Thanks to all who contributed the recipes bellow. I have found some additional recipes that I thought looked worth trying as well.
Holly’s Happy Bathroom De-Funker: Mix 2 teaspoons Tea Tree oil with 2 Cups water to kill mildew and mold and adding a fresh and invigorating scent.
Sandi’s So Strong Soda Scrub : Scrub baking soda on counter tops, tubs, and sinks. For extra strength add some borax.
Meghan’s Mighty Disinfectant: Add 2 quarts of apple cider vinegar to 2 handfuls (each) of dried of lavender, rosemary, sage, rue, and mint. Allow the mixture to sit for 4 weeks then strain and pour into spray bottles.
Other recipes:
From www.cityoftacoma.org/Page.aspx?hid=1714
Wood floor polish
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What you’ll need:
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What to do:
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- 1/8 cup of olive oil
- 1 tbsp cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp vodka
- 10 drops of lavender oil (or other essential oil)
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- Mix the ingredients together and apply to your wood floor with a soft cloth. After rubbing it in, buff with another clean, soft cloth.
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Glass Cleaner
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What you’ll need:
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What to do:
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- Club soda
- 8 or 16 oz. spray bottle
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- Fill the bottle with plain club soda, spray and wipe.
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from www.ecocycle.org/hazwaste/recipes.cfm
CREAMY SOFT SCRUBBER
Simply pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid detergent to make a texture like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, and wash the surface. This is the perfect recipe for cleaning the bathtub because it rinses easily and doesn’t leave grit.
Note: Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a sealed glass jar, to keep the product moist. Otherwise just make as much as you need at a time.
WINDOW CLEANER
1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water
Spray bottle
Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as you would a commercial brand. The soap in this recipe is important. It cuts the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.
OVEN CLEANER
1 cup or more baking soda
Water
A squirt or two of liquid detergent
Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda that the surface is totally white. Sprinkle some more water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can easily wipe up the grease the next morning because the grime will have loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven. If this recipe doesn’t work for you it is probably because you didn’t use enough baking soda and/or water.
FURNITURE POLISH
1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive (or jojoba, a liquid wax)
1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice
Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.
Thyme Cleaner - Disinfectant
2 1/2 cups water
1 handful thyme (fresh or dried)
Vinegar
Liquid castille soap (squirt)
- Boil water, add thyme. Simmer for several hours over medium-low heat, covered. Cool, then strain. Pour the water into a spray bottle, top with white vinegar and squirt of soap. Use as needed.
Herb Disinfectant Cleaner
This spray cleaner disinfects surfaces, kills mold, and discourages its return. Eucaplyptus, lavender, and tea tree are all known for their antimicrobial properties.
1 tsp. sodium lauryl sulfate
1 tsp. borax
2 Tbs. white vinegar
2 cups hot water
1/4 tsp. eucalyptus essential oil
1/4 tsp. lavender essential oil
3 drops tea tree essential oil
- Mix all ingredients together and stir until dry ingredients dissolve. Pour into spray bottle. To use, spray as needed on any surface except glass. Scrub and rinse with clean, damp cloth.
*Source: The Herb Companion, September 1999
Herbal All Purpose Cleaner
1 cup water
1 cup vinegar
2 tsp liquid castille soap
25 drops essential oil of thyme, eucalyptus, tea tree, lavendar, sandalwood, lemon, orange
- Add all ingredients to a large spray bottle (about 22 ounces) and shake before using. This formula disinfects and can be used on any washable surface in your home. Naturally antiviral and antifungal.
*Source: The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier
Lavender Soft Scrubber
3/4 cup baking soda
1/4 cup powdered milk
1/8 cup (one-eighth) liquid castile soap
5 drops lavender Essential Oil
- Combine all ingredients in a squirt-top bottle and add enough water to make a smooth paste. Shake or stir to mix. Apply to surface, then wipe area clean with a damp sponge or cloth. Rinse well.
*Source: The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier
