I must confess, for more than a year, my friend Elizabeth has been asking me to do a post on homemade household cleaners. As a result of her prodding, I am proud to present part 1 of a series on non-toxic cleaners for your home. We’ll start off with a cleaning spray for my favorite room of the house –the kitchen!
So, first questions first. Why make your own cleaning products? Why go through the bother? To save money and protect the environment, of course! You can pay upwards of $4 for a bottle of cleaning spray or, you can easily make it yourself for less. Below are the top ten reasons for a DIY cleaning spray:
- Save money
- Keep bottles out of the landfill -use just ONE bottle over and over again
- Conserve fossil fuel –why pay for a product that is mostly water to be shipped from miles away?
- Eliminate strong synthetic fragrances –that merely mask the dirt, doing little to get rid of it
- Make your home a non-toxic zone
- Refrain from adding harmful toxins to our waterways
- Stop supporting companies and manufacturers that produce harmful substances
- Eliminate consumption of unnecessary products from multi-national corporations
- Customize cleaning sprays with your favorite essential oils
- Make your own sprays in the comfort of your own home
I have mixed my own cleaning products for more than a decade. First, I enjoy doing so! Second, I want my house to actually be clean, not smell of strong synthetic fragrances. Third, I enjoy the scent of simple cleaners made from natural products. That’s why I created the kitchen counter spray that follows.
Elana's Kitchen Cleaner
Ingredients
- 1 (16 ounce) spray bottle
- 8 ounces peroxide (3%)
- 8 ounces water
- 5 drops tea tree oil
- 5 drops lemon oil
Instructions
- Pour all ingredients into 16 ounce spray bottle
- Shake well
- Spray on counter surfaces and wipe with a clean rag
Below you can see the price difference between making your own cleaning product and purchasing it:
DIY Spray (initial cost includes price of bottle) | $3.57 for 16 ounces |
DIY Spray (refill cost) | $1.70 for 16 ounces ($.09 per ounce) |
Fantastic All-Purpose Cleaner | $4.86 for 32 ounces ($.15 per ounce) |
Seventh Generation | $4.19 for 32 ounces ($.13 per ounce) |
Other tips: If you have an old spray bottle lying around the house use that instead of purchasing a new one; to further save money (and trees) use rags instead of paper towels to keep your kitchen spic and span.
Easy solutions are at our fingertips. We can save money and protect the planet’s precious resources in the process, creating win-win situations that show us why the words economy and ecology share a prefix!
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Now go ahead, let us know your favorite eco-cleaning tip in the comments section below!
Update: Thanks to a comment from Lucas, I have modified the cleaning spray recipe above.
Lucas says
Hey Elana!
Environmentally safe bleach is just a less dilute hydrogen peroxide (95% water and 5% HP as opposed to the 97% water and 3% HP that most people buy in brown bottles at their pharmacies).
I would therefore be inclined to omit the added water from your recipe, as the HP is already 97% dilute. Some people might want to adjust the amounts of added essential oils; try cutting those amounts in half to keep pretty much the same balance as your original recipe. I would also make sure to use an opaque spray bottle so that the potential for degradation due to light is not an issue.
I hope that helps. Thanks for your tips, and I look forward to more of your homemade cleaning solutions.
~M says
I have been using hydrogen peroxide undiluted to clean the surfaces in my home. I don’t add essential oils or extracts (like grapefruit seed extract) because…my new technique is to keep the hydrogen peroxide in the bottle that it comes in. I simply attach a clean spray nozzle (one that’s only otherwise used for water) right onto the bottle of hydrogen peroxide and spray. It’s SO easy, already in a dark bottle, doesn’t use another bottle or space.
Elana, it’d be great to get more household/laundry tips from you! We all have so much to learn! For example, how do you clean your produce or cutting boards?
elana says
Hi Lucas, funny, sometimes I use the peroxide without diluting it, and just add the essential oils, though often I do go the 50/50 route with water as per the recipe above. I go through it quite quickly and do not keep it in a bright spot in my kitchen so I haven’t worried about the light aspect that you mention. You sound very knowledgeable, what are your thoughts on this? What do you use to clean your kitchen. This has worked very well for me, maybe because I don’t think of my kitchen as a “dirty” place…I’m always open to new thoughts and ideas though!
