CLEANING WITHOUT HARMFUL CHEMICALS

Switching to non-chemical, non-toxic cleaners in your home is a great way to reduce toxins that can make you sick. There are many cleaners that can be made cheaply and easily with products around your home that have been tested and used for decades. Use these tips to eliminate the most toxic of chemical cleaners in your home.

Tried and True Non-Chemical Homemade Cleaners

Drain Cleaners

Drain cleaners are one of the most toxic cleaners that we use. However, a clogged drain cannot go untreated, so even the most health and environmentally conscious will break down and buy a drain cleaner from time to time. A safe alternative would be to buy a drain auger or drain snake instead. These are available at hardware stores. They are basically a long flexible wire that can be pushed down the drain and then rotated to grab onto hair and other things clogging the drain. Plastic ones are available for about a dollar and are great for most clogs. They are very easy to use.

You can clean the drain or dissolve stubborn clogs with baking soda and vinegar. Sprinkle about a cup of baking soda down the drain. Then follow it up with about a cup of vinegar. Quickly cover the drain with something so that the resulting foam is forced down the drain instead of out of the top. Wait about an hour and then pour a pot of hot boiling water down the drain. You can repeat if necessary, but it usually is not.

Cleaning the Toilet

Toilet bowl cleaners are also very toxic, but you do not want to have a disgusting ring or stains in your toilet bowl. To get rid of even stubborn stains, pour a cup of baking soda and a cup of vinegar into the toilet. It will foam up and eat away at the stains, leaving your bowl sparkling clean. You can help it along by scrubbing stubborn spots with your toilet brush. If the foam doesn't reach the top of the bowl, simply use the toilet brush to swish it around. When it is clean you can just flush it down.

All-Purpose Cleaner

Make your own all-purpose cleaner to clean countertops, windows, the microwave, stove top, and tables. Mix white vinegar and hot water, about half and half. Vinegar is effective at cleaning almost anything. Most people don't like the smell of vinegar, but don't let that deter you from trying this great cleaning method. As soon as it's dry, the smell is gone. You can add some lemon or tea tree essential oil drops to change the scent of the cleaner if you would like.

Glass Cleaner

Once I discovered this cleaning method, I never went back to store-bought glass cleaners. You will be shocked at how clean your mirrors and windows can get with this simple concoction. Just fill your bathroom or kitchen sink with a few cups of hot water, depending on the size of the job. Then add cornstarch and stir. You will need a ratio of 75% water to 25% cornstarch. It doesn't have to be exact. Dip a washcloth in the mixture and wring it out, but not completely. Wipe the surface to be cleaned with the washcloth and let it sit for a couple of minutes. When it starts to dry you can begin wiping it off with a dry cloth or towel. Rub away any moisture or residue and be amazed at how shiny your glass surfaces become!