Boho and Mo: top 10 natural cleaners

Friday, April 4, 2014

Spring Cleaning- 10 Best Natural Non-Toxic Cleaning Products That Really Work

Spring Cleaning- 10 Best Natural Non-Toxic Products That Really Work

Saturdays are cleaning day, at my house. It’s the day when I scrub, scour and shine everything in sight. It’s the one day when my house is as clean as I want it to be.

I used to use big name products, because of convenience, mainly. I knew they weren’t the safest products; but, I really didn’t have the time or money to waste, finding and using more natural products. Everything was Febreezed and Swiffered to a fresh smelling glimmer.

Then I adopted Boho. Every Saturday, after I finished cleaning, she would vomit. All of the cleaning products were making her sick! I had to make a change.

I researched DIY natural cleaners; and, set about trying them out. I also researched some of the non-toxic, eco-friendly brands on the market. I tried some of those out as well. Anything that made Boho ill, was out.

The following are the 10 Best readymade and DIY products, I have found to be effective:

1. Baking Soda - I use baking soda for so many things. I actually have jars of it, scattered around my house, for baking soda emergencies. It’s great for cleaning sinks, showers, toilets, and greasy pans. I sprinkle a little baking soda on the surface I want to clean. Then, I spray on some vinegar, which makes it foam up. Apply a bit of elbow grease, with a sponge and, ta-da, clean. It’s also great for freshening carpets and garbage cans.

2. White Vinegar and Apple Cider Vinegar- These are great as all purpose and glass cleaners. This diy citrus cleaner is easy to make with white vinegar and orange peels. It works great on stainless steel. I also mix them with essential oils to make different scented cleaners. Mixing vinegar with tea tree oil is a great mold deterrent.

3. Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap- I add this to some of my DIY cleaner recipes for extra cleaning power. I also use this to clean my dishes sometimes.

4. Melaleuca Products- Melaleuca is a factory direct, online company who makes non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaning , personal care, and nutritional products. I’m a preferred member, which helps me save money. I simply place my order every month for the products I need. And, their cleaning products are phenomenal. I use almost all of their cleaning products.

5. Grab Green Automatic Dishwashing Detergent- I like the red pear scented ones. Many of the natural dishwasher tablets I have tried, do not work. I’ve even tried to make my own and ended up with a chalky film over my dishes. This is the only one I’ve found that is effective.

6. Seventh Generation Stainless Steel Cleaner- This is the best natural, non-toxic, stainless steel cleaner I have tried. None of the others I tried, did the job as well.

7. Method and Seventh Generation products (general)- These are two companies I trust not to poison me and my family. Although I’m not currently using any Method products, I have used a few in the past and found them to be effective. Seventh Generation has been a favorite at my house for many years. I love their paper products, especially.

8. Earth Friendly Products Ecos Laundry Detergent - This is another product I’ve used for many years. I love the Magnolia scented formula! They also make a Pet’s Formula to wash your pet’s toys and bedding, safely.

9. Essential Oils- I mainly add Lemon, Thyme, Tea Tree (Melaleuca), Clove, Lavender, and eucalypsus to my vinegar or castile soap mixtures. I also use them to scent my home by adding about 20 drops to a Small spray bottle filled with distilled water and a couple of drops of vitamin e oil.

10. Fruit peelings- I clean hard water stains with banana and lemon peels. I use apple peels to scent my home by boiling them in a pot of water with spices. And, of course, I make my all purpose cleaner with orange peels.