Lucas says
I question the use of peroxide in your preparation for several reasons. Not because it is unsafe (it isn’t), but because it seems ineffective.
First of all, you dilute the peroxide, already a highly dilute substance when you buy it in the store, with an equal amount of water; the resulting amount of peroxide seems negligible. Also, the reason Hydrogen Peroxide is sold in dark bottles is that it breaks down in the presence of light. Therefore, using a severely dilute mixture of HP and water, then exposing it to light via a nearly clear plastic bottle, seems rather pointless.
Comments? Guidance?
Thanks for your time.
yoursaviorisjesus2 says
In a Green Housekeeping book, the lady uses a dual spray system of hydrogen peroxide & vinegar but apparently if they are mixed together in the same bottle, something happens and they are not as effective. I got a plastic spray bottle from Wal-Mart (who also sells the large bottles of hydrogen peroxide for 88 cents each, which is cheaper than Costco’s 2 pack), took out the sprayer and it fits perfectly into the large round hydrogen peroxide bottle. The large round hydrogen peroxide bottles are somewhat harder to find now, it seems like everyone is switching to the square bottle, but I have found them at the Dollar Store so I pick up a few when I see them and of course, I re-fill them with the peroxide from the square bottles. Anyway, adding the spray nozzle to the peroxide bottle keeps it in the original dark container so no light deteriorates the peroxide. I also have another spray bottle with a 50/50 vinegar/water mix and I use that first, followed by the peroxide and wipe it off. The Green Housekeeping book said that the dual spray system (peroxide & vinegar) kill more germs than bleach water (they tested it on meat) so I’ve been using it ever since. I also use it to clean my bathroom :)
elana says
Dana,
I purchase Dr. Bronner’s peppermint soap by the gallon. This cuts down on consumption of plastic bottles and the initial layout of more capital saves me a great deal of money per year.
It is likely that your soap is in an 8 ounce container which would mean that you are paying $.31 per ounce. Dr. Bronner’s by the gallon is 25% cheaper than this. Because the soap is so concentrated, I dilute it with half water, so it is actually 50% cheaper than your current option.
I keep the Dr. Bronner’s at the sink with a pump so that it is easy for all to use.
Hope this helps.
Elana
~M says
I love Dr. Bronner’s too, but the best price I’ve seen is $8.99 for 32 oz of Hemp-Peppermint flavor at Trader Joe’s. This works out to $0.14/oz if you dilute it 50/50 with water. How much do you pay per gallon, Elana?
After I finish the Seventh Generation dish soap that I bought on sale, I plan on switching to Costco’s free & natural/environmentally safe soap (Kirkland brand, which is their store brand), which costs $0.06/oz (assuming you are not diluting). I haven’t tried this particular product, but, in general, I am very pleased with Kirkland products. Of course, you would need to have a Costco membership or access through a friend/family. I also like buying in bulk because it means less packaging.
~M says
I wanted to report back that the price of gallons of Dr. Bronner’s went down substantially at Whole Foods. In Chicago, Whole Foods now sells the gallon of hemp-peppermint for $28.49 ($0.22/oz or $0.11 assuming you dilute with 50% water). This is better than the Trader Joe’s deal, and better than any deal I’ve found online thus far. I placed an order for the baby mild variety, and was told the price should be the same. YAY!
teri says
I’ve been using Dr. Bronner’s liquid soaps for a while now–I buy a foam pump dispenser, pour about 1 inch of Dr. Bronner into the foam pump dispenser and add about 15 drops of an essential oil (optional), then fill with tap water. The foam pump dispenser makes it go a l-o-n-g way! Better than 50/50! If you can’t find an empty dispenser, purchase a Dial foam pump dispenser, dump out the junk soap, and fill with the good stuff….
Dana- Scranton PA says
What an excellent article and comments to read through. I have been wasting way too much money on Simple Green. This is a must try.
