I was recently browsing through Good.is, and I found a great article explaining how to make your own non-toxic household cleaners.  Not only can household cleaners get expensive, but many times they are filled with unnecessary chemicals that could be harmful.  According to their site, “the average home contains up to 25 gallons of toxic chemicals, many of which are in store-bought cleaners…The EPA estimates that indoor air is 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air due in part to chemicals found in many household cleaners and air fresheners.”  Use these tips to substitute many store-bought cleaners with safe, eco-friendly options.

Drain Cleaner

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of baking soda
• 1 gallon of water
• 1 cup of vinegar
• 1/2 of a lemon

Directions

First, pour a 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain.  Then, mix 1 cup white vinegar and the juice of 1/2 a lemon.  Pour the mixture down the drain after the baking soda.  Wait five minutes, then pour a gallon of hot water down the drain.  The water will wash out the mixture, leaving you with a clean drain.

Air Freshener

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp of lemon juice
• 1 tsp of cinnamon
• 2 1/2 cups of water

Directions

After you juice a lemon, save the peel.  Simmer the zest from one lemon in water with a teaspoon of cinnamon, and let the aroma spread throughout your house.  Tip: if you have a stubborn smell in your home, add a few tablespoons of baking soda to the mix.

All-Purpose Cleaner

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup of baking soda
• 1/2 gallon of water
• 1/2 cup of vinegar

Directions

Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar and 1/4 cup of baking soda into 1/2 gallon of water.  Store and keep.  Use it to clean countertops, sinks, appliances, and other washable surfaces.

Click here to see the whole article.

I hope these tips will come in handy for you!  If you have a tip you’d like to share post it in the comments section below.

~TSGal