Do you worry about harmful synthetic chemicals in your home? I know I do! I avoid using conventional cleaning products in my home as part of my cancer prevention routine. I feel very strongly about this, especially because I have two young children and I know they are highly susceptible to the effects of harmful chemicals.
If you want to drastically reduce exposure to chemicals in your home, start by replacing toxic cleaning products with natural ones. Watch out for greenwashing (when a brand markets their product to look natural, but it's not really eco-friendly at all). Ecover and Method are both decent brands I use in my own home.
Even better, make your own child and pet friendly, natural cleaning spray. Natural cleaning products are healthy for you, your family, your pets, and the environment.
I have been making my own multi-purpose natural cleaning spray for at least twelve years now, and it has never failed me. It literally takes 30 seconds to make and it's very inexpensive. This is an easy way to drastically reduce the amount of chemicals in your home and it smells fabulous. I think you're going to love it!
This Natural Cleaning Spray Is multi purpose!
- Natural kitchen cleaner. Clean your kitchen countertops and workbenches (tile, granite, vinyl)
- Natural stainless steel cleaner. Clean stainless steel (just spray, wipe down with damp cloth, and then buff with a dry cloth)
- Natural bathroom cleaner
- Natural ceramic surface cleaner (toilets, tiles, etc.)
- Natural fridge cleaner (it also deodorises)
- Natural multi-purpose cleaner for plastic surfaces (large toys, bins, pet crates, cribs, etc.)
This DIY Natural Cleaning Spray Is Not for:
- Painted surfaces. This may remove paint...
- Cleaning floors (this formula isn't concentrated enough, but you could easily adapt it to make one that is)
- Unsealed wood surfaces
How to make child + Pet friendly cleaning spray
MATERIALS (Makes Approx. 14 Refills)
- 1 x 500ml Empty Spray Bottle
- 500ml Liquid Castile Soap
- Essential oils of choice* (Peppermint + Tea Tree are nice together, Citrus is tough on grease)
HOW TO MAKE IT Step 1) Fill your spray bottle almost to the top with cold tap water. Leave space for the Castile Soap and the spray pump Step 2) Add 3-4 big squirts of castile soap (about 3-4 Tbs) Step 3) (optional) Add 15 - 20 drops of essential oil. I like to blend peppermint and tea tree (1 : 1) because of their high antibacterial properties and their wonderful aromatherapeutic values. Orange and peppermint are nice together, and so are lemon and rosemary. You don't need to use organic oils if you don't want to, and this is also a great way to use up any older oils stashed away in the cupboards.
HOW TO USE IT Just like any other multi-purpose cleaner, apply your natural cleaning spray to an appropriate surface and wash off with a damp cloth. For shiny or stainless steel surfaces, an additional buff with a dry cloth is required to avoid streaks.
NOTES
- You may have noticed this recipe isn't an exact science. That's because I'm not inclined to care about following an exact recipe for natural cleaning products. Who on earth is?! But although the recipe is a little rough, it's forgiving - even if your ratio isn't always perfect.
- One important tip is to fill the water into your bottle first, then add the castile soap. If you do it the other way around you will end up with a bottle full of bubbles.
- Don't add vinegar to this natural cleaning spray recipe. Vinegar with counteract the Castile Soap.
VALUE FOR MONEY This usually works out to less than £0.67 per refill every time you make a new batch of natural cleaning spray (as long as you reuse an old spray bottle)