Thursday, September 8, 2011

Homemade Cleaners: Green Cleaning Recipes

Since we started making our own Laundry Soap it only seemed natural to start making our own cleaners too. Not only for the natural aspect of it, but for the savings. Homemade cleaners can be up to 95% cheaper than store bought cleaners. Savings also come from getting the best efficiency from your appliances, you must keep them clean and in good working order


When we moved last October I picked up some of Martha Stewart's cleaners. They worked great but at over $5 a bottle I thought I could do better. Now we make our own and funnel it into Martha's Spray Bottles because they are the perfect shape, they are tall and slim and take up very little space.


Homemade Cleaning Supplies:
  • Vinegar
  • Hydrogen Peroxide
  • Rubbing Alcohol
  • Baking Soda
  • Borax
  • Washing Soda
  • Castile Soap (Dr.Brommers)
  • Dish Soap
  • WATER
  • Citrus
  • Olive Oil
  • Tea Tree Oil


The Manor's All Purpose Cleaner:
1/2 cup Warm Water
1/2 cup Vinegar
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
15 drops Tea Tree Oil
The Tea Tree oil makes this cleaner a germicide, fungicide and anti bacterial. It's great for wiping down counters, and is especially useful during the cold and flu season, I squirt a cloth with it, then go around the house wiping down door knobs and light switches.
or
1 tsp Borax
2 Tbsp Vinegar
1/2 tsp Washing Soda
1/2 tsp Castile Soap
20 drops Tea Tree Oil
2 Cups Hot Water
We've used both recipes, I just like the top one because it's easier to make. I like this second recipe for cleaning shelves in the fridge or dirty sinks, anything in need a little more power (I sound like Tim Allen, "More Power")

Grease Cutter:
2 Cups warm water
1/4 Cup Castile Soap (we use Dr.Brommers)
10 Drops essential oil, we use Lemon
Mix together in a spray bottle and spray on surface, let sit for a few seconds then wipe off with a damp sponge.

Garbage Disposal Deodorizer:
After we use a lemon we cut it into strips, then cut the pulp out, and throw it down the garborator, with a sprinkle of baking soda and a dash of vinegar, works like a charm!

Microwave Cleaner: (you've probably heard this one before but it works amazingly well)
A bowl of warm water, with lemon slices. Put the bowl in the microwave and cook it for 1 minute. After it's done 'cooking' Let it sit in the microwave for 3 more minutes, then wipe it out with a damp sponge, the steam makes it so easy to clean!!

Toilet Bowl Cleaner:
1 Cup Borax
1/4 Cup Vinegar
Mix together in a cup then pour into toilet. Let sit for 15 min, then scrub. Works great, I've also used plain old liquid dish detergent and it worked fine too, the borax give you a bit more scrubbing power!

Window Cleaner:
I haven't been able to find a glass cleaner that works as well as commercial glass cleaners, so I still buy my glass cleaner. I usually buy Seventh Generation (I still decant it into the Martha Stewart Cleaner bottles).
For the outside of windows, about 3 times a year we mix up a batch of
2 cups Water
3 Tbsp Vinegar
1/2 tsp Liquid Dish Detergent
Mix it all together in a bucket, use a sponge to scrub the windows, and hose off!

Carpet Stain Remover:
First try to get as much up as possible, and any "chunks"
Next, sprinkle corn starch or baking soda on the spot to absorb some of the stain
Combine 1Tbsp Clear Dish washing Liquid, with 2 tbsps Vinegar, add 2 cups warm water, and blot stain. It's simple but it works just as well as any store bought carpet cleaner!

Carpet Re-Fresher:
About once a month, I sprinkle baking soda all over the carpet, leave it for about 30 minutes then vacuum it up. It pulls out any smells, and leaves the carpet nice and fresh!

Among other reasons for not using Commercial Air Fresheners, they are full of phthalates, chemicals that manufacturers use as plastic softeners and to hold fragrances. California and Washington have banned the sale of children's toys containing phthalates because of their link to hormonal disruptions in additional studies on animals. Which raises concerns for me over why phthalates weren't banned from air fresheners too??? Solid Air Fresheners contain pollutants that can damage the lungs is inhaled in higher concentrations, and if ingested by children or pets, they can be poisonous and even fatal.

Homemade Room Spray:
3/4 cup Filtered Water
2/3 cup either rubbing alcohol or vodka (use the cheap stuff :)
15 drops scented oil (we use lavender) (or Vanilla)
12 drops complimenting scented oil (grapefruit is good) (or Orange extract)
Shake it all together in a spray bottle (a plant mister works even better).

