by E.D. Cameron

Created on: August 03, 2009   Last Updated: March 28, 2010

With a shift in the marketplace towards "green" products, it can be confusing to figure out what exactly is green and how you can substitute it for traditional cleaners.  "Eco-friendly" cleaners also tend to be higher priced, leading to frustration: you want to do something good for the environment but your pocket just won't allow it!

The solution is to substitute household cleaners with easy to find natural ingredients. 

Save money, the environment and protect your household from toxins and chemicals. These are just three of the major benefits for retooling your cleaning routine by using natural ingredients. With a few simple adjustments to your cleaning techniques, you can adopt a truly green clean. Added bonus: many of the natural recipes work better than store bought chemicals!

To begin you should pick up or repurpose the following items:

1. (3) Spray Bottles

2. (4) Abrasive scrubby (lots of folks have affordable crochet scrubbies available that are eco-friendly and washable)

3. (5) Micro fiber rags (you can also repurpose old ratty towels, t-shirts, or linens for the task)

4. One large box of baking soda (you can also use baking powder in a pinch!)

5. One gallon of white vinegar

6. Several whole lemons (seasonal)

7. Corn starch

8. Old toothbrush

9. Essential oils (if you like a fragrance)

10. Steam cleaner (if you can afford it, otherwise skip it!)

11. Borax or boric acid (in many cases behind the counter at your local pharmacy)

For windows and glassy surfaces mix a half vinegar half water solution in your spray bottle. You can add a squeeze of lemon if the smell is too overpowering for you. Steam cleaning also works great on windows and glass, and many steam cleaners come with a squeegee or other window attachment. Make sure to wipe up vinegar and water or steam with a firm swipe of your micro fiber cloth. Newspaper also is a trick of the trade for wiping when your cloths leave behind too much lint.

For a great multipurpose, combine 1 teaspoon of boric acid, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice and 1 cup of hot water. Pour into your spray bottle and shake vigorously. You can use this on most surfaces around your house to wipe up spills or clean fixtures and more.

For tougher stains which require a good scrub, I like to make a baking soda paste. Simply mix in a small jar or bowl two tablespoons of baking soda with one cup of warm water. This is especially great for toilets, showers, and kitchen sinks that are ceramic or porcelain.

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