DIY and Make Your Own Natural Cleaning Products
Harsh chemical cleaners can sometimes be more harmful than the germs. Make your own natural cleaners that are effective at killing germs, economical, and healthier for you and the environment.
Kill 100% of the germs by using an acid and a base. Germs cannot live in extreme ph values using an acid and a base.
Common acids are vinegar and lemon juice and common bases are baking soda and borax. Alternate the use of acids and bases so that germs cannot survive.
Add essential oils to boost antiseptic, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, deodorizing power and give yourself an aromatherapy treatment while you clean.
Use traditional cleaning aromas like citrus oils such as Lemon, Lime, Mandarin, Orange or tree oils like Pine and Spruce. I also use Clove, Tea tree, Lavender, Lemongrass, Ginger, Peppermint, Rosemary, and Thyme, but choose your favourites to create your own blends. I like lemongrass, ginger and mandarin. The lemongrass smell lasts longer than the quick to evaporate top citrus notes like lime and lemon.
Acid:
Vinegar surface spray: 1:1 ratio 50% vinegar to 50% distilled water.
Use 1/3 to half and half ratio of vinegar
Add essential oils to cover-up the vinegar smell and add antiseptic deodorizing action. Alternatively you can steep herbs in vinegar, but strain it well before use.
Put in spray bottle and label. Spray on surfaces such as counters, cabinets, fridges, shelves, walls and just about anything except certain tiles. Use with baking soda or borax when cleaning sinks, toilets to create an acid and base. Let the mixture sit for at least half an hour.
Base:
Baking soda: Mix 30 drops to one cup of baking soda in a wide mouth jar and label. I use a chopstick to stir it and mix it together. You can use giant salt and pepper shakers to spread on carpets or store in a jar. Let it marinate at least 24 hours. Use with vinegar to create an acid and base. Caution: the mixture bubbles up and foams when put together.
Hydrogen peroxide spray: (H202) the chemistry symbol for hydrogen peroxide which is water (H20) with another oxygen bond on the end
Find food grade ultra pure hydrogen peroxide 35% aqueous solution at a health store or a seed sprouting supply store. Do not use hydrogen peroxide from the drugstore it has binders and it is not food grade. Be careful not to splash on skin or eyes at full strength when diluting. At full strength H202 can burn off warts and can discolour the skin white for a short period so caution is advised.
Use 3% solution which equals 1 part 35% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to 11 parts distilled water. Mix carefully in spray bottle and label.
You can use food grade H2O2 to clean fruit and vegetables as well as any surfaces including your toothbrush and ear buds. There are books written on all the uses for hydrogen peroxide. Anytime you see a product with the word ‘oxy’ chances are this is the magical ingredient. It gets rid of stains on clothes and I have used it to get rid of coffee stains on white shirts. It brightens and whitens. Happy natural health cleaning!
This is an excerpt from my ebook: Essential oils and the Five Elements: Easing Emotional Overload with Aromatherapy and Reflexology
