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Simple & Natural
Green Cleaning Guide
By Stacy Karen
Author/Editor of ADelightfulHome.com
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© 2015 Stacy Karen. All rights reserved.
No part of this document may be reproduced or redistributed in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the author.
Disclaimer: The information in this book is based on my own experience and research. Use recipes with caution. Stacy Karen or A Delightful Home cannot be held responsible for any undesirable outcome.
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Table of Contents
The table of contents is hyperlinked. So, click on any topic to jump straight to that part of the book.
Introduction 6
Basic Natural Cleaning Supplies 7
AllPurpose Cleaning Solutions for the Whole House 11
Scented Vinegar 11 AllPurpose Cleaning Spray 11 Hydrogen Peroxide 12 Fruit Peel Vinegar 13
Specific Solutions for Common Cleaning Tasks 15
Windows 15 Floors – wood, linoleum, tile etc. 15 Carpets 16 Foaming Carpet Cleaner 16 Carpet Deodorizer 17 Walls 17 Mirrors 17
Kitchen Specific Cleaners 18
Counter tops 18 Disinfecting Cleaning Spray 19 Stainless Steel Cleaner 19 Drain Cleaner 20 Oven Cleaner 20 Microwave Cleaner 21
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Cutting Board Care 22
Bathroom Specific Cleaners 24
DIY Soft Scrub 24 Toilets 25 Bath and Shower 25 Grout Cleaner 26
Laundry Specific Cleaners 27
Liquid Laundry Soap 28 Powdered Laundry Soap 29 Storebought Laundry Soap 30 Stain Removers 30 Odor Destroyers 30
Homemade Air Fresheners 32
Clean the Air with House Plants 35 Extra Notes 37
Further Reading and Green Cleaning Resources 38
About the Author 39
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Introduction
There’s a lot to love about natural cleaning:
It saves money Is good for the environment Is safe for our children (which means they can help more often – woo hoo!) It saves space – many cleaners are multipurpose, leaving more room in your
cabinets
I doubt you need me to go into much detail about the harmful sideeffects of commercial cleaning products. I think most of us are aware that they are not safe. Why else would they be kept on the top shelf or have hardtoopen lids?
For the sake of curiosity, let’s take a quick look at why commercial cleaners should not be used frequently in our homes:
Many commercial cleaners are:
Carcinogenic (cause cancer) Lethal if swallowed Bad for the environment Expensive
Indoor air is often more toxic than outdoor air, and chemical cleaners are definitely a contributing factor. Eliminating them from the home helps reduce the overall toxic load on our families.
Note about this book:
This book does not contain a lot of information about the why of green cleaning. I wanted it to be a straightforward and easy to use guide with recipes and tips to help you tackle the most common cleaning tasks. While I’m certain there are things I
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have missed, I’m sure you will find enough here to keep you busy for a long time!
Basic Natural Cleaning Supplies
There’s not a lot you need to keep on hand to create allnatural, nontoxic cleaning products. You might have a lot of them in your cabinets already!
With the following few items you can make cleaning solutions to suit most of your needs:
Vinegar
When it comes to natural cleaning, vinegar is your best friend.
White vinegar (the kind you purchase at the supermarket) kills bacteria and germs and is an excellent deodorizer.
Keep a spray bottle filled with vinegar in the kitchen and bathroom for quick clean ups.
In the kitchen use vinegar to clean the counter tops, chopping boards, spot clean the floor, clean the sink, and so on. In the bathroom it works on the counter top, to wipe door handles, and clean the toilet. Just spray it on a wipe it off. (In fact, you don’t always have to wipe it off.)
Worried about smell? Thankfully the smell of vinegar does dissipate after a while. So the fragrance won’t hang around too long. Essential oils can be added to help mask the smell and will also boost germ fighting power.
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Baking Soda The texture of baking soda makes it useful as a mild abrasive. It is also an excellent deodorizer. Many of us already have an open box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb smells, but it can also be used to scrub sinks and clean toilets!
