The Real Green Clean: Sustainable Substitutes

     You may have noticed in the past year or so that there has been an explosion in the market for new "green" cleaning products.  They are popping up everywhere on store shelves and in commercials on T.V.  These products are great because it shows there is a desire to clean by eco-friendly means and that toxic chemicals in cleaners are becoming a concern to the public.  The chemicals in household cleaners can be harsh on our skin, lungs, and our environment, especially if they are being dumped or rinsed down the drain, hence a new place in the market for "green" cleaning solutions.  Although this is a commendable effort on the part of cleaning product companies, there's a much more sustainable way of cleaning; you can actually make these solutions yourself with common household ingredients.
     It may sound like a crazy idea to whip up your own cleaning solutions, and you may be picturing yourself as a mad scientist in a laboratory conjuring up mixtures that are wacky neon colors or spontaneously combusting, but it's pretty simple and safe.  There are, for the most part, two ingredient heavy-weights that are used for homemade household cleaners: baking soda and vinegar.  Baking soda can be used as an abrasive cleaner (for example, a non-toxic substitute for cleaners like Comet) and as an air freshener (instead of masking bad odors with pungent air fresheners, yuck).  Then there's Vinegar, the miracle liquid in the arena of sustainable cleansers.  Vinegar can be used to remove stains, as a fabric softener, glass cleaner, multipurpose hard-surface cleaner, and much more.  Baking soda and vinegar are the dynamic duo of sustainable cleaning, they get the job done without leaving any chemicals behind.  There's also no need to go out and spend tons of money for a green spring cleaning because these products can be found right in your cupboard (or at the store for a fraction of the cost of commercial cleansers).   
     There may be some concerns with using these substances, namely vinegar.  Will they actually get the job done? I want my home to smell clean, won't they leave behind a weird odor?  With your concerns come answers, and these compounds actually work and don't stink.  If you are concerned about germs, vinegar is acidic and does kill bacteria, such as E. coli.  Vinegar is also a pretty odious liquid, but fear not because there will be no smell left behind, the scent evaporates with the liquid.  So now that you know the basics of DIY cleaning products, here are some recipes (all of which I've used).

Store Bought Product:  Air Freshener vs. Substitute: Baking Soda
It can be icky when you spray an aerosol of chemical air freshener everywhere, instead put a shallow dish of baking soda anywhere that tends to accumulate unpleasant odors like the bathroom or the kitchen.  You can also put some baking soda near or inside your trash can in order to control garbage odors and in your fridge to promote freshness.  Another way of keeping your home fresh without using chemicals is keeping various plants in areas that tend to smell, they produce oxygen and can absorb the stink.

Store Bought Product: Stain Remover vs. Substitute: Club Soda, Baking Soda, or White Vinegar

Just dab any of these directly on the stain.  These substitutes are not going to get out heavy duty stains, but they are good for new stains and work best when applied right away.  Making the baking soda into a paste is the best way to apply it, and if you are brave enough you can mix it with vinegar, wait until it stops fizzing, then apply it to the stain.  

Store Bought Product: Fabric Softener vs. Substitute: White Vinegar
This may sound like something you immediately won't want to try, but it really works well and your clothes won't hold the vinegar scent. Just add 1/2 cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle of your washing machine, or pour it in the space where liquid softener goes before the cycle.  Your clothing will come out soft and fresh without creating excess waste by using softener sheets or purchasing liquid softener all the time.  This recipe is especially useful for people that have allergies to detergent or softener.

Store Bought Product: Multi-Purpose Cleaner vs. Substitute: Vinegar and Water

Add 1 cup of Vinegar to every cup of water until you fill a spray bottle. Use on any hard surface except wood, and voila, it cleans and doesn't leave a vinegar scent behind.

Store Bought Product: Heavy Duty Bathroom Cleaner vs. Substitute: Baking Soda

Sprinkle on any bathroom surface that is collecting grime or soap scum and scrub it with a sponge or brush.  Your bathroom will sparkle just as much as it would if you used Comet, but you'll feel better that there aren't any chemicals being washed down the drain.

Store Bought Product: Glass Cleaner vs. Substitute: Vinegar, Water, and Isopropyl Alcohol

Mix 1 cup of isopropyl alcohol with 1 cup of water and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar in a spray bottle and enjoy the clear view.



I hope that you can make use of these recipes and enjoy a chemical-free cleaning experience.

     Stay Sustainable,

     Becca in Athens