DIY: TWO SIMPLE ZERO WASTE ALL-PURPOSE SPRAYS FOR NON-TOXIC CLEANING
A funny thing about transitioning to a lifestyle that is more eco-friendly, healthier, and zero waste is that many of the mind-blowing “discoveries” I make are actually some of the oldest tricks in the book.
I talk to my Grandma a lot about health, the environment, and “green” changes we are making. I can’t even count the times that I have excitedly told her about some new thing I am trying and she says, “Oh yeah, that’s how we did it when I was young.”
Say what?! Why did it change?
Probably, somewhere along the way someone came up with a new “solution” in the name of convenience and money to be made, and the old practices fell by the wayside.
The frustrating thing is that many of the forgotten, old-fashioned tactics are actually better for our health and the environment. Not all, of course, but many.
Luckily, there are so many people now realizing this and there’s been a huge resurgence of the ways of the “old days.”
Several years ago, when I wanted to stop using toxic chemicals in our home and cleaning products, I started using white vinegar with water to clean everything. This worked well enough, but I hated the smell and it didn’t quite cut it in certain areas, like the kitchen, where there is grease or more grime present.
Then I discovered castile soap, which has actually been around forever, and it performed amazingly where vinegar was lacking. It is a natural, biodegradable soap derived from plant oils through a process called saponification.
I had heard of castile soap before, but never really knew how it differed from the regular soap I bought at the store. One Google search sparked another–you know the story–and thus, began my love of castile soap!
I don’t use it for anything and everything as some would propose (no thank you on the castile soap toothpaste), but I have found a few places for it to be the perfect non-toxic cleaning product swap. Plus it’s naturally a concentrated soap, and I buy it either by the gallon jug or in dried flake form from Tare Market, so I’m creating a lot less waste than I was with my old cleaning products.
One of my favorite ways to use castile soap is in an all-purpose cleaning spray. This stuff can clean just about any surface, leaves no residue behind, and I can add any essential oil I want to make it smell the way I like! It’s an especially great natural option for granite and marble since vinegar can wear down the coating on the stones.
I do still like my vinegar and water spray for certain areas, though, especially for it’s antibacterial properties and symbiotic function with baking soda. Plus, I learned an awesome trick somewhere along the way to make it smell better! Simply fill a jar with citrus peels of your choice, fill the jar with white vinegar, and let it sit on your counter for 1-2 weeks. Then pour the vinegar into whatever container you want to store it in and you’ve got citrusy-fresh vinegar that smells a whole lot better than the plain stuff (trust me)!
As a bonus for the aspiring minimalists like myself, these two simple cleaners have replaced at least 6 different cleaning sprays that I used to have in my cupboard. Marie Kondo would be proud;)
CLEANING SPRAY RECIPES
General Purpose Castile Soap Cleaning Spray
16 oz. spray bottle
2-3 tbsps unscented liquid castile soap or 1/2 tsp. castile soap flakes
14 oz. filtered or distilled water
20-25 drops lemon essential oil (or another antibacterial essential oil you prefer)
Combine all ingredients in the spray bottle, give it a swirl if using soap flakes, and it’s ready to use!
Citrus Vinegar Spray
Spray bottle of your choice
1 part citrus-infused vinegar
1 part filtered or distilled water
A few drops of a citrus essential oil (optional)
Combine all ingredients in the spray bottle and it’s ready to use!
Give them a try and tell us what you think in the comments! What are some of your favorite essential oil combinations for the scent?
Recent Blog Posts
Discover more tips on living #ZeroWaste!
-
10 Things You Didn't Know You Could Compost
Composting can significantly reduce the waste we send to landfills and provide nutrient-rich soil for gardens. Did you know that you can compost things like wooden skewers, pizz...
Read more -
How to Celebrate Earth Month: 10 Actions to Make a Difference
Earth Month is the perfect time to take action for the planet. In this post, we share 10 simple actions you can take this month to celebrate Earth Month and reduce your ecologic...
Read more -
Why Choose a Plastic-Free, Zero-Waste Lifestyle?
Plastic waste is everywhere, but small swaps can make a big impact. Reduce single-use plastic, shop in bulk, and choose sustainable alternatives. Tare Market is here to help you...
Read more
