DIY Non-Toxic All-Purpose Antiseptic Cleaner

 















This is a non-directly food related post but while you are preparing healthy food for your children, you may want to "green" your cleanup. Non-toxic all-purpose and kitchen cleaners can be pricey. This recipe literally costs pennies to fill a spay bottle. I have have tried at least a half dozen different formulations and I have found this one adapted from Better Basics for the Home: Simple Solutions for Less Toxic Living by Annie Berthold-Bond is the most effective homemade all-purpose solution. This is a great cleaner for everything from wiping down kids stuff, to crayon marks, washing baseboards, and countertops. Just let sit a few moments on crusty kitchen cleanup to let it do its work before wiping up.

DIY All-Purpose Antiseptic Cleaner

- 1/2 tsp washing soda (you can also use baking soda, but it isn't as alkaline and so won't be quite as effective)
- 1 tsp borax
- 1/2 tsp liquid soap or detergent 
- 2 cups hot water
- 1 tsp total antiseptic essential oil (i.e. I like 3/4 tsp lemon and 1/4 tsp rosemary but you can also any combo of: sweet orange, lavender, tea tree, thyme, rose, cinnamon, eucalyptus, or birch) 
Add washing soda, borax and soap to a clean spray bottle. Pour in the hot water and essential oil, cap, and shake until the minerals are dissolved. Give the bottle a shake each time before using. 


Makes 2 cups.