I'm on a roll: cleaning supplies

[Hobbes]

I don't know what exactly it is..

5 years of progress in my homemaking skills?
Reading "In Defense of Food" and "Omnivore's Dilemma" last month?
Years of slowly becoming more eco-conscious?
Losing weight and gaining more energy?
The end of the Bush era and the beginning of a new historic chapter?
I'm turning 50 this year and this is my version of 'mid-life' crisis?
all of the above?

But I'm on a roll this last month or two. I've cleaned out and organized pantries, drawers, clothing, office, christmas stuff and so much more. We've made the final switch to all organic, mainly plants, mainly local food (and so far keeping it under 500/month). I'm working on several projects (secret garden!) without missing a beat...

And now it's the cleaning supplies. I've done this half-heartedly over the years, but we were at a point where we were out or almost out of laundry soap, dishwasher soap, countertop cleaner, glass and all-purpose cleaner.

So, I got all the supplies, begged a few gallon jugs, containers and spray bottles...

and we are now completely eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning ready!

supplies:

peroxide
soap flakes
washing soda
borax
vinegar
castille soap
essential oils
ammonia
alcohol


Granite countertop cleaner: (I had to do a separate one because my other cleaner has vinegar, which will etch the granite over time)
1 part peroxide
1 part water
few drops

Glass/tile cleaner:
For every 2 cups water
3 tbs vinegar
1/4 tsp castile soap

Powdered Laundry detergent:
2 parts soap flakes
1 part washing soda
1 part borax

(2 tbsp per load, I read that for hard water you need to adjust this, but we don't have hard water and this is working great for us)

Dishwasher detergent:
1 part washing soda
1 part borax
few drops of essential oil per cup

Wood floor cleaner:
1 part vinegar
1 part water
(for regular cleaning with a swifter and spray bottle, can add essential oil)

1 part vinegar
1 part oil
(for polishing occassionally, I don't make this ahead of time since the oil could go rancid I think)

Dishsoap:
2 cups castile soap
1/2 cup water
few drops of essential oil

So, I've made up a gallon or more of each of these and have smaller containers for applications (spray bottles for cleaners, smaller boxes for taking to the washing machine or under the sink for the dishwasher)

I've labeled all the larger containers with what they have in them and the recipe and labeled all the smaller containers with their purpose too.

So now, we are nearly set. I have a 'cleaning kit' of basic materials (those 7 things seem to be able to do just about any cleaning job imaginable) and some recipes for the most common needs.

I've tested all these out and they are doing a GREAT job.

I'm saving mucho bucks (I figure over 100 a year at least), making my home a lot less toxic (though you wouldn't want someone to be eating the washing soda or ammonia!) and a lot more eco-friendly.

I'm a roll I tell you!

It might not be sustainable (pun intended), I'll probably wind down, but I might as well make as much use of this whatever it is that's got into me while it lasts!!

[Bonny]

This post turned me on. (nt)

[Hobbes]

This post turned me on. (nt)
ROFL :D... that reminds me of some funny 'porn' for women I saw the other day and I can't remember where...

[Bonny]

LOL! I really like to talk home management! A friend sent me a Martha Stewart organizing tip of the day - we've dubbed it Martha Porn.

[Jessica]

I don't know what exactly it is..

5 years of progress in my homemaking skills?
Reading "In Defense of Food" and "Omnivore's Dilemma" last month?
Years of slowly becoming more eco-conscious?
Losing weight and gaining more energy?
The end of the Bush era and the beginning of a new historic chapter?
I'm turning 50 this year and this is my version of 'mid-life' crisis?
all of the above?

But I'm on a roll this last month or two. I've cleaned out and organized pantries, drawers, clothing, office, christmas stuff and so much more. We've made the final switch to all organic, mainly plants, mainly local food (and so far keeping it under 500/month). I'm working on several projects (secret garden!) without missing a beat...

And now it's the cleaning supplies. I've done this half-heartedly over the years, but we were at a point where we were out or almost out of laundry soap, dishwasher soap, countertop cleaner, glass and all-purpose cleaner.

So, I got all the supplies, begged a few gallon jugs, containers and spray bottles...

and we are now completely eco-friendly, non-toxic cleaning ready!

supplies:

peroxide
soap flakes
washing soda
borax
vinegar
castille soap
essential oils
ammonia
alcohol


Granite countertop cleaner: (I had to do a separate one because my other cleaner has vinegar, which will etch the granite over time)
1 part peroxide
1 part water
few drops

Glass/tile cleaner:
For every 2 cups water
3 tbs vinegar
1/4 tsp castile soap

Powdered Laundry detergent:
2 parts soap flakes
1 part washing soda
1 part borax

(2 tbsp per load, I read that for hard water you need to adjust this, but we don't have hard water and this is working great for us)

Dishwasher detergent:
1 part washing soda
1 part borax
few drops of essential oil per cup

Wood floor cleaner:
1 part vinegar
1 part water
(for regular cleaning with a swifter and spray bottle, can add essential oil)

1 part vinegar
1 part oil
(for polishing occassionally, I don't make this ahead of time since the oil could go rancid I think)

Dishsoap:
2 cups castile soap
1/2 cup water
few drops of essential oil

So, I've made up a gallon or more of each of these and have smaller containers for applications (spray bottles for cleaners, smaller boxes for taking to the washing machine or under the sink for the dishwasher)

I've labeled all the larger containers with what they have in them and the recipe and labeled all the smaller containers with their purpose too.

