Homemade Cleaning Products - A Baby Step

I've been wanting to start making some of my own household cleaning products for some time now.  It looks so easy, saves money, a no brainer, huh? 

Thing is, a person like me is always thinking way too big - as in 'I need to buy every possible ingredient, read every source of information and experiment like crazy before I write a post about this topic.'  Aaaah, but I caught myself - and this time I'm taking baby steps. 

No, I don't have the borax or the soap flakes or the washing soda yet.  But I do have ingredients that I already have in my house:  baking soda, vinegar and some essential oils.

I whipped up a simple sink scrub that made my stainless steel kitchen sink shine and left the whole kitchen smelling fresh.  Oh, and the 'volcano' action you get when you mix the baking soda and vinegar is a fun little science experiment for the kiddos - so get them in on the action!

1/4 cup baking soda

1/4 cup white vinegar

3-5 drops of essential oil (those with antibacterial properties include lavender, lemon, lime, orange, sandalwood, cypress, chamomile, rosemary, thyme, lemongrass and others)

I used an essential oil blend from Aura Cacia.  I love their Essential Solutions blends because I don't have to buy a bunch of individual oils.  They create the blends for various effects:  Creative Juice is energizing, Pep Talk is refreshing, Chill Pill is soothing and Mellow Mix (the one that I use) is calming with lavender, lemon, sandalwood, roman chamomile, petitgrain and neroli oils.  It smells SO good! 

I also made a garbage pail freshener using the same essential oil blend.  Just fill a spray bottle with water, add 8-12 drops of essential oil and viola - you're armed and ready to overcome the stench of a stinky pail - without filling the air with toxic chemicals.

Watch out, I just might try some more!  I'll keep you posted as I work my way through the book The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier.  It's got some great tips and over 100 recipes for anyone inclined to DIY.

Comments

[izzy's mama]

What a wonderful idea..Izzy surely would love it but I will start to question my sanity if I go from homemade yogurt to homemade cleaning products. I guess worse things could happen. Can't wait to hear what else you concoct.

[Mindful Momma]

Well, I'm ready to start making homemade yogurt after reading your post about it on Izzy Eats! My Mom used to make homemade yogurt when we were kids but I have never tried making it myself. I'm always up for trying something new - if only I had more time in the day....

[Gift of Green]

This is definitely on my to-do list. I'm starting to phase out the chemicals in favor of the store bought naturals, but I have yet to make my own.

[stefani]

Thanks so much for this 'recipe,' I've also been taking the plunge and starting to make my own cleaning products! I bought the book 'Clean Home Clean Planet' by Karen Logan years ago and am finally putting it to good use!

[Babology]

We have been using homemade stuffs for quiet sometime now and i find it more usefull thant buying them from stores

[Joe]

Thanks for this information. We have started using essential oils in our home and now have another great use for them.

[George Kakaris]

Hey you are right that home made products are good and the recipe is also good but all th essential oils are not like this also some are good. For more info visit at http://www.aromatherapypoint.com/

[Green Cleaners]

I've been using vinegar and baking soda but didn't think of adding essential oils. Thanks for the great tip!

[cleaning blog]

I agree with Stefani! I also bought this book!
Thanks for this article. Very interesting read them

[carpet cleaning dublin oh]

This is perfect for me, since I have my babies and my puppies playing together in our carpet all day and I can't risk either of them getting poisoned by some chemical that comes from chemical-based cleaners.

-Max Clarison