Has anyone actually started their spring cleaning yet? I haven’t, but I really am going to do it this year! Especially now that I have found a few good eco-friendly, homemade recipes to try. Hopefully you have amassed all of your main ingredients and are ready to put them into action.

Here are a few simple recipes to get you started:

All-purpose cleaner

• Combine 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar or 1/2 tsp liquid soap (castile soap) and 3/4 cup warm water into a spray bottle. Shake to blend. For bigger jobs: 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar, 1/4 cup liquid soap and 2 gallons of warm water in a bucket. Stir to blend.

Glass/Window Cleaner

• Combine 1 quart warm water with 1/4 cup white vinegar and 2 tbsp lemon juice into a spray bottle. Shake to blend. You can also use just apple cider vinegar to get the cleaning properties of vinegar with a nice scent.

Crayon Mark Remover

• Parents should always have this tip handy! It is so simple too, although I have yet to use it since I learned about it, so you’ll have to let me know how great it is.
• Rub area with toothpaste and a damp cloth. For use on walls (do not use on non-vinyl wallpaper), floors, counters, cabinets, and furniture.

Hand Wash Disinfectants

• Get rid of those alcohol based hand sanitizers! The EPA recognizes that soap is a legitimate disinfectant, why shouldn’t you? Look for vegetable oil based soaps wherever you shop.
• Tea tree oil is antibacterial and antifungal. Put 10 drops of tea tree oil to 4 ounces of liquid castile soap into a pump container. Be sure not to ingest orally. Discontinue use if there are any signs of an allergic reaction.

That should get us off to a good start! I intend to add more in the coming weeks as well. Please note that I did not include any recipes with Borax. Borax is considered to be potentially toxic, particularly to children and pets.