Jul 23 2008
Background
Homemade Green Cleaning Products
Ingredients
Baking Soda
Borax
Cornstarch
Essential Oils and Herbs
Glycerine
Lemon Juice
Lime Juice
Salt
Soap Flakes
Tea Tree and Eucalyptus Oil
Toothpaste
Vinegar
Background
Green cleaning products and green cleaning is increasing in popularity as people become more aware of their health, the dangers of some cleaning products and their often inflated costs. Effective, cheap and environmentally sound green cleaning around the house can be often achieved using common household products found in your kitchen cupboards or pantry.
Homemade Green Cleaning Products
When it comes to the ultimate in green cleaning products the best all in one cleaner you can have is your kitchen cupboard or panty and a little knowledge of what secrets the products within have inside them.
Ingredients
Baking Soda
Baking Soda is also known as Bicarbonate of Soda or Sodium Bicarbonate. It has a very low level of toxicity making it suited as a general all purpose, non-toxic cleaner. Baking soda can also be used as a mild abrasive and will clean, deodorise and soften fabrics.
Borax
Borax or sodium borate is a natural alkaline mineral with many applications. Borax is an effective alternative to bleach, plus it will also deodorise and remove greasy stains. Borax can also be used to kill mould, bacteria, ants - and best of all - borax kills cockroaches. Although biodegradable, borax is toxic if ingested.
Cornstarch
Just as the name suggests, cornstarch can be used to starch clothes but it can also be used to absorb oil and grease
Essential Oils and Herbs
Various essential oils and herbs like lavender and vanilla can be used to disinfect and add fragrance. Different oils and herbs have different properties and that should be researched and clearly understood before use. For instance some essential oils are unsuitable for use by or around pregnant women.
Glycerine
Glycerine is a by product of soap production. It helps to mix oils and water and dissolve dirt stains.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can be used as a milder and more pleasant alternative to bleach. Lemon juice will cut through grease and remove stains like perspiration from clothes. It also inhibits mould growth and deodorises.
Lime Juice
Lime juice has many of the same uses as lemon juice but it also has disinfectant powers. Many Pacific Ocean islanders like the Fijiians use lime juice to disinfect cuts and abrasions. Although non toxic to humans the power of lime juice is such that it will effectively combat severe skin infections like those resulting from coral cuts when other disinfectants and medications have failed.
Salt
Common table salt can be used for disinfecting and as an abrasive. Salt paste can be used for scouring pans and utensils. Salt poured on red wine spills can also remove the stain.
Soap Flakes
Perfect for cleaning, pure soap flakes are biodegradable and low toxicity.
Tea Tree and Eucalyptus Oil
Tea tree oil and eucalyptus oil are natural cleaners and disinfectants with a pleasant odour.
Toothpaste
Toothpaste is a mild abrasive
Vinegar
Vinegar or acetic acid is perfect for cleaning in the bathroom and toilet. It cuts grease and removes stains like hardwater deposits, bathroom scum and metal tarnish. Vinegar is also an excellent water softener.
Source: AZoCleantech