Wow that was A LOT of information. I hope you found that useful!
Cleaning with natural solutions keeps your homes connection to nature, just like we resonate with natural materials when we decorate, it's the same idea when we clean with natural solutions, it just feels right, and good! There's a reason we don't feel cozy and warm at the public pool . . . too many chemicals (and old men in speedos hehe)

75 comments:

  1. Thank you for the chock-full-of-useful-info post! I've been using a mixture of borax and lemon juice to clean my toilets for a while, and it's amazing how well it works and how long the bowls stay clean. Thank you for sharing all your great natural recipes.

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  2. I love this post! I have been making my own cleaners for a long time but all these (new to me!) recipes just look great and I love having them in one place!

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  3. Thanks for this useful information. I will definitely try your "recipes" although I have to find out first where to go to get BORAX??? Do you buy that at the chemist's/drugstore?
    I usually buy the more expensive "green" cleaners, but if I could make them myself and also save some money, why not!!
    Jule

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    1. Jule, you can find Borax at Wal-Mart for about $3.38 for a 76 oz. box. I unfortunately went several times here in IL and they were out. If that happens to you try a hardware store like Ace Hardware. They will most likely carry it there. HOWEVER.....if they do it will very likely be 2X the cost of Wal-Mart. Ask them if they will price match. My Ace Hardware did. Good Luck!

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  4. Thank you for all this very useful information, i'm sooooo addicted to your blog, I agree with making my own cleaning products sepecially with the prices these days,
    It would be great if you could come up with a recipe for body soap, these too have becomme very pricey!!! that would be amazing....
    Fatima

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    1. Fatima, I know it's not what you are looking for exactly, but I found a great post for a DIY body scrub and it called for 1-1 1/2 cups of Epsom salt and 2 table spoons of your own body wash. Mix together and you have your own homemade body scrub.

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  5. yes question...where do you get all of the scented oils and such from? I mean, Ive seen things like that at bath and body works, but im not sure if those are pure of they too are just a chemical.

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  6. If I am not mistaken, those are essential oils, which are NOT what is at BBW. Those are home fragrance oils, and probably are harmful.

    Thanks for the great post, I need to get my housecleaning schedule in order!!!

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  7. I have a GREAT window/glass cleaner - CLUB SODA! Put in a squirt bottle. I've been doing this for years and it works BETTER than commercial glass cleaner - and it's super cheap at around 70 cents for a 2 liter bottle!

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  8. I love your blog - thanks for the recipes.

    Since I bought Ecloths microfibre cleaning cloths, I don't use any cleaners at all to clean the windows. They sell a window cleaning pack, and you just use hot water and the cleaner cloth, then squeegee off the window, then polish with the polish cloth and ta da! Super clean windows.

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  9. Terrific post.

    I've been making my own cleaners for almost five years. I became very interested in making my own when I had a baby and became a SAHM (cost & health).

    A few add'l suggestions. For wet spill (accidents) on carpet, plain old table salt in epic proportions (a pile) will soak up the spill. Leave on until it hardens and just scoop it up kinda like clumping cat litter. There will be a bit of white residue leftover but that will clean up when you mix your solution to blot the stain.

    Also, window cleaner...I use just vinegar and water and a really good microfiber cloth. I've found microfiber to be the key in improving a lot of my homemade recipes.

    Happy to see so many giving up noxious (& expensive) cleaning products for homemade. Even the "green" cleaners that are purchased have to be manufactured and shipped. Making your own is truly the way to go!!

    (Oh my Ashli - Sorry to rant on your blog...I'm passionate about cleaning products LOL)

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  10. Love all these ideas! Some we are already using, some not, but will now!!

    Borax can be found in the States at Target, Wal-mart and most grocery stores. The Essential Oils can be found at Whole Foods or most Natural Food stores.

    My mil has always washed her windows with vinegar and water...she uses newspaper (doesn't streak and doesn't leave lint).

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  11. Thanks for taking the time to share this info with us! I still use store-bought, but would love to start weening myself off. It's silly to keep spending all that money, when it's so easy to make it yourself! And better for the environment, too!

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  12. Love this! So much great information. I was wondering if you have a recipe for what you use to clean the tub?

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  13. First thank you for all the suggestions!! I can't wait to start trying some new ideas!!
    Question Answers:
    I buy our essential oils from Natural Food stores, I'm pretty sure they aren't the same ones found at Bath and Body works. I think Joe and Carli are right, those are Home Fragrance Oils. Most natural food stores will have essential oils :)

    Borax: can be found in alot of different places. Target, walmart I even saw it at Costco the other day!

