Recommend your homemade cleaning products

amoerizzle

I will be moving in 3 weeks and the hubby and I think this would be a good time to transition from using store bought cleaning products into more green-friendly products. Our primary objective with this is to keep a safer, chemical free home for the new baby on the way, save money and to live more green. I have googled this of course, but thought it would be best to hear first hand what has accomplished these 3 goals for others, while still keeping a CLEAN home. The bathroom and kitchen are the specific areas I'm worried about, but suggestions on cleaning products for ANYTHING around the home are greatly welcome! TIA!

Sassy_Cassie

I use these recipies: https://www.macheesmo.com/2011/01/four-homemade-cleaners/ (Sorry.. can't make it clicky in chrome on my mac)

I mainly use the "all-purpose" cleaner, which I added a few drops of lavender EO to, and I use the grease cutter if I need to but the all-purpose one generally does the trick.  For disinfecting spray you can just use straight vinegar. 

The only chemical cleaner I still use is scrubbing bubbles for my shower.  I feel like everything I've tried with baking soda takes so much rinsing or it leaves a film. I'm a bad EFFer. :P

Switzerland87

Sassy_Cassie:

I use these recipies: https://www.macheesmo.com/2011/01/four-homemade-cleaners/ (Sorry.. can't make it clicky in chrome on my mac)

I mainly use the "all-purpose" cleaner, which I added a few drops of lavender EO to, and I use the grease cutter if I need to but the all-purpose one generally does the trick.  For disinfecting spray you can just use straight vinegar. 

The only chemical cleaner I still use is scrubbing bubbles for my shower.  I feel like everything I've tried with baking soda takes so much rinsing or it leaves a film. I'm a bad EFFer. :P

 I had that problem too, and got good results using strait Dr. Bronners.  

littleanomaly

Switzerland87:

Sassy_Cassie:

I use these recipies: https://www.macheesmo.com/2011/01/four-homemade-cleaners/ (Sorry.. can't make it clicky in chrome on my mac)

I mainly use the "all-purpose" cleaner, which I added a few drops of lavender EO to, and I use the grease cutter if I need to but the all-purpose one generally does the trick.  For disinfecting spray you can just use straight vinegar. 

The only chemical cleaner I still use is scrubbing bubbles for my shower.  I feel like everything I've tried with baking soda takes so much rinsing or it leaves a film. I'm a bad EFFer. :P

 I had that problem too, and got good results using strait Dr. Bronners.  

I'm with Cassie on this one.. we have the scrubbing bubbles automatic shower cleaner. It helps with the film left by the Dr B's, lol!!

We mostly use vinegar and baking soda through the rest of the house. 

DreadLoc

I bought a spray bottle and filled it half with vinegar and half with water.  I use that solution for everything and it has yet to fail me. Windows, counters, floors, cabinets, toilets, dusting...it's even great to spray on fabric to freshen it up!  If I need to scrub I sprinkle some baking soda, pour a little vinegar on it to get some bubbles, and scrub away.  I've never had an issue with film or rinsing, but we probably have completely different water types.

I like the whole vinegar/baking soda solution because having only one cleaner saves space, money, and no fumes.  Bonus points if you replace paper towels with reusable washcloths! 

Switzerland87

Lol, the Dr. B's irony. 

For some reason, it never leaves any film in my shower. Maybe it's because I have softened water. I don't really get residue from anything.  

webdeziner1

I use equal parts vinegar and water with 2 drops of Dr. Bronners, 16 drops each  of tea tree oil and grapefruit seed extract for all surface cleaning.  Windows are straight vinegar and water as the grapefruit seed and tea tree leave streaks.  Tea tree and grapefruit seed have excellent excellent anti-microbial properties. (they are even using it on MRSA)  I use this mixture on my hardwood floors too.  The only time I pull out the clorox wipes is if I have something that fell on floor of store/restaurant ect then rinse the heck out of it.   Love the baking soda/washing soda combo with a bit of vinegar in the rinse for the dishwasher.    I know I will never be completely chemical free just because of the times we live in..but I try at all times to find ways to limit the exposure. 

Ruby_Soho

I use straight baking soda for a lot of stuff. Shower, bath, sinks, toilet.

Half a cup of baking soda down any drains followed by half a cup of vinegar. Block the drain for about 5 minutes and then rinse with a kettle full of boiling water. I do that once a month in all our drains to keep them from smelling.

Wash my hair with 1 tblsp baking soda in 1 cup water. Distribute evenly through the roots, massage in for a minute or so and rinse. Follow with 1 tblsp apple cider vinegar in 1 cup water. Dip ends of hair in jar then pour the rest over from the roots. Massage in, leave for a minute or two and rinse.

I use half the amount of laundry detergent with an equal amount of baking soda for all my laundry. Leaves it nice and soft. I use vinegar in the fabric softener rinse if the CD are getting a bit stinky.