To freshen carpets, add a few drops of essential oil to a box of baking soda, stir to combine, sprinkle on the carpet and allow to sit for 30 minutes. Then vacuum.
Castile soap or natural dish soap
Castile soap is a gentle soap made from vegetable fat/oil such as hemp, palm or olive (opposed to tallow). It is a versatile cleaner that works well with other ingredients as well as alone.
If Castile soap is difficult to locate, natural dish soap often works well in its place.
You might be surprised at home many cleaning jobs can be tackled with warm, soapy water.
I use often squirt a little natural dish soap in a small bucket, then fill with warm water and use to for general cleaning like wiping down the kitchen cabinets and refrigerator, cleaning baseboards and so on.
Castle soap or dish soap are both great to add to floor cleaning solutions, too.
Dr. Bronner’s castile soap is available on Amazon.com and also at many grocery stores (I’ve seen it at Target and Trader Joe’s). It has many uses, so is a good item to keep on hand.
Spray bottles Spray bottles are great for holding disinfecting sprays and other homemade cleaning solutions. Keep one on the kitchen and bathroom for easy clean up whenever you need it.
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Sponges Sponges with a scouring pad are great for scrubbing sinks, floors, and bath tubs.
Steel wool These really help with tough dirt and grime. Of course you can only use them on surfaces that won’t get scratched.
Microfiber cleaning cloths Microfiber cleaning cloths allow you to clean with water. They are perfect for cleaning glass, mirrors, and stainless steel because they don’t leave lint.
Toothbrush An old toothbrush is handy for scrubbing around faucets and sinks.
Essential Oils
These concentrated plant oils contain powerful antibacterial, antiviral, antibiotic and antifungal properties. While they can sometimes be expensive,
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one small bottle will last a long time. They add a lovely fragrance to your homemade cleaners, which provides psychological benefits too!
Many essential oils have antibacterial and antifungal properties. I use essential oils in most of my homemade cleaning solutions to improve their cleaning power as well as add a pleasing scent.
Some of my favorite essential oils for cleaning purposes include:
Tea tree Peppermint Lemon I use this a lot because it smells so good Sweet Orange
I purchase most of my essential oils from Mountain Rose Herbs but also use Young Living, Plant Therapy, and Aura Cacia. Many health food stores carry all the essential oils you will need for cleaning purposes.
If you are new to essential oils and want to learn more about them, see my post: How to get started with essential oils.
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All-Purpose Cleaning Solutions
The following recipes are simple cleaners that work for multiple tasks. Keep these on hand for everyday cleaning.
Scented Vinegar
Create scented vinegar by adding 75 drops of lavender or tea tree essential oil to a one gallon jug of white vinegar. Close the lid and shake to blend. Uses for scented vinegar:
Clean the floor Deodorize the toilet bowl Clean kitchen counters Keep some in a spray bottle to spray shower walls daily to prevent buildup
of grime Use in any of the following recipes that call for vinegar (just leave out the
essential oils in that recipe) All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
Fill a spray bottle with half vinegar and half water. Add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance and extra cleaning power, or use scented vinegar. Use this cleaning solution on countertops, door handles, to spot clean the floor, cabinets, fridge, and so on. Soapy Water
A little dish soap in a bucket of warm water will clean most dirt and grime. Use this mixture to wipe down countertops, clean cabinets, tiles, walls, and so on.
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Hydrogen Peroxide Hydrogen peroxide is a wonderful, nontoxic alternative to commercial cleaning products. Plus, it’s very inexpensive. No need to dilute; use hydrogen peroxide straight to disinfect and clean surfaces such as counter tops, walls, and cabinets. It can have a slight bleaching effect, so use caution when cleaning darker surfaces.
Exposure to light breaks down hydrogen peroxide, so store in a dark container (like the one it comes in).
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Fruit Peel Vinegar
Photo credit: © V.s.anandha Krishna | Dreamstime.com
Vinegar is a powerful cleaner, but it doesn’t smell very nice. The scent usually dissipates after the vinegar dries, but you still have to smell it while cleaning. Adding a few drops of essential oil will mask the scent and add extra germfighting power, but not everyone has (or can afford) essential oils.
