Spring Cleaning with Eco Friendly Products

I like a product called Simple Green. I buy it at Lowes in a gallon jug and dillute it in a spray bottle for household use. Full strength for greasy messes. Smells nice like sassafrass.

There are new products by Clorox that are eco-friendly and pretty inexpensive. They are available at Wal-mart and other stores that are similar. Happy cleaning!

One more to add to the list, use this for streak free windows, mirrors, and it also works well on kitchen messes:
equal parts rubbing alcohol, ammonia, and water. You can add essential oil to it, for fragrance.

I saw someone already mentioned vinegar, water and lemon juice. Another great option is baking soda. Arm and Hammer has a lot of great suggestions on their website. And for that disinfecting agent, tea tree oil works great.

A couple of other quick tricks:

To make a great carpet freshner, mix baking soda with your favorite essential oil, sprinkle on the carpet and let set for about 15 minutes then vacuum. In using this tip, you get the added benefit of making your vacuum smell fresh.

To make a great room freshner, mix water with powdered citric acid and your favorite essential oil. Shake well then spritz your curtains, furniture and of course the air. You can make this without the citric acid, but if you do, only make enough for one use. The citric acid acts as a preservative.

Hi C.,
A few things I've tried that work well...And they're much cheaper than the 'green products' sold at stores.

I make my own dishwasher detergent,
In a small container, mix together - 1 cup borax (all naural product found in the laundry isle)- 1 cup baking soda. Keep a table spoon inside the container and put in 3 tablespoons of the homemade detergent.Once every week or two fill the rinse aid receptacle with vinegar.

cleaning the toilets - Fill a spray bottle with undiluted white vinegar spray and let sit 15min or so. Then scrub.
Use baking soda as a scouring powder for cleaning sinks and tubs
Glass cleaner - Mix 2 tablespoons of borax or washing soda with three cups of water.
Rug stains -- Rub borax into dampened area, let dry, then vacuum
Mildew - Make a paste of vinegar and salt and apply to built-up area
Furniture polish - Combine 1/2 cup lemon juice to 1 cup vegetable oil, Apply to rag polish furniture

Have fun cleaning!!
S.

Clorox has a new brand out called EcoWorks which is made of natural ingredients. Check out their website - CloroxmomWire.com. Sign up & they will sometimes send you free stuff in the mail!!

I've been spring cleaning for two weeks now and I'm starting to see the end of the tunnel. lol. I swapped last Fall over to eco-friendly products and my allergies (that I never even knew I had) have been thanking me ever since.

The simplest thing to use is vinegar and water. You can use it just like all-purpose cleaners like formula 409. Acid kills bacteria at room temperature, so it's very effective. Baking soda and salt both make very effective scouring solutions. Lemons (which I pretty much only buy for cleaning) are natural degreasers and leave an excellent smell.

If you want pre-prepped products, I can highly recommend Mrs. Meyer's all purpose cleaner. You can dilute it down for an all-purpose cleaner, it can be used in carpet cleaners, etc. For scouring the shower I like Ecover's scouring solution. I've used it on everything from the outside of the house to get mildew off, the shower to get stubborn grime...

My house has never been cleaner.

Hope this helps.
M.

IMMACU-10 and peroxide, vinegar and citrus (lemon juice). I use ALL of these or everything from laundry to cleaning carpet stains, windows, etc. Immacu-10 is VERY inexpensive and lasts about 6 months for me. Enzyme based, not chemical based so safe around children and pets.

