Green Cleaning Products from Your Pantry

One of the healthiest things you can do for your family is to swap out the chemical-laden cleaning products you might be using for equally effective and non-toxic alternatives that can be found right in your pantry or at the local grocery store.

White Vinegar and Water can be combined in a spray bottle and used as an all-purpose cleaner for around the house. To make a basic solution, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, but use undiluted vinegar for tougher jobs like killing mold. For a more powerful all-purpose cleaner, add a little dish soap or castille soap to the vinegar and water mixture. Do not use vinegar on natural stone, marble, or waxed wood surfaces as its acidity can cause damage. 

Baking Soda can be sprinkled anywhere for added scrubbing and deodorizing. As a mild abrasive, baking soda is useful for scrubbing sinks, tubs, or tile. Sprinkle a damp sponge with baking soda and use it to scrub away soap scum and grime. To deodorize, sprinkle baking soda on carpets, in gym shoes, or in the bottom of a trash can to absorb unpleasant odors. For tough stains, combine baking soda with equal parts vinegar or lemon juice to create a cleaning solution to lift stains from sinks, counters, and even laundry. In the washing machine, add about a cup of baking soda to your wash cycle along with your regular detergent to help boost the cleaning power. 

Lemon Juice is a natural, acidic cleaner for degreasing, removing soap scum, dissolving hard water deposits, and freshening. Its uses include brightening white laundry by boiling, shining fixtures, and removing stains from cutting boards. However, avoid using lemon juice on natural stone, hardwood floors, or gold-plated fixtures, as its acid can cause damage.

Hydrogen Peroxide kills mold and mildew, sanitizes and kills germs. Peroxide has amazing antibacterial, antiviral, and stain-lifting properties. For cleaning, spray it on countertops and floors, mix it with baking soda for tough stains on bakeware and stovetops, or use it in a diluted soak for laundry and toys. For disinfecting, a solution can be used on non-electrical items, with a soak for toys, or for washing garbage cans.  

Essential Oils add a natural fragrance and antimicrobial properties, as well as natural insect repellant. Essential oils can be used as natural cleaning agents due to their antimicrobial, antibacterial, and deodorizing properties. Lemon oil is excellent for cutting grease and grime and deodorizing surfaces,

Grapefruit oil has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Eucalyptus oil is a powerful disinfectant, and is effective against bacteria and viruses, Tea Tree oil has antiseptic and antifungal properties and is ideal for cleaning mold and mildew. Peppermint oil, cinammon, cedar and lavendar all are great oils for detering pests.

Castile soap is a vegetable-oil-based cleaner. To use it for natural cleaning, mix it with water in a spray bottle to create an all-purpose cleaner for surfaces around the house, including countertops, sinks, and floors. Remember to dilute it and avoid mixing it directly with acids like vinegar, as this can cause streaking or leave residue