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Clean and Green Homemade Cleaners

How to make your own homemade cleaners.

 Homemade cleaners are a great alternative to store-bought chemicals. They are less likely to cause harm or irritation, they are environmentally friendly, easy to make, and you know what is in them. You can also control the strength of the cleaners as you control the ingredients.

Though you can find "green" cleaning products in the store, they may still contain harsh irritants. Check out our simple and affordable green cleaning recipes below!

What should I know before getting started?

  1. Though green cleaners are gentler on us and the earth, they should not be consumed.
  2. Microfiber towels can save a lot of time with simple tasks like dusting.
  3. Hot water will clean much better than cold water.
  4. Always start with as mild a cleaner as you can. If it doesn't work even after applying some elbow grease and letting it sit, try a stronger cleaner.
  5. Know the different types of cleaners because that will help you make a cleaner.

What are the different types of cleaners used for?

Base/Alkali

  • Good for removing dirt, fat, and grease
  • Conventional cleaners: all-purpose cleaner, oven cleaner
  • Alternatives: Baking soda (mild), Borax (moderate), Washing soda (strong)

Acids

  • Breaks things down like rust, mineral deposits, hard water stains. Good for glass, windows, brass, copper, tiles, and mold.
  • Conventional cleaner: toilet bowl cleaner, tub and tile cleaner, mold solutions
  • Alternatives: vinegar, lemon juice

Detergents

  • Good for removing dirt, fat, and grease
  • Conventional Cleaners: laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, cleansers
  • Alternatives: washing soda/Borax, soap nuts/granules, vegetable coconut oils 

Abrasives

  • Wears off dirt by rubbing. Found in powders and scouring pads. Can scratch surfaces.
  • Conventional cleaners: scouring pads, steel wool
  • Alternatives: baking soda or salt, Borax/washing soda, mesh pads

Bleach and Sanitizers

  • Whitens. Removes stains. Disinfects or reduces bacteria. "Sanitizers." Helps areas smell better.
  • Conventional cleaners: most common household product is chlorine bleach.
  • Alternatives: sunlight/citrus, hydrogen peroxide, Borax or vinegar, tea tree and lavender oils

Air Fresheners

  • Helps the air smell better
  • Conventional cleaners: plug-ins and sprays
  • Alternatives: open windows, essential oils, lemon or lime juice, simmer spices on stove, baking soda 

Can I use ammonia and bleach?

Ammonia and bleach are inexpensive and effective at cleaning and disinfecting. They can be used sparingly and diluted as a last resort in household recipes. However, NEVER mix ammonia and bleach together! (i.e., spraying shower with bleach and glass cleaner (ammonia) on mirror) Mixing these chemicals together can produce highly toxic fumes. A few more safety tips:

  • Chemicals can lose their effectiveness. Don’t mix more than you will use.
  • If you mix any chemicals together, do so in a well-ventilated area.
  • Label mixed solutions carefully and keep out of reach of children and away from food.
  • Never mix in food containers.
  • Store original chemicals in original containers.
  • Never mix bleach with anything but water. Mixing with other chemicals may cause toxic fumes.

This week's recipe is for a homemade, all-purpose cleaner. We hope this works for you!

DIY All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe

  • 1/4 cup vinegar
  • 12-20 drops essential oil
  • 1 tsp castile or phosphorous-free dish soap or washing soda
  • 2 cups boiled or distilled water
  1. Fill cleaning spray bottle with 2-4 cups (see below for variations on this recipe based on strength desired) distilled or boiled (cooled) water.
  2. Add all other ingredients. Shake well.

 

As always, please follow our Instagram and Facebook pages at Howard County Extension – FCS, I’ll have additional nuggets there for you!

Special thanks to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Homesteading website for this week’s article idea: uaex.uada.edu/homesteading.

For more information on homemade cleaners, call the Howard County Extension Office at 870-845-7517 or visit our office upstairs in the Courthouse. The Cooperative Extension Service is part of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

 

 

By Angie Freel
County Extension Agent - FCS
The Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture

Media Contact: Angie Freel
County Extension Agent - FCS
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
421 N. Main St, Nashville AR 71852
(870) 845-7517
afreel@uada.edu

 

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.

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