So now, we are nearly set. I have a 'cleaning kit' of basic materials (those 7 things seem to be able to do just about any cleaning job imaginable) and some recipes for the most common needs.

I've tested all these out and they are doing a GREAT job.

I'm saving mucho bucks (I figure over 100 a year at least), making my home a lot less toxic (though you wouldn't want someone to be eating the washing soda or ammonia!) and a lot more eco-friendly.

I'm a roll I tell you!

It might not be sustainable (pun intended), I'll probably wind down, but I might as well make as much use of this whatever it is that's got into me while it lasts!!

Wow, you are on a roll! That is awesome, I am going to work toward this too. :)

[Tangwystl]

How do you use the amonia? What for?

[Bonny]

ammonia, diluted with water, is a really great all purpose cleaner/degreaser.

[Hobbes]

How do you use the amonia? What for?
Ammonia is probably one of the least-safe things on my list. Mixing it with bleach can form a deadly gas, etc. and drinking it is not a good thing to say the least. But it is biodegradable and not carcinogenic.

I won't be using it very much, and I'll NEVER be mixing it with any thing else. it's kind of my "when other things won't work" stuff.

Here is what one article says about it:

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-household-uses-of-ammonia.htm


Ammonia is great for eliminating stains and tarnish, and can be the ideal solution for hard-to-remove soap buildup in tubs, sinks, and bathroom tiles (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-household-uses-of-ammonia.htm#). It also works great to remove tarnish from silver or brass (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-brass.htm), and it can even clean gold jewelry where commercial cleaners have failed. In general, ammonia is good for cleaning anything that resist the use of other cleaners: clothing stains such as pen markings, perspiration, and blood; carpet stains such as red wine (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-red-wine.htm); and upholstery (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-upholstery.htm) stains caused by pets and food or drinks.
Ammonia can stop mildew just as well as bleach without causing discoloration, and it can also repel moths, keep garbage (http://www.wisegeek.com/how-much-garbage-does-a-person-create-in-one-year.htm) cans odor-free, and eliminate paint odors. Ammonia is also a great oven cleaner. Simply place a bowl full of ammonia inside your oven overnight and then wipe it clean without effort the next day. Oven racks and pots and pans can be cleaned with ammonia to help them recover their silvery spark, although you may need to rewash kitchen utensils a few items after that just to make sure there are no traces of ammonia left. Ammonia can also be used in the garden to help alkaline flowers (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-household-uses-of-ammonia.htm#) such as lilacs (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-lilacs.htm) grow stronger and faster. By mixing ammonia with water, you have one of most powerful plant (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-household-uses-of-ammonia.htm#) foods available for plants (http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-household-uses-of-ammonia.htm#) that prefer alkaline environments.

[Ali]

What do you clean the toilets with? Seriously, this was always my biggest obstacle to natural products. I've used vinegar & BS, but it doesn't seem to cut it :dunno:

[Hobbes]

What do you clean the toilets with? Seriously, this was always my biggest obstacle to natural products. I've used vinegar & BS, but it doesn't seem to cut it :dunno:
hmm, I use pure vinegar and it seems to work well enough.

This has a similar recipe than you have...

http://www.ehow.com/how_2135467_ecofriendly-toilet-bowl-cleaner.html

[Hawthorne]

I received a porn for women email like that that was VERY funny.

[Bonny]

a few homes ago, the only thing that would really clean our toilets was something with HCL in it. I think it depends so much on your water, yk? Right now I usually use a squirt of shampoo LOL.

[Hobbes]

a few homes ago, the only thing that would really clean our toilets was something with HCL in it. I think it depends so much on your water, yk? Right now I usually use a squirt of shampoo LOL.
I'm wondering if washing soda would help if you have hard water?

SF water is soft (and one of the best quality city water in the country.. and thus the world.. yes... I'm proud :) http://www.rd.com/your-america-inspiring-people-and-stories/50-cleanest-dirtiest-cities-in-america/article15115.html) so I don't have much experience with hard water, but I read that washing soda can help cut hard water problems.

[Bonny]

I know that they say it can help in the washing machine, with hard water - I know I used it sometimes w the diapers, but I think that once the hard water and rust get stuck on the porcelain, ime nothing but the hardcore stuff gets it off. (glad I don't have to deal with that now!)

[Tangwystl]

Hey thanks! We use it at work as a sanitizer but I didn't know what to do with it otherwise. lol It seems to be pretty cool as long as you are careful.

I use all natural cleaning products but I've never made them, just buy commercially made ones. I love that you are doing it yourself, makes me think.