Earth Day is this Sunday on April 22nd, 2018. In honor of our Mother Earth, pledge to make a change to help better our planet. Even one small change can be a big change in time. One way is to make your own natural cleaning products. Not only is it easy, but it’s cheap!

Cleaning products have become a big source of urban pollution and contribute to high levels of “volatile organic compounds” in our air. Start with changing just one synthetic and non-natural cleaning product that is used on the regular in your household for a natural alternative. In doing so you are making the world a better place for us all to live. Let’s work together to make the world a safer and more beautiful place to live, starting within our own homes.

Natural Cleaning Products

Natural Glass Cleaner

In a spray bottle combine the following ingredients:

• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap
• 2 cups of water

Shake to blend and spray on your windows and glass surfaces.

Antibacterial Spray

• 20 drops of lavender essential oil
• 1 cup water

Add the ingredients to a spray bottle, shake to mix. Spray the air, table tops, door knobs, counter tops, etc.

Herbal Floor Cleaner

• 1/8 cup liquid soap
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar or lemon juice
• 1/2 cup herbal tea (try a peppermint tea, it is antibacterial)

Combine all ingredients in a bucket and swirl around until sudsy. Proceed to mop as normal.

Wood Furniture Polish

• 1/4 cup vinegar
• A few drops of oil (olive oil and jojoba work well)

Brass Cleaner

Any ingredients that contain a natural acid, such as vinegar, Tabasco sauce, ketchup, tomatoes, lemon or lime juice.

Dryer Sheets

Make your own easily! Mix together 15 drops of spearmint essential oil and 12 drops of lavender essential oil. Put mixture on a clean cloth, fold cloth several times. Wrap another cloth around that and toss into dryer!

Top 10 Natural Cleaning Uses for Baking Soda

A commonly available mineral full of many cleaning attributes and is slightly alkaline (it’s pH is around 8.1; 7 is neutral). It neutralizes acid-based odors in water, and adsorbs odors from the air.

1. Drain cleaner: Pour one cup down the drain followed by three cups of boiling water.

2. Chemical smells out of clothes: Soak clothes for two to three hours or overnight, in one cup of baking soda. Agitate the machine occasionally. Repeat if necessary. Wash as usual. (This method is great for removing the new smell out of clothes.)

3. Cat urine: Alternate sprinkling baking soda, which will neutralize acid odors, with white distilled vinegar.

4. Dog odors and urine: Sprinkle with baking soda. Let set for a few hours before sweeping up.

5. Silver polish: Make a paste of baking soda and water, scoop some onto a clean, soft rag, and polish the silver. Rinse and polish dry.

6. Soft scrubber: Pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl and add enough liquid soap or detergent to make a texture like frosting. Scoop onto a sponge and clean the bathtub or tiles. Rinse.

7. Scouring powder: Simply sprinkle baking soda into a sink and scrub.

8. Oven cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda onto the bottom of the oven. Squirt with enough water that the baking soda is damp. Let set overnight, making sure the baking soda is damp before you go to bed. In the morning, simply scoop the baking soda and grime out with a sponge. Rinse.

9. Refrigerator deodorizer: Place an open box in the back of the fridge. It will “adsorb” odors, which means that it will draw odors to the baking soda molecules.

10. Cutting board deodorizer: Sprinkle the cutting board with baking soda, scrub, rinse.

3 Ways to Kill Mold Naturally

1. Tea Tree (strong scent of tea tree)

• 2 teaspoons tea tree oil
• 2 cups water

Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse.

2. Grapefruit Seed Extract (odorless)

• 20 drops grapefruit seed extract
• 2 cups water

Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse.

3.  Vinegar Spray (strong scent of vinegar)
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 are interested in creating a more natural and earth-friendly home, check out our online class- Natural Home: Cleaners and Room Scents.

What are you doing for Earth Day? We’d love to hear about it in our comments!