This week I’ve been given the task of teaching some members of my local community how to make Eco-friendly cleaning products at an evening workshop. It’s an initiative of a local community action group and I’m thrilled to have been asked to be involved.
When making my own cleaning products I’ve got to admit I go for easy to source ingredients. I’ve recently discovered just how useful bicarbonate of soda is for everything from deodorising the carpet to cleaning the oven, and it can be order in bulk online. Rebecca from mummy2014 feels the same about citric acid: “One of my favorite cleaning items is citric acid. It’s a good eco friendly product that can descale kettles and clean the loo. It has a lovely citrusy smell too. No need for chemicals.” This too can be ordered online in bulk.
I decided the best way forward, besides my own research, was to ask other bloggers what they recommend and the response has been great. So in no particular order here are some fabulous Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products – Tried and Tested that I’ve collected together. I’d be interested to know how you get on with them too!
Multi-Purpose Cleaner
I found this recipe online at simplebites.net and it was so simple I had to give it a try. I always prefer recipes where the ingredients can be bought locally and cheaply.
- 1/4 cup (2 fl oz) White Vinegar (distilled malt vinegar is fine)
- 1 litre Hot Water
- 2 tbsp Bicarbonate of Soda
- 1/2 Lemon
Measure the hot water into a jug (I used hot from the tap but not boiling water). Add bicarbonate of soda, white vingear and squeeze lemon in. Add lemon rind to mix too to infuse and give it a good stir. When the mixture is cool, strain it through a sieve into a clean, labelled, spray bottle.
I tried this mixture out in the kitchen and living room. I liked the way it cleaned the tables, worktops, window sills and hob. It was a bit streaky on the metal splash back for the cooker but it still looked clean!
Emma Reed from emmareed.net also makes a lovely simple recipe for a kitchen cleaner with by filling half a spray bottle with white vinegar, half with cooled boiled water and adding 10-15 drops of lavender oil.
Homemade Anti-Bacterial Cleaning Spray
This is also an easy recipe from Sarah at whimsicalmumblings.co.uk who has made a great range household cleaning products on her blog.
“One thing I was worried about when making a cleaning spray is that it would not be antibacterial, (I mean, how could you make a natural homemade product antibacterial?) and this felt like it could be quite a problem. But then I found out that citrus fruits, including lemon, lime, orange and grapefruit all have high antibacterial properties! Perfect! So for this tutorial, you can use any of the above citrus fruits, but I went with orange.”
To make this product you will need: Oranges, White Vinegar and Orange Essential Oil and be able to leave it to steep for 2-3 weeks.
This looks great and really punchy. I’m looking forward to trying it and comparing to the quick-to-make recipe above. Head over to whimsicalmumblings.co.uk to find out how to make homemade anti-bacterial cleaning spray.
Homemade Glass Cleaner
This article from crunchybetty.com about trialling different homemade glass cleaners is so interesting. I tried and love the recipe below:
• ¼ cup of white vinegar (2 fl oz)
• 1 tbsp of cornstarch
• 2 cups of warm water
This easy to make and easy to use recipe is great for streak free windows. The cornstarch is a surprising addition to the usual vinegar and water mixture but it works really well.
Homemade Rug Freshener
I was delighted when Wendy from daisiesandpie.co.uk told me about her homemade rug freshener recipe. I love the smell of lavender and it is commonly used for anxiety, restlessness, insomnia and depression, amongst other things, which makes me think this is going to have the benefit of being lovely and calming as well as covering odours.
“Our homemade rug freshener uses a mixture of baking soda and dried lavender. The baking soda naturally absorbs odours and the dried lavender leaves a lovely fresh, clean scent on the rug and in the room. Together they work really well as a carpet deodorizer.”
What You Need to Make Homemade Rug Freshener:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup dried lavender
For the method and usage instructions head on over to daisiesandpie.co.uk
For parents of little kids, I was intrigued to hear this top tip from momoftwolittlegirls.com – 2/3 parts vinegar and 1/3 water gets slime out of carpets!
Horse Chestnut Laundry Soap
This is the ultimate eco-friendly laundry soap that can also be used as a stain remover. It’s free to make if you collect the conkers yourself and the bi-products of making it can be composted.
Jo from arosetintedworld.co.uk writes:
“I love Autumn. The way that the leaves are changing colour. The crispness of the air. But I particularly love conkers. Or horse chestnuts / buckeyes. They fall from the trees in abundance around here. And did you know that they can be useful? They contain natural saponins, which means that they can be used to make soap. So here is how to make and use Horse Chestnut laundry washing soap.”
Ingredients: Horse chestnuts (conkers)
That is really the only ingredient besides water! Head over to arosetintedworld.co.uk to see how to make and use Horse Chestnut Laundry Soap.
DIY Toilet Cleaner Fizzy Bombs
This is a simple recipe, perfect if you’re starting off making your own Eco-friendly cleaning products. They clean fairly well and are super easy to use.
Ingredients for DIY Toilet Cleaner Fizzy Bombs: Bicarbonate of Soda, Citric Acid, Essential Oils.
Find out how to make these over here: fuelledbylatte.com
Homemade Toilet Cleaning Products
Here are some more fantastic recipes from whimsicalmumblings.co.uk for Toilet Bombs and Toilet Cleaner.
Ingredients for toilet bombs: Bicarbonate of Soda, Citric Acid, Essential Oil, Washing Up Liquid
Ingredients for toilet cleaner: Bicarbonate of Soda, Borax, Castille Soap, Essential Oils, Distilled Water
Head on over to whimsicalmumblings.co.uk to find out how to make and use these homemade toilet cleaning products.
If you are now feeling totally inspired it’s also worth checking out these great posts too: 27 Tips & Recipes for Cleaning with Vinegar, 20 Uses for Baking Soda at Home and Inexpensive Natural Cleaning Products for Use In and Around Your Home and Spring Eco Cleaning Hacks.
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products – Tried and Tested!
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