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Table of Contents

3—6 Introduction to Homemade Cleaners 7 Your Basic Green Clean Toolkit 8 Where to Find Ingredients 9—13 All-Purpose Cleaners 14—16 Laundry Detergent, Fabric Softeners, & Stain Remover 17—23 Kitchen Cleaners 24—26 Floor Cleaners 27—28 Drain Cleaners 29—31 Window, Glass, & Mirror Cleaners 32—33 Tub & Tile Cleaners 34 Plumbing Fixture Cleaners 35—36 Toilet Bowl Cleaners 37—39 Mildew & Mold Cleaners 40—43 Wood Cleaners 44—47 Metal Polishes 48 Garbage Can Deodorizer 49 Concrete Oil & Grease Cleaner 50—51 References

3

Are Homemade Cleaners Any

Good?

Many people have the perception that a homemade cleaner is not

effective. Sometimes you will need to put in a little bit more elbow

grease to get something clean. Sometimes you may need to let it sit.

However, homemade cleaners can be as effective as conventional

ones… with a bit of knowledge and planning. When you consider the

costs to your health, the environment, and how much you could be

saving… it’s hard not to see the value in taking a few extra steps. The

key is… keeping a home clean makes the cleaning tasks a lot easier

than waiting until the job is too big!

4

How Clean is Clean?

Most cleaning jobs only need soap or detergent, water,

and a little elbow grease.

Some surfaces may need extra attention to control germs:

Sanitizers reduce, but do not totally eliminate germs and are

usually safer to use.

Disinfectants destroy or inactivate germs but tend to be more

toxic and must be used with care.

Always label all cleaners clearly!!!

5

What About Ammonia and Bleach?

Ammonia and bleach are inexpensive and effective at

cleaning and disinfecting. They can be used sparingly and diluted as a

last resort in household recipes. However, NEVER mix ammonia

and bleach together (i.e., spraying the shower with bleach and glass

cleaner, which contains ammonia)! Mixing these chemicals together

can produce highly toxic fumes. A few more safety tips:

Chemicals can lose their effectiveness. Don’t mix

more than you will use.

If you mix ANY chemicals together, mix in a

well-ventilated area.

Label mixed solutions carefully, and keep out of

reach of children and away from food.

Never mix in food containers.

Store original chemicals in original containers.

NEVER mix bleach

with anything but

water! Toxic

fumes may be

produced with

other chemicals. 6

5 Things to Know Before You Start

So you thought that you’d never use that chemistry again?

Think again! It’s the key to effective, homemade cleaners! Before

you start, there are a few tips to apply:

1. Know the types of cleaners, because that will help with creating

cleaners.

2. Always start with as mild of a cleaner as you can. If the job is not

finished, even after a little elbow grease or letting it sit for a while,

then move up to a stronger recipe.

3. Remember: although gentler on us and the earth, this does not

mean these products are safe to be consumed. Please still keep all

cleaning products out of children’s reach!

4. A microfiber cloth can save a lot of time with simple tasks like

dusting.

5. Hot water will clean better than cold.

7

Your Basic Green Clean Toolkit

Several spray bottles (glass & plastic)

Microfiber cloth

Brush, sponge, or mesh pad

Baking soda

Washing soda

Borax

Vinegar or lemon juice

Olive/vegetable oil

Vegetable oil-based soap, like castile soap

Optional:

Salt

Hydrogen peroxide

Tea tree/lavender oil

Essential oils for scent 8

Where to Find Ingredients

Washing Soda (sodium carbonate)

Available in the laundry aisle of the grocery store.

Borax (sodium borate)

Available in the laundry aisle of the grocery store.

Vegetable Oil-Based Liquid Soap (common name: castile soap)

Available in health food, natural food, and big box stores (Target,

Walmart, large grocery stores, and home improvement stores).

Essential Oils

Available in health food and natural food stores.

Melted Beeswax

Melt in a double boiler. Watch carefully, as beeswax has a high

melting point of 150 degrees. Break up the beeswax into small

pieces, as this will facilitate melting.

9

All-Purpose Cleaners

All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe 1

3 tablespoons white vinegar

1/2 teaspoon washing soda

1/2 teaspoon vegetable oil-based liquid soap (castile soap)

2 cups hot water

Mix ingredients in a spray bottle or

bucket. Apply, and wipe clean.

11



2 tablespoons borax

1/4 cup vinegar

2 cups hot water

Mix ingredients in a spray bottle or bucket. Apply, and wipe clean.

10



1/2 cup vinegar

1/4 cup baking soda

1/2 gallon hot water

Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. For very light

jobs, you can also just use baking soda with water

OR 1/2 cup vinegar with 1 quart water.

