Top Ten: DIY Natural Cleaning Products

When you see words like CAUTION, POISON, DANGER, or WARNING on the labels of your cleaning products, what is your immediate reaction?

I began to search or tutorials on how to make my own cleaning products. I discovered that there's a plethora of information to draw from. Thank goodness there are many simple and safe products that can be used to clean our home that will dramatically lessen my family’s exposure to toxins and chemicals, most of the ingredients already stashed in our cupboards.

Suddenly, my dilemma was not finding the information I needed. Rather, I couldn't choose which tutorial to try. I have since narrowed my selection to a top ten:

1. Citrus Scrub
Savvy Brown concocted a simple citrus scrub for just about every ceramic, stainless steel, chrome and coated glass (not the mirrors) surface in her house. I found many recipes using orange peels, but this lemon scrub sounded zesty and fresh. Savvy Brown reports that the product was amazing!

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2. Soft Scrub

The Cleaning Crew shares a recipe for All Natural Soft Scrub, that "quickly cuts through soap scum and grime, and rinses much quicker and cleaner than the store bought versions, which usually sticks to the surfaces and requires rinsing and wiping repeatedly, a huge waste of water and time." They added tangerine essential oil to give it a fresh, fruity scent.

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3. Laundry Detergent

There are many sites that offer recipes for homemade laundry detergent. I like how Sweeter Lemon clearly describes her process for making the soap, provides links to purchase product ingredients, and adds a little humor. She sums up her project as a huge success.

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4. Dishwasher Detergent

"Pretty jar. Cheap detergent. World changer." Simply Bloom makes this recipe seem so easy that it's ridiculous not to make it! Not only that, but the pictures on her blog are enough to have made me hang around for a while. It's definitely worth a peak.

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5. Thieves Oil - Wood Cleaner
Thieves Oil has been used for centuries and is said to be anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-viral and anti-fungal. It's most known for its use during the 15th century for protection against the plague. For cleaning purposes, it works well on wood, tile, mirrors and glass. Do It Yourself and Save offers a recipe for you to make your own.

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6. Window Cleaner

Instead of harsh smelling chemicals, The Daily Green suggests a combination of natural ingredients from your kitchen cupboard for a quick and easy window cleaner. Try wiping down the solution with recycled newspaper instead of a towel for streak-free results.

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7. Grout Cleaner

Tip Nut offers a thorough list of grout cleaning tips and recipes. A few of the recipes contain ammonia and bleach, but several recipes include more gentle alternatives.

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8. Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Baking soda is a staple in most homes and is useful for cooking and cleaning, and it's a key ingredient in many home remedies. Frugally Sustainable shares an effective, natural recipe for toilet bowl cleaner, so her family isn't exposed to harsh toxins.

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9. Stain Remover For Clothes

Have you considered soaking your -chocolate-stained clothes in club soda? What do you do about collar rings or perspiration stains? Green Living at National Geographic offers a helpful list of stain removers for clothes to target specific stubborn stains.

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Drum roll, please...

10. Carpet Shampoo

Carpet cleaners don't have to be expensive or toxic to work well. In fact, they don't even have to be purchased in a store. Make your own spot remover and steam cleaning solutions with vinegar, and enjoy clean carpets for less while protecting your family and the environment. Erin Huffstetler, who writes for Frugal Living, outlines the benefits of cleaning with vinegar:

Benefits of Cleaning with Vinegar

• inexpensive
• no harsh chemicals
• effective sanitizer
• effective deodorizer
• effective stain remover
• safe for use around pets and kids

Bonus:
Did you know that you can use Mayonnaise to remove water stains from your wood furniture? The fat in the mayonnaise is reabsorbed into the ring thus causing the ring to disappear. How?

1. Simply take 2 Tbsp of Mayonnaise and rub it over the ring stain.

2. Leave it for 8 hours or over night.

3. Wipe your wood clean with some Thieves Oil (above) and the ring will be gone!

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What else? I would love to hear from you! What is one of your prized recipes for an eco-friendly house cleaning product?