A while back, I discovered this awesome new app, which lets you scan beauty products like make-up, shampoos and creams for toxic ingredients. After going through every single bottle and tube in my bathroom and eliminating a few of them due to harmful ingredients, I was thinking that I would really  enjoy something similar, to screen my cleaning products.

We all know that commercial cleaning solutions out there can cause long term health problems, allergies and are not environmentally friendly.  I have always been interested in the “green alternative” but most natural cleaning products come with a hefty price tag. The answer for me was home-made cleaning solutions made from natural ingredients, which are safe to use and are ecofriendly as well.

A few of nature’s perfect key opponents for cleaning products are vinegar (cuts grease, removes odors and mildew), filtered water and sea salt (acts as a scrub). These basic ingredients can be mixed with essential oils (bacteria fighting) for a nice smelling product or baking soda to eliminate bad smells all over the house.

If you want to go all green, use glass instead of plastic spray bottles to eliminate any plastic from leaking into the product when reusing the bottle for a period of time.

Here are 3 of my favorite home-made cleaning products for my house:

Green All-purpose cleaner:

4 tablespoons of baking soda

1 quart of warm water

10 drops of essential oils (I recommend pineapple & tea tree)

Simple, disinfecting, great for counter tops & inside of fridge

Natural Tub Scrub:

2 tablespoons of baking soda

2 tablespoons sea salt

20 drops of essential oils (I recommend tea tree, lemon and mint oil)

Wash off with plenty of water, removes dirt build up and refreshes

Natural glass cleaner:

2 cups warm water

¼ cup white vinegar

¼ cup rubbing alcohol

1 tablespoon corn starch

Use in squirt bottle with micro fiber cloth.

Rena