12


Non-Abrasive Soft Scrubber

1/4 cup borax

vegetable oil-based liquid soap (castile soap)

1/2 teaspoon lemon essential oil

In a bowl, mix the borax with enough soap to form a creamy paste.

Add lemon oil and blend well. Scoop a small amount of the mixture

onto a sponge, wash the surface, and rinse well.

13


Scouring Powder

1 cup baking soda

1 cup borax

1 cup non-iodized salt

Put ingredients into a container. Sprinkle on area to be cleaned.

Wipe with a sponge, and rinse well.

15

Laundry Fabric Softeners

Fabric Softener Recipe 1

1/4 cup vinegar

Add vinegar to final rinse of laundry cycle.

Fabric Softener Recipe 2

2 cups vinegar

2 cups baking soda

4 cups water

Mix ingredients, and store in a sealed container. Add 1/4 cup of the

mix to final rinse of laundry cycle.

14

Laundry Detergent

1 cup ivory soap (powder)

½ cup washing soda

½ cup borax

Mix ingredients, and store in sealed container. Use 1 tablespoon for

light loads. Use 2 tablespoons for heavy loads.

*** Always follow manufacturer’s laundry

directions, found on all clothing and

household textiles.

16

Laundry Stain Remover

Stain Removal

1/2 cup ammonia

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/4 cup baking soda

2 tablespoons liquid soap (dishwashing soap)

2 quarts water

Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray on stain.

*** Pretreatment for stain removal: always soak bad stains in cold

water to loosen the substance before washing. Check the stain before

you throw the garment in the dryer. Heat can set stains.

17

Kitchen Cleaners

Fragrant Kitchen and Bath Cleaner


2 pints water

4 drops essential oil (lavender, tea tree, lemon, lemongrass, or

rosemary)

Combine ingredients in a spray bottle. Use

as a final rinse after cleaning kitchen/bath

surfaces. Store in a cool, dark place.

19

Kitchen Cleaners

Oven Cleaner Recipe 1

1/4 cup baking soda

2 tablespoons salt

Mix in hot water as needed to make a paste. Let paste sit for 5

minutes.

*** Don’t use on wires or heating elements.

*** Before using in a self-cleaning oven, check the owner’s manual

18

Kitchen Cleaners

Sink and Appliance Cleaner

2 tablespoons baking soda

1 quart water

Dissolve the baking soda in the water. Wipe on fixtures. Rinse with

clean water.

*** Use to clean stainless steel, chrome,

fiberglass, ceramic, porcelain, or enamel.

20

Kitchen Cleaners


2 tablespoons vegetable oil-based liquid soap (castile soap)

2 tablespoons borax

Mix the soap and borax in a spray bottle. Fill the

bottle with hot water and shake well. Spray on

oven, and leave for 20 minutes. Scrub off.

*** Before using in a self-cleaning oven, check

the owner’s manual

21

Kitchen Cleaners


3/4 cup baking soda

1/4 cup non-iodized salt

1/4 cup water

steel wool, if needed

Make a paste out of the first three ingredients. Spread over inside of

oven (do not put on metal parts or openings). Leave overnight.

Remove with plastic spatula and wipe clean. Rub stubborn spots

gently with steel wool (do not use steel wool on self-cleaning ovens).

*** Don’t use on wires or heating elements

*** Before using in a self-cleaning oven, check the owner’s manual

23

Kitchen Cleaners

Garbage Disposal Cleaner Recipe 1

1 cup ice

used lemon or orange rind

To eliminate garbage disposal odors, clean, and sharpen blades, grind ice

and rinds until pulverized.

Garbage Disposal Cleaner Recipe 2

1/4 cup baking soda

1/2 cup vinegar

2 quarts boiling water

Pour baking soda down drain, followed by vinegar. Cover and let sit for

15 minutes. Follow with boiling water.

22

Kitchen Cleaners

Refrigerator Cleaner


1 quart warm water

Dissolve baking soda in water. Use to wipe all surfaces inside and

out. For stubborn spots, rub with baking soda paste. Be sure to rinse

with a clean, wet cloth.

24

Floor Cleaners

Wood Floor Cleaner

1 cup vinegar per pail of water

OR

2 tablespoons olive/vegetable oil

2 tablespoons vinegar

1/4 cup lemon juice

Mix together, spray, and mop.

25

Floor Cleaners

Laminate Floor Cleaner

1/2 cup white vinegar

1 gallon warm water

Mix ingredients. Don’t over-wet floors. Instead, apply with spray

bottle. Mop. Consider using a microfiber mop.

