Cleaning Naturally! - Re-post

When I first had Little Bear, I started to become more aware of the cleaning products we were using in our home. So I began to make sure that I was buying eco-friendly and babysafe products. It was important to me because I knew that my little guy would crawl on the floor (where he would inhale those products), dropping food then picking up and putting back in mouth (therefore, picking up any residue with it), and anything and everything else toddlers and babies tend to do...then put their hands back into their mouths.
It wasn't until right before I had Zoe did it really come to my attention that I could be making my very own cleaning products-go figure! Why hadn't I thought of this before? The funny thing is, while nesting I kind of...well, really got into this show on the BBC called, "How Clean is Your House?". The ladies made their own cleaning products out of really simple, already in your pantry ingredients. I began to find recipes on line, through books, friends (thank you Kelly!), etc. It was not only fun, but it felt great to not only know that "I" made it, but the fact that "I" knew EXACTLY what was in it! My goodness, not only was it simple, but it has saved us loads of money at the same time!
I thought I'd share a few of my fave's with you-Brandy, this one's for you hon!

Alice's WonderSpray (from Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan)

Combine the following ingredients in a 32 oz. bottle

Dissolve tsp. borax in 28 oz. hot water or less

Add 1/4 c. White Vinegar-preferably Heinz (since it's made from grains)

1/4 c. liquid soap-your preference (I use Mrs. Meyers either geranium or lemon verbena)

10-15 drops lemon or lavendar essential oil for scent (I use lemon)

This is an all-purpose spray and works wonders...hence the name "WonderSpray". I absolutely love this stuff.

Floor Cleaner

(I got this from one of my on-line groups a while back and have loved it ever since!)

1 gal. Hot Water

2 tbsp. Liquid Castille Soap-I use Dr. Bronner's Peppermint

1/4 tsp. Your choice of mixed EO (Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Citrus and/or Tea Tree)

Blend in a bucket and Mop

Laundry Detergent

1 c. Borax

1 c. Washing Soda

1 grated bar of Dr. Bronner's Castille Soap

I've been using this recipe for quite some time now. It's a non-sudsing recipe and I've not had any problems with it so far. I did have to go back and use my old detergent for one load, since I ran out and didn't have time to run to the store to buy the last ingredient. Anyhow, DH's pants were in that particular wash and I noticed the water looked pretty murky. I'm not sure why???? Maybe it was his pants. I think I'll try a load of my clothes and see if that happens. I'll let you know as it just happened today.

There are so many more, but these are some of the one's used the most in my home.

Please feel free to share any of your homemade cleaner recipes in your comments. I'd love to hear about them!