In the spirit of both Earth Month and the season of spring cleaning, now is the perfect opportunity to take a closer look at the products you’re using to keep your home tidy and germ-free. Besides purchasing chemical-free, non-toxic and biodegradable cleaning supplies, you can combine simple and effective ingredients from your pantry for homemade solutions that get the job done without putting your family or the planet at risk.
Are you ready? Blast your favorite spring playlist (it just makes it more fun!) and clean your home from top to bottom with the following five recipes:
1. Heavenly-scented floor cleaner
Being that it’s most likely the largest surface in your house, a great place to get started is the floor. This particular cleaner is ideal for wood, tile and even works as a stain remover on carpets (for fancy-schmancy floors, check the manufacturer’s guidelines). It’s a safer option for pint-sized children and pets who spend most of their days near ground level. And while you’re spring cleaning, it’ll put a healthy, smell-good spring in your step as well!
Ingredients
1 cup white vinegar
1 gallon hot water
10 drops eucalyptus essential oil
Directions
Fill sink or a large bucket with hot water. Add 1 cup white vinegar and essential oil.
Note: This recipe is good for one use.
2. Sweet orange & lavender window cleaner
Finger prints, dog slobber and grimy smudges covering up your windows? This do-it-yourself window cleaner made from Castile soap and essential oils combine to attack your biggest window challenges while lifting your spirits in the process! Just spray your windows with the solution and wipe clean with a newspaper or lint-free cloth. Remember to give the bottle a little shake before each use!
Ingredients
3 Tbsp. vinegar
1/4 tsp. unscented liquid Castile soap
24 drops Aura Cacia Sweet Orange essential oil
12 drops Aura Cacia Lavender essential oil
2 cups water
16-oz. spray bottle
Directions
In bottle, combine vinegar, Castile soap and essential oils. Top off with water, replace lid and shake until well blended.
3. Spicy sink salt scrub
If you’re missing the spicy scents of autumn, this cleaner is the perfect fall-scented solution for your spring cleaning arsenal. Combine cinnamon and cloves with pink salt and you’ve got an abrasive, germ-fighting scrub strong enough to tackle your sinks and tubs. Use this mixture and you’ll have a clean, spa-smelling powder room in no time!
Ingredients
32 oz. Himalayan pink salt
1/4 cup whole cloves
4 cinnamon sticks
Directions
Mix thoroughly, store a minimum of two weeks before use. Shake the container occasionally to stir. To use, measure two tablespoons of salt scrub mixture. Spread around damp sink or tub, with a cleaning rag or sponge. You can also spray it with a layer homemade all-purpose spray. Rinse thoroughly with water.
4. 2-ingredient laundry detergent
Benzaldehyde, diethanolamine, quaternium-15, bleach. Many mainstream detergents are made with a laundry list of chemicals designed to dissolve dirt, lift stains and leave your clothes smelling fresh. But you don’t have to expose yourself, or the planet, to toxic ingredients in order to slip on soft, clean clothing every week. This inexpensive, environmentally friendly solution is made with just two natural ingredients and can be doubled easily to accommodate dirtier or bigger loads.
Ingredients
1/3 cup liquid castile soap
1 Tbsp. baking soda
Directions
In large plastic or glass container, combine ingredients and top with hot water. For larger loads, double the recipe. For sniff-worthy shirts, socks and tops, add a few drops of lavender essential oil.
5. Furniture oil for wood surfaces
We already know essential oils can be used on your windows, in the kitchen and in the laundry room—but did you know it’s safe for your furniture as well? If your desire is to create a calm and soothing home, use this aromatic solution for dusting wooden furniture and floors.
Ingredients
4 ounces jojoba oil
12 drops lemon essential oil
4 drops lemongrass essential oil
8 drops sandalwood essential oil
Directions
In spray bottle, combine jojoba and essential oils. Shake and lightly apply to wood surfaces or