DIY Products for Natural Spring Cleaning
By Amy Baker
Ah, spring. Finally! Time to throw open the windows and get the fresh air and energy circulating throughout the house. It's also the perfect time for a good spring cleaning. Whether you're tackling a top-to-bottom house swabbing or addressing things room-by-room, you can do so with natural, homemade products that are easy, safe, earth-friendly, and that will leave your home smelling out of this world.
We're all aware that conventional cleaning products contain a wide array of harsh and harmful chemicals that pose risks for our bodies and the planet. And while more natural products are becoming available commercially, they can be both expensive and environmentally unsound, with their plastic bottles and packaging adding unnecessary waste to the landfills. Why not whip up your own earth- and budget-friendly cleaners?
It's easy and fun to make your own homemade cleaners. With a few reusable bottles and jars, plus a handful of staple ingredients, you can make a collection of household cleaning products that will be a pleasure to use. Try out some of our favorite recipes below. Have fun and feel free to customize with your family's favorite scents! Most ingredients can be purchased at Community Pharmacy and Community Wellness Shop.
ALL-PURPOSE NATURAL CLEANING SPRAY
16 oz. spray bottle
3/4 cup distilled water
1 cup white vinegar
2 t. liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)
60 - 80 drops lemon, orange or Good Samaritan essential oil
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a spray bottle.
Shake and spray on non-porous surfaces (countertops, sinks, toilets, etc.)
With a wet rag, wipe down surface.
With a dry towel, wipe up water spots.
ALL-NATURAL DUSTING SPRAY
8 oz spray or squeeze bottle
3/4 cup olive oil or jojoba oil*
1 T + white vinegar or lemon juice (strain out pulp)**
30-40 drops essential oil, optional (lemon, clove, orange, etc.)
Instructions:
Add ingredients to bottle and shake vigorously.
Spray directly onto furniture (being careful of overspray), and buff with a soft, dry cloth in the direction of the grain, OR squeeze a small amount to a soft, dry cloth, then buff into the wood, working in the direction of the grain.
*Jojoba oil is preferred for its long shelf life and colorlessness.
** You can play with the amount of vinegar. Adding more will give a sharper scent and improve cleaning ability. A spray heavier on the oil will yield a more lubricating polish, but too much will leave a greasy film.
BATHROOM GROUT SCRUB
pint-size jar
1 c baking soda
3 T liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronners)
15 drops sweet orange essential oil
15 drops tea tree essential oil
10 drops peppermint essential oil
Instructions:
In a large bowl, mix the essential oils with baking soda and castile soap.
Add more castile soap as needed to make a smooth consistency.
Use about a teaspoon of this mixture on a rag or sponge to clean the sink or shower.
DAILY SHOWER CLEANER SPRAY
16 oz spray bottle
2/3 cup vodka
1 ¼ cup distilled water
10-20 drops peppermint essential oil
Instructions:
Mix and store in a spray bottle.
Spray shower or tub daily after showering. No rinse needed.
MOLD & MILDEW SPRAY
16 oz spray bottle
½ c cup distilled water
½ c white vinegar
1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide
10 drops tea tree essential oil
10 drops peppermint essential oil
Instructions:
Mix and store in amber spray bottle.
Shake before using
Spray liberally on mold/mildew, let sit for 1-2 hours, rinse. Repeat if necessary.
HOMEMADE WINDOW CLEANER
16 oz spray bottle
3 T white vinegar (apple cider vinegar will work, as well)
3 T isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
2 ¼ t cornstarch (reduces streaking)
2 cups distilled water
8-10 drops essential oil of choice
Instructions:
Combine everything in a spray bottle.
Shake well to mix.
Spray onto glass surface and wipe clean.
Amy Baker is a gardener, teacher, wildcrafter, herb enthusiast and an award-winning writer. She has studied herbal medicine with various teachers in Chicago and Madison, and earned her certification as a Culinary Nutrition Expert and Instructor through the Academy of Culinary Nutrition. Amy has enjoyed creating plant medicines, natural beauty and cleaning products, and all manner of tasty, nutritious, healing recipes for decades.