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Natural cleaning products provide the perfect blend of cost, convenience, and control.
You get to know exactly what’s in it and can make sure no toxins sneak in to harm your family.
With that said, this natural all-purpose cleaner recipe does the job of 5 cleaners in 1.
You can use it to disinfect countertops, freshen up your floors, clean windows and mirrors, and practically anything else you can think of!
Reasons to Make Your Own Non-Toxic Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Everyone has to use cleaners around the house, but reaching for a commercial cleaner isn’t necessarily the best idea.
While they work well, they tend to be packed with harmful chemicals.
In some cases, exposing your family to these chemicals even once can be dangerous and can have a negative impact on their health.
For instance, many commercial cleaners contain 2-butoxyethanol. This is what gives some cleaners that sweet smell.
But get this, even though it’s dangerous, it doesn’t have to be disclosed on the product label!
In addition to causing sore throats, high levels of this compound can cause kidney damage, narcosis, and pulmonary edema. This becomes a real problem when cleaning in an enclosed area without adequate ventilation.
Ammonia is another dangerous ingredient that you find in most common household cleaners.
While it does a great job at cleaning without leaving streaks, ammonia is known for being a powerful irritant. People with breathing or asthma issues can struggle to breathe when exposed to ammonia just once.
And regular exposure can result in chronic bronchitis.
Additionally, it’s imperative to avoid mixing it with bleach as this can create a poisonous gas.
Making a homemade all-purpose cleaner is the best way to limit exposure to dangerous compounds and chemicals.
It’ll keep your house sparkly clean and protect your family from germs and bacteria without putting them at risk of developing health issues.
How to Make the Non-Toxic All-Purpose Cleaner
While you can easily mix this cleaner in a bowl, it’s easiest to mix and store it in a spray bottle.
This will ensure that you always have cleaner on hand when you want to wipe up spills and disinfect counters. It’s so easy to make and only requires a few ingredients!
Specifically for disinfection however you can use these DIY natural wipes, you can make disposable and reusable version.
Ingredients
- 2 cups distilled water
- 2 teaspoons borax
- 1 teaspoon washing soda
- 1 tablespoon liquid castile soap
- Various essential oils
Directions
Just pour all the ingredients in a bottle, put the lid on, and swirl it gently to mix. Since this spray is safe to use around children and pets, it can easily be used in the kitchen, bathrooms, and any windows or mirrors throughout the house.
It’s also a great option to use when cleaning off patio furniture outside in the spring. It does a great job removing pollen from flat surfaces and leaves everything smelling fresh.
The essential oils that you add are up to you as you can easily adjust and control the scent of your cleanser. One great combination is 5 drops each of lemon and lavender with 10 drops of orange.
Another classic is 20 drops of lemon or 20 drops of lavender.
Just be sure to use child-safe oils.
Note: not all essential oils are safe for use around children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shouldn’t a great multipurpose cleaner contain vinegar?
Vinegar is a great cleaner but shouldn’t be used in a recipe that contains washing soda as the two ingredients will cancel each other out. Without the washing soda, the recipe will be a lot less effective in cleaning surfaces and can give you a false sense of security.
Can I use the cleaner on glass surfaces?
Yes, it does the job well for windows and mirrors, but we also have a natural recipe for glass cleaning specifically.
Should this mixture be stored in glass?
Yes, glass is preferred, but it’s really up to you. The main reason why you want to store this cleaner in a glass spray bottle rather than plastic is to avoid problems with BPA.
Not only are glass spray bottles safe but they are incredibly easy to wash and don’t hang onto smells. So you can make a batch with different essential oils in the future without any lingering scents from the last batch.
Is this cleaner a good option for floors?
Homeowners who have laminate or tile flooring know the struggle of keeping their floors clean. This DIY cleaner is the perfect option to use all around the home as it can be used not only on counters and windows but also on floors. Simply spray the cleaner on the floor and use a wet mop or rag to wipe it up.
How do you make all purpose cleaner with vinegar?
If you prefer vinegar, you can just put equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then add whatever essential oils. I personally go for EOs that are natural antibacterials and antifungals for even more cleaning power.
Just remember to NOT combine vinegar and washing soda.
Interested in more natural cleaners? Check out the other recipes in our non-toxic cleaning series:
Editor and researcher at Detox & Prosper. With years of experience creating a healthy home for my family, I now help others eliminate toxins from theirs! Read my story here.
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