Another option for making scented vinegar is to use fruit peels. Orange and lemon peels work best.
All you need to do is:
1. Fill a jar with fruit peels (use about 5 peels in a quart size jar or 10 in a ½ gallon jar)
2. Pour distilled vinegar over the peels 3. Screw on lid tightly and put jar in a dark place for about two weeks (10 days
is OK) 4. Strain out peels and place your fruitinfused vinegar in a jar for storage
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5. To use: dilute vinegar using 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water For example: mix ½ cup vinegar with 1 cup of water Pour into a spray bottle for ease of use
6. Use to clean most any surface (it works well on ceramic, porcelain, and laminate surfaces, but always test on an inconspicuous area before using on wood as it may cause discoloration. Not suitable for granite.)
Notes:
Save up citrus peels as you eat fruit throughout the week or month. Just put peels in the freezer until you have enough
Add herbs such as rosemary or mint to create custom scents Sprouting jar strainer lids make straining a breeze
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Specific Solutions for Common Cleaning
Tasks
Photo credit: © Brooke Becker | Dreamstime.com This section includes recipes for most regular cleaning tasks. Everything is simple to make and use.
Windows
Make a simple glass cleaner by filling a spray bottle with half water and half vinegar. Spray windows or mirrors and wipe.
Floors – wood, linoleum, tile etc.
Add 2 to 4 tablespoons of Castile soap or natural dish soap and 10 drops of lemon essential oil to a large container. Fill with 1 gallon of hot water and stir to mix. If the floor is greasy, add up to 1/8 cup of vinegar. If there are any loose floor boards, spot clean that area. Water can get under the boards and cause problems if a mop is used.
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Carpets Cleaning the carpet can definitely take a lot of work. But at least it doesn’t have to include chemicals! Be sure to test these carpet cleaning recipes on a small section of carpet to be sure it is suitable for your particular carpet.
Foaming carpet cleaner
3 cups water 3/4 cup castile soap 10 drops peppermint essential oil
Mix all ingredients in a blender. Rub the foam into soiled areas with a damp sponge. Let dry thoroughly and then vacuum.
The kids really enjoy rubbing the foam into the carpet.
Carpet Deodorizer
Mix 25 drops of essential oil (such as lavender or lemon) into a small box of baking soda. Sprinkle the mixture over the carpet in a light layer (not a huge pile). Leave for a
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few hours. Vacuum. Extra tip: You can also add a nice fragrance to the home when vacuuming by adding a cotton ball soaked in your favorite essential oil to the vacuum bag (this won’t deodorize the carpets, just make the house smell good). Walls
The floor cleaner listed on page 12 will work well on walls, too. Here is the recipe again: Add 2 to 4 tablespoons of Castile soap or natural dish soap and 10 drops of lemon essential oil to a large container. Fill with 1 gallon of hot water and stir to mix. If the floor is greasy, add up to 1/8 cup of vinegar. For a simpler version that works on walls without a lot of grime (mostly general dirt and dust), mix ½ cup of vinegar with ½ gallon of water. Use a sponge to scrub walls. If you wish to disinfect walls (or door knobs, crib rails, and so on), mix equal parts vinegar and water. Add 5 to 10 drops of essential oil, per 16 oz of mixture, if desired.
Mirrors
Mirrors can be cleaned well with water and a microfiber cloth. If you are looking for more shine (and germ killing power), combine 1 ½ cups of water with ½ cup of vinegar in a spray bottle and shake to mix. Add 5 to 10 drops of orange or lemon essential oil for extra cleaning power and added fragrance.
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Kitchen Specific Cleaners
Photo credit: © Piotr Antonów | Dreamstime.com The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the house; besides being the place where meals are prepared, it also tends to be an area where people congregate. Because of this, the kitchen can also be one of the dirtiest rooms in the house! The recipes in this section will help get your kitchen sparkling!