Hi C.,
I have just the solution for you. My name is M. V. and My family and myself are proud customers of a very eco-friendly company thats been around for years. They offer cleaning supplies,health and beauty,fitness and even candles.
Please check us out at www.saferforyourhome.com or e-mail me for more information on enrollment.These products are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.
M. V.
Melaleuca-The Wellness Company

I love my steamer, 100 bucks at lowe's and has all the attachments for every surface in my home it does floors and bathrooms and even my oven and the steam disinfects so it's the best of both worlds, but it's a lot of work for daily cleaning. method, also available at target, i think and lowes is a great line but again they are as pricey as name brand cleaners, clorox has a new line but it is NOT 100 percent natural. seventh generation i think is generally a little pricey here, but great products. i'm not sure at this point of any knock off brands for natural cleaning supplies, hopefully it catches on here sooner or later but there are plenty of sites on the web as well for what kitchen items can be ued to clean what areas. keep in mind as well when thinking green, it isn't just about what is in the products you use, look at packaging, buy concentrate refills, it really does save what we throw out and when using something like a steamer, sure it's great but it uses electricity, and look into the company making the products, i mentioned the clorox line and sure it's better than buying the other stuff, but still should we support a company that produces tons of bleach each year in our attempt to go green or does that defeat the purpose? good luck with the cleaning, i'm off to steam my kitchen.

C., I just received an email all about 3% peroxide. I have not tried it out, but it sounds really good. She used it to clean windows (doesn't streak), mixed 50/50 with water and sprayed on countertops. She added a cup to laundry to whiten whites instead of bleach. She also used it to gargle with for 10 minutes, and said it is great to whiten teeth and get rid of canker sores. I will definitely be trying it.

Make your own cleaners. Vinegar, water and a little lemon juice works wonders. You can use it for literally EVERYTHING! And you can't get much cheaper than that! Just do a google search for those three words and cleaner. You'll find the exact measurements, I can't remember what they are.

Hi C.

I know you mentioned inexpensive but I purchased what's called "EcoQuest" it's an air purifier and it's awesome. It smells like clean spring air through out the entire house and it kills the smell of anything. It cleans out ducts, sanitizes bathroom, freshens your bedding, deodorizes your clothes and closet, sanitizes your kitchen, freshens your car, freshens your basement or garage, etc...They have what's called the onion test and what you do is rub a slice of onion on the back of your hand and then hold your hand in front of this unit and within 90 seconds the smell should be 90% to 100% GONE. It's great but pricey. I purchased it for $650.00 but well worth it. My M. plans to buy one and several friends that have been over my home and noticed. I hope this info. helps you and if your interested I have the lady's name and number on her business card. Good luck!!!!

Clorox Green works, work very well. I used to use Method brand from Target, but I've noticed the Green Works cleans a little better.

A product I would recommend is Quick 'n Brite.
It is a pink paste that you can use directly or diluted with water.
It is non-toxic and is an excellent cleaner for laundry spots and household cleaning.
I especially like it for water spots, soap scum, showers, tubs, and spots on the carpet.
It works on windows and appliances, grease, and anywhere that dirt has built up.
I have used it for years.
And it is not harsh on my hands.
It is available on the Internet at Quick'nBrite.com
Happy cleaning!

I see that you have received some good ideas and it is great to see so many of us are making healthier choices. Like some of the others, I started by making my own products but my family didn't like the smell of vinegar and I was looking to green more than just the basics. I was introduced to Shaklee and liked the company and concentrated products so much I began to share them with other Moms. We have a team resource website where you can learn about Shaklee, see the video clip from Oprah and see a cost comparison. The cost comparison includes two traditional products and seventh generation. The final cost comparison is on the right hand column after taking into consideration concentration amounts. You will be amazed to see that you can make a 16 oz bottle of window cleaner for less than a penny and a 16 oz bottle of all purpose cleaner for less than 5 cents. The products save you money, are all natural and safe and help the planet by reducing packaging waste and other environmental costs in manufacturing and transportation. The resource website is www.shakstory.com and you can learn more about Shaklee's Get Clean line at www.greenmoms4kids.com

Hi C.! That's wonderful that you want to use eco-friendly products!! Since I had my son, I try to do the same. Some brands of products I can suggest is Seventh Generation cleaning products...they are inexpensive and do a good job. I have used the laundry detergent, all purpose spray, dishwasher detergent, and they all work pretty well. My favorite eco-friendly products though are Mrs. Meyers Clean Day...they are a bit pricy, but they smell soooo good that it makes cleaning enjoyable. I especially like the Gardenia scent. I would also suggest going to Kriegers, Mustard Seed Market, or New Earth for suggestions or products.

