Spring Cleaning Natural Recipes

By Michelle Sala, Integrative Health Coach

How many cleaning products do you have under your kitchen and bathroom sinks? Chemical companies have convinced us that we need a product for our sink, another for our tub/shower, another for mirrors, floor cleaners, toilet cleaners and more! Do we really need that many products? Of course not! Many of these products have “antibacterial” properties which acutally contributes to the antibiotic resistance problem. Another consideration is – are these products safe for small children and pets that come in contact with surfaces that have been cleaned with these chemical?

Many of the chemicals used in comercial products are carcinogenic and/or endocrine disrupting and may contribute to skin sensitivities, allergies, asthma and other physical conditions. Endocrine disruptors can lead to thyroid disorders and cancer, hormonal imbalances, sex hormone linked cancers (breast, ovarian, prostate cancers), and weight loss resistance. Unfortunately, chemical manufacters only have to put simple warnings about the accidental ingestion, fumes, or skin contact of the chemical, but there are no warnings about longterm exposure. Just because products are available for sale doesn’t mean they are safe.

There are safe multi-purpose products available that are enzyme-based and safe for everyone in the family including children and pets. My personal favorite is Thieves Household Cleaner. I mix a small amount in a spray bottle with filtered water and use as a laundry spot cleaner, surface cleaner, on mirrors, on bathroom and kitchen fixures, on stainless appliances and more. A 14.4oz. bottle lasts me a couple of years. You can get Theives Cleaner on Amazon or from someone who is a Young Living distributor.

For floors, plain water is really your best best. A steamer. like a Shark, will kill germs. Do not use a steamer on wood surfaces, but it is great for tile and linoleum.

Products with fragrances can be problematic for those with allergies and asthma. Your best option is to diffuse pure essential oils.

You can make some of your own cleaners and personal care products with simple ingredients that are edible! Making your own products will save you a lot of money and space in your cabinets. Under my kitchen sink, I only keep a bottle of multi-purpose cleaner, Bar Keepers Friend (to polish metal surfaces and some cookware), a jug of distilled water for my Shark steamer, my homemade furniture polish, and a small bottle of bleach that I use only very occasionally – that’s it!

Here are some of my favortie recipes for Natural Cleaning and Personal Use:

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

Furniture polish (This works amazing and will revitalize wood furniture!)

3 parts Olive Oil

1 part Apple Cider Vinegar

Put in glass jar with lid or oil mister. Mix well before using. Use rag to apply to wood surfaces.

Face Toner

3 parts purified or distilled water

1 part apple cider vinegar

Put in small glass bottle and keep in bathroom. Gently shake before using and apply to face after cleansing once or twice a day. The pH of ACV is perfect for skin.

Hair Rinse (especially helpful if you have dandruff)

Mix half cup of ACV with half cup of water, pour through hair and rinse with water

Virgin Coconut Oil

• Make-up remover
• Body moisturizer
• Personal lubricant (don’t use with condoms)
• Deodorant, apply sparingly to armpits
• Soothes sunburn and other skin irritations
• Oil pulling

Lemons

• Deodorant, rub lemon slice on armpits
• Removes hard water deposits, apply lemon juice directly to metal or porcelain surfaces then rinse.
• Use with baking soda as a surface scrub

Baking soda

• Shampoo substitute, add baking soda to palm and mix with water. Work through hair and rinse.
• Face scrub, apply small amount mixed with water to face
• Tooth whitener and breath freshener; mix a small amount with water and brush. Add a drop of therapeutic grade peppermint* oil or citrus blend for flavor and additional germ killing properties. Don’t forget to brush your tongue! (*Peppermint oil should only be used on occasion. It can disrupt gut flora.)
• Surface scrub, can be used alone or mixed with lemon juice. Use to scrub sinks, tubs and toilets.
• Add to laundry to whiten whites and de-odorize

White Vinegar

• De-scale tea kettles, coffee makers, faucets
• Dilute with filtered water to make an all purpose cleaner and use to clean floors, windows and other surfaces
• Add to laundry to deep clean

Don’t get fooled by chemical companies that convince you that you need a bunch of chemicals to clean your home! You can buy big containers of coconut oil, olive oil, baking soda, lemons at big box stores like Costco and Sam’s Club. I hope this post will inspire you to clean up your cleaning products!