Green Homemade Carpet and Toilet Cleaner

When it comes to cleaning green, homemade is the way to go. It does not have to be hard work to make up your own cleaning products. Often times you can use things you already have on hand. These two cleaning recipes should be able to get your carpets and commodes clean without environmental impact and without having to spend a lot of money:

Carpet Cleaning and Deodorizing Powder

Between kids and pets, my carpet is always a mess! Take the stink and pests out of your carpet with this simple recipe for homemade carpet cleaner and deodorizer. It works great without anything artificial. I love the smell of oranges myself, but many other essential oils can be used to give it a great scent. You can even add in cloves instead for a housewarming scent.

Ingredients:

1 Shaker (like from Parmesan cheese)

2 Cups Baking Powder

20 Drops Essential Oil (like orange or lavender) or 1 Teaspoon Ground Cloves

2 Tablespoons Borax or Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth (optional to kill fleas, bedbugs, and other pests)

Directions:

Pour the baking powder into the shaker. Add the oil or cloves and borax or diatomaceous earth. Shake for two minutes to fully combine. Make sure the lid is on tight!

Use as you would normal carpet cleaner and deodorizer. Sprinkle onto carpets and let sit for fifteen minutes. Then vacuum up.

Toilet Cleaner Balls

Of all the chores in my home cleaning the toilet is my least favorite. However it needs to be done. In a house full of boys the toilet gets grimy and yellowed fast. That is why I love these cleaning balls. Instead of scrubbing these fizzy balls do all the work for me. They take a little effort to make but it is much better than scrubbing the toilet as often as I used to do! This recipe makes about two dozen balls, enough for almost a ball a day every month.

Ingredients:

1 1/3 Cup Baking Soda

½ Cup Citric Acid

30 Drops Each of Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint Essential Oils

Breathing Mask (Optional)

Directions:

I like to wear a mask when mixing the citric acid and baking soda because it tends to fly up in the air. First mix the citric acid with the baking soda. You can buy citric acid online and in some health food shops. It cleans, whitens and deodorizes. It is safe for septic systems as well.

After the two powders are combined add the essential oils. You do not have to use the three on the list, you can use any one or combo you have on hand, but these three smell great together. They also have antimicrobial properties to kill odor causing bacteria.

Mix in the oils with the powder a little at a time, stirring constantly to prevent clumping. You can also use a small spray bottle to add in the oils if you find it easier. Pack the mixture into silicon molds and let it dry for six hours or overnight.

Store them in a container with a lid to keep them from getting moist. Then when you need to use one just pop it in and watch the grossness fizz away! You can make these in fun shapes so you can proudly display the jar in your bathroom and keep them handy!

Hopefully these two simple recipes will give you the incentive you need to make your own green cleaners. They are easy and effective and smell great. Best of all they can be made for just a few cents and keep your home smelling and looking great!

Author Bio

Sara is an active nanny as well as an active freelance writer. She is a frequent contributor of http://www.nannypro.com/.  Learn more about her http://www.nannypro.com/blog/sara-dawkins/.