Counter tops
Scented vinegar cleans counter tops very well. Use alone or dilute with water for a mild cleaner. Hydrogen peroxide is also a great, simple cleaner that disinfects very well. Just spray on and wipe off as you would any other cleaner. You could also make a disinfecting spray with lavender and peppermint essential oil and water.
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Here is the recipe I use:
Disinfecting Cleaning Spray ¼ teaspoon lavender essential oil
¼ teaspoon peppermint essential oil
1 cup water
What to do:
Mix water and essential oils in a measuring cup.
Pour into spray bottle.
Screw on lid and start spraying!
It is also possible to pour the water directly into the spray bottle, then add the oils and shake to blend.
Keep out of eyes – the essential oils are very strong.
Option – add 1 tablespoon of dish soap (or castile soap) to help loosen grime.
Stainless Steel Cleaner
2 tablespoons baking soda 1/2 cup vinegar 2 cups warm water
In a large bowl mix all ingredients. (We are using a large bowl because of the foaming action of the cleaner). Once the foaming has subsided, pour mixture into a spray bottle and spray stainless steel surfaces then wipe down with a microfiber cleaning cloth.
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Drain cleaner
Pour 1 cup of baking soda down the drain (I let it sit for a few minutes because it absorbs odors, but you don’t have to).
Pour in 1 cup of vinegar. Allow to fix and bubble up. Leave for 20 minutes. Pour boiling water down the drain (about 1 quart).
Oven Cleaner
Cleaning the oven is one of the jobs I dislike the most! Although, it’s not so bad now that I no longer stick my head into an oven filled with chemical cleaner! I can’t believe I used to do that. But, we are all on a learning curve, aren’t we?
To get a clean oven: Fill a spray bottle with water and spray the whole oven (sides and bottom). Sprinkle baking soda over the sides and bottom of the oven. Getting it on the sides can be challenging, but you can do it! Make sure the bottom has a good thick layer of baking soda. If any of the baking soda is dry, spray it with water.
Leave the baking soda (with the oven off) for a couple of hours. Then wipe with a sponge. Use a scouring pad for any baked on stuff that’s hard to remove. If it doesn’t all come off, repeat he steps.
Bonus tip: When something bubbles over in the oven, sprinkle salt over the spill. This will stop it from burning and making lots of smoke and setting off the fire alarm (ahem).
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Microwave Cleaner
The following vinegar water mixture is heated in the microwave, creating stea,. The steam softens any grime, making it quite easy to wipe off without the need for scrubbing.
½ cup vinegar 2 cups water
Combine in microwave safe bowl (such as a glass bowl) and place in microwave. Heat on high for 4 minutes, then remove bowl and wipe down the inside of the microwave.
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Cutting Board Care
Photo credit: © Damianpalus | Dreamstime.com Wooden cutting boards are wonderful. If you don’t have one, you need one! Well, maybe not need, but truly, I love mine and use it every day!
Wooden cutting board nono’s:
Never soak wooden cutting boards in water Never run wooden cutting boards through the dishwasher
Clean with a damp sponge and a little natural dish soap (when needed), then rinse under running water.
Wooden cutting boards should be kept dry, so use a dish towel to dry off immediately after cleaning.
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To help your cutting board stay in good shape, rub all sides with oil before using the first time. Coconut or walnut oil work very well.
Oils specifically designed for cutting boards are available, however many commercial brands use mineral oil, while is petroleumbased (I don’t like that!). There are some natural brands out there, but I have not used any myself; regular coconut or walnut oil work just fine.
Don’t use vegetable oil as it will go rancid quickly.
To apply oil, pour a small amount of oil over cutting board and rub in the direction of the wood grain using clean hands or a lintfree cloth. Add more oil as need. Wipe off any excess oil with a clean cloth.
Reoil whenever the board begins to look dull or worn.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide works very well to clean and disinfect cutting boards.
To use: rinse the cutting board with water and wipe down with a sponge (removing any crumbs or food). Spray hydrogen peroxide over the entire cutting board and leave to sit for about five minutes. Rinse off with water. Lemons
Rub wooden cutting boards with half a lemon to refresh and deodorize. Rinse off with warm water.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a great choice for deodorizing and disinfecting cutting boards.
