See end of post for my favourite DIY recipes
- For small messes or a quick clean up I use a mop like this (Vileda) filled with just water and vinegar.
- About once a month I steam mop all the tile and wood floors in the house - the stream gives it a good clean so no need for chemical cleaners.
These are the two mops we use but either one would suffice.
- Mirrors - All purpose cleaner or Norwex cloth and water
- Tub and shower - simply sprinkle a bit of baking soda on tub or shower floor and squirt hand or dish soap. Wipe with a damp cloth or paper towel. The baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive. Wipe again or rinse as needed.
- Toilet - dump a few glugs of vinegar in the toilet and clean as you normally would with a toilet brush. Use the all purpose cleaner on the rest of the toilet.
All purpose cleaner or Norwex window cloth and water
- sink - sprinkle some baking soda in sink and squirt a bit of liquid soap over top. Wipe/scrub with a damp cloth or paper towel. You can simply rinse or rinse and then wipe down with your all purpose cleaner.
- stove - all purpose cleaner or use hot soapy water and baking soda (instructions below)
- counters - all purpose cleaner
- dish soap - I've tried a DIY recipe but didn't find it cleaned very well so Nature Clean is my current go to. There are lots of other good, natural brands though, like Honest Company for example.
- cutting boards - sprinkle salt on board and rub it in the a half a lemon (for a deep clean) or just dish soap and water
- We skip the dryer sheets and fabric softener because they are known to be very toxic. Right now I don't use anything as a replacement but I've heard wool dryer balls work great. Norwex also has a dryer ball. In the summer nothing is needed but winter I find clothes are a bit staticky.
- Detergent - I use a DIY recipe (see recipe below) sometimes and sometimes Tide Free and Clear
- Soap nuts are another detergent alternative
DIY Recipes
All Purpose Cleaner
- grab a spray bottle
- a squirt or two or dish soap (optional)
- fill half way with water
- top up with vinegar
- your favourite essential oils - lemon or tea tree oil are nice (optional)
Stove Cleaner (full instructions here)
- Bowl & Hot Soapy Water
- Baking Soda
- A Cleaning Rag
- Gloves
Laundry Detergent (link here)
- 3 Cups of Borax
- 3 Cups Washing Soda
- 3 Cups of Baking Soda
- 2 Bars of Soap (like this one or this one) or Fels Naptha
- 30 Drops of Essential Oil (optional) – I use a 50:50 mix of wild orange and lemon, but you can add whatever you like.
- Grate the soap with a cheese grater.
- In a large bowl, mix the borax, washing soda, and baking soda.
- Toss the grated soap into a food processor. Now, add about 1 cup of the powdered mixture from the bowl. This allows you the food processor to process the soap into smaller pieces without sticking to the blades.
- While the food processor is on, drop the essential oil into it. This allows the essential oil to blend into the soap.
- Take the grated soap mixture out of the food processor and add it to the large bowl.
- All done! Add 1-2 tablespoons to each load of laundry! I, also, add about 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the load as a fabric softener.
- Makes almost a gallon.