from Omaha world hearald
Want to make your cleaner? Here's how
All-purpose cleaner
2 cups white distilled vinegar
2 cups water
Optional: 20 to 30 (or more) drops essential oil
Mix ingredients and store in spray bottle. Use on hard surfaces such as countertops, kitchen floors, windows and mirrors.
Tip: Warming in microwave until barely hot will boost cleaning power for tough jobs. Microwave in glass container only.
Creamy soft scrub
2 cups baking soda
½ cup liquid Castile soap
4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin (preservative)
Optional: 5 or more drops essential oil
Mix ingredients. Store in a sealed glass jar. Has two-year shelf life.
Tip: For exceptionally tough jobs, spray with vinegar first — full strength or diluted. Let sit and follow with scrub.
Furniture polish
¼ cup olive oil
¼ cup white distilled vinegar
Optional: 20 to 30 drops lemon essential oil or 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Combine ingredients and shake well before using. Dip a clean, dry cloth into the polish and rub wood in the direction of grain. Use a soft brush to work polish into corners or tight places.
Tip: To remove water spots, rub well with non-gel toothpaste and wipe away with soft cloth. To remove scratches, mix one part lemon juice and one part olive oil; rub with soft cloth.
Basic laundry detergent
1 cup soap flakes (see notes)
½ cup washing soda
½ cup borax (see notes)
Mix ingredients and store in a glass container. Use 1 tablespoon per load (2 tablespoons for heavily soiled laundry), wash in warm or cold water.
Soft-water laundry detergent: Mix 1 cup soap flakes, ¼ cup washing soda and ½ cup borax. Use as directed.
Hard-water laundry detergent: Mix 1 cup soap flakes, 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup borax. Use as directed.
Notes: Make soap flakes by grating your favorite pure vegetable soap with a cheese grater. Borax should not be ingested.
Tips: Add ½ cup white distilled vinegar to rinse cycle as a fabric softener. For whites, use hydrogen peroxide instead of bleach. Soak clothes 30 minutes in washer with ½ cup 20-percent peroxide, then launder as usual.
Toilet bowl cleaner
Option 1: Sprinkle toilet bowl with baking soda, drizzle with white distilled vinegar. Let soak at least 30 minutes and scrub with toilet brush.
Option 2: Add ¼ cup borax to toilet bowl and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Swish with a toilet brush and then scrub. A few drops of pine oil can be added for increased disinfecting. Note: Some people are allergic to pine oil.
What they are and what they're good for
White vinegar: Helps kill germs, deodorize, remove some carpet stains and clean coffee makers, chrome and countertops.
Essential oils: Concentrated oils derived from plants. Tea tree and lavender oil have antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal qualities. Available at health food stores. Oils should not be taken internally. Pregnant women should exercise caution around the oils. Some people can be highly sensitive to essential oils, with symptoms such as headaches, asthma exacerbation or other effects.
Baking soda: Neutralizes both acids and bases, eliminates odors rather than covering them up. Scrubs shiny materials without scratching.
Washing soda: Stronger than baking soda. Cuts grease, removes wax or lipstick and neutralizes odors. Gloves recommended. Don't use with silks, woolens or vinyl. Found in laundry section of most supermarkets.
Borax: Mineral compound used as a water softener and laundry booster. Also a multipurpose household cleaner. Found in most grocery or discount stores.
Vegetable glycerin: A byproduct of palm and coconut oil production, used as a preservative. Found in health food and soap-making supply stores.
Note: Label all natural cleaners and keep out of reach of children and pets. Although natural cleaners are nontoxic, they should not be ingested. Write the recipe on the container for easy refilling.
Sources: Women's Voices for the Earth, World-Herald files, Green Neighborhood Council of the Green Omaha Coalition