There are many ways to keep your home as green as possible. The big ways can bore down to the core architecture of a home, medium ways can involve using no to low VOC paint and sustainable or reclaimed wood flooring, and small ways can be as simple as making your own non-toxic household cleaners. By making your own cleaners you save green while being green.

Spray Cleaner with Your Own Spray Cleaner:

½ cup white vinegar
¼ cup baking soda
4 cups of hot tap water

Or

2 cups water
1 cup hydrogen peroxide
¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

Mix all the ingredients together in a spray bottle until they’re thoroughly blended. Spray on surface, then remove with cloth or sponge.

Eradicate Stains from Carpets:

½ cup white vinegar
½ cup of water

Mix the ingredients together in a spray bottle. Soak the stain with concoction, let set in for a few minutes, then remove with warm water using a brush or sponge.

Polish for Your Wood Furniture:

½ tsp of olive or jojoba oil
¼ cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice

Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces.

Soften Your Fabrics:

½ vodka
1 cup water

Combine in a spray bottle and mix thoroughly.

Great Grapefruit Tub Trick:

1 Grapefruit
¼ cup course salt

Halve the grapefruit, shower it with salt. Wet bathtub and sprinkle it with salt. Then take salted grapefruit and scrub everywhere. When finished, rinse away.

With any of the above green cleaning solutions there is the option to add aroma using essential oils. The amount depends on individual preference. Here are some scents we suggest:

• Eucalyptus
• Grapefruit
• Lavender
• Lemon
• Mandarin
• Orange
• Peppermint
• Tangerine
• Tea tree

If you want to experiment with making your own green cleaners, here are some basics to keep in mind:

• Baking soda: Good for serious scrubbing.
• Hydrogen Peroxide: Disinfects and whitens much like bleach.
• White vinegar: Disinfects and loosens dirt and grime.
• Vodka: Disinfects and deodorizes.
• Lemon juice: Disinfects and cuts through grease.
• Olive or jojoba oil: Polishes wood

*Note: Every surface, floor, faucet, etc will be different, so test your homemade cleaning solution on a small patch before going all out in case it reacts negatively.

Emer is a web editor and writer for casaGURU who always has her eye out for fun home furnishings, accessories, products, trends, and tips. If you have ideas for me, find my profile, be my friend, and write on my wall.