Natural Cleaning Recipes for a Non-Toxic Home

Store-bought antibacterial soap is proven to get rid of germs, but it also gets rid of the “good germs” that our bodies need to build up immunities. This fresh-smelling natural cleaning recipe blend will eliminate garlic and onion odors from your hands and get your hands perfectly clean and rid of germs without the use of chemicals like triclosan.

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Citrus Liquid Hand Soap

8 OUNCES

1 cup liquid castile soap

10 drops lemon essential oil

10 drops orange essential oil

1 teaspoon vitamin E oil Variations:

UNSCENTED—Use unscented castile soap and don’t add any essential oils.

PEPPERMINT AND LAVENDER—Substitute 10 drops peppermint and 10 drops lavender essential oils for the lemon and orange.

LEMON AND ROSEMARY—Substitute 10 drops rosemary essential oil for the orange.

To Make: Combine ingredients in a decorative soap pump, seal, and shake thoroughly to combine.

To Use: Use a pump of soap, rub hands together, and wash off with warm water.

To Store: Make this citrusy hand soap one soap pump at a time.

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Lemon and Clove Liquid Dish Soap

Lemon and clove is my favorite scent combination and it’s especially wonderful in the kitchen with a sink full of dishes. It’s even better when the dishes are clean, streak-free, and put away, but that’s another story. 8 ounces citrus castile soap or unscented castile soap.

8 OUNCES

10–15 drops lemon essential oil

5 drops clove essential oil

Variations: GREASE FIGHTING—Add a splash of white vinegar to the warm dishwater. CITRUS—

Substitute orange, lime, or grapefruit essential oil for the clove.

To Make: Pour castile soap and essential oils in storage container and shake well to combine.

To Use: Add 1 or 2 squirts to your dishwater and scrub up!

To Store: Store indefinitely on your counter or under your sink.

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KITCHENFUL OF CLEAN CABINETS

Cabinets don’t always show their dirt, but believe me, it’s there! Once your cabinets are clean, you’ll see what a difference a little scrubbing can do. This simple recipe will cut grease and fingerprints and it offers a little aromatherapy to boot. Use it on your cabinet and drawer fronts and insides.

This solution works with any finished cabinets—wood, laminate, or veneer. Make sure you squeeze any excess liquid from your cloth to keep unnecessary water off your cabinets.

8 cups warm water

2 teaspoons castile soap

3 drops lemon essential oil

Variation: UNSCENTED—Omit the essential oil.

To Make: Mix ingredients in a small bucket.

To Use: Start at the top left side of your cabinets and scrub your way down and to the right with a sponge or microfiber cloth.

To Store: This is a one-time-use product; no storage necessary.

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Lemon and Peppermint All-Purpose Cleaner

ABOUT 3 CUPS

Generally, homemade cleaners are not meant to be mixed up in large quantities because they don’t have stabilizers, or artificial ingredients intended to extend the shelf life of the ingredients. It’s a good idea to test any homemade cleaner in an inconspicuous spot to make sure that it’s safe on the surface you are intending to use it on.

A warning: Don’t use any vinegar products on granite or marble. The acid in the vinegar will eat away at your granite and marble.

1⁄2 cup white vinegar juice of

1 lemon 2 cups water

10 drops peppermint essential oil

Variations: LEMON AND CLOVE—Substitute clove essential oil for the peppermint.

LEMON AND ROSEMARY—Substitute rosemary essential oil for the peppermint.

To Make: Add ingredients to a spray bottle and shake to combine.

To Use: Spray counters, sinks, tables, appliances, and any other kitchen item with this all-purpose cleaner. This cleaner is a powerhouse, cutting through dirt, grime, and grease, and it will clean just about every surface in your kitchen. The lemon and vinegar also have germ-killing properties that you’ll love!

To Store: This recipe has fresh lemon juice in it—use it within a few days of making it and/or store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.