SUSTAINABLE OVERTON
working as a community to combat climate change
How To Make Your Own Green
Cleaning Products
Using green cleaners is not only better for the environment but it’s also healthier for you. You don’t have to worry about inhaling all of those nasty fumes or getting dry, irritated hands from dealing with all those toxic chemicals. You can also minimise your single-use plastic at the same time.
If you do buy ready-made cleaning products you can choose ecologically friendly ones, look for biodegradable, plant based surfactants that don’t cause ecological harm and try to prevent phosphates, parabens, phthalates and other toxic chemicals entering our aquatic environment.
Small choices can make a big impact. With just a few basic ingredients and re-usable containers you can make solutions to cater for many of your cleaning needs at a fraction of the cost of buying individual products.
Natural ingredients can work just as well, if not better when it comes to keeping your house spic and span!
ALL YOU NEED...
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Re-usable containers: Glass jar and spray bottle)
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White vinegar: only use distilled white vinegar for cleaning purposes, you can buy in bulk or glass bottles and it is a really cost effective ingredient, available from most major supermarkets
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Bicarbonate of Soda: can be bought in cardboard boxes and in bulk online
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Lemons
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Essential Oils (optional): With their own individual cleansing and purifying properties, they also make your mixture smell amazing
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Castile Soap (Optional): you can buy in bulk online but a small amount goes a long way
Great tip
Tea Tree (or Melaleuca), Peppermint, Lemon and Lavender are thought to have antibacterial properties and will make your cleaning product smell amazing.
WASHING MACHINE CLEANER
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Mix ¼ cup of baking soda with ¼ cup water and pour the mix into your detergent dispenser.
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Pour 2 cups of vinegar directly into the drum.
Wash on cleaning cycle or hot cycle. At the end of the cycle, wipe down the door seals and glass, clean the filter and drain the emergency drain pipe, usually in compartment at bottom.
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And another tip
Save energy by washing your clothes at a lower temperature and check how much powder or liquid you really need to use
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DISHWASHER CLEANER
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Place two cups of vinegar in the top rack and run a normal cycle without detergent or dishes.
Remember to remove and clean the filter at the same time for a really thorough clean.
tch off. Unplug the kettle and allow the solution to sit in the kettle for at least half an hour.
GLASS CLEANER
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Mix 1 cup of water & 1 cup of vinegar and shake well.
Spray and wipe for a streak free clean.
Try cutting up old textiles to use as cleaning cloths
Great tip
MULTI PURPOSE CLEANER
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1 cup of water
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1 cup of white vinegar
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15 drops of essential oil (optional)
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Mix in a spray bottle and spray to cut through the grease and germs.
Need extra cleaning power? Add 2 tablespoons of castile soap instead of vinegar to give you a more powerful cleaning spray. Don’t mix vinegar and castile soap as they solidify.
Take care as vinegar can damage very delicate surfaces and do not use on granite surfaces.
DRAIN CLEANER
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Pour 1 cup of bicarbonate of soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup of plain white vinegar. The amount can vary depending on how clogged the drain is.
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Leave this for about 10-15 minutes
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Pour boiling water down the drain, and if it is still blocked you can repeat the process.
KETTLE DESCALER
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Slice one whole lemon up into thin rounds and put them in your kettle.
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Fill your kettle up with cold water so it covers the affected areas of your kettle.
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Boil the water with the lemons in it.
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Boil once, leave for a half-hour, boil a second time, then rinse out with clean cold water.
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You can also use vinegar: boil the kettle 1/2 full using a solution of equal parts water and vinegar. Bring the solution to boil and allow the kettle to switch off. Unplug the kettle and allow the solution to sit in the kettle for at least half an hour.
HAPPY CLEANING...