DIY Household Cleaners
Spring is here bitches!
I mean, hypothetically — according to a rodent in the ground and some fake day on the calendar. However, the snow outside, the gusting wind chills and the cloudy 25º weather would say otherwise. And yet, here I am, sitting in a cafe in a turtleneck sweater, about to write a blog about “spring“ cleaning. Such is life.
If you live on the East Coast, you know that there are really only 2.5 seasons: Snow, Mud, and Fall (sometimes fall is both). If you’re lucky, Summer will make an appearance for a few minutes in between the cherry blossoms and fall foliage. But no promises.
In any case, it’s officially Spring and I’m totally ready for it. Around this time of year, after our hibernation and holiday fattening-up-period has come to an end, we spring into action (see what I did there?) and suddenly rush to lose all the carbs we’ve mysteriously developed around our waistline, get our houses suitable enough to start hosting family get-togethers again, and begin to feel the urge to purge.
I personally love this time of year. Just before Easter and Passover, when the sun starts to shine and bulbs begin to pop out of the ground. It’s when my self-diagnosed OCD is in it’s prime. My house never looks better and it’s nice to know that I can host any random guest at a moments notice, even though I don’t actually want anybody to come over. I just like having options, you know?
This year is a little bit different. You see, I have this dilemma with our kitchen. It recently came to my attention that every time I get ready to roll out a ball of dough on the counter, I always have to go through this extra step to clean the counter with soap and water from an ALREADY CLEAN COUNTER. Why, you ask? Because all the products we used to clean our house were filled with chemicals and bleach, and honestly, I just don’t feel like digesting that while I’m scarfing down this loaf of bread.
Why do we do this? We’ve somehow become a society of clean freaks and obsessive hand sanitizers, all in the spirit of keeping clean and healthy, and yet we contaminate most of our homes with things we would never put in our bodies or on our skin. Hold on while I bleach the stains off the inside of this saucepan so I can boil water for my organic green tea. STUPID.
I’ve always had sensitive skin and have always steered away from soaps with strong scents or chemicals for that exact reason. Which is good because our cat, Boo, also likes to lick down the shower after we’re finished because A: She’s annoying… and B: Ew.
If we were using some of the body washes or shower cleaners you see in stores, I’m curious to know what kind of creature from the black lagoon we’d find emerging from the bathroom, foaming at the mouth or glowing in the dark. Ugh, cats.
Also, did you know that about 90% of those store-bought cleaners are just WATER? So you’re paying for concentrated chemicals and artificial scents, diluted with water and filled into plastic spray bottles, all while there are so many cheap and easy ways to keep your home clean and fresh and toxin free.
Back in the day, our families would use cut lemons and salt to clean cutting boards. Tarnished copper pot? Lemons. Stained kitchen sink? Lemons. In need for a Gin & Tonic? Lemons. Limes? I don’t f*cking know. Point is, citrus is a miracle worker. One of many that I’ll mention in this post.
Why did we drift away from some of these traditional methods? Because we were convinced they weren’t as effective, when actually, they’re often more effective and safer than modern household cleaners.
So in the spirit of Spring cleaning and not poisoning your children, here are some notes on some common household cleaners, and at the bottom of the page are some of my favorite, easy to make, DIY Household Cleaners.
Don’t Be Fooled
Don’t you love walking into Whole Foods or Target and seeing those “All Natural” products, perfectly displayed down the isles. Don’t be fooled, fool.
Though they aren’t all bad, even the all-purpose cleaners marketed as being natural or green often contain toxic chemicals.
I’ll be so bold as to list a couple of your favorites right here:
Scrubbing Bubbles: Nature’s Source All-Purpose Cleaner
Simple Green: All-Purpose Cleaner
Both contain hormone damaging ingredients like stabilizers called Sodium Borate and cleaning agents such as Lauryl Pyrrolidone.
Some even contain a chemical called 2-butoxyethanol, which was found to cause red blood cell damage and anemia through inhalation, skin exposure and ingestion, (all the ways you would be exposed to these cleaners).
(not-so) Fun Facts
Additives: Artificial colors and scents are added to products to trick your brain into thinking they’re more effective. However, they are SO toxic that the FDA banned the use of them in cosmetics because they caused cancer to the animals they wrongfully used for clinical trials. Yet somehow, they are still allowed into our homes. You’re allowed to breath it in, just not put it on your face…hmmm.
Preservatives: Most conventional cleaners contain harmful preservatives, like formaldehyde, which is also known to cause cancer and respratory problems. If left for too long on the skin, they can also cause severe burns and damage to your eyes
Ammonium Hydroxide: Likewise, many multi-purpose cleaners contain ammonium hydroxide, which is one of the #1 causes for asthma. Side note, you know that strong smell you get from your cat’s littler box? That ammonia smell? Same ingredient… and you’ve been cleaning your table top with it.
Bleach: Often listed as “sodium hypochlorite” on conventional products, bleach is a common disinfecting ingredient that does has it’s benefits. Especially when in use for laundry day. Keep in mind, laundry gets rinsed. Most sprays, cleaners and even dish soap contain bleach which might be the cause for some of your watery eyes and ocassional breathing problems.
DIY Household Cleaner Recipes
All Purpose Cleaner
16oz Bottle
1/4 cup white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
1 1/2 cups distilled water
20 drops essential oils (I like citrus or earth smells like sandalwood)
1/2 tsp borax (optional)
1/2 tsp liquid castile soap (optional)
Instructions:
Pour all ingredients into a bottle. Fit with a spray top. Gently swirl the bottle to mix the ingredients together. Voila!
Carpet Freshener
8oz Jar or Shaker Bottle
1/2 cup baking soda
1 tablespoon corn starch
1/4 cup crushed lavender
1 dried lemon peel (optional)
Instructions:
Note: Parmesan shakers work great for this! You can also use a small mason jar or flour sifter.
Combine all ingredients into your container. If you can’t find powdered lavender, just grab some lavender from your local spice isle and grind it in a blender, mortar and pestle, or in a sandwich bag with a rolling pin.
To use, shake contents lightly over your rug and let sit for 30 minutes. Then, if you’d like, go ahead and vacuum your rug and feel amazing about it.
Tub & Toilet Cleaner
16oz Bottle
1 cup distilled water
2 tablespoons baking soda
1/2 cup white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
Juice of 1/2 lemon or 15 drops essential oils
1 tsp borax (optional)
Instructions:
Pour all ingredients into a bottle. Fit with a spray top. Gently swirl the bottle to mix the ingredients together until powder is desolved. Now test it out!
To use, spray and let sit for a few minutes before wiping down. Your grout and toilet bowl will have never looked better.
Room Spray
8oz Bottle
2/3 cup distilled water
2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol
20 drops essential oils
Instructions:
Pour all ingredients into a small spray bottle, fit with a top. Swirl the bottle to mix the ingredients together and spray away. This is great for freshening bedding and furniture without leaving water rings or spots.
Thanks for reading guys! If you like this post, comment, like & share! Have suggestions for future posts? I’d love to hear them! Until next time - take care and talk soon. - Joshua