Tips for greening up cleaning

Have you ever thought about making an all-purpose cleaner, laundry detergent, or drain unclogger that didn’t have so many harsh chemicals in it? There are plenty of options to do so that are easy, inexpensive, and — perhaps best of all — that actually work!

Here are some tips for household cleaners:

Vinegar, baking soda, water, and your favorite essential oil can clean almost anything around the house. And some of us never tire of the way the baking soda and the vinegar fizz up when they meet.

Lemons make a great disinfectant and smell great, too. Toss one into the garbage disposal to freshen things up, and you can use a half of a lemon and salt to scrub your wooden cutting board.

Tea Tree oil is considered among many to be an effective antibacterial and antifungal ingredient, and you’ll find it in a host of natural cleaning products.

Try making a homemade laundry detergent with some combination of baking soda, washing soda, castile soap, and your favorite essential oil (like lavender). There are tons of variations online.