26

Floor Cleaners

Linoleum/No-Wax Floor Cleaner

1/4 cup washing soda

1 tablespoon castile soap

1/4 cup—1 cup vinegar

2 gallons hot water

* cornstarch optional

Mix washing soda with water before the rest of the ingredients.

*** For extra polish, add 6 tablespoons of cornstarch per cup of

water.

27

Drain Cleaners

Drain Cleaner Recipe 1

1/4 cup baking soda

1/2 cup vinegar

2 quarts boiling water

Pour baking soda down drain, followed by vinegar. Cover, and let sit

for 15 minutes. Follow with boiling water.

28

Drain Cleaners


1/2 cup borax

2 cups boiling water

Pour borax down drain, followed by boiling water.


boiling water

Use a plumber’s “snake” with boiling water.

29

Window, Glass, & Mirror Cleaners

Window, Glass, & Mirror Cleaner Recipe 1


1 quart water

Mix ingredients in a spray bottle. For a stronger solution, mix half

and half vinegar and water.


1/4 cup vinegar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 quart warm water

Mix ingredients in spray bottle. 30




2 cups water

1/4—1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent

Mix ingredients in a spray bottle, and shake up. Good for especially

dirty windows.

*** Window, Glass, & Mirror Cleaning Hint: Using

newspapers to clean windows, glass, and mirrors leaves a

streak-free shine.

31


Window, Glass, & Mirror Polish

cornstarch

water

Mix together cornstarch and water to make a paste. Use a soft cloth

to apply the paste to the surface. Rub gently, then wipe clean with a

soft cloth.

*** For sparkling glass.

32

Tub & Tile Cleaners

Tub and Tile Cleaner Recipe 1

white vinegar

baking soda OR non-iodized salt

Apply full-strength vinegar to a sponge, and wipe surface. Next, use

baking soda OR salt as a scouring powder. Rub with a damp sponge,

and rinse well with clean water.

33

Tub & Tile Cleaners

Tub and Tile Cleaner Recipe 2

1 & 2/3 cup baking soda OR salt

1/2 cup castile soap

1/2 cup water


Mix first 3 ingredients, then add vinegar.

Apply, and scrub.

35

Toilet Bowl Cleaners

Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipe 1 (Mild)

1/4 cup baking soda

1 cup vinegar

Mix ingredients and pour into basin. Allow to sit for 3—30 minutes.

Scrub with brush, and rinse.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipe 2 (Stronger)

1/2 cup borax

1 gallon hot water

Mix solutions, and scrub basin. Borax helps get rid of stains better

than baking soda.

34

Plumbing Fixture Cleaners

Plumbing Fixture Cleaner Recipe 1 *** For stainless steel, chrome, fiberglass, ceramic, porcelain, or enamel fixtures


1 quart water

Dissolve the baking soda in the water. Wipe on fixtures, then rinse.

Plumbing Fixture Cleaner Recipe 2 *** For lime deposits

white vinegar

paper towels

Soak paper towels in vinegar and leave them on surface for about an

hour. Wipe clean.

36

Toilet Bowl Cleaners

Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipe 3 (Strongest)

1 cup borax

1/2 cup vinegar

Sprinkle borax around basin, and spray with vinegar. Leave

Overnight, then scrub with brush. This cleaner is extra strength.

37

Mildew & Mold Cleaners

Mildew Cleaner Recipe 1

3 cups hot tap water

1/2 cup vinegar

1/4 cup castile soap

1 teaspoon borax

1 teaspoon tea tree oil

1/2 teaspoon essential oil (optional)

Mix ingredients in spray bottle, and shake gently. Spray, and wipe.

38


Mildew Cleaner Recipe 2

1/2 cup vinegar

1/2 cup borax

Mix with water, and spray.

Mildew Cleaner Recipe 3 (For Tough Stains)

1/4 cup of bleach

1 quart of water

Spray, and let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing.

39


Mold Cleaner

vegetable oil-based soap (castile soap)

baking soda

Use a stiff brush with castile soap and baking soda, and scrub. Make

sure to wear a mask and gloves because mold spores can be inhaled.

*** Hint: A mold problem is a moisture problem. Keep surfaces dry.

*** This is only intended for small areas of mold, such as in the

bathtub/shower. Use only on surfaces that do not absorb water.

*** Throw away sponge to prevent the spread of mold.

40

Wood Cleaners

Wood Cleaner

2 tablespoons olive oil


1/4 cup lemon juice

Mix ingredients. Using a soft cloth, rub into the wood in the

direction of the grain.