Spray vinegar over cutting board and leave to sit for a few minutes before rinsing off. For extra cleaning power, sprinkle baking soda over cutting board before spritzing with vinegar. It will fizz a little. Wipe with a clean sponge before rinsing with water.
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Bathroom Specific Cleaners
The following recipes are perfect for getting your bathroom is tiptop shape. Some of them require a little more elbow grease than chemical cleansers. But it’s worth it!
Also note that all of the cleaners in the AllPurpose Cleaners section are wellsuited to cleaning the bathroom.
DIY Soft Soap for the bathtub
Ingredients: 3/4 cup baking soda 1/4 cup castile soap (I use Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Castile Soap) 1 Tablespoon water Optional: 1 Tablespoon vinegar Optional: 4 drops essential oil (tea tree, peppermint, or lemon)
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Method: In a bowl, combine the baking soda and castile soap. Add the water and stir with a fork. Add essential oils.
If using the vinegar, stir in last. The mixture will fizz a little. Stir to make a nice soft, pastelike, consistency.
Scoop out the scrub with a sponge and start cleaning. Rinse with water.
Note: Some suggest that the vinegar should be left out of this recipe because the castile soap and vinegar cancel neutralize one another. However, I’ve found it works very well. So, you can try it both ways and see what you think.
Toilets
Daily/minimal cleaning: To clean and deodorize pour a little straight or scented vinegar into the toilet bowl and scrub with a toilet brush. For regular toilet seat wipe downs, keep some vinegar in a spray bottle. (Because it’s nontoxic and safe to use, why not give kids the job of swishing and swiping each day!) Serious toilet bowl cleaning: For a thorough toilet cleaning add 10 drops of tea tree essential oil to ¼ cup of vinegar, pour into the toilet bowl and sprinkle ½ cup baking soda over the top. As the mixture fizzes, scrub the the bowl with a toilet brush. (Recipe adapted from Make Your Place, by Raleigh Briggs)
Bath and Shower
An ounce of prevention . . . The best way to keep the shower clean is to spray the walls with vinegar on a regular basis. This helps prevent soap and scum from building up. A few times a week use a squeegee to remove excess water (especially on glass doors). This works very well and helps you avoid the dreaded BIG shower clean
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that becomes necessary after a while!
Grout Cleaner
To clean grout in between tiles, sprinkle baking soda over the tile and grout, and spray with undiluted hydrogen peroxide. Scrub with a toothbrush and rinse with water.
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Laundry Specific Cleaners
Photo credit: © Olivier Le Queinec | Dreamstime.com When it comes to natural cleaning and laundry, one doesn’t have to resort to scrubbing clothes on a washboard (although you are quite welcome to do that if you desire).
Many natural ingredients combine nicely to create laundry soaps and stain removers that actually work.
I will be honest with you and say that while I spent a few years making laundry detergents, it’s not something I do at this busy stage of my life. I liked them quite well, but these days I usually buy laundry soap, simply because I can’t make everything! There are only 24 hours in a day!
I did enjoy making laundry soap and think it is a worthwhile endeavor if you feel so inclined. It saves a little money, too.
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I’m sharing the two recipes I used most often.
Liquid Laundry Soap
You will need:
2 bars of regular soap (choose a natural brand to avoid chemicals) 1 cup washing soda 1 cup borax (or baking soda) large pot stove top wooden spoon water 6 gallon bucket
Method: Grate the soap and place in a large pot; fill the pot with enough water to just cover the soap shavings. Heat on low, stirring until the soap is dissolved. Fill a large bucket with 4 1/2 gallons of hot water. Stir. Then add 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of borax. Mix to incorporate, then allow to cool, stirring occasionally. The laundry soap will thicken as it cools. This makes five gallons of laundry soap! Use ½ to ¾ cup of this laundry soap per load.
