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Many of the household cleaning products you use every day contain toxic substances that are terrible for the environment. Instead of continuing to pollute the air with harsh commercial products, consider using natural products to make your own cleaning supplies. This is not only environmentally-friendly but can also be cost-effective.

Natural cleaning products

There are many natural cleaning products that are just as good at cleaning as commercial products. For example, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) can be used to clean your kitchen appliances, bathtubs and sinks, and can also be used as a natural deodorizer and fabric-softener for clothing or rugs. Cornstarch can be used to polish furniture and also to clean carpets. Sodium carbonate, or washing soda, can be used as a safe solvent to cut grease and can also be used to clean laundry. Lemon juice and white vinegar are acidic, making them good product solutions for grease, stains, mildew and wax build-up. Finally, lavender and clove oil are natural fungicides.

Recipes for natural cleaning supplies
You can next combine these natural cleaners to make any type of cleaning product you need. Here are some recipes to get you started:

All-purpose surface cleaner
One cup hot water
Two tbsp. white vinegar
20 drops lavender or clove oil. One tsp. salt. Mix and use in a spray bottle to clean countertops or floors.

Furniture polish
One cup olive oil. One cup lemon juice. Apply polish using a soft cloth and buff with a dry cloth to shine.

Dish detergent/ shower scrub
Three tbsp. baking soda. Two tbsp. lemon juice. One tbsp. water. Mix to make a paste to be used as a scrub.

Antifungal disinfectant
One tsp. lavender or clove oil. Two cups of water. Apply to mold with a soft cloth or in a spray bottle.

Tile floor cleaner
One cup washing soda. One gallon water. Mix and apply to floor.

Fabric softener
One cup baking soda. One cup white vinegar. Two cups water. Mix and add cup to final rinse cycle.

Laundry detergent
One cup washing soda. One cup baking soda. One cup white vinegar. One ounce liquid soap. Mix and add to washer

Glass cleaner
One cup white vinegar
4 cups water. One tsp cornstarch. Mix and use in spray bottle

Carpet cleaner and deodorizer
Baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda over carpet, leave for one hour, and then vacuum

Final thoughts
You should always choose unscented soaps that do not contain petroleum distillates for biodegradable and hypo-allergenic cleaning. You should also practice safe storage for natural cleaning products, as they still can be dangerous if injested. You can store the cleaners in spray bottles, glass jars, or coffee cans.

Learn more about this author, Bella Cooper.
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