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Frugal & Natural Cleaning:
Strong, toxic chemicals and petrochemicals are making their way intoour
homes and water supply. Although we can't completely control what
others do, we can make small changes in our lives to reduce these
dangerous chemicals in our homes, gardens, and communities. One way to
do this is by using homemade cleaners as our ancestors did, even though
they at times require a bit more elbow grease. There are many
inexpensive and healthier alternatives to the array of commercial
cleaners on the market today.
With just a few common household ingredients many general and specialty
cleaners can easily and inexpensively be made. Below are some basic
ingredients you will need as well as cleaning supplies to create your
homemade cleaning kit. Always make sure to label the bottles of your
homemade cleaners.
Cleaning
Ingredients:
- White
Vinegar (Acetic Acid):
White distilled vinegar (other vinegars
can stain) is one of my
favorite cleaning ingredients for it's versatility. It is highly useful
in cleaning most surfaces, removing mineral and soap deposits, cutting
grease, removing stains, disinfecting, and also has many laundry and
gardening uses.
- Baking
Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate):
Baking soda is an all purpose, non-toxic
cleaner. It's mild abrasive
with many cleaning, stain removal, freshening and deodorizing purposes.
- Salt:
Salt is a stronger abrasive helpful in
those tough situations. Care should be taken not to scratch delicate
surfaces.
- Borax
(Sodium Borate):
Borax is a natural mineral that kills mold
and bacteria. An alternative to bleach, it deodorizes, removes stains
and boosts the cleaning power of soap. Borax can be found under the
name 20 Mule Team, in the laundry aisle or at Soaps
Gone Buy.
Note: label any cleaner made with borax, since it is
mildly toxic.
- Cornstarch:
Cornstarch can be used to starch clothes,
as well as absorbing oils and grease.
- Essential
Oils:
Essential oils can be used for
disinfecting, medicinal, and fragrance. They can easily be found in
most health food stores.
Note:
Do not confuse with fragrance oils, which are not natural.
- Lemon
Juice (Citric Acid):
Lemon juice can be used to cut through
grease and remove perspiration and other stains from clothing. It is
used as a bleach alternative.
- Castile
soap:
Castile soap can be purchased at a health
food store. This is an all natural soap made from vegetable oils
(mostly olive oil).
- Washing
Soda (Sodium Carbonate):
Cleans
clothes, softens water, cuts grease and disinfects. It also increases
the cleaning power of soap. Washing soda is available at Soaps Gone Buy.
Cleaning
Supplies:
- Sponges
- Old towels, hand towels, and dish towels
- Old newspapers (great for cleaning windows)
- Old toothbrushes
NOTE: Sponges can be
cleaned and disinfected by either soaking in white vinegar overnight
(the acetic acid in the vinegar will kill germs) or by microwaving for
1 minute.
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Frugal Finances