    Tub Cleaner: I use a tbsp of dish liquid, and a couple tbsp's of Baking Soda on a sponge. It works great! And if I happen to have the vinegar upstairs with me, I'll use a bit of that too!! :) I disinfect the facuets and handles with our all purpose cleaner!

    I hope that helps!
    Keep the questions and suggestions coming :)
    ~Ashli

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  14. Hi Ashli,
    I love your blog and all of your wonderful ideas!
    One thing that I do for a cheap air freshner,is that I buy wintergreen alcohol and put it in a fine mist spray bottle and it works great because you get the minty fragrance already combined with the alcohol. I purchase mine at Big Lots or Walmart. Its the green colored one sold next to the regular alcohol.
    Gerie

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  15. Ashli... love the blog! I work part time selling cosmetics in a department store. They give us the CHEAPEST glass cleaner and paper towels known to man and they are terrible. Purely by accident (and desire to disinfect when a co-worker had a cold) I used pure rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and a good cloth and I've never seen the glass on our countertops shine so much. They literally glimmered and all of the greasy fingerprints came off beautifully. I've switched to cleaning all of my mirrors at home with super cheap rubbing alcohol.

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  16. Great natural cleaning recipes. I'm keeping all of them. I have two dogs with allergies, so these will no doubt help them as well as us. Many thanks!

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  17. What a fantastic post! I have small children and it makes sense to use natural cleaners. Plus, the toddlers like to help and I don't have to worry when all they are handling is vinegar, water and baking soda. Thanks for putting all this great info in one go-to post.

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  18. I am trying to switch to all homemade cleaners. This post is definitely going to be Pinned and bookmarked so I can easily refer back to it! Thanks so much for all the useful tips.

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  19. As a pp said, just use vinegar & water and a microfiber cloth on glass. Commercial glass cleaners actually leave a film on your glass over time, so it may take a bit of extra cleaning the first time. If it is only a small smudge on the bathroom glass, I can just take a very lightly damp cloth and wipe them away with no streaks b/c the vinegar leaves them so clean!

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  20. Thanks Catherine and PP I'll definitely be trying to make my own window cleaner after I run out!!
    ~Ashli

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  21. You're awesome Ashli, thanks for all of this!! I'm literally about to put baking soda on my carpets right now to freshen things up.

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  22. brandisdaytodayramblings.blogspot.comSeptember 14, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    What are your thoughts on homemade shampoo and conditioner.

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  23. For Shampoo and conditioner I use burt's bee's, but i've also heard of using pure castile soap!
    If anyone has any idea's on homemade shampoo I'd LOVE to hear them! :)

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    1. I just use baking soda and water (1 tsp to 8 oz) for washing my hair and apple cider vinegar and water (same ratio) for conditioning. Sometimes I add some lavender oil for a nice scent. I wash my hair twice a week and the two squirt bottles get me 5 shampoos... so cheap and my hair is so soft and shiny!

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    2. I've been using baking soda and ACV for two years now, works GREAT! Needed some adjustment time for hair and scalp to adapt, but after six weeks could cut down the daily shampooing to 1-2 times a week. (And my hair is long enough for me to sit on). Great post full of excellent suggestions!

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  24. Great advice. I've already made and used the recipe you gave for the all-purpose cleaner. Thank you!

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  25. thanks for this! Making up a batch of all purpose and curious if I top I
    the bottle up with tap water? (after the 1/2 cup)

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  26. Nope just the 1/2 cup although I probably use more like 3/4 a cup of warm water . . . really stretching those pennys :)
    ~Ashli

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  27. For glass cleaner- mix some white vinegar with water and wash glass with a sponge. Then in a spray bottle mix some wintergreen rubbing alcohol with water and spray on the glass using a towel to buff it dry.

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  28. My mother uses pure liquid castile soap as shampoo, and loves it. She doesn't use conditioner at all.

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  29. Love your blog - and I've made several of these cleaning recipes. Came across this article by Lisa Bronner & wanted to share tho: A word of Caution about combining Castille Soap and vinegar. Can't put the link, but it's on Lisa.drbronner.com

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  30. What a great collection of cleaning recipes! I have a question about the all-purpose cleaner... With the lemon juice in it, does it need to be refrigerated, and what is the shelf life?

