I've been using Mrs. Meyers all purpose and Bon Ami for pretty much everything. I got a handmade all natural peppermint cleaner from a local boutique that I'm liking a lot too. Peppermint is supposed to deter ant and in FL I have to always be on guard for sugar ants. I just found this really cool site though and it's inspired me to start making my own.
Green Living Tips cleaning articles This is the one I'm going to make:
32 oz. (around 950ml) spray bottle - try to use a bottle made from recycled materials, or is recycleable. Maureen recommends #2 plastic
- water
- White distilled vinegar. It should be vinegar made from grain or plant material. Believe it or not, some is made from petroleum based (crude oil). It gives a whole new meaning to fuel as food.
- Genuine lemongrass essential oil. Lemongrass has anti-bacterial properties. For increased disinfecting power, you can use Tea Tree oil which also ahs anti-viral and anti-fungal properties.
- Earth friendly dishwashing liquid. This can be found in just about any supermarket. The dishwashing liquid is necessary to clean mirrors and glass streak-free. Many commercial window/glass cleaners have chemicals of a waxy nature in them; so when you switch to vinegar/water, there will be streaking unless you have the dish detergent in your cleaner.
Method
1. Fill bottle half with water
2. Top it up with white distilled vinegar, but leave a little room for the additional ingredients and for shaking
3. Add 10-14+ drops lemongrass essential oil. Maureen says she uses around 30 drops, but started off with 14 to minimize the chance of skin irritability.
4. Add 2-3 drops of the earth friendly dishwashing liquid.
5. Cap and shake. There should be a thin layer of foamy bubbles at the top - but not too many.
6. Label container clearly. Shake before using and store out of direct sunlight.
Instead of dish washing liquid I'm going to use peppermint Dr. Bronners soap. I'll probably play with the essential oils too.