Non-Toxic Household Cleaning

Chemical cleaners do much to undermine our health and environment. Many of you have written to me asking about alternatives to home chemical cleaners. Here are some of my favorite non-toxic alternatives. Please try them and encourage your family and friends to do the same.

Window Cleaner

Ingredients: vinegar, newspaper, spray bottle

In a spray bottle, mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar and one liter of water. Spray on your windows and use the newspaper to clean.

Bathroom/Kitchen Cleaner

Ingredients: borax powder, baking soda

Mix 1/4 cup of borax powder with 1/4 cup baking soda. Add just enough water to make a paste. Use this for cleaning kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Alternatively, add less water for scouring.

Floor Cleaner

Ingredients: white vinegar, baking soda, borax powder

Mix together baking soda and a bit or borax powder and add to your mop water. The borax will keep away many insects, except ants. The white vinegar can be used for rinsing to add a natural shine and keep away ants.

Disinfectant

Ingredients: citricidal or tea tree oil, water

Add 20 drops of citricidal or up to 50 drops of tea tree oil to a bucket of water. Stir well. Use this for wiping floors, counters, sinks, bathroom tiles, shower stalls, and toilet seats. If you would like to discourage mold from growing in your showers stalls, add 5 drop of citricidal to a spray bottle filled with water and spray on your tiles.

Note: Citricidal and tea tree oil can be found at your local health food store. Borax powder can be found in some drug stores, grocery stores, or craft stores. Citricidal, tea tree oil, and borax powder should not be ingested by adults, children or pets.

Updated: September 20, 2004