30 Day Zero Waste Challenge
When life gives you lemons, make all purpose cleaner with the peels! Today’s challenge is borrowed greatly from Kathryn Kellogg (again!). Here’s a few ideas.
“Three great reasons to find alternatives to commercial cleaners:
- They are expensive
- There is too much plastic packaging
- They are full of chemicals “
Link – 14 Homemade Cleaners You Can Make with Ingredients from Your Pantry
You can make your own with these simple ingredients:
- distilled white vinegar / apple cider vinegar – works on alkaline substances by dissolving scale, inhibiting mold, and cutting soap scum. A mild acid, it’s terrific for removing stains from coffee, rust, and tea. It’s typically sold at a 5% concentration, but it’s more effective at higher concentrations, so pay attention to the fine print.
- baking soda – works best on proteins, grease, and animal messes, and because it’s only slightly abrasive, it can scour surfaces without fear of scratching. It’s also a natural deodorizer and less expensive than commercial scrubbing powders.
- salt
- lemon peels
- essential oils – tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, and lemongrass enhance a cleaner’s scent. Tea tree oil is also naturally antibacterial.
- castille soap
- borax – is an alkali that’s good for cutting grease, oil, and dirt.
- hydrogen peroxide is simply water with an extra oxygen molecule (H₂O₂). It breaks down into harmless oxygen and water, so it’s a more eco-friendly alternative to chlorine bleach.
“For tub/sink/toilet:In an old cheese shaker fill with baking soda and add 15 drops of tea tree oil. Optional: 1 tsp of salt
Windows: one part distilled white vinegar/one part filtered water. Add to reusable sprayer
Floors: 2 drops dish soap (I get in bulk) and warm water.
Room spray: Filtered water and 15 drops of your favorite essential oil
All Purpose Vinegar Cleaner: 1 Part Warm Water / 1 Part White Vinegar (bought in a glass bottle at the grocery store). Mix together in a spray bottle.
All Purpose Cleaner: 1 Cup of Warm Water / 1 Tablespoon of Liquid Castile Soap Like Dr. Bronners (bought in bulk at Whole Foods). Based on the size of your bottle you can adjust this for 1 tablespoon for every cup of water and 1.5 teaspoons for every half cup of water. “
Quote of the Day:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
