Transform your cleaning routine with these easy-to-make, eco-friendly cleaning supplies that are safe for your home and the environment.
1. All Purpose Surface Cleaner
I would like to start by congratulating you on finding this tutorial on how to make an eco-friendly surface cleaner. I promise you that you will love it. Most eco friendly products are given bad press because its assumed that because they are good for the environment that there must be a trade off, that the product won't clean properly but that couldn't be further from the truth. In reality, eco friendly products and harmful chemical cleaners, the main reason the latter is preferred is because they are cheaper to produce.
This means more profit for manufacturers and retailers, it's the reason eco friendly products are so expensive just because of greed and corruption. Cleaning with harmful chemicals has become common practise but it doesn't have to be this way. The chemical cleaners are cheap to produce, they work efficiently and are convenient all at the expense of our health.
Using a toxic bleach spray damages our skin causing redness, itching and dryness. Breathing in the harmful chemicals is not ok, we need to make a change. You only need a few ingredients and materials and you will have this multi purpose surface cleaner.
What you will need
- Distilled or cooled boiled water (400ml)
- Castile soap (3 tbsp)
- Glycerine (1/4 tsp)
- Grapefruit essential oil (organic is best but others are fine)
- Tea tree oil
- Glass spray bottle (500ml)
- Funnel
Method
Pour the distilled water through the funnel into the glass bottle then add in the Castile soap, vegetable glycerine, 10 drops of grapefruit essential oil and then 5 drops of tea tree essential oil. Screw the spray cap onto the bottle, make sure you tighten it well to avoid spilling, shake well to combine, your spray is ready to be used.
2. DIY Washing Powder
Washing powder is full of chemicals, makes your skin itch and doesn't leave clothes smelling fresh for very long, here we have a recipe for eco friendly lovers. It's simple and very easy to make. We have tried soap nuts, an eco egg and pure essential oils, the best so far have been soap nuts as they have a natural smell, the eco egg is ok but it doesn't make a huge difference to the washing. The trouble is that these can get expensive so try out our homemade washing powder recipe and method, you will save money in the long run and benefit your health, win, win.
Ingredients
- Organic vegetable soap such as savon de marseille (250g)
- Soda crystals (250g)
- Bicarbonate of soda (250g)
- Lavender essential oil
- Lemon essential oil
- Grater
- Large bowl
- Large glass jar with lid
Method
To begin finely grate your soap into the large bowl, if prefered you can use castile soap. Grate the soap as fine as you can, otherwise it will build up in the washing machine drawer.
Add in the bicarb and soda crystals to the bowl and give it a good mix. Squash out any lumps. The bicarbonate of soda helps soap to work better and is a great deodorizer. Add in 10 drops of essential oils each, distribute them evenly into the mixture to avoid clumps forming. Mix again to combine well.
Pour the mixture into an airtight jar, the mixture is enough for up to 40 washes. To use simply add 1 tbsp of th powder to the detergent drawer in the washing machine. Instead of fabric softener use vinegar white with a few drops of essential oil. For tough to clean stains leave the clothes in a bowl of warm water with 1 tbsp of the powder for up to two hours.
Homemade Eco Friendly Cleaning Supplies (FAQ)
How does this eco friendly cleaner work?
The vegetable glycerine is a dust repellent and the Castile soap kills up to 99% of all bacteria. The essential oils will boost the bacteria killing properties and leave your home and surfaces smelling divine.
What can I use the surface cleaner for?
This multi-purpose cleaning spray works wonders cleaning the kitchen worktops, for wiping down appliances, inside your kitchen cupboards, around the sink areas, cleaning the oven window, the bathtub, around the exterior of the toilet, cleaning the dinner table, placemats and so much more.
