Make Your Own All-Purpose Cleaner and Ditch the Toxic Stuff You’re Buying

By
Jovana A
-
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

Perhaps you don’t actively think about it, but most store-bought cleaning products contain toxic ingredients that can harm you and the environment with prolonged use. Once you start looking for cleaners that don’t have harmful stuff in them, you realize that this is basically mission impossible. One of the options you have is to make your own all-purpose cleaner and it’s easier than it sounds.

View this post on Instagram

🌿 DIY cleaner; repost from @chelseahennard 🌿 ・・・ Infused vinegar offers way prettier colors than Windex blue. I love getting started on new batches of vinegar infusions — especially when that means we’re no longer using windex at our Air BNB. I’ve been refilling our lavender + lime and our orange + rosemary for weeks now, but this last weekend, I added some lemon to the mix so I could have plenty for both our home and the rental. If you have never infused vinegar before, or you just aren’t a huge fan of the smell of vinegar, it’s super simple to do. Grab a sterilized jar, the produce or herbs of choice, and your choice of vinegar — I use distilled white vinegar, but you can also use apple cider. Add your produce/herbs to jar and pour vinegar over them. Cover and place in a cool dark place for 3-4 weeks! That’s it! Once it’s done infusing, you can use it for a multitude of household cleaning — I use it for our all purpose cleaner, laundry fabric softener, and rinse aid for our dishes. So multifunctional! Are you infusing any vinegar right now? What’s your fave combo? 📷 with permission from @chelseahennard 🌿#zerowastecollective

A post shared by Tara McKenna | ZWC (@zero.waste.collective) on

You can effectively clean your home with a few staple pantry items, such as white vinegar and baking soda. Combine them in different ways and add your favorite scent for a powerful cleaner that will make you forget you ever needed anything else. Here’s our favorite recipe

You Will Need

  • Warm filtered water, 1 cup
  • White vinegar, 1 cup
  • Your favorite essential oil, 15 drops
  • Empty spray bottle
View this post on Instagram

Nesting /ˈnestiNG/ The urge to clean and organize before a new baby arrives. . I wish I had this kind of energy months ago but here I am mowing the lawn and attempting all the things at #37weekpregnant 🙈 . My favorite go-to for deep cleaning is an infused vinegar solution. I have an orange and lavender vinegar steeping now but this rosemary and lemon one I made earlier this spring is one of my favorites. All this is to say, here’s another way to utilize your citrus peels and herbs this summer. Not only is it a great way to reduce waste but it’s fun and cost-efficient too. Just make sure not to use it on granite and marble surfaces 🚫 . Do you make your own cleaners? Come share your favorite ones below 👇🏻 . . . . . . . . . . #naturalliving #naturallifestyle #naturallife #cleanliving #diyblogger #diyblog #diylifestyle #easydiy #simplelife #makersgonnamake #creativemuslimwomen #muslimblogger #naturalproducts #naturalhome #diycleaningproducts #wastefree #sustainableliving #sustainability #bethechange #ecofriendly #ecofriendlyproducts #ecofriendlyliving #simpleliving #simplelifestyle #plasticfree #wastefreeliving #lowimpactliving #mindfulhomekeeping

A post shared by Sammy| Conscious Lifestyle (@thecozyhomechronicles) on

Instructions

  1. Combine water and vinegar in the spray bottle.
  2. Add the essential oil – we recommend orange or lemon scent.
  3. Close the bottle and shake well. It’s ready for use!

You can use this spray to clean all kinds of surfaces, but it’s especially useful for cleaning kitchen counters and the fridge because there are no toxic ingredients that can transfer to your food.