There are so many convenient commercialized cleaning products on the market that it can make you wonder if using homemade green or natural cleaners is really worth your time. Of course a cleaning routine for busy moms is really important, but one thing I’ve learned recently is that green cleaning actually saves you both time and money.
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I was always a little concerned that toxic chemical cleaners, marketed as safe and effective, were absorbed into my skin and inhaled through my lungs. It was never enough to motivate me to make a change though. But after kids, it was a different story for me. I wanted to be able to safely clean with my son around and not worry if he touched something and put it in his mouth or breathed it in. I also wanted him to participate in the cleaning (no matter how small the contribution) and feel safe about him “helping.”
It’s so easy to make these changes!! It really is!! If you are looking for a green cleaning routine for busy moms, then here is how to get started:
Gather up a few supplies.
Most of these items are found at your local grocery store and cost no more than a few bucks each.
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Washing soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap
- Witch hazel
- Salt
The next item I recommend is not one found at your local grocery store–essential oils. 100% therapeutic grade essential oils can make a huge difference in your home cleaning routine. They are excellent for adding natural aroma to all your DIY cleaning products.
I will talk a little bit about the essential oils that I use in my homemade cleaners throughout this post, and if you are interested in trying them to make your own essential oil cleaning recipes, I will help you learn how to do that at the end of the post!
Create your homemade cleaners.
All-purpose household cleaner.
- 8 ounce Glass Spray Bottle
- 2 ounces witch hazel
- 6 ounces purified water
- 25 drops thieves essential oil blend (for aroma)
Shake and spray and you are ready to go! I use it for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, etc.
All-purpose glass cleaner.
- 8 ounce Glass Spray Bottle
- 2 ounces witch hazel
- 3 ounces vinegar
- 3 ounces purified water
- 20 drops lemon or citrus fresh essential oil (for aroma)
Shake and spray on any glass surface or mirrors.
All-purpose floor cleaner.
- 1 gallon bucket
- 1/2 gallon of hot water
- 2 cups vinegar
- 10 drops thieves, lemon or citrus fresh essential oil (for aroma)
Great for both hard wood or tile floors. I promise your home will not smell like vinegar after your floor dries!
Oven cleaner.
- 1 cup water
- 10 drops lemon essential oil (for aroma)
- 1/2 cup salt
- 1 cup baking soda
- 1/4 white vinegar
- 2 tsp Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees, then turn off.
- Mix 10 drops of lemon essential oil and 1/2 cup water. Shake and spray to oven.
- Mix 1/4 cup salt and 1/4 cup baking soda. Sprinkle on heavy spots.
- Mix remaining 1/4 salt and 3/4 cup baking soda with 2 teaspoons Castile soap. Blend into a paste and spread on entire oven interior.
- Allow to sit overnight.
- In the morning, mix remaining 1/2 cup water with 1/4 vinegar into a spray bottle. Spray entire oven to loosen paste.
- Wipe down and scrub with a generous amount of elbow grease. Wipe clean.
Green laundry soap recipe.
- 1 cup Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 gallon hot water
Mix ingredients together in a 1 gallon bucket. Allow washing soda to dissolve and mixture to cool. Place in glass or plastic storage containers. Use 1/2 cup -1 cup laundry soap per load, depending on size of load. Use 3-4 drops of lavender, purification, or joy essential oil blend to fragrance laundry soap before adding to wash.
No more dryer sheets.
Eliminate dryer sheets from your home and invest in a one-time purchase of wool dryer balls. Add 2-3 drops of lemon, lavender, citrus fresh, purification or joy essential oil blend to scent your dryer load.
- 3-6 Wool Dryer Balls
- Few drops of essential oils
Mattresses and upholstered furniture.
- Baking soda
- mason jar with holes nailed into lid
- 10 drops Tea tree essential oil (for aroma)
Sprinkle the mixture onto your mattress or sofa and leave it for an hour or so before vacuuming the solution up.
Drain cleaner.
- Sprinkle 1 cup baking soda down the drain.
- Follow with 1 cup vinegar down the drain.
- Follow with 5 drops lemon essential oil down the drain (for aroma)
Do not rinse, but instead allow to sit for a few hours. Rinse.
What to do with all those chemical cleaners?
So if you make the switch to some of these easy DIY home cleaners to create a green cleaning routine, you may be wondering what on Earth to do with all those toxic cleaners sitting around your home.
Quick tip:
Buy a bag of kitty litter and fill up each bottle of cleaner with kitty litter. Allow it to sit for a few days to absorb the liquid chemical cleaner. Add more kitty litter as needed until all the cleaner is absorbed into the litter. Then dispose of your bottles at a local landfill. That is typically the best that you can do given the situation. It’s not a perfect solution, but it is better than dumping them down the drain or into the ground.
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Here’s how we get our oils each month and why we chose Young Living.
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maria
Ohhh, I like how clean you got your oven! I’m always looking for a good deep cleaning tactic my oven. I use it so often it’s always dirty.
Lauren Tamm
Thanks! Hope it works well for you 🙂
Yolanda Richardson
Perfect usage of natural cleaning products. I will try your receipts for sure. The results look amazing and I am very glad to read this piece of information! Best regards
Aziz
Thank you Lauren, for sharing such a great tips. I’m definitely going to use this method to give my oven a deep clean. Since it in constant use, it needs to be taken care throughout.
Rodney van den Brink
A very nice post and I’m pretty sure that all these green cleaning tips will make the deep cleaning process easier and effective. These home cleaners are safe and better alternatives to all those harmful chemical cleaners.
Amy Lee
Thank you so much! You’re an angel for sharing these cleaning solution recipes. I’m trying my best to find a more affordable way to switch to a green and natural lifestyle, and every little bit helps. Thank you again!
Lola
Hey,
Do you have an antibacterial cleaner solution and antibacterial handwash?
Jenny Jenkins
There is so much useful information contained in this post. Really smart witty way to say things. I really appreciate it. I will check back later for more great content. Thanks again.