Green Cleaning Recipes

Homemade Laundry Detergent

1 C. Borax
1 C. Washing Soda (not baking soda)
1 Bar Fels-Naptha or Ivory Soap

Finely grate the bar of soap. Mix soap, borax and washing soda together. Use 1-2 tablespoons per load.

I have used both soaps but I prefer the smell of the Ivory soap. I use this in a high efficiency washing machine with no problems. My clothes come out clean and fresh every time. I will never use store bought laundry detergent again.

Window Cleaner

 

2 T. White Vinegar

1 Gal. Water

 

Spray on windows/mirrors and wipe with newspaper

 

 

 

Hardwood Floor Cleaner

1/2 C. White Vinegar

1 Gal. Hot Water

 

Mix vinegar and water in mop bucket and mop floor!

 

Kitchen/Bathroom Counters

Dishsoap+ Water

Baking Soda + Water

Lemon Juice

Usually I just use dishsoap and water (like dishwater) to wipe up my kitchen counters, stove and sink. Sometimes if they are really dirty I sprinkle some baking soda and scrub with a wet dishrag. Lemon juice works pretty good on sticky/yucky stuff. 

Bathtub/Shower

Baking Soda + Water

Vinegar + Water

Most of the time, I rinse out the shower and tile walls, sprinkle baking soda, scrub it down and rinse again. If the tub is particularly grimy I will spray some vinegar, let it sit for a minute then scrub and rinse. This works really well!