Does anyone have a good recipe for dish soap(or economical brand they can recommend)? Right now I am using an eco soap Full Circle that costs over 2.50- I’d love to find a cheaper way to wash dishes. Thanks!
elana says
Hi ~M,
I use a mixture of water and vinegar to clean the windows.
Congrats on the move!
Elana
~M says
Hi Elana,
We just moved to Chicago! Whew! I bought a 2-pack of hydrogen peroxide and a huge bag of baking soda at Costco to make my own cleaners. However, I realized that I don’t have a glass cleaner…do you have any recommendations? I’d love to hear my household tips!
Let’s see if your blog likes my parents’ Internet provider…
Take care!
Corinn says
Hi, you dont even need a cleaner for your windows. I use the Microfiber clothes. I keep one for drying and one for wetting and it works great with nothing floating around in the air! You can re-use them over and over again,they wash up nice and do not leave streak marks. Give this a try.. I swear by them.
Steve says
Thanks for your help Diane. What acidity should the Distilled White Vinegar be? 5% Acidity?
Does anybody know Which One Kills Germs and Bacteria Better? Hydrogen Peroxide or Distilled White Vinegar? Should You Clean Your kitchen counter with the Vinegar every night after dinner or just once a week? I don’t trust these multi-national companies. Most of the cleaning products don’t even list all of the ingredients in them, especially powerful chemicals like chlorine bleach or ammonia. Several popular multi-surface, antibacterial cleaners even use Sodium Hydroxide and claim that its totally safe for cleaning a countertop. Sodium Hydroxide is the chemical name for Lye. Its used in oven cleaners. Its very toxic stuff. Yes it will definitely kill germs and bacteria, and I might dilute it in water to clean a tile floor, but I have serious concerns about putting something that toxic on my kitchen countertop. Even if you rinse the counter with water, some of it is bound to end up in your food. I don’t want to allow something as toxic as Lye to end up in my ham sandwich. I went to a grocery store yesterday and bought a bottle of a popular liquid cleaner to clean my tile floors, that uses Sodium Hydroxide. The cashier was a grand mom about 60 years old who raised 5 kids. I asked her what she used her whole life, to clean her kitchen counters. You’re not going to believe what she told me. Distilled White Vinegar. I thought Distilled White Vinegar was used for salad dressing. I had no idea it could kill germs and bacteria.
Diane says
Steve;
I can answer a couple of your questions:
1. Yes, simple hydrogen peroxide – I saw it somewhere a while ago in a big bottle (2 l or so) but haven’t seen it again.
2. I use full strength distilled white vinegar on my cloth to clean my kitchen countertops. They are ribbed laminate and the vinegar takes all the fingerprints, dulling dirt etc out of the ribs and they look like new. I do rinse with clear water on a cloth and then dry.
3. Do not use baking soda on a laminate countertop – it will leave a “rubbed” mark. I use baking soda and water in my bathroom sinks and it acts as a cleanser and a scrubber – like a charm.
Have fun!
~M says
Costco carries big bottles of peroxide…and it comes in a two-pack. Peroxide is also great for taking out organic, water-based stains in carpet, along with a Dr. Bronner’s solution diluted with water in a spray bottle. Yeah…I spilled unsweetened cranberry juice but everything came right out with no chemicals and is SUPER soft.
Baking soda + water makes a Soft Scrub type of paste that is great for bathrooms or the kitchen sink!
Steve says
Hi Everybody, This is Steve. I’m a single guy so I really need your cleaning help. I read your info – I’ve got 4 questions. 1 – The Countertop Cleaner – I saw the peroxide formula – is that just simple hydrogen peroxide like you can buy at Safeway? 2 – Also someone else said they use distilled white vinegar instead of peroxide for a Countertop cleaner – the site says mix 1 part vinegar with 4 parts water – another website I went to says use undiluted full-strength white distilled vinegar for Countertops? Which is correct? 3 – Do you have to use baking soda with the vinegar to clean Countertops? What are people using the baking soda for? 4 – After you use the peroxide or vinegar solution to clean a Countertop – do you have to take a separate clean rag and rinse the counter off with pure water or is it safe to leave the peroxide or vinegar on the counter.
Thanks – Steve