the Marie Kondo method

 

Collect all your household cleaning products into one pile and your cosmetics into another. Hold each item in your hands and examine it carefully. Does it contain harmful chemicals? Do you really need it? If you feel you’d prefer to discard it right away or replace it when it runs out. It depends on your budget.

 

buying natural home cleaning products

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Natural products are healthy but there are a few downsides: they tend to be a little pricy and they are usually only available online or at speciality stores. At this point you want decide which of your commercial products you like and would like to continue using, and which ones you want to replace. It’s a matter of balancing health against convenience. 

 

If you can’t find stores that sell handmade near you you could try online. Sites such as Etsy, Shopify, Big Cartel, Bonanza, IndieMade, and even Handmade at Amazon have great products. The bonus of shopping at them is that you are supporting small businesses. 
 

making your own ingredients

 

Spray bottles: Store your products in unused, clean containers and make sure to label them. Never use bottles that once held chemicals.

 

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that works best on proteins, grease, and animal messes. Since it's only slightly abrasive you can scour surfaces without fear of scratching.

 

Distilled white vinegar is great for coffee, tea, and rust stains. Don’t use it for cooking because it has a high acidic content, and never use it on stone surfaces, cast iron, aluminum, or waxed surfaces because the acid content will etch, pit, and strip these surfaces.

 

Hydrogen peroxide is a more eco-friendly alternative to chlorine bleach.

 

Borax is an alkali that's good for cutting grease, oil, and dirt.

 

Essential oils such as tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, and lemongrass enhance scent. Tea tree oil is also naturally antibacterial.

 

Castile soap is available in liquid or bar form and helps rinse dirt away. It's made with olive oil or a vegetable base and is available unscented or scented. 

 

Cornstarch absorbs oil, moisture, dirt, and stains. 

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