Dr Bronner's Peppermint soap. LOVE the stuff!! It cleans well, is completely environmentally safe and non-toxic and free of "greenwashing" unlike some other supposedly green products out there. I use it for everything - my floors, counters, high chair, bathroom, I even bathe my dogs with it. Smells wonderful too - makes the entire house smell like peppermint. It's cheapest when ordered in bulk online.

Clorox just came out with the ecofriendly products. You can get them at Walmart. I think they work pretty well.

I would suggest picking up the book "Clean House, Clean Planet". In it are a ton of alternative homemade cleaning products for every area of the house (kitchen, laundry, bathroom etc.). Solutions are super easy to make and less expensive.

I feel the same way as you. I have two little ones at home, so I want to be able to clean knowing that the products I'm using are not toxic for them or for the environment. I absolutely love Shaklee's Basic H2 superconcentrated cleaner. I use this for just about everything! I clean counters, appliances, floors, woodwork, windows, bathrooms with this. I clean up spills on the carpet with it, I dust with it, I do all my windows and mirrors using this. I think it's a miracle cleaner cause it's one bottle and it tackles all these tasks. It's nontoxic, natural, and biodegradable. All you do is add water in a spray bottle or bucket. That's it! They have an entire line of cleaners in their "Get Clean" line. They have been highlighted on Oprah several times. I know this must sound like a commercial, but I really love this product and think everyone should try it. It's also extremely cost effective and afforadable. Purchasing regular cleaners would easily cost many times over what this does. You can go to www.shaklee.com to find out more info.

K.

Hi! Good for you:) Clorox just came out with a new green line of cleaning products. 7th generation is a good one. I think Method is green as well. These can all be found at Kroger among other grocers. Check places like Wild Oats/Whole foods and Trader Joes for other options.
You can also get books (bought or from the library) about making your own cleaning products if you have the time and energy.

This answer is kind of late......I just saw this post....I use products from E cosway (cleaning supplies, laundry, shampoo) very eco friendly products!!!

Target sells a line of products called Method (also available online). All of the ones I've tried I really like. They all smell great and clean great and the prices are very close to the other cleaning products. I'm sure there are lots of others, too. Hope you find something you like! Thanks for helping our environment!

Vinegar cleans most surfaces very well(I use the white) and if you need something for scrubbing baking soda works great.Just add water to make it into a paste. Don't mix the two unless you are trying to open a plugged drain you'll get a boiling volcano.I use baking soda on my carpets before I vacume and then shampoo them with hot water and Avons bubble bath the original stuff but the scented raspberry smells great too.

Melaleuca the wellness company- http://www.melaleuca.com
the products are wonderful! all cleaning supplies are eco- friendly and very safe to have in your home and work better than anything you can find in the store.

Good morning C.,

I have been using cleaning products by Seventh Generation that can be found at Target or Walmart for the past several months, though they are as high as the name brand cleaners they do a great job and are eco friendly.

Katrina

"Simple Green" is an amazing multi-purpose, biodegradable cleaner that has worked great for me. i've never seen it in a store, maybe try online? it is supposed to not be bad for the kids to be around.

I get all of my household products from Melaleuca. I have been using them for over 12 years, since my oldest was little...I wanted to get rid of all the chemicals in our house ;-) The products are great and they work...everything is concentrated so it ends up being a lot cheaper than what is at the stores. I use their laundry products and bathroom products as well ( shampoos, deoderant, etc) The foundational ingredient is from the melaleuca plant or tea tree oil and it is one of the strongest anti-bacterial, anti-viral, agents that mother nature makes ;-) I also love that everything get shipped right to my door....I never have to put cleaning supplies in my grocery cart! I love melaleuca ;-)

The "Super Baby Food" book by Ruth Yaron has lots of recipes for safe cleaning products - vinegar is usually one of the main ingredients...there is also a company called Seaside Naturals (www.seasidenaturals.com) that makes eco-safe cleaning products...
Good luck!
P.

