How to Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit    By Annie B. Bond, author of Clean &
Green (Ceres Press, 1990).      Most modern synthetic cleaning products are
based on age-old formulas using natural ingredients that were passed down through
the generations because the chemistry was right. Going back to the original
naturally derived ingredients is a way to make cleaning products that work, don't
pollute and save you money. Most are found in your kitchen cupboards. Mix and
match with well-chosen and environmentally friendly green cleaning products found
in health food stores, and you can easily and simply transform your home into
a non-toxic and healthy haven.   
  Non-toxic cleaning can give you a deep feeling of gratification in knowing
that your family's health is protected, and that your home is a place for your
bodies to rest and recuperate rather than promote harm.
  SIMPLE SOLUTION:  Making your own nontoxic cleaning kit will take you no time
at all with these simple, straightforward directions, and with this kit you
will be supplied with enough cleaning product for months of cleaning.      As an
added bonus, ounce for ounce homemade cleaning formulas cost about one-tenth
the price of their commercial counterpart—and that includes costly, but
worthwhile essential oils, and concentrated, all-purpose detergents for homemade
recipes.   
  SUPPLIES
Baking soda
Washing soda
White distilled vinegar
A good liquid soap or detergent
Tea tree oil
6 clean spray bottles
2 glass jars
     Read more about these 5 basic cleaning ingredients, and a vinegar update.
   
  CREAMY SOFT SCRUBBER
Simply pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid
detergent to make a texture like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, and
wash the surface. This is the perfect recipe for cleaning the bathtub because it
rinses easily and doesn't leave grit.
     Note: Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a
sealed glass jar, to keep the product moist. Otherwise just make as much as you
need at a time.   
  WINDOW CLEANER
1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water
Spray bottle
     Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as
you would a commercial brand. The soap in this recipe is important. It cuts
the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.   
  OVEN CLEANER
1 cup or more baking soda
Water
A squirt or two of liquid detergent
     Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the
grime with enough baking soda that the surface is totally white. Sprinkle some more
water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can easily wipe up the
grease the next morning because the grime will have loosened. When you have
cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a
sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven. If this recipe doesn't work
for you it is probably because you didn't use enough baking soda and/or water. 
 
  ALL-PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANER
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
A dab of liquid soap
2 cups hot tap water
     Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda
has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.   
  FURNITURE POLISH
1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive (or jojoba, a liquid wax)
1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice
Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe
onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.
  
  VINEGAR DEODORIZER
Keep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5 percent vinegar in your
kitchen near your cutting board and in your bathroom and use them for cleaning. I
often spray the vinegar on our cutting board before going to bed at night, and
don't even rinse but let it set overnight. The smell of vinegar dissipates within
a few hours. Straight vinegar is also great for cleaning the toilet rim. Just
spray it on and wipe off.
     MOLD KILLERS   
  Tree Treasure
Nothing natural works for mold and mildew as well as this spray. I've used it
successfully on a moldy ceiling from a leaking roof, on a musty bureau, a musty
rug, and a moldy shower curtain. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little goes a
very long way. Note that the smell of tea tree oil is very strong, but it will
dissipate in a few days.
     2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water      Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on
problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes two cups.   
  Vinegar Spray
Straight vinegar reportedly kills 82 percent of mold. Pour some white distilled
vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set
without rinsing if you can put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few
hours.

  HELPFUL HINTS:  Make sure to label all your homemade cleaning products, and
keep them away from pets and children