DIY Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes

50 All-Natural, Toxin-Free Recipes For The Home

By Heather Dessinger of Mommypotamus.com

Copyright 2013 Heather Dessinger

First Edition License Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author!

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Disclaimer And Copyright Information

The information contained in this guide is for informational purposes only. These recipes are based on my own research and experience, but I am not a trained chemist or professional cleaning product formulator. If you have any questions about anything I’ve written, please seek the advice of a qualified professional. By reading this guide, you agree that myself and my company is not responsible your results relating to any information presented in this guide

The material in this guide may include information, products or services by third parties. Third Party Materials comprise of the products and opinions expressed by their owners. As such, I do not assume responsibility or liability for any Third Party material or opinions. The publication of such Third Party Materials does not constitute my guarantee of any information, instruction, opinion, products or services contained within the Third Party Material. Publication of such Third Party Material is simply a recommendation and an expression of my own opinion of that material.

No part of this publication shall be reproduced, transmitted, or sold in whole or in part in any form, without the prior written consent of the author. All trademarks and registered trademarks appearing in this guide are the property of their respective owners.

Users of this guide are advised to do their own due diligence when it comes to making decisions and all information, products and services that have been provided should be independently verified by your own qualified professionals. Please ensure that the ingredients in each recipe are safe for your surfaces.

Please be mindful of copyright - the DIY Non-Toxic Cleaning Recipes e-book is intellectual property that is protected by copyright law. They may not be republished or distributed, for financial gain or not, without written permission of the author (Heather).

If you would like permission, please just contact me and I am happy to give permission on a case-by-case basis.

Copyright 2013 Mommypotamus. All Rights Reserved.

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About Mommypotamus

Hi there. I’m Heather, the Mommypotamus. If you read my previous e-book, DIY Organic Beauty Recipes, go ahead and skip to page 8. If you haven’t, this is where you read a little about me, so here goes: I’m a mom. I have two beautiful children who were born in water at home. You can read their stories here and here. I’m a researcher. Questioning the status quo comes naturally to me, which is why I rely on evidence-based research to guide my decisions on food, vaccinations, birth, full-term breastfeeding and of course making my own cleaning and personal care products. I’m a farmer. Well, sort of. We recently bought some land to pursue a dream of long-term sustainability. We’re just getting started, but I’ve got my boots and a hat and more barn kitties than I can shake a stick at. Why did I write this book? Because while corporations quibble about the so-called safety of their products, lakes and streams are filling up with all the evidence we need: alligators with tiny penises, male fish who produce eggs, and more.

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In a recent TED talk presentation, award winning documentary filmmaker Penelope Jagessar Chaffer breaks down what these poor amphibians have in common: They're bathing in the water that goes down our drains and soaking up compounds like atrazine, an herbicide the EU had the sense to ban in the same year that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency re-approved it for use. (And use it we do, to the tune of about 800 million pounds a year!) Right now as you read this page, there are about 700 chemicals coursing through your body, many of which can be found in the cleaning supplies that line store shelves: potent hormone disruptors, formaldehyde and cancer-causing 1,4 dioxane to name a few. 1 2 Of course, the toxic cocktail is unique to each of us - Jagessar estimates that there are about 30,000-50,000 possibilities depending on location/lifestyle factors. These chemicals are known to bio-accumulate and pass from mama to baby, increasing each generation’s chances of a particular penile defect in newborn boys, infertility and even cancer. And unfortunately, though these chemicals appear to do their worst when introduced to the developing endocrine systems of small children, safety disclosures haven't changed all that much since you and I were kids. According to the Environmental Working Group, one company exec called his company’s cleaning products so safe “you can even drink them,” then he did just that on camera! While it was a great marketing technique, analysis by the EWG revealed that 10 of the 18 products they tested in that particular baby care line contained an ingredient that released formaldehyde during use. Fortunately, we don’t need chemical toxins to get things clean. Though it’s possible to avoid many of the worst toxins by going the organic, store-bought route, it costs a pretty penny. Why break the bank when it’s easy to make non-toxic products at home that cost less than expensive health store brands? This book will show you how!

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Why Make Your Own Cleansers Why Make Your Own Cleaners?

You may have slightly different reasons, but yesterday my toddler ate some laundry detergent. Being the kind, thoughtful mother than I am, I handed him a glass of water to wash it down. That, folks, is the beauty of making your own non-toxic cleaning supplies. The best part? They WORK. As in, move over Clorox – oregano essential oil can kill e. coli and a broad spectrum of other bacteria. 3 Other essential oils have also been found to kill MRSA, while yet others neutralize salmonella, e. coli, listeria and pneumonia. 4 5 That’s right, you can replace your toxic cleaning supplies with simple ingredients and minimal effort. Of course, there’s one more reason to make your own cleaners that I haven’t mentioned yet.

You’ll Save Money – LOTS Of It! Here are a few examples of how you can save money by making homemade cleaners. Glass Cleaner Store-bought glass cleaners cost an average of $0.13 per ounce. Here’s the breakdown for this recipe found on page 28, which works even better than commercial brands. Water – Cost varies, but roughly $0.01 for the total recipe Vinegar – About $0.05 per ounce Rubbing alcohol– About $0.12 per ounce Cornstarch – About $0.04 for the total recipe Total store bought cost – About $3.43 for 26 ounces Total homemade cost – About $0.64 for 26 ounces Veggie Wash Proven by several studies to work just as effectively as store-bought washes, the formula on page 33 offers a savings of 88%. Here’s the breakdown: Water – Cost varies, but roughly $0.01 for the total recipe Vinegar – About $0.05 per ounce Glycerin – About $0.10 for the total recipe Essential oil – Prices will vary depending on brand and type, but mine came to about $0.005 total for the recipe (for the purpose of determining cost I rounded up to $0.01) Total store bought cost – $0.27 per ounce, or about $4.35 for 16 ounces Total homemade cost – $0.03 per ounce, or about $0.52 for 16 ounces

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Citrus Splash All–Purpose Spray Cleaner Mood lifting, stress busting citrus essential oils are the superstars of this recipe, but the cheap-yet-effective white vinegar is a close second. Why? Because, aromatherapy benefits aside, this highly effective formula will save you lots of money! Cost Savings Analysis Store-bought “eco-friendly” cleaners – which often contain questionable ingredients – cost an average of $0.12 per ounce. Here’s the breakdown for this recipe: Water – Cost varies, but roughly $0.01 for the total recipe Vinegar – About $0.05 per ounce Essential oil – Prices will vary depending on brand and type, but mine came to about $0.01 total for the recipe Total store bought cost – About $3.84 for 32 ounces Total homemade cost – About $1.62 for 32 ounces (A savings of 50%!)

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Ingredients

1 ½ cups water 1 cup white vinegar or citrus infused white vinegar (8 oz at $.05/oz = $.40) 20-40 drops citrus essential oil (sweet orange, lemon, lime or grapefruit)

To Make Combine all ingredients in spray bottle. To Use Shake before using, then spray on surface and wipe clean with a soft cloth. Storage Store away from heat and sunlight. Because essential oils oxidize when exposed to heat and sunlight it is best to keep them in dark glass bottles or a dark cabinet.