It is easy to keep your homes spic and span these days thanks to loads of chemical-based products that can easily clean up any mess in your household. These substances are not expensive but the cost of using them can be high health-wise not only for you but for the entire family. It can also wreak havoc to the environment due to pollution arising from the manufacture as well as the manner of disposal of such products.
The American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology reported a survey finding that 54.6% of all citizens of the United States are allergic to one or more allergens. With at least six detectable allergens present in half of the total number of American homes it is not surprising that up to 50 million Americans suffer from allergic diseases.
The funny thing here is that you need not spend a lot or expose yourself and your family to hazardous substances to keep your homes clean. With a little research and some readily-available materials you can make your own green household cleaning products. Take note of some of these easy-to-make home-made cleaning products that are not only safe for your health but also for the environment.
Baking Soda
If you’ve tried baking or you stay in your kitchen once in a while then you are probably acquainted with baking soda. Aside from merely being used as a baking ingredient, baking soda can also be used to clean and deodorize your sink, your plates, your refrigerator and a lot of surfaces. With its mild abrasive action, baking soda is a natural alternative for commercial and chemically-laden scouring powders. Used alone, baking soda is a powerful dirt remover for your bath tubs or kitchen sink. To remove grimes that are difficult to remove, mix baking soda with water to form a paste and leave on the surface for up to 20 minutes before rinsing. If you have a problem with your drain unclog it with about a half cup of baking soda followed by hot water and leave it there for at least tow hours before you flush it again with hot water and voila!
Borax
Borax or sodium borate decahydrate does not only soften water but it is a natural disinfectant, cleanser and deodorizer. This natural mineral is a great cleaning agent you can use to kill molds and bacteria from floors to walls. Instead of using bleach to remove stains in any surface why not use this naturally occurring mineral discovered as far back as 4,000 years ago. Borax is widely used in industrial settings but it is also useful inside the home as a multipurpose cleaner, insecticide, disinfectant and laundry booster to mention a few. You can mix Borax with other cleaning agent like soap and chlorine bleach as it is not reactive. However, the fact that Borax can be used as an herbicide and an insecticide means it is not naturally safe. Aside from using it as a cleaning agent you can also use Borax to kill fleas, ants and roaches.
Vinegar and Lemon
Vinegar or acetic acid is not only a great kitchen ingredient for cooking and for dipping food but it is also an excellent stain and grease remover. Lemon on the other hand, is also effective in killing household bacteria. If you hate the smell of fish in your kitchen but can’t help it because it is one of your family’s favorite main dishes then do not worry because vinegar can help you remove the smell of fish. Kitchen odors from cooking various dishes can also be toned down by simmering a teaspoon of vinegar in a cup of water. Vinegar is an all-purpose cleaner and can produce maximum cleaning effects when mixed with other ingredients like baking soda or water. Use the mixture to remove shower stains, clean your windows and glasses. If you have difficulty removing coffee and tea stains from your cups and your kettles then use vinegar. (See more vinegar tips here.)
Herbs
If you think herbs are merely for healing and cooking then think again. Herbs like eucalyptus, rosemary, lavender, thyme, sage and juniper can also be used as disinfectant The process of making your own herbal disinfectant is also pretty easy since you only need to boil the leaves of these herbs and you already have a home-made disinfectant. This disinfectant can be used on any surface from walls to floors except when they are made of glass. The Four Thieves Vinegar used to ward off the plagues eons ago may have been a myth but the ingredients that make up the concoction which includes rosemary, thyme, sage and lavender plus vinegar and garlic have antiviral and antibacterial effects you can use as a homemade cleaning agent.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are not only useful for aromatherapy but they are also ideal disinfectants. You can make your own spray disinfectant by combining water and a few drops of essential oils. You can also use this as air freshener instead of the commercial air fresheners that contain harmful substances. Making your own air freshener out of essential oils is not only safe for your health but it is only cheaper since it only takes a few drops of oils to make a bottle of freshener. Among the oils you can use to make your own cleaning agent include lemon, eucalyptus, clove or cinnamon among others.
Making your own home-made cleaning products out of natural ingredients will not only keep your home safe from toxic and polluting chemicals contained in commercial home cleaning products. It will also help you save on expensive commercial cleaners and give you that satisfaction that can only be felt once you have created something useful.
