When I first started reading about all of the dangers of the harsh chemicals that I was using for cleaning, I was overwhelmed by all of the choices out there. It seemed like most of the recipes used all sorts of exotic ingredients, and I was afraid to invest in a bunch of supplies that would leave me with ineffective cleaners.

I scoured the internet looking for new ways to clean, and here’s a collection of some of my very favorite recipes! Several of these were given to me by my friend, Kym, so if you’re reading this, thank you! I’ve altered each of them a little bit, either in the way that I use them or the way that I mix them, so I hope everyone will all be able to benefit from my trial and error!

*You can find great spray bottles at the dollar store or at wholesalers like Sam’s Club.*

Everyday All-Purpose Cleaner
2 cups distilled or bottled water
1/2 cup vinegar
6-8 drops essential oil (tea tree, sweet orange, and lemon are all faves around here)

Although most people don’t realize it, ordinary household vinegar (5% solution white vinegar) kills 99 percent of bacteria, 82 percent of mold, and 80 percent of germs (viruses). It is a great all-purpose cleaner!

Combine all ingredients in large spray bottle. Gentle shake to blend before each use. If vinegar scent is too strong, try adding a few drops of chamomile, sweet orange, or lavender.

Creamy Peppermint Soft Scrubber
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup Borax laundry booster
1 TBS Castille soap
5-10 drops peppermint essential oil (use less if pregnant)
*You can also use Peppermint scented castille soap instead*
1/4 cup water

Combine all ingredients in a glass jar. I used mason jars, but you could also recycle a mayo or similar jar. Fasten lid and shake very well. Pour onto surfaces to be cleaned (formica, tile, porcelain, granite, etc.) or onto washrag and watch grime and residue disappear with very little scrubbing effort! Rinse well with the hottest water you can stand – no need to polish fixtures afterwards. They will shine so nicely! If you notice it getting too thick after time, then you can add a little more water and shake it up again.

Lavender Blossom Glass & Window Cleaner
2 cups distilled or bottled water
1/2 cup vinegar
6-8 drops lavender essential oil

This is very similar to the all-purpose cleaner. I use them both for the same tasks. Just shake it up and add other essential oils or more lavender if you find the smell too strong.

Olive-Citrus Dusting Polish
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1?4 cup lemon juice or vinegar (lemon juice is much more fragrant, but they work equally well)
2-4 drops tangerine or sweet orange essential oil

Pour all ingredients into clean, recycled glass jar. Attach lid and gently swirl to blend ingredients. Dip soft cloth into mixture and polish to an old fashioned, healthy luster. I have also used this mixture by placing it in a spray bottle and spraying it onto the cloth or surface when its time to use it.

I ran out of this cleaner recently and didn’t feel like making up a new batch (total laziness on my part), so I used some of the store-bought furniture spray instead. It was so gross! I can’t believe that I used to use it all the time! It put all sorts of nasty fumes into the air and made our floors all slippery (from where the residue had fallen). I will never ever go back now!

Rosemary’s Residue-Removing Counter Cleanser
(use a hot water rinse with this to get gunk off of counters, especially in the bathroom with hair spray!)
1/2 cup distilled or bottled water
1/2 cup castile soap
4-6 drops rosemary essential oil (if you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, or epilepsy, use sweet orange or tangerine instead.

Combine all ingredients in spray bottle, gently swirl to blend, and spray directly onto surface. Wipe with a soft cloth, then rinse well with hot tap water and enjoy the shine!

I hope that these recipes that I’ve compiled will help you on the path to natural cleaning. If you have any questions or comments, please post them and I’ll check back soon!