Natural Home Made Cleaners

I'm an environmentally conscious sort of girl. I hate excess packaging. I'll take something home to recycle if the facility doesn't offer a recycle bin (whyyyy is this still a problem). Part of me dies every time I have to use a plastic bag. And even though we had been making our own liquid soap/body wash from from local castile soap...the husband and I wanted to really go more natural, less chemical, less fake fragrance, and less packaging everywhere in the house. Husband did some heavy research and created the following recipes for natural cleaning produce that we've been using and loving lately. 

PS. They smell WAY better than any detergent or counter spray I've ever used before and work even better.  You can find all of these things in your local grocery or Target.

How to Make Eco Friendly House Cleaners

• Laundry Detergent: 1 Bar Fels Naptha + 1 Cup Borax + 2 Cups Washing Soda

Seen in the photos above, you only need 1 heaping tablespoon per load of laundry. I'm obsessed with the smell. It's like the original clean laundry scent that other companies try to fake. We store it in a mason jar. 

• Liquid Softener: 1/4-1/2 cup vinegar + a few drops essential oil of choice

We don't use liquid softener regularly, but now that it's sweater season, I'm sure I'll be glad we have it.

• Stain Lifter aka oxiclean: 1/2 C washing soda+ 1/2 C peroxide, hot water

The jury is still out on this recipe. While I haven't tried it on any of my clothes, let's say the 'man stains' on some collars were stubborn. To use, add directly to the washing machine, or soak clothes before washing.

• Color Safe Stain Lifter: 1 1/2 C peroxide + 1/2 C wine vinegar+ water to fill container of choice

My stain remover of choice because I have an irrational fear something will be bleached.

• All Purpose Spray (we use on counters, in the fridge etc):  2 teaspoons Baking Soda + 2 teaspoons Dawn + 1/2 C vinegar + fill rest of container with water

Make this ASAP. It works so well on counter tops and bathrooms. No scrubbing required. I also feel so dumb for using those heavy chemicals to clean before...I'm now realizing what a light headed feeling they gave me. Store in a spray bottle and make it over the sink (volcano experiment!).   

Have you made your own cleaners before? What do you use?