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Powdered Laundry Soap
This is actually pretty quick to make. In fact, I might start making this again soon! I prefer it to the liquid as it takes less time and less space. (Grating the bar soap is the most time consuming part.)
You will need:
2 bars soap (I use Dr. Bronner’s) 2 cups washing soda 2 cups borax
Method:
Grate soap and pour into a large storage container.
Add washing soda and borax, stir to combine. Place a 1 tablespoon scoop in the container and close lid.
To use: Add 1 tablespoon of mixture per load of laundry. Add another tablespoon to extra soiled loads. Use warm water to help the soap dissolve.
Extra step: If you would like a finer powder that will dissolve more easily (especially in cold water), use a blender to blend the ingredients. Just pulse a few times until a fine powder is achieved. You may need to do this in smaller batches if you do not have a large blender.
Tip: Write the recipe on the container you will use to store the laundry powder. It will be easier to remake when the time comes.
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Store-bought Laundry Soap
I love Charlie’s Laundry Soap. It only uses a tablespoon per load! I’ve been happy with how well it cleans clothes and how little space it takes up in the laundry room! Err, make that “laundry closet.” I only have a laundry room in my dreams!
Biokleen is another good brand I have used consistently.
Stain Removers
Washing Soda Make a paste with washing soda and water. Apply paste to the stain and leave to sit a few minutes. Then launder as usual.
Hydrogen Peroxide Spray hydrogen peroxide directly onto stains and leave for 5 to 10 minutes before laundering. Test on an inconspicuous place first. Works best on whites as it can bleach some clothing.
BacOut BacOut is a storebought product that works well on many stains without harmful chemicals. I always keep a bottle on hand for emergencies. Simply spray on stains and launder as usual. BacOut can also be added to a bucket of water to soak clothing with tough stains. It also works very well for cleaning petrelated stains from clothing or carpets.
Sunshine Sunshine is a great, natural stain remover, especially for whites. Hang wet clothes to dry in the sun for a natural bleaching effect.
Odor Destroyers
Vinegar Vinegar helps rid clothes of unpleasant odors. If you have a child who wets the bed, pets that make messes, or other smelly issues in your home (I think we all have some of those), you need a jug of vinegar next to the washing machine! To use: Add ¼ cup of white vinegar to one load. Vinegar will also help remove soap residue for fresher clothes that feel clean.
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Sunshine The power of the sun comes to the rescue again! Hanging clothing out to dry in the sun, and leaving for a few hours (if safe for colors), will help remove odors.
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Homemade Air Fresheners
Photo credit: © Nicola Morello | Dreamstime.com I have a hang up about commercial air fresheners. They really bother me. Spraying chemicals into the air in order to make the room smell better doesn’t seem like a good plan. I know a lot of us do it (or have done it). After all, bad smells can be quite motivating, especially if company is about to arrive. But I think it’s important that we find other options for the sake of our health. Below are a few options for creating homemade air fresheners. I think you’ll find they are all very simple and easy to make. Cotton ball in vacuum cleaner
Put 10 drops of your favorite essential oil onto cotton ball. Place cotton ball in the vacuum bag. The scent will permeate the air as you vacuum.
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Cotton ball in toilet roll holder
Place a few drops of your favorite essential oil onto a cotton ball and tuck cotton ball inside the toilet roll holder (if hollow). If the toilet roll holder is not hollow, you can probably still fit the cotton ball inside the toilet paper roll, just squish the cotton ball a little.
Baking soda and essential oil in a jar
Make a simple (and natural) air freshener by putting 1/4 cup baking soda in a small mason jar. Add 5 drops of your favorite essential oil and stir to distribute. Place a square of fabric over the jar and seal with metal band (the kind that comes with the jar). Keep jar on a window sill or in a closet to naturally freshen the air.
Simmer a Pot of Water with Cinnamon and Cloves
Place a pot of water on the stove top and add a few sticks of cinnamon and a sprinkling of cloves. Bring to a simmer and let the scent fill the air.
Keep an eye on the pot as the water will evaporate. Add more water whenever need. You don’t want the house to smell like burned cinnamon!
