You put child-safety devices and even locks on your cabinets to keep your kids out, but then you bring those cleaning chemicals out and spray, wipe and pour them around your house. Instead of worrying about these toxic ingredients entering your home, make your own cleaning products and rest assured that your family is safe and healthy.
What Can You Make?
You can put together many, if not most, of the cleaning ingredients you need in your home. You can make scrubbing agents, out of abrasive elements, to remove residues and buildups. You can make streak-free cleansers for mirrors, glass or windows. You can clean wood, glass, tile, fabric, metal and other surfaces with homemade household products. These products not only beautify but also disinfect and deodorize. You may still need to buy dish soap and laundry detergent.
What Do You Need?
Baking soda, salt, sugar and sand are abrasives you can use around the home. If you need a more abrasive agent for stubborn spots, use a wire brush or steel wool. Acids such as lemon juice and vinegar kill germs and bacteria and eliminate odors and dissolve some residues. Mixing vinegar and baking soda creates a scrubby foam perfect for wiping sinks, ovens and other sticky surfaces. Oils, such as tea tree oil and olive oil, polish and buff wood surfaces.
How to Store Them?
One of the advantages of the store-bought products is their shelf life. Homemade products may need to be replenished a little more regularly. For pastes made of scrubbing agents and oils or acids, make them in a dish or bowl each time you need to use them. For sprays, such as one part vinegar and one part water, put the mixture in a reusable spray bottle. Mark the ingredients of each mixture you are storing in a bottle. Perishable ingredients, such as lemon juice, should be stored in the refrigerator.
Why the Trouble?
Many store-bought cleaning products contain a litany of agents, making it difficult to determine everything present. Some of these agents are toxic and dangerous if combined. If you don’t know every ingredient you are using, you run the risk of endangering yourself or others. Making your own products keeps you aware of everything you are exposing your family to.
How Safe Are They?
Homemade cleaning products often contain items you use in food. Many of these can be eaten, although they may not taste great. If any of your family members have sensitivities or allergies, you can take out these ingredients. It may be worth a little elbow grease to avoid any potential dangers.
