The Best DIY Non-Toxic, All Natural Cleaners

There's no reason to use cleaners and detergents that include ingredients that in many cases have been linked to a long list of health and environmental issues and the emergence of drug resistant super bugs that include MRSA.

Instead of using toxic retail cleaners, use everyday ingredients (probably in your kitchen already) like salt (helps break down stains in carpeting, white vinegar (the acidity does a great job of cleaning and helps prevent the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew) and baking soda (what doesn't baking soda do?). All of these kitchen staples make fast, effective house cleaners.

Easy All-Purpose Cleaner
It just doesn't get easier (or cheaper) to create a highly efficient all-purpose cleaner.

Ingredients
1-part white vinegar
9 parts water

Directions
Combine ingredients together and pour into a spray bottle. Spray directly on the surface to be cleaned and wipe dry with a clean cloth (microfiber works great). To clean, particularly nasty, germ filled messes, for example a counter top after handling raw poultry or meat on it, spray undiluted white vinegar on the surface first, followed by a spray of hydrogen peroxide. This combination will kill most toxic germs.

Oven Cleaner
I don't know about you, but I used to avoid cleaning the oven because the cleaners I previously used filled the kitchen (and beyond) with a thick toxic smell. With this non-toxic oven cleaner recipe, you'll never have to deal with harsh ingredients (and nasty smells) again.

Ingredients
2 cups of hot water
1 teaspoon borax
1 tablespoon all natural dish soap

Directions
Mix ingredients together then spray on the dirty oven surface. Let stand for 15 minutes (longer for cooked on spills). Wipe clean with a sturdy cloth. If you're dealing with a particularly greasy mess, wipe away as much of the loose grease as possible using crumpled up newspaper, old rags, etc., prior to spraying.

Tile Cleaner
Most over the counter tile cleaners contain pollutants, including chemicals that have been linked to hormonal and reproductive issues, cancer and respiratory problems. This tile cleaner recipe is non-toxic and works just as well if not better than retail tile cleaners.

Ingredients
½ cup baking soda
Liquid dish soap
5 drops of rosemary or lavender pure essential oil (optional)
½ a lemon (optional)

Directions
Put the baking soda in a small bowl. Add in dish soap, stirring until it creates a frosting like consistency. Add essential oils. Firmly dip a sponge (or microfiber cloth) into the mixture, scrub then rinse. If you like you can use a half a lemon as a scrubber.

Dust Cleaning Solution
Keeping your home dust free is important because it can potentially contain toxic substances including pesticides, flame retardants, a long list of other chemicals and allergens. That said, most dust cleaners on the market today contain air contaminants as well as hormone disrupting chemicals. Keep your home environmentally safe by mixing up your own non-toxic dust cleaner.

Ingredients
10 drops lemon oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
5 drops of olive oil

Directions
Put a dab or so on a clean microfiber or flannel cloth and wipe away the dust. You can also put the mixture in a spray bottle.

Window Cleaner
This window cleaner recipe won't aggravate asthma or allergies the way most retail products will. It also does a great job!

Ingredients
½ cup of white vinegar
1 teaspoon natural liquid soap
4 cups water

Directions
Place all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake to mix. All you need then is a squeegee, a few microfiber cloths or some newspaper.

Non-Toxic Carpet Cleaner
I received this carpet cleaning recipe and tips from friends that specialize in expert carpet cleaning in Geelong. It's another non-toxic cleaning option where most of the things you'll need are more than likely in your pantry right now.

Ingredients
½ cup baking soda
White vinegar
5 to 7 drops lemon or lavender essential oil (optional)
Clean towels or rags

Directions
Step 1: If you're going to use an essential oil, blend it with the baking soda. Sprinkle the mixture on the stain and let sit for an hour or overnight. Lemon is a great all-purpose cleaner and helps deodorize carpeting (as does Lavender). If you don't plan on using the essential oil, sprinkle plain baking soda on the stain.

Step 2: Mix 1 part vinegar to 1 part water in a spray bottle, then generously spray the combination on the baking soda, allowing it fizz.

Step 3. Place a clean cloth over the wet spot, pressing on it to soak up the moisture. Never scrub on the spot because it can damage the carpet's fibers.

For Stubborn Carpet Stains:
If you're dealing with a tough (new) stain like red wine, pour some salt on the stain first to soak up the liquid. Let dry for approximately 15 minutes or until it looks like the salt has absorbed most of the liquid. Next vacuum up the spot. Now you can use the carpet cleaner spray. The process might need to be repeated depending on the age and severity of the stain.

Most DIY, non-toxic cleaning solutions will last about a month, however some ingredients lose their potency much faster. The best rule of thumb is to mix up just enough for one time use.