You can make your own with good ol' vinegar and water. If you don't like the smell, add some essential oil to it. Both vinegar and essential oil have an antibacterial property. I also have tried Clorax's new green products. Wal-Mart sells them for $2.50 each and they smell nice. I checked the label and they are all the same so you really don't need separate bathroom and kitchen cleaners. Happy cleaning!

Shaklee has the absolute best non-toxic, biodegradable, healthy and green products you will ever use. Plus you can use them for 30 days and if you don't like them, they will refund your money 100%. Their total cleaning kit is around $146.00 + and to get the same amount of clean at a retail store is about $3400.00 not to mention what it does for you and the environment. You can find this information at www.getcleangogreen.us
I've used this for over 3 years and would never use anything else. They clean like nothing I've ever used.
Hope this helps. (Feel free to contact me with any questions ;-)

There are a lot of eco friendly products on the market but one of the best ones I can think of is white vinegar. A little mixed with water is the best window cleaner in the world. Used straight from the bottle it will removed pet urine stains and smells from the carpets. It is great to use to wipe down the shower stall and bath tub and mixed with water in equal parts is good to wash down the walls etc.

Lemon juice is good too and so is baking soda.

Skin So Soft Bath oil can be used to remove tar, soap scum, etc. and leaves a water spot resistant finish to wood doors, counters, and cupboards.

P. R

It's great you are thinking eco friendly because at the same time you will protect your health along with the enviornment. It looks like you already have enough advice to go on but if I could share my story it will really make you glad you are switching.
I am a mom of 3 children grew up with "normal" cleaners & such. Then when our youngest was born she was very ill for 4 years. The Dr's did all kinds of tests on her to see what was wrong, to no avail. We were truely out of places to turn. Then a friend of ours to share some insight on something new. She had seen on the Today Show how the products we use in our home can be the leading cause of illnesses. So my husband & I asked her what we should do. She said after seeing the show she had tried some products called Melaleuca. So we agreed to try them as well & see if this would help our daughter. We were very skeptical but amazaed as we saw a slow change in her health. Then we heard from someone say if you want the biggest changes to occur get rid of all your other "toxic" chemcials in your home...so we did! We also started her on their vitamins for kids ($9.24 a bottle) WOW, she was able to come off all her meds & has been only to our Dr for well 1 well visit in the past 14 months. I only wish I would have known about these products years ago when my babies were little. It could have saved us from years of heartache.
I love to share this story in hopes that someone out there may find help if they are in a situation like us. You can check them out at www.saferforyourhome.com I have found these products work for many different things as they have everything we use in our home on a daily basis.

I see someone already mentioned using essential oils with baking soda for a carpet freshner. I use the oils in borax. Put it in a container together, shake it up, let it sit a day or so. It's safe for you and any pets to walk on while it is on the carpet. Ants don't like it. If your pets get fleas use lavender and it will take care of that as well. I use borax for so many things.

I actually just started using cleaning products from Shaklee, and I absolutely love them. The majority of them are organic; therefore, the smell doesn't make me sick and they are eco friendly.

I would suggest the Basic H (which you can use for dusting, all-purpose cleaner, glass/windows, etc); Basic G (which disinfects - great for kitchen counters); and Scour off (great for oven tops, sinks, and tubs/showers). They also have laundry soap, hand soap, etc.

I would suggest you look up my friends website to see more about the products (http://www.shaklee.net/kathysprunger). Also, you could also contact her to get further information about the products.

J.

I've been using products called Generation 7 (I think). They sell at the grocery store for a reasonable price and are all natural. White bottles with dark green labels.

