Here is a great example of what our grandparents might have done in the past that was right on in my book.
Homemade cleaners that cost pennies!! Think baking soda, vinegar, lemon, castile soap, borax..
I am still in the process of switching out all my bottles under the sink, but it has been so fun tossing bottles with warnings pasted all over them, and replacing them with cleaners so safe and simple my kids could drink most of them!
I had a few reasons for doing this.
1. I am frugal and love saving money.
2. I want my kids to help me clean but don’t want to worry about their aim when spraying toxic cleaners
3. I don’t like when I feel like commercialism is getting to me (you know, those commercials where everything looks like perfection and unless you use that specific product for a specific project you have, you are a loser mom)
4. Something was triggering my daughters asthma, and after much reading I got suspicious of my windex, of all things! (I was right. It is a trigger for her and with 2 glass tables that we eat on I was using it numerous times a day!)
5. My cleaner cupboard was so full I was barely able to shut it
6. Less bottles and non-toxic ingredients means being a good steward of our environment
7. Did I mention I am frugal??
My favorite that I use every day, numerous times a day, is a simple glass cleaner.
As far as the smell, we are a family that can finish off a bag of Salt and Vinegar chips in minutes, so we actually like the smell of vinegar. For those of you who don’t, once the cleaner dries there is no scent, and I think it is better than snuffing something that the company has to warn you to use in a well-ventilated area. I live in Nebraska people! I can’t be opening my windows all the time!!!
I will continue to post my experiences with natural cleaners. I have a great one for dishwasher detergent coming up, and I am on the verge of trying out a homemade laundry detergent recipe, so I will let you know how that goes!!
Knit 2 Sew
April 15, 2010 at 12:23 pmadd rubbing alcohol to the mix
Shannon
December 30, 2009 at 2:01 pmAnother great vinegar based cleaner is to add water and Dawn. It will clean ANYTHING!
I’ve been wanting to try to dishwasher detergent. Too bad I’m a good bargain shopper– I have a HUGE bottle of store bought I’m still trying to get through first!! =)
Amy
October 8, 2009 at 5:34 amKC and Jenni-you are both so encouraging, thank you!
Miriam-isn’t it the best! And so cheap! I didn’t know it was a weed killer! I have used boiling water before, but vinegar would be easier.
Miriam
September 30, 2009 at 1:09 amWe’ve been using natural cleaners for a while now…vinegar is my best friend when it comes to cleaning and so many other things! It kills weeds in sidewalk cracks, it rinses our dishes, it unclogs our drains…so many things!
Jenni
September 29, 2009 at 1:51 amOk, I’m going to do this. You are getting me going…keep it up!
KC
September 28, 2009 at 10:35 pmI love reading your blog, Amy!! It is inspiring…I love hearing the ways God has challenged you in your home!! So cool!