As I am trying to adopt a more eco-responsible way of living, I have started to make my own cleaning products. And guess what? I am just wondering why I didn’t start earlier! Because it’s super easy to make (it won’t take you more than 10 minutes), it saves you a lot of money and you are using natural products that will not harm the environment. I have started only a few months ago, so I am still emptying the products I have in stock, but as I move forward, I will try to share with you the recipes I approved.
Bathroom Cleaner Spray
What you need:
- 1 empty spray container
- 1 cup (250 ml) of white vinegar
- 2 cups (500 ml) of water
- 12 to 20 drops of tea tree essential oil (perfect against mold)
- Baking soda
How to make it:
- Mix the vinegar, water and tea tree in the empty container.
- Shake well.
- Your bathroom cleaner is ready!
To remove scale, you can use baking soda – but you should not add it into the vinegar solution. Instead, proceed as follows:
- Sprinkle some baking soda on the surface area you want to clean.
- Spray the vinegar solution on it. You’ll see a chemical reaction that makes the baking soda foam.
- Let stand for 5 minutes before rinsing.
Window Cleaner Spray
What you need:
- 1 empty spray container
- 1 cup (250 ml) of white vinegar
- 3 cups (750 ml) of water
How to make it:
- Pour the vinegar and water in the empty container.
- Shake well.
- That’s it!
Dishwasher Pods
What you need – Makes about 10 pods:
- 1 ice cube tray
- 4 tablespoons of baking soda
- 4 tablespoons of soda ash (washing soda)
- 2 tablespoons of citric acid
- 2 tablespoons of salt
- (optional) 10 drops of lemon essential oil
How to make it:
- In a bowl, stir all the ingredients together.
- Spray with water (no more than 1 tablespoon) and toss until the mixture looks like crumble. If you put too much water, it will foam.
- Fill the ice cube tray and press the mixture into cubes (e.g. you can use a cork).
- Let dry for at least 8 hours.
- Remove the pods from the tray and store them in a sealed container to protect them from humidity.
If you need a rinse aid, you can add 1/2 cup of vinegar in a recipient that you simply put in your dishwasher.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
What you need:
- 1 empty bottle with a dispenser
Note: The only brand I found where you can unscrew the cap and thus reuse the bottle is “Seventh Generation.” - 1 cup (250 ml) of white vinegar
- 2 cups (500 ml) of water
- 12 to 20 drops of tea tree essential oil (perfect against mold)
- 3 tablespoons of cornstarch
How to make it:
- In a pan, bring 3/4 cup of vinegar and 1 1/2 cup of water to a boil.
- Meanwhile, dilute the cornstarch in the remaining 1/2 cup of water.
- When the vinegar/water solution boils, pour the cornstarch while stirring.
- Keep on cooking for a few more seconds, then let the gel cool.
- Add the tea tree drops to the remaining vinegar and pour them in the pan once it’s cold.
- Stir and transfer into the empty bottle.