Natural, non-toxic DIY cleaning products you can make on a budget

(NaturalNews) For many of us, spring means giving the whole house a good scrub. These days' supermarkets are providing a wide range of cleaning products which all promise to make life easier and tackle dirt in a matter of seconds.

While these options may seem convenient and effective, most people don't realize that these chemical-laden cleaning products are slowly poisoning our body and the environment.

And if you thought making your own environment- and body-friendly household products is time-consuming, expensive or won't work, this article will quickly change your mind.

Closer look at the ingredients

Baking soda: to clean, deodorize, scour and soften water.
Washing soda: similar to baking soda, but stronger and inedible.
Castille soap (or unscented soap): use biodegradable, unscented soap to clean just about anything.
Borax (sodium borate): to clean, deodorize, disinfect and soften water.
White vinegar: to remove grease, mildew, odors, wax build-ups and tougher stains.
Unscented cooking oil: to clean woody surfaces.

FYI: Borax is a mild skin irritant, just as baking soda is. It is a natural substance which doesn't accumulate in the body, can't be absorbed through the skin and is environment-friendly.

All-purpose cleaner #1
Perfect all-around cleaner for bathroom, kitchen and dirty toys.

• 1 teaspoon borax
• ¹/₂ teaspoon washing soda
• 1 teaspoon liquid castile soap
• 2 cups warm distilled water
• Essential oils of your choice
• Spray bottle (glass is best)

Add borax, washing soda, and castile soap to a spray bottle. Add 2 cups of warm distilled water (or boiled water). Shake and use as needed.

All-purpose cleaner #2
Can be used to remove water deposit stains and dirt from chrome fixtures, windows and mirrors.

• ¹/₄ cup vinegar
• ¹/₈ cup baking soda
• ¹/₄ gallon or 1 liter water
• Essential oils of your choice (optional)

Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle. Use as needed.

Non-Wood Surface Cleaner
This works great to clean windows, mirrors, countertops and other non-wood surfaces.

• 2 parts white vinegar
• 1 part water
• Essential oils of your choice
• Spray bottle

Fill a spray bottle with vinegar, water and essential oils.

Wood Surface Cleaner
• 3 parts unscented cooking oil
• 1 part vinegar
• Essential oils of your choice
• Spray bottle

Fill a spray bottle with all ingredients, give it a good shake and you're good to go. Do not make too much at once, or the oil may go rancid when stored over longer periods.

Floor Cleaner
Works for tiles, laminate or non-wood floors.

• 16 parts water
• 1 part borax
• ¹/₂ part castille soap
• A few drops tea tree oil (antiseptic)
• A few drops of essential oil of your liking

If you have a sticky, greasy floor, replace half of the water with vinegar. Many people add lemon or lavender essential oil for the refreshing and antiseptic properties.

For hardwood floors, you can swap the borax for vegetable oil and add ¹/₂ part lemon or lime juice and citrus essential oil.

Oven Cleaner
• Baking soda
• Water
• Spray bottle

Make a paste of baking soda and water. Spray entire internal surface of the oven with water. Add a ¹/₄-inch thick layer of baking soda paste on the bottom of the oven. Close the oven and let sit for about two to three hours. Wipe up the paste and surrounding surfaces with a damp cloth.

Drain Cleaner
Great to tackle germs and smelly drains.

• 4 cups baking soda
• ¹/₂ teaspoon basil essential oil
• ¹/₂ teaspoon thyme essential oil
• ¹/₂ ounce dried thyme grounded thyme
• ¹/₂ ounce rosemary ground rosemary leaves

Add essential oils and ground herbs to a jar. Mix well and add baking soda. Shake and stir until mixture is well combined. Store in a cool, dry place for up to one year. To use: run warm tap water through the drains for a minute or two to warm up the pipes. Pour one teacup or half a mug of the powder down the drain. Add a little hot water to help send it down and let sit overnight. Rinse with plenty of water.

Sources:

http://www.theorganicprepper.ca

http://wellnessmama.com

http://eartheasy.com

http://www.mindbodygreen.com