20 Recipes for Environmentally-Friendly and Non-Toxic Cleaners

A lot of the chemicals we use to clean are toxic and destructive to our environment, but there are a lot of cleaning formulas that you can make at home,

safely and quickly. These natural formulas are safe for the environment, non-toxic to children and animals and are much cheaper than the big name brands on your supermarket shelves.

For recipes that include liquid soap, use a castile or peppermint based soap. For detergents, look for vegetable-based, as opposed to petroleum-based.

All-Purpose Cleaners

Recipe #1.

• • 1 cup vinegar
• • 1-2 tbsp. salt

Recipe #2.

• • 1 tsp liquid soap
• • 1 tsp. borax
• • Squeeze of lemon
• • 1 qt. warm water

Recipe #3

• • 1/4 cup baking soda
• • 1/2 cup borax
• • 1/2 cup vinegar
• • 1 gallon water

Bathroom Surface Cleaner and Deodorizers

Recipe #1

• • 1-2 tbsp. baking soda
• • 1/4 cup vinegar
• • Pour ingredients on a damp sponge and wipe down surface

Recipe #2

• • 1/2 cup baking soda
• • 2-3 tbsp. liquid soap

Recipe #3

• • 1/2 cup baking soda
• • Liquid detergent (enough to create a paste)
• • Pour into bowl, mix and scoop onto sponge

Oven Cleaners

Recipe #1

• • Salt (as necessary)
• • Vinegar-water mixture (1/2 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup water)

While oven is warm, pour salt on dirty areas. If the spots are dry, dampen them with water before applying salt. When oven cools, scrape off grime. Rub baking soda onto trouble spots and wash with vinegar-water solution. Rub with fine steel wool, wipe and rinse off.

Recipe #2

• • 2 tbsp. liquid soap
• • 2 tsp. borax
• • 1 qt. warm water

Spray on oven and let sit for 20 min before wiping clean. Use steel wool on tough spots

Toilet Bowl Cleaners

Recipe #1

• • Sprinkle 1/4 cup baking soda into bowl
• • Drizzle with vinegar

Let sit for 1/2 hour, then scrub well with toilet brush. For stains, add borax. Warning: DO NOT mix with store-bought cleaners. This will create toxic fumes.

Recipe #2

• 2/3 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup liquid soap
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbs. vinegar
• Several drops essential oil (optional)
• 1/2 cup borax or baking soda

Mix soda and soap, then add water and mix. Then add vinegar and mix. Sprinkle 1/2 cup borax or baking soda onto toilet brush and apply mixture.

Glass Cleaners; For all mixtures, combine into spray bottle

Recipe #1

• • 1 cup water
• • 1/2 cup vinegar
• • 2 drops liquid soap

Recipe #2

• • 2 tbsp. borax
• • 3 cups water

Recipe #3

• • 1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
• • 3 tablespoons vinegar
• • 2 cups water
• • Add to spray bottle and shake

Hard Floor Cleaners

• Recipe #1
• • 1 cup white vinegar
• • 2 gallons hot water

Recipe #2

• • 1/8 cup liquid soap or 1/4 cup borax
• • 1/4 – 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar or lemon juice
• • 1/2 cup fragrant herb tea
• • 1 gallon hot water

Carpet Cleaners

Recipe #1

• • Borax
• • Soapy water
• • Vinegar
• Dampen area and rub borax into stain. Let dry and vacuum. You can also blot with vinegar and soapy water.

Furniture Polish

Recipe #1

• • 1/2 teaspoon oil (olive oil, jojoba, or liquid wax)
• • 1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice

Mix ingredients in glass jar, dab soft rag in solution and wipe onto wood

Recipe #2

• • 10 drops lemon oil
• • 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• • 2-3 drops olive oil or jojoba oil

Combine in bowl, saturate sponge, squeeze excess mixture and wipe surfaces

Mold and Mildew Cleaners

Recipe #1

• • 2 tsp tea tree oil
• • 2 cups water

Combine in spray bottle, shake and spray on mildew. Don’t rinse.

Recipe #2

• • 20 drops grapefruit seed extract
• • 2 cups water

This is a guest post from Alex Juel, who works with Denver Concierge, a Denver maid service providing cleaning services in the metro and front-range areas.