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  31. Hi Ashli! Thanks for sharing your natural cleaners - they are SO much better for your health than the store-bought stuff :)
    If you're looking for a great glass/mirror cleaner you've GOT to try Norwex cloths!! Just two microfiber cloths (use one with water, the other dry to polish) is all you need! Totally eco-friendly and health-friendly, not to mention cheap since they last forever! You can check it out on my website if you like: sarahvanpopta.norwex.biz

    Wishing you a Happy New Year!
    Sarah

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  32. Got this tip from a professional window cleaner! Get a 1 or 2 gallon tub (so the brush will fit and get soaked) of water and add 1 or 2 tablespoons of Regular Dawn dish washing liquid(not a Dawn with other things added)and slosh around to mix. (If it looks too sudsy, add more water, or more Dawn if it looks too weak, this isn't rocket science) Invest in a big fluffy window washer mop thingy (made of cloth) and a good squeegee. Dip brush in water solution and thoroughly wet and scrub window. Then squeegee water off, wiping squeegee when you get to the bottom of the window. Repeat until whole window is cleaned. Very cheap after the initial investment of the two tools and the Dawn. It is fast and windows sparkle like diamonds and even repel dirt for a long time! Can use indoors or out, just be careful not to get window sills inside water soaked.!! I even bought a long telescoping handle so I could do the high windows outside from standing on the ground! It is really very easy!

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  33. I just found your blog on Pinterest and love it! I am going to make some of your cleaner recipes. I think you are miss spelling Dr. Bronner's on your blog. You are spelling it with m's. :)

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  34. Question: Does the water used need to be distilled?

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  35. I've used distilled filtered water, regular old tape water, and boiled water, I really haven't noticed a difference . . .
    Hope that helps
    Ashli

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  36. I was looking for a natural way to clean hardwood floors. Does anyone have any suggestions?

    Thanks, Jeannie

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    Replies
    1. I use norwex mop and water. Someone else mentioned that brand earlier. Our seal is bad and anything but water would wreck the floor. Norwex is from Canada I believe, but I bought mine from a consultant in the US. What I like is that they have silver thread in them which is a natural antibacterial agent. Using silver is becoming more popular as an antibacterial agent. Our wash machine has "silver care" in it (bars of silver) which disinfect theclothes using cold water too.

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  37. Does anyone have a natural way to remove oil and grease from stove spill pans? Oh!! and off of the stove burners?

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  38. Regular cornstarch (for baking) and water work wonders for cleaning windows, also. Have no idea what the ratio is, I just dump some cornstarch in a bucket, add water, mix and use.

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  39. Thanks Ashli, this is fabulous! I've got this linked to my household cleaners post too today, it's all about the clean!

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  40. Hi Ashli! Omg, I was searching pinterest for green cleaners and came upon your site. WOW!!! SOOO awesome! I love everything! Your house is beautiful!!! I had no idea this was your blog and have been here a few times before. I had no idea you had a blog. Anyway, I will definitely keep following now.
    Denaye Melenius(Mercer)

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  41. Just an add on to cleaning windows. I learned a trick when framing artwork. Use coffee filters to wipe the glass, they won't leave lint or streaks and are super cheap for lots.
    Veronica

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  42. My family has been taking steps to be more eco friendly, and part of that has been trying to use green cleaning products more often. I’ve found a local company that makes a variety of cleaners and they’ve been quite effective. They have a site and ship nationwide. If anyone is looking to try some new products, I definitely recommend them. www.generationsgogreen.com

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  43. Love this! I also use Dr. Bonner's Castile Soap to make handsoap and diapering spray to use with cloth wipes. Love that stuff and green cleaning. Makes me feel happy and I'm all about the happy.

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  44. Hi Ashli! I love your blog. Im excited to make these. Quick question, what is washing soda?
    Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Washing soda is kind of like borax, you can usually find it in the same isle as borax and washing detergents!
      Hope that helps
      Ashli

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  45. I like your tips especially microwave cleaning method and carpet stain remover; they are really insightful and useful for me. I was looking for such article. Thanks for sharing it!! I’ll surely try this out.

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  46. I love your tips! and the products going in are great- huge bronner fan :) isn't it nice when we can spend the otherwise corporate profits on ourselves! I just finished an e book with over a hundred different cleaning recipes...I am going to be busy for a while :)
    http://2e1bfym7g-lw4m45yg3wh4k04b.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=GREENCLEAN

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  47. I'm allergic to white vinegar- do you think apple cider vinegar would work in it's place for cleaning? Thanks!

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  48. I am trying to switch to all homemade cleaners. This post is definitely going to be Pinned and bookmarked so I can easily refer back to it! Thanks for giving me such type of useful information and for publishing this blog.

