Baby Steps for a Greener Home
I'd always been one to rave to others about the wonders of herbs and essential oils in cleaning the home, and in personal health. I've been ever so much more excited to learn that there even more ways to clean that involve them, or involve other natural products, without the use of chemicals!
For example, did you know that the following herbs contain antimicrobial, antiseptic, and germicidal components, to which bacteria are unable to become immune, as they can with chemical antibacterial cleaners?:
Basil
Rosemary
Sage
Lemon
Frankincense
Eucalyptus
(EDIT: How did I forget the best one of all, tea tree oil? Only be careful when you mix it with other oils, because its VERY strong and will overpower most other scents!)
Using these herbs in their "essential oil" form, and mixing them with vinegar or alcohol can give you a strong antibacterial cleaner, or even an air freshener that kills bacteria!
Vinegar and baking soda are the best all natural cleaners that can clean just about anything. For example, a paste of baking soda and lemon juice can take care of any problem spots in your bathroom (black spots on caulk around the tub, stubborn rings around drains), and unlike commercial cleaners, you don't have to worry about "leaving it on too long", since it's all natural!
Here's a recipe for a WONDERFUL scouring cleaner that I use with frequency all over the bathroom, and any other places where scrubbing may be necessary (my kitchen sink, for instance, or even the garbage can, if it needs it):
"Earth Scrub!"
1 -2/3 cup Baking Soda
1/2 cup liquid soap (NOT detergent. See NOTE below)
1/2 cup water (or enough to dilute mixture to desired consistency)
2 Tablespoons vinegar (to be added last)
Stir until the lumps are gone. Makes 16 ounces.
NOTE: I use Dr. Bronner's liquid soap, which is a wonderful pure castille, all-natural soap made only of ingredients which are Fair Trade. It comes in a variety of scents, scented with real essential oils. I've used both peppermint, and eucalyptus, and they're both wonderful!!
For those who are not too savvy, or might be too busy to make their own cleaner, Seventh Generation offers a brilliant line of all-natural cleaners that even Target has started to carry (You can also now find Dr. Bronner's soap at Target!). If you want to take a look at their products, you can go to www.seventhgeneration.com!
I recently purchased a laundry detergent (scented with real eucalyptus and lavender essential oils), and a glass & surface cleaner for the kitchen, as well as an all natural dish soap (not seventh generation, but I forgot the brand).