Natural DIY All Purpose Cleaner & Toy Cleaner

Commercial cleaning products are often filled with harsh chemicals that are dangerous for our health. They are supposed to help us attack stains and freshen up our homes, but in reality they contain chemicals that can cause reproductive problems, trigger asthma, burn or irritate your skin, and/or harm the environment. Some have even been linked to cancer.

Cleaning our homes doesn’t actually require harsh chemicals. Simple ingredients like white vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice are just as effective, are much safer, and you probably already have them in your home. The recipe below is for a great general disinfectant and all-purpose cleaner. I also use it as a toy cleaner for my kids. Give it a try and let me know how you find it!

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of water
• ½ cup of vinegar
• 5 drops of tea tree essential oil
• 2-5 drops of lemon essential oil

Directions:

• Mix everything in a tinted glass or aluminum spray bottle (essential oils degrade in sunlight and will also degrade plastic)
• When using it as a toy cleaner, first use a damp sponge to remove any food bits that might be stuck to the toy. Then spray the toy with the mixture and let it rest for 15 minutes. Wipe clean with a towel afterwards. The smell of the vinegar will disappear once the toy is completely dry.