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  49. Wow,
    What a wealth of information! I just found your blog and I'm completely impressed. I've been taking care of a house for over twenty years and you've taught me more in an afternoon than I've learned in a long time. I love your enthusiasm towards taking care of your home. I always think that it's the way we embrace these so called small things in life that make the difference. I've already subscribed to your feed and look forward to reading your posts on a regular basis.
    Michelle

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  50. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  51. Okay, I removed my previous comment so I can get the ingredients right! Windex: 1/8 c. of white ammonia (2 qt. bottle at Dollar Tree), 1/4 c. rubbing alcohol, and a drop of liquid laundry detergent. Fill the rest of the bottle with water and shake it. It costs about 20 cents to make and doesn't leave any streaks.
    Thanks for all of your ideas - I will be trying some!!

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  52. I clean houses for a living and make my own window cleaner that consists of Equal parts water and rubbing alcohol. I will never go back to using anything else. it leaves no streaks..the more rubbing alcohol, the faster the dry time.

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  53. I like your blog. The tips you are giving are very useful. I have a project that I am working on for school. You should check it out at http://myplanetgreenclean.blogspot.com/

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  54. The best glass cleaner and multi-purpose disinfectant. 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 4 parts water with a few drops of natural scented oil if wanted. Sparkling mirrors and great for the windshield. NO funny blue streaks in the sun.

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  55. Does anyone know if you are able to store these cleaners for future use, or do they all have to be used at once (especially ones involving "warm" water? I don't want to be wasteful, but I also want something that is easy to grab and use again later. Thanks-

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  56. You can store them like you would store your regular store bought cleaners. We just add warm water at the beginning to dissolve the soap. :) I hope that helps!

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  57. I think buy some good brand for cleaning supplies is good for me. Because tea tree oil is bit expensive in my country :(

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  58. Any problems with the all- purpose cleaners on granite counters? I feel like when we bought our home we were warned about something, and I just want to make sure vinegar, etc is okay to use. Love all your recipes, and I can't wait to give them a try! Thanks for sharing!
    - Kelsey

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  59. I like the microwave cleaning recipe. You're right, it really does work! I have been learning lots of great green cleaning tips from my cleaning service, and now from blogs. Hopefully I will have this down soon.

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  60. I've made the all purpose cleaner with the vinegar and castile soap and was wondering why it wasn't cleaning as well as I had expected. After doing some research, I found that mixing vinegar and castile soap- an acid and a base- effectively neutralizes both.

    Read more here: http://mymerrymessylife.com/2012/07/my-favorite-homemade-green-household-cleaners-with-free-printables.html

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  61. How long does your all purpose cleaner keep on the shelf? I was reading that cleaners with water in them will spoil -- is that true? Do certain ingredients keep it from spoiling? Does it need to be stored in the fridge?

    Thanks for posting all of these! I made the linen/room spray tonight and love it :)

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  62. A couple thoughts. Alcohol or any scented product is not green. These products are, or contain, VOC's. Green cleaning products that are scented aren't green. The scents are VOC's (volatile organic compounds) which are the leading cause for "sick" home syndrome and ozone depletion. California has regulations (CARB) limiting VOC's in products.

    A new manufacture, Bioworx.us doesn't scent their products. They also show laboratory proof their products work, such as dissolving soap scum

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  63. I have an old recipe for carpet stains but don't have all the quantities. Can anyone help?

    ½ cup lux flakes dissolved in 2 cups boiling water
    ? Washing Soda
    ? Cloudy Ammonia

    Dawn

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  64. Hi Manor, i hope your vinegar and washing soda related tips can also help me while trying to clean my kitchen glass. This post realize me how cleaning is important for us.Thanks for giving me valuable tips.

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  65. It is not only the money that matter, but the home made cleaners are friendly to the environment, to the kids and to the pets. I also make my own cleaners and I was very surprised one time when a lime scale cleaning product couldn't remove limescale while the vinegar managed to straight away.

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  66. Very interesting - I've been looking at quite a few blog posts like this today as I have a particularly bad stain from a weaning baby on the carpet (my fault really!). I haven't ever done my own cleaning before, I'm not really your typcial housewife - my husband and I work quite a lot, but now I'm on my maternity leave I thought I might try a few of these ideas. I like natural, green ones best - good for baby, good for me and good for the carpets, rugs or anything else I'm cleaning. In the past, admittedly, Ive used carpet cleaning sutton coldfield professional companies, which you'll probably make fun of me for saying that's more my cup of tea :P I admire you and people like you for making this information available, I will share it on my Facebook, thank you!

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  67. I really like the green cleaning recipes and I started using them a lot in order to protect my family and the nature. Thank you!

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