Store-bought household cleaning products aren’t the only way to keep a home clean. There is a growing world of DIY ways to make cleaning products right in your own home, while avoiding the chemicals, and pollutants that stress our planet.
According to a new study from the University of Bergen in Norway, many household cleaning products pose serious health and environmental consequences, even from just weekly use.
Air-fresheners, soaps, detergents, glass/all-purpose cleaners, bleaching agents, softeners, and any other type of cleaning agent you use, possess some form of a health hazard. According to the American Lung Association, “Household and cleaning products — including soaps, polishes, and grooming supplies — often include harmful chemicals. Even products advertised as green or natural may contain ingredients that can cause health problems.”
How you can keep your home clean while avoiding toxic cleaning products
Fortunately, not everything on the store shelf is bad. Just look for all-natural products, without these four ingredient themes:
- Volatile Organic Compounds
- Fragrances
- Irritants
- Flammable Ingredients
To help you validate that your product really is natural, the Environmental Protection Agency has a partner known as Safer Choice, which helps consumers find products that are safe and more sustainable.
DIY all natural cleaning products for your home
Take things a step further and create your cleaning products. It’s easier than you think.
You only need seven items to create a wide array of cleaning supplies:
- Baking Soda
- White Vinegar
- Lemon (juice and peel)
- Castile Soap
- Essential Oil
- Hydrogen Peroxide
- Borax
Use the above ingredients to create a number of Planet Aid Organization approved all natural cleaners, including:
- All-Purpose Cleaner
- Glass Cleaner
- Disinfectant Spray
- Air Freshener
- Toilet Bowl Cleaner
- Dish Soap
- Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Clothing Stain Remover
- Bleach Alternative
These DIY recipes are easy to follow. Just check out this one for an all-purpose cleaner everyone can use.
The DIY All-Purpose Cleaner
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of borax
- 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide
- 2 cups of hot water
- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
- Essential oil (optional)
Instructions:
- Dissolve the tablespoon of borax into the two cups of hot water.
- Mix in the remaining ingredients.
- Once the mixture is complete, transfer it to a spray bottle.
Notes:
- Once you’ve passed the cleaning mixture into a spray bottle, you can add any essential oil to your choosing. According to Mercola, “Many essential oils have antibacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral activity and can be added as a boost to your homemade cleaners.” Besides their health benefits, essential oils also provide a pleasant aroma that is safer than your typical air fresheners.
Living a sustainable and healthier lifestyle is within everyone’s grasp. As individuals, our home is often the best place we can act to do something good for the planet.
Try a new homemade, all natural DIY cleaning product. It’s easier than you think, and does a lot to minimize your impact. There’s no harm in trying!