41

Wood Cleaners

Furniture Polish Recipe 1

1 lemon

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon water

Cut and squeeze juice from lemon into small container, using a

strainer to remove the pulp and seeds. Add oil and water. Mix well (a

container with a lid makes mixing easy). Apply a thin coat on wood

surface, then buff with a soft cloth to a deep shine.

*** This polish should be made fresh for each use.

43

Wood Cleaners

Water Rings on Wood Remover

non-gel, regular toothpaste

OR

mayonnaise

Rub toothpaste OR mayonnaise gently onto ring. Once ring is

removed, use furniture polish.

*** Water rings on a wood surface are the result of moisture that is

trapped under the topcoat but not the finish. Preventing water rings

is the easiest solution. Use coasters.

42

Wood Cleaners

Furniture Polish Recipe 2

1/4 cup melted beeswax

1 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Carefully and slowly pour the melted beeswax into a heat-resistant

bowl containing the olive oil and lemon juice. Slowly stir with a

wooden spoon. The mixture will thicken as it cools to the

consistency of smooth peanut butter.

To Use: Work a small amount into wood using a soft cotton cloth (or

repurpose an old t-shirt). Buff to a soft glow.

44

Metal Polishes

Chrome/Stainless Steel Polish


1 quart water

Dissolve the baking soda in water, wipe on, and rinse.

45

Metal Polishes Copper Polish

Fine, non-iodized table salt vinegar OR lemon juice

Rub lightly with fine table salt (non-iodized) wetted with vinegar OR lemon juice.

Brass Polish

salt cornstarch vinegar OR lemon juice

With a soft rag, apply equal parts of salt, cornstarch, and a little vine-gar OR lemon juice. Rinse with warm water and mild dish soap.

47

Metal Polishes

Aluminum Cleaner

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons cream of tartar

Fill your aluminum pot with water and bring to a boil. For every

quart of water added, also add 1/2 cup of vinegar and 2 tablespoons

of cream of tartar. Boil the mixture for about 10 minutes, then pour

the mixture out. When the pot is cooled, wash it with dish soap.

46

Metal Polishes

Silver Polish Recipe 1

1 quart warm water

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

Line bowl with aluminum foil. Place silver in bowl, and cover with

boiling water. Add remaining ingredients and soak until tarnish

comes off.

Silver Polish Recipe 2

toothpaste

Rub toothpaste on silver, let dry, and

rinse.

48

Garbage Can Deodorizer

1 cup baking soda

1 teaspoon tea tree oil

Mix together in a small bowl, working out all the lumps with a fork.

Sprinkle the mixture in the bottom of the trash can after the liner is

removed. Periodically rinse container with white

vinegar, and dry in the sun.

49

Concrete Oil & Grease Cleaner

Oil and Grease Cleaner for Concrete

baking soda

Sprinkle baking soda on grease or oil spot. Scrub with wet brush.

Rinse well.

51

Green cleaning: Do-it-yourself safe cleaning solutions (n.d.).

Retrieved from the Keen State College Recycling and Sustaina-

bility Office website: www.keene.edu/sustain/greenclean.pdf

Harris, M. (2013). Clean and green: Healthy homes, healthy people

(MP492-PD-4-11N). Retrieved from University of Arkansas

Division of Agriculture, Research & Extension website:

http://www.uaex.edu/publications/PDF/MP492.pdf

Keel, M., & Hinds, B. (2015). Make your home healthy—Keep it clean

(W 318-A). Retrieved from University of Tennessee Institute

of Agriculture, Family & Consumer Sciences website:

https://extension.tennessee.edu/publications/Documents/

W318-A.pdf

50

References

Dinstel, R. (2011). Extension news column: Pinching pennies—

Laundry. Retrieved from University of Alaska Fairbanks, Coop-

erative Extension Service website: https://www.uaf.edu/files/

ces/newscolumns/laundry%20tips.pdf

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Retrieved from

www.epa.gov

Gibson, S. MS., & Turner, P. R. (2015). Green cleaning: Recipes for a

healthy home (HACE-E-73-1). Retrieved from University of

Georgia Extension website: http://www.fcs.uga.edu/docs/

June_2015_Recipe_Cards_Green_Cleaning_Booklet.pdf

52

Winnebago County UW Extension

625 E. County Road Y, Suite 600

Oshkosh, WI 54901-8131

Phone: 920-232-1970 or 920-727-8643

Fax: 920-232-1967

711 for Wisconsin Relay

Website: http://winnebago.uwex.edu/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winnebagocountyuwex/

Chris Kniep, Family Living Educator

Mandi Dornfeld, Family Living Educator

An EEO/Affirmative Action employer, University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming including Title VI, Title IX and ADA

requirements. Please make request for reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to educational programs as early as possible preceding the scheduled program, service or activity.