Keep out of reach of children.
Essential Oil Diffuser
These can get a little pricey, but they are an excellent way to get the beneficial scents of essential oils into the air. This doesn’t just make the house smell good, it can help alleviate symptoms from illness, improve focus during study, and actually purify the air (depending on which essential oils you use.
It is important that you follow the instructions for your particular brand of diffuser,
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however, the method is mostly the same: fill with water, add a few drops of essential oil, and turn on. That’s all there is to it.
Find out more about diffusers and see which one I use in this post: Why I love my essential oil diffuser.
Air Freshening Spray
Making your own air freshening spray takes less than five minutes and includes nothing more than measuring a few ingredients and pouring into a spray bottle. You will need:
40 drops of essential oil (I like to use lavender, peppermint, or sweet orange) 1/3 cup vodka 2/3 cup distilled water
Method: Pour all ingredients into a spray bottle, close lid tightly and shake to combine. Spray whenever the room needs refreshing. Create customized fragrances buy combining essential oils. Some to combinations to try:
Peppermint and lavender Sweet orange and clove (use more orange than clove clove) Sweet orange and rosemary Eucalyptus, lavender, and lemon Lavender and lemon Lavender and vanilla Peppermint, lavender, and lemon Or use an essential oil blend which already has already combined a number
of essential oils
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Clean the Air with House Plants
Photo credit: © Kathleen Howell | Dreamstime.com
Add some plants to your home to remove toxins from the air.
Scientific studies show that plants really do reduce toxins in the air. It’s not just an old wives tale.
Pollutants such as formaldehyde, ammonia, and benzene are all absorbed by the humble plant (as are a number of less common contaminants). This is great news for those of us who spend a good deal of time in doors!
Here are a few of the best plants for cleaning indoor air:
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Ferns (such as the Boston fern or the Kimberly Queen Fern) – Ferns are said to be the most effective at removing formaldehyde and benzene.
English Ivy – especially good at absorbing benzene (which is often emitted from gas stoves, making this a perfect plant for the kitchen).
Spider Plant – excellent for absorbing formaldehyde. Since formaldehyde offgases from pressed wood furniture, new paper, and books, this would be a great plant for the office. My husband has one in his office and my daughter has one in her bedroom!
Some other very good choices:
Chrysanthemums Philodendrons Gerbera Daisies Bamboo Palms Peace Lilies Dracaenas Rubber Plant Corn Plant
How many plants do I need?
Some experts suggest one plant per 100 square feet, while others recommend up to four plants per 100 square feet. Obviously, the more plants you have the cleaner the air will be. I suggest at least one plant per 100 feet, more if possible. A minimum of one plant per room is a good place to start.
And besides all that good air cleaning, plants just look nice!
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Extra Notes
Don’t forget to label your homemade cleaners. It’s easy to forget what is in each spray bottle! Go one step further and write the recipes on the container; it makes refills a breeze. Save time by choosing just a few recipes that will work for multiple cleaning tasks. Prepare in bulk and leave spray bottles close to areas that need cleaning most often. Be aware that essential oils are very concentrated and should be handled carefully. Undiluted essential oils can burn the skin.
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Further Reading and Green Cleaning
Resources
Books about essential oils – Helpful books to get you started
Natural Living Resources – What I use in my home
Simple Scrubs to Make and Give – My book about making allnatural body scrubs
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About the Author
Stacy is wife to a preacher and mother of three children. She strives to live a natural lifestyle and create a healthy home for her family.
Stacy enjoys creating natural products of all kinds, especially body care. She has written an entire book about making allnatural body scrubs: Simple Scrubs to Make and Give.
You can find her blogging at A Delightful Home.
Connect with her on social media:
Facebook: Facebook.com/ADelightfulHome
Twitter: @DelightfulHome
Pinterest: Pinterest.com/StacyKaren
Instagram: Instagram.com/stacykaren
Need a Healthy Living Makeover?
Sign up for my free Healthy Living Makeover eCourse!
Visit: adelightfulhome.com/healthylivingmakeover to get started.
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