Hi C., My sister keeps begging me to try that new green cleaner that clorox puts out she swears by it, sorry I don't remember the exact name but its all natural and wal-mart has it. Happy Cleaning

I just saw this great article on the Better Homes and Gardens website. It is all cleaning products that are made from vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice and other stuff around the house. I have used a lot of these things before and they really do work. I also have used a steamer for awhile. The steam disinfects and cleans really well. I think they are like $60.
Good luck

Hi C., there are some out there. Kroger sells their brand of going green that I use. and I just saw some in Wallmart. Also one of my custermor ( I am a House Keeper) bought some nice smelling products at same...hope this helps.

look up a company called "Melaleuca" They have every household cleaning product, including for your laundry, medicine cabinet and even health food and vitamins. It's all 100% natural and they base all of their products from an oil called "tea tree oil". All their cleaning products are awesome and do great jobs but are safe to use around family and pets and safe for the environment. they are a little expensive, but if you become a member, you get a discount and if you figure that all their products are concentrated, it really isn't all that expensive.

Have you ever tried Shaklee products. Organic eco friendly products...Email this lady she sells it in my neighborhood if you are intersted. Oprah loves it.

Amanda Z. Brown

shaklee.net/greenb

I use Green Works from Clorox. I will clean up just about any mess and cuts thru grease with no problem. You may have to let it sit a minute or two on some spots, but it works beautifully! I have old formica counters in my kitchen and they stain very easily. I just spray on let it sit about a minute, and the stains wipe right away. It's completly plant and mineral based, biodegradable, and the package is recycleable. It doesn't contain any bleach, and the best part is that it only costs about $2.50 a bottle. They have a complete line so you can find a cleaner for just about every room in your house.

There are a number of environmental friendly products out there now on the market. Clorox is making a brand called Green Works or something like that. I have been testing some of them and they seem to do okay.
I still do my windows with vinegar and water and use the newspaper to wipe them. I then dry the paper over a rack in the kitchen and when dry add it to my recycle pile. You can use baking soda in lieu of scrubbing cleansers. It will remove some stains from formica countertops also. In place of those expensive disinfectants, I make up a mixture of one teaspoon of Clorox to a quart of water and keep it in a spray bottle with a fine mist spray. You can wipe everything down and then use that to disinfect. When I wash the sheers during spring cleaning, I use a cop of the old fashioned 20 Mule TEam Borax as a laundry booster. I also use it with every load of work clothes as well as the rest of the laundry. You can add the borax to almost any cleaner and it will give you a better performance. Instead of all the expensive spray polishes, you can use the Old English Lemon Polish for most light woods and then use the Old English Dark Polish for woods like mahogany or walnut. Although they all contain petroleum distillates, you are not spraying them and putting the irritants into the air. A little goes a long way and is a good value. Regardless of what you use, please limit the use of paper towels. Old T-shirts and towels make excellent cleaning rags, can be washed and re-used over and over again. When you use paper towels, unless they are made from recycled materials, we are cutting down more trees. There are also ways to search the internet by using your search engine for eco friendly cleaning products. Thank you for caring about the environment. It's our planet and if we don't take care of things now, our grandchildren and great grandchildren might be forced to wear masks so that they can breathe safely. There are also a number of courses that can be taken to learn about more than just spring cleaning products. Contact your local county extension service. Good luck to you.
C. W.

C. - go with water and vinegar every time. I bought a spray bottle from either Target or Giant Eagle. We fill it close to the top and add a half cup of vinegar. This solution works like a charm and is safe for all.

In the tub, I am still using Bon Ami, which I haven't checked for it's eco-friendliness yet.

Friends of mine us the 7th Generation Line of products to be eco-safe. You can find them at Giant Eagle and Whole Foods.

Good luck with your quest.

Check out this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Haleys-Cleaning-Hints-Graham-Haley/...

HI - clorax just came out with some products that are eco friendly.

C., I have found the most wonderful products!! They are all environmentally friendly and very cost effective. The company is called Norwex Enviro Products. I started selling them last July and love them. The microfiber rags make window cleaning so easy with wonderful results. I am an accountant by degree and so had to "run the numbers" to make sure it was really cheaper than Wal-Mart. My family saves about $700 a year in just cleaning supplies!!!! I am a mother of three wonderful boys with another on the way and four adorable little dogs. So you can imagine how much time I spend cleaning. These products have been a God Send!!!
You can reach me at ###-###-#### if you have any questions or email at ____@____.com Good Luck and Happy Spring!!