First, What’s Really In Those Cleaners 

Volatile Organic Compounds

VOCs are gases emitted from solids or liquids. They’re found in many household products, from paints and varnishes to cleaning products and disinfectants. Some VOCs are dangerous to human health or cause harm to the environment.

Fragrance Cleaners

Common ingredients in fragrance, such as phthalates, synthetic musks, and allergens, have been linked to health impacts ranging from eye and skin irritation.

Air Fresheners

Air fresheners deserve special attention because they may contain carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals as well as chemicals associated with respiratory and reproductive harm.

Do It Yourself!

Plain old white vinegar and baking soda do an awesome job to clean lots of surfaces around your home, and they are super inexpensive. Add a little lemon peel, lemon juice, or essential oils and the options are limitless. Want to try something next level? Try these homemade recipes for both home and office.

Homemade Air Freshener

• 12 – 15 drops of pure essential oil (lemon, orange, lavender )
• ½ cup white vinegar
• 1/12 cups water

Combine in a spray bottle, shake, and spray to freshen the room! (Shake before each use)

Homemade Disinfectant Wipes

• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup with vinegar
• 8 drops tea tree oil
• 8 drops eucalyptus essential oil
• 8 drops lemon essential oil
• Empty “wipe” container(baby wipe, for example)
• 15 – 20 squares of cloth (old t-shirts work well, as do old dish towels or similar material)

Fold and place the cloth squares into the empty wipe container and set aside.

Combine in a mixing bowl the water, vinegar, and 3 essential oils, stirring until well mixed.

Pour this mixture over the cloths in the container where they will soak in and be ready for you to pull out and use!

Homemade All-Purpose Cleaners

• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoons castile soap
• 20 drops essential oil

Pour ingredients into a spray bottle, preferably made of glass

Shake well before use

Store in a cool, dark place. (Essential oils oxidize in sunlight)

Homemade Window and Glass Cleaner

Get a streak-free sparkle with this simple cleaner, and enjoy a better view through your windows. Invest in a small stack of soft cotton or microfiber cloths for best results.

What You Need:

• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon dish soap

Add all ingredients to a 24-ounce spray bottle. Shake to combine. Use on windows or glass fronts of appliances. Beyond this basic recipe, you can also call on rubbing alcohol and even dish soap for alternative homemade window cleaners.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

• 1 bar laundry soap (We like brands such as FelsNaptha, Pink Zote, and Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap.)
• 1 cup borax
• 1 cup washing soda (Look for it in the laundry aisle.)
• 1 cup oxygen bleach

Grate bar of laundry soap; you should have about 2 cups grated soap. (Or look for soap flakes online.) Mix all ingredients in a large container. Store in a lidded jar. Use 2 tablespoons for a light load and 4 tablespoons for a large or dirty load. Wash as normal.