ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER
Suggested uses: hard surfaces like countertops and kitchen floors, windows and mirrors.

2 cups white distilled vinegar
2 cups water
20-30 or more drops of essential oil (optional)

Tip: Warm in microwave until barely hot to boost cleaning power for tough jobs. (Only microwave in a glass container.)

 

CREAMY SOFT SCRUB
Suggested uses: kitchen counters, stoves, bathroom sinks, etc.

2 cups baking soda
½ cup liquid Castile soap*
4 tsp vegetable glycerin (acts as a preservative)
5 drops antibacterial essential oil such as lavender, tea tree, rosemary or any other scent preferred (optional).

Mix together and store in a sealed glass jar; shelf life is two years.

Tip: For exceptionally tough jobs, spray with vinegar first—full strength or diluted, scented—let sit and follow with scrub.

*WVE recommends using a liquid Castile soap that does not contain sodium lauryl (laureth) sulfate (SLS) or diethanolamine (DEA), which may have harmful side effects.

TOILET BOWL CLEANER
Option 1 – Sprinkle toilet bowl with baking soda, drizzle with vinegar, let soak for at least 30 minutes, then scrub with toilet brush.

Option 2 – Put ¼ cup borax in toilet bowl and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Swish with a toilet brush, then scrub. Add a few drops of pine oil to increase disinfecting. (Note: Some people are allergic to pine oil.)

Tip: Let ingredients soak longer for even easier scrubbing, especially on persistent stains like toilet bowl rings.

DRAIN OPENER
½ cup baking soda
½ cup vinegar

Pour baking soda down the drain and follow with vinegar. Cover and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Flush with boiling water.

Tip: Prevent the shower from clogging by using a drain trap to catch hairs.

LAUNDRY DETERGENT
1 cup soap flakes
½ cup washing soda
½ cup borax

Make soap flakes by
using a cheese grater to grate a favorite pure vegetable soap. Mix ingredients together and store in
a glass container. Use 1 tablespoon per load (2 for heavily soiled
laundry) and wash in warm
or cold water.

Adjust for soft water by using
1 cup soap flakes, ¼ cup washing soda and ½ cup borax. For hard water, use 1 cup soap flakes, 1 cup washing soda and
1 cup borax.

Tips: Add ½ cup white distilled vinegar to the rinse as a fabric softener. For a whitener, use hydrogen peroxide rather than bleach. Soak dingy white clothes for 30 minutes in the washer with ½ cup of 20 percent peroxide. Launder as usual.

 

Source: www.WomenAndEnvironment.org; for additional recipes, visit www.EarthEasy.com/live_nontoxic_solutions.htm