroughly with hot water. The deodorizing effect is an added bonus! [Do not use this method on blocked drains.]

Clogged Shower head

Soak in undiluted white vinegar to remove deposit build-up