Most store-bought bleaches contain harmful chemicals. They may even contain toxins that can damage the environment.
Try this easy recipe for a natural bleach alternative instead. You can use it to brighten your laundry, and it's perfect for disinfecting bathrooms and killing germs. It's also free of toxins.
Why use a bleach alternative?
While you may feel the urge to reach for some bleach if you're struggling to remove stains from clothing, cleaning products usually have harmful ingredients. Even if bleach removes stains, the constant use of this cleaning product may cause allergic reactions, skin issues, and respiratory problems.
The harmful byproducts of bleach are also damaging for the environment, especially since it often takes years to break down.
This eco-friendly bleach doesn't contain dangerous dyes and perfumes, and it will use hydrogen peroxide, an eco-friendly alternative to bleach that effectively removes stains. Hydrogen peroxide also deodorizes and removes bacteria. Meanwhile, water will be help dilute the peroxide to a gentle detergent. The recipe also includes essential oils so the bleach has a gentle and fresh scent.
Do keep in mind that since this natural bleach alternative is not as strong as regular bleach, you will need to use twice as much as you normally would. (Related: DIY antibacterial spray for your workout equipment.)
This recipe can be done in under five minutes and the finished product will make four cups of DIY natural bleach. You will need a 32 ounce (oz.) jar for the recipe.
Homemade bleach alternative
Ingredients:
- 1 cup three percent hydrogen peroxide
- 3 cups water
- 6-10 drops essential oil
Instructions:
- To make this natural bleach, combine the three cups of water with one cup of three percent hydrogen peroxide.
- Transfer the mixture to a 32-oz. quart container or jug.
- Add six drops of the essential oil of your choice. You can try mixing rose and lavender essential oils, but you can also use other scents. You're also free to experiment with the amount of essential oils that you add to the mixture.
You can now use this toxin-free homemade bleach alternative to clean sinks, brighten the laundry, and disinfect bathtubs.
If you want to use the bleach as a toilet cleaner, pour half a cup of the solution into the toilet bowl. Leave it for about 25 minutes, then scrub clean.
The bleach can also be used on tough stains. Pre-soak the stained clothing in about two cups of the solution for at least 30 minutes. Wash and rinse as usual.
With this DIY bleach alternative, you can say goodbye to cleaning products that contain harmful chemicals.
Natural lemon furniture polish
Lemons are the perfect ingredient to use when you're making eco-friendly cleaning products since they naturally contain these components:
- Citric acid – A mild acid that can eliminate hard water film and water spots.
- D-Limonene – A powerful degreaser and solvent.
- Lemon oil – A gentle and refreshing natural fragrance and antibacterial disinfectant.
To make this natural lemon furniture polish, prepare the following ingredients:
- 1 tbsp. pure olive oil
- 1/2 tbsp. white vinegar (you can also use orange vinegar)
- 1/2 tbsp. lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
- 6 drops of orange or lemon essential oil
Instructions:
- Combine the olive oil, white vinegar, lemon juice, and essential oil in a bowl or glass jar.
- Stir until the oil isn't separated from the other ingredients. The mixture will thicken slightly.
- Apply a small amount of the polish on wooden furniture and wipe lightly with a cloth rag. If the surface of the furniture is dirty, clean it with a damp rag first before polishing. You can also store the polish in a spray bottle.
You can read more articles about the toxins in cleaning products like bleach and how to avoid them at Toxins.news.
Sources include:
Please contact us for more information.
