One of the easiest ways to reduce the toxins in your house, and your impact on the planet is through what you use to clean your house. It might not be the most fun job out there, but there’s no need for it to be harmful as well! So I thought it was about time I shared what I use at home, starting with the Green Cleaning: Bathroom & Laundry edition!
The best part about green cleaning is you can do a lot with only a few products so no longer will you need a cupboard full of cleaning supplies that each only do one thing! Some NYC Cleaning Services have also started resorting to green and sustainable cleaning to save the planet from toxins.
The staples you will need are:
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Tea Tree or Eucalyptus Oil
- Soap flakes
- Borax
- Super Kleen Knoxville Carpet Cleaning Washing Soda
And here’s how you use them!
Shower Scrub
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 tsp tea tree or eucalyptus oil
- Enough water to make a paste
Combine the ingredients in a bowl, then apply small amounts to a cloth and scrub your shower tiles and bath. Reapply to the cloth as required and then rinse to remove the residue. Dry with a clean cloth.
This works really well for sinks as well, both in the bathroom and the kitchen. It takes a little bit of elbow grease but no more than regular cleaners and it works a treat on soap scum.
This makes enough for me to do my shower-over-bath and all my sinks, but if you have multiple bathrooms you might need to make a little more.
Toilet Cleaner
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1/2 tsp tea tree or eucalyptus
- 1/2 cup baking soda
Combine the vinegar and tea tree in a spray bottle & shake to combine. Spray all over the toilet, outside and in the bowl, and leave for 5 minutes. Sprinkle the bowl with the baking soda and scrub with a brush. Flush and then wipe down the outside of the toilet with a clean cloth.
Laundry Powder
- 4 cups soap flakes
- 2 cups borax
- 2 cups washing soda
Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Use 2tbs in each wash. This is the best for your normal laundry to clean your bed and couches Bed Bug Inspection NYC New York are professionals you need to seek out. They will make sure that you have a pest free household.
It’s as easy as that! I have been using these recipes for a while so I’m not entirely sure where they all came from, however the Washing Powder recipe is from Down to Earth (the hardcopy book is amazing!).
Do you make your own green cleaning products? I’d love to hear what you use for your bathroom & laundry! Stay tuned for Part 2: Kitchen & Floors next week!
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I Spy Plum Pie is Liz, an early 30s kiwi-born, Melbourne raised girl who is passionate about the environment and sustainability, food, exploring and learning new things. Join me on my journey to a happy, sustainable life!
vegeTARAian
September 3, 2014 at 10:15 am (10 years ago)Oh my, what a clever fox you are! Love these homemade ideas – I bet it’s a lot kinder on the wallet too.
vegeTARAian recently posted…Shopping that makes our planet and animals smile
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
September 3, 2014 at 11:05 am (10 years ago)Thanks lovely! Yep, definitely a lot cheaper!
Ingrid
September 3, 2014 at 10:44 am (10 years ago)This is such a good idea Liz! Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to the kitchen series next week X
Ingrid recently posted…What I Wore: First Day of Spring
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
September 3, 2014 at 11:05 am (10 years ago)Thanks lovely! Part 2 will be up next Wednesday! xx
Smaggle
September 5, 2014 at 3:43 pm (10 years ago)Oh I love this! They’re tried and true recipes that I tend to use myself if I’m feeling particularly virtuous!
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
September 8, 2014 at 6:52 pm (10 years ago)Thanks love! It does make me feel a bit virtuous!
Kate @rosehipsrhubarb
September 5, 2014 at 9:25 pm (10 years ago)Great tips! I make a home made spray cleaner out of vinegar, a few drops detergent, water, a little bicarb and a few drops essential oil (I use rose geranium or orange). It cleans beautifully and smells lovely.
Kate @rosehipsrhubarb recently posted…Vanilla Meringues
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
September 8, 2014 at 6:53 pm (10 years ago)Thanks Kate! I have a similar spray cleaner recipe (it’s coming in my kitchen post!) – it’s amazing how well it works without all the nasty chemicals isn’t it!
Bele @ BlahBlah
October 13, 2014 at 10:23 pm (10 years ago)Oh, I wish my locals stocked soap flakes. I’ve been grating my own in the interim, but I probably should see if I can find them in bulk online somewhere x
Bele @ BlahBlah recently posted…Kefir, wellness and the little things
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
October 14, 2014 at 7:00 am (10 years ago)Oh boy, that sounds like hard work! Tracking some down online sounds like a good plan xx
Bruce Williams
July 7, 2018 at 4:06 pm (6 years ago)Thank you for these tips!
Jonathan Sager
April 16, 2019 at 5:10 am (5 years ago)This is an awesome post & Very helpful important information about cleaning the bathroom. I’ve benefited from the article. Thanks for sharing the informative tips!!!
Filip
December 27, 2019 at 9:37 pm (5 years ago)I have finally managed to throw away all those toxic, harsh chemical cleaners from my house and I am currently looking for the best green alternatives. Thanks for the tips, Liz! I use a vinegar and baking soda spray on my shower tiles and mirror regularly, it’s been really helpful.
Filip recently posted…Best Cleaner for RV Roof – Buyers Guide
Jamie
February 6, 2020 at 10:27 pm (5 years ago)Love the toilet cleaner recipe. Inexpensive and effective. Definitely my type of cleaning!
Jamie recently posted…5 Best Ladder For Getting On Roof 2020
Doug Mahoney
April 5, 2020 at 4:44 pm (4 years ago)Agreed! All these tips are very effective homemade remedies. Certainly combination of vinegar and baking soda works best to clean toilet stains. I am using it for a long time.
Devid Warner
July 27, 2020 at 7:53 pm (4 years ago)Nice blog; thank you for sharing about this environmentally friendly cleaning products.
Laveena Yogi
October 27, 2020 at 9:40 pm (4 years ago)Great Post! This is very helpful and informative article. Thanks for Sharing such a great post. Keep Posting!!
Happy Hiller
February 5, 2021 at 1:25 am (4 years ago)Awesome tips! Thank you for sharing!
Dora Thomson
February 14, 2021 at 5:54 am (4 years ago)This is such a piece of valuable information. Thank you so very much for your article. This is really good information. It’s great to visit your blog.
Laurel Larsen
November 8, 2022 at 2:05 am (2 years ago)It is nice to acknowledge that your article that is informative and essential. The mixing combination of Baking soda with white vinegar is very effective. After using this homemade Toilet Cleaner, my toilet looks shiny and smells nice. Thanks for your information!