Do-It-Yourself cleaners are not the hard-to-make, expensive or ineffective options we used to know. While these options are not available in a wide range of fruit or flower fragrances, they will leave your house smelling fresh and clean.
Advantages to Making Your Own Cleaning Supplies
People may not want to take the time to make their own cleaners, fearing that household items may not disinfect or polish as well as a commercial brand. Another concern may be that buying large amounts of the basic ingredients would cost more than buying one container of an all-purpose cleaner.
By not including artificial fragrances or heavy perfumes, you are not only providing some relief to people with allergies, but you’re reducing the amount of hazardous chemicals that are released into the air and water.
Commercial Household Cleaners and VOCs
Many cleaning agents yield high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and terpenes that can react with ozone to form secondary pollutants including formaldehyde.
Ammonia, chlorine, formaldehyde, ketones, hydrocarbons, hydrochloric acid, phenols, phosphates, and trichloroethylene are all found in various forms in the average household cleanser.
Trichloroethylene, a chemical found in carpet cleaners, glass and floor polish, was found to cause fetal development disorders and birth defects. "We are conducting a vast toxicologic experiment in our society, in which our children and our children's children are the experimental subjects," says Dr. Herbert L. Needleman, University of Pittsburgh paediatrician.
According to the New Chemicals Program under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, only a small fraction of the more than 80,000 registered chemicals have been tested for human health concerns. All the more reason to make your own household cleaner, using items found in your pantry.
DIY Natural Powder Cleanser
Making an abrasive powder cleaner that would be used in the same way powder cleansers would be used to scrub out sinks, tubs and ovens doesn’t have to be toxic. The only two ingredients include Borax and baking soda, in equal measures.
Borax is also known as sodium borate and can be bought in most hardware stores, usually where cleaners and water softeners can be found. Borax is panned from evaporated bodies of water, and the resulting mineral is used as a water softener or detergent.
How To Make Eco-Friendly Scouring Cleanser
This scouring cleanser can be used in the same way abrasive cleansing powder would be used. You can mix a large batch in a mixing bowl and when thoroughly combined, transfer to your container of choice.
- Get a solid jar with a screw top lid that fits.
- Punch holes in the lid with a nail and a hammer; these holes will make the dispenser in your lid.
- Mix together equal parts of Borax and baking soda
The “Parts” can be any number of cups, litres or even grams – the proportions are always 50/50.
How to Use DIY Scouring Cleanser
To use the cleaner, moisten the surface you want to clean with a little water, and sprinkle the cleanser on the surface. Scrub with a damp sponge or cleaning rag. It can even be used as a toilet cleanser: Pour some of the cleanser into the bowl, and scrub with a toilet brush – let it sit for five minutes before flushing.
The next article in thios series focuses on eco-friendly window cleansers and alternatives to VOC-laden cleaning products. Spring-cleaning can mean getting dirt and VOCs out of your house.
Naomi Szeben - Six-time Editor's Choice Award winner Naomi Szeben puts life into "green and simple living" articles for Suite 101.com. She graduated ...
