Natural Cleaning
Hornig Companies supports green initiatives. Using natural products for cleaning and maintaining your home reduces adding toxic chemicals to your living environment potentially reducing the incidence of asthma and other medical conditions caused by dust, allergens and chemicals, are less hazardous for the environment, are more friendly to water and waste systems and are much less expensive than commercial cleaning supplies.
These are some of our favorite cleaning product recipes and hacks. Give them a try!
INGREDIENTS:
Water
Vinegar
Baking soda
Olive oil
Castile soap
Whole lemon
Lemon juice
Hydrogen peroxide
Rubbing alcohol
*Essential Oils can be added to some of the recipes below. Some essential oils have germ-fighting properties and some just smell great and make your home smell clean. Try tea tree, pink grapefruit, lemon, peppermint, eucalyptus, orange, lavender and pine, and experiment from there! If you prefer no scent, all of these recipes can be made without them.
ALL PURPOSE CLEANER:
1 c water
1 Tbsp castile soap
3-10 drops essential oil
THIEVES CLEANER:
½ c rubbing alcohol
1 Tbsp castile soap
20 drops clove bud oil
14 drops lemon oil
10 drops cinnamon bark oil
7 drops eucalyptus oil
5 drops rosemary oil
*TIP: If you like the thieves scent and it’s benefits, but don’t want to buy all of the oils to make it, many pre-made varieties are available on Amazon!
WOOD FLOOR CLEANER:
½ c distilled white vinegar
1 gallon warm water
3-10 drops of essential oil
*TIP- Use a spray bottle for application to not oversoak your floor
Oil-based solution for cleaning and wood floor shine
5 c hot water
1/4 c olive oil
1/3 c white vinegar
3-10 drops of essential oil
SINK & TUB CLEANING:
*TIP- DO NOT USE vinegar on porcelain sinks and tubs – it will remove the finish!
A light sprinkle of baking soda and a scrub brush does wonders! Rinse and use the degreaser recipe below to remove oils that can build up on
the tub from our skin.
For tough stains on acrylic only, sprinkle baking soda on the stain, place a rag soaked in vinegar on the stain and let sit for up to 1 hr. Wipe clean
and rinse.
GROUT CLEANER:
Wearing gloves, use a cup of hydrogen peroxide, an old toothbrush and some elbow grease for cleaner, brighter grout
TOILET CLEANER:
½ - ½c Hydrogen peroxide
1 c Baking soda
3-5 drops essential oil
DEGREASER:
3 c warm water
1 c distilled white vinegar
1/8 tsp castile soap
1 Tbsp baking soda
FABRIC SOFTENER:
Wool dryer balls are great way to soften your clothes without dryer sheets or liquids that damage fabrics and machines
GRANITE CLEANER:
½ c rubbing alcohol
1 Tbsp castile soap
2 c water
3-10 drops essential oil
GARBAGE DISPOSAL:
Quarter one lemon, run through the disposal with running water and let the disposal do its work!
COFFEE POT:
Add 4 c undiluted vinegar into the water reservoir and run cycle.
Run a clear water cycle to rinse.
DISHWASHER:
Check first to see if your dishwasher instructions do not recommend the use of vinegar. Some seals may be damaged by vinegar. Once you
have the all-clear, fill a dishwasher safe cup 2/3 full with undiluted vinegar. Run the dishwasher and see the results!
*TIP: Remember your thirsty plants when filling your dishwasher. Those half-drank glasses of water are a great way to water plants and save water!
MICROWAVE:
Fill a microwave safe bowl full of at least 1 c water. Add sliced lemon (or 2-3 Tbsp lemon juice) and run the microwave for 5 minutes. The surfaces
will wipe clean with ease!
DUSTING:
Microfiber cloths do a great job, all on their own. No need to add sprays or chemicals for your regular dusting job!
