Homemade Cleaner Recipes: Laundry Detergent and Multipurpose Cleaners!

I've been busy making homemade cleaners and would love to share some of my recipes with you.  After our family switched to a more organic eating diet, I dug deeper and found that toxins enter our bodies in three ways; through our food, the air, and our skin.  The chemicals in cleaners have many harmful effects on our bodies, and particularly on sensitive and developing children's bodies, but especially on babies in the womb.  These toxins can lead to things from developmental disabilities to cancer.  HERE's an article if you'd like to know more.  It's sad that I used to think my home was clean if the air was filled with chemicals, but have found many alternatives that work just as well!  The following recipes are also very frugal, costing way less than than the cleaners I used to buy, even after coupons. Organic food costs more, so here's one way to fit a healthier lifestyle into your budget.  Save on cleaning supplies!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Homemade Laundry Detergent

• 1 bar of soap- I used a natural option called Dr Broomers scented with lavender, but you can also use Fels Napa or Ivory.
• 1 c Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda
• 1 c Borax

Grate soap and mix all ingredients. For a light load, use 1 tablespoon or for heavy or heavily soiled load, use 2 tablespoons. This recipe makes three cups of detergent or approximately 40 loads. I haven't done the exact math because there's so much left in the boxes to make more, but others have figured the costs and it comes to around $.05 per load!

* HERE's a liquid recipe as well!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

General Cleaner

• 1 part vinegar
• 1 part water

Mix and clean!  You can clean nearly everything with this!  HERE's a more specific list us uses.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

All Purpose Cleaner

• 2 cups Water
• 1 cup Hydrogen Peroxide
• ¼ cup Lemon Juice

Mix and clean!

* Hydrogen peroxide is the key to this cleaner.  Hydrogen peroxide has stronger cleaning capabilities than vinegar (doesn't smell :) and works much like bleach, just without any harmful health or environmental effects. You can also add about half a cup of this mix into laundry water to whiten clothes. The acidic lemon juice helps break down grime and adds a fresh citrus scent.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

General Cleaner

• 4 T Baking Soda 
• 1 quart warm water

Mix and clean! Click HERE to read 27 ways to clean with baking soda!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

You can add essential oils to any of these cleaners.  My family loves the spearmint scent, which also gives a calming and uplifting effect...nice perk to cleaning time!  I picked this bottle up at a local natural food store.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Interested in making more cleaners?  There are twenty five recipes HERE!

(By the way, the dishwashing liquid pictured at the top was a bust, but trying another recipe!)