HomeMade Cleaning Products

This past year I have been working to find more ways to detoxify our home and bodies.  We've done a lot over the last few years to "clean" up our eating habits and while they are far better than the Standard American Diet (SAD), we are still evolving.  But toxins don't only enter our bodies through our food, but also through our lungs and skin (our largest organ).  For years I have been buying cleaning products labeled "biodegradable", "green", "perfume free", etc, but I never felt great about the results or the price tag.  So eventually the desire for healthier living combined with the need to save money and a great family tradition of homemade Christmas gifts led me to explore homemade cleaning and cosmetic products.  You can find thousands of recipes on line, but these are the ones I have been using for months and really enjoy.

I also found a great documentary on toxins in our everyday lives called Chemerical: Redefining Clean for a New Generation.  Find it on Netflix or http://www.chemicalnation.com/content/ 

I will split this into two posts, one for the cleaning products then one for the cosmetic products.  Luckily most of these are made with similar ingredients that can be found at your local grocery.  There are some tips, photos and extra info at the bottom of the post.  


Powdered Laundry Detergent - Best for Hot Water Washes
1 bar - Zote * (grated)
1 bar - Fels Naptha (grated)
4 cups - Borax
4 cups - Washing Soda

Combine all ingredients.  Add 6 drops of essential oil if desired.  I like lemongrass, personally. Use 2 Tablespoons per load.


Liquid Laundry Detergent
(A little more labor intensive and takes up more space in the laundry room, but is more economical than the powdered version and works well in hot or cold washes)

1 bar - Fels Naptha (grated)
4 cups- water
1 cup - Borax
2 cups - Washing Soda
1 cup - Baking Soda
3 gallons- Hot Water

Put 4 cups of water in a large sauce pan.  Heat on stove top to Medium High.  Add Fels Naptha, stir until melted completely.  Slowly add Borax, Washing Soda and Baking Soda stirring to dissolve.  Mixture might foam, if so, lower heat and continue stirring.  Put 3 gallons of hot water in large container then add mixture.  Stir to make sure the powders have dissolved totally. Add 10 drops of essential oil if desired.  Let mixture set for 12 hours.  It will look like a thick yellow gel.  When totally cooled use a hand mixer to break up clumps.  ** The mixture will separate a bit, so shake well before each use.  Use 1/2-1 cup per load.

Powdered Dish Washer Detergent... for clean eating ;)
1 cup- Borax
1 cup- Baking Soda
1 cup- Washing Soda
1/3 cup- Kosher Salt
6 drops- essential oil (optional)

Mix all ingredients well.  Fill Dishwasher soap compartment and run dishwasher as you normally would.  You can add distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle for added benefit.  Depending on your water and machine, you may notice a slight film develop on glassware over time, this can be easily wiped off with a kitchen towel.

Liquid Dish and Hand Soap
(This is by far, my favorite.  It works really well, it's super easy to make and you can choose from different scents depending on your preference.)

1 Tablespoon- Castile Soap* (Scent is optional, I like peppermint)
1 Tablespoon- Washing Soda
1 Tablespoon- Distilled White Vinegar
1 1/2 cups- Hot Water
4 drops- essential oil (optional, not needed if using scented Castile soap)

Add 1st three ingredients & oil to the hot water, use a fork or whisk to dissolve completely.  Let sit for 12 hours, stirring occasionally until mixture forms a white gel like substance.  Use as needed, works great in a recycled container with a pump.


All Purpose Cleaner
3 Tablespoons- Distilled White Vinegar
1/2 teaspoon- Washing Soda
1/2 teaspoon- Castile Soap (Scent is optional)
2 Tablespoons- Lemon Juice (no pulp)
2 cups- Hot Water

Mix all ingredients. Let cool and transfer to a spray bottle.

*The Washing Soda, Baking Soda, Borax and Fels Naptha can be found near the laundry detergents in most local supermarkets.  I've had a much harder time finding the Zote.  It is inexpensive and can be ordered on-line.  I did happen upon it at Big Lots once and scooped up all that they had.  

*Castile Soap can be found in any health food store, but our local Target also carries the Dr. Bronner's Brand in the cosmetic section near the "natural" products like Burt's Beeswax and Jason.  It comes in a variety of scents, peppermint, lavendar, almond, tea tree, unscented, etc. The price seems a little high at first, but a little goes a long way, definitely worth having a few bottles laying around.

*Essential Oils can be found at any health food store or craft store near the candle and soap making supplies.  Just be sure that you are getting pure essential oils, not oil fragrances.

***A few more things...these cleaning supplies have no preservatives, lathering agents or perfumes, but just because the hand soap doesn't bubble, doesn't mean it's not working.  The all purpose cleaner has fresh lemon juice, which is a natural preservative but be sure to use it within 3 months.