Creating Household Cleaners at Home

By Krista Stearns

Over the past few years, I embarked on a journey to reduce the use of plastic in my home, one of the only places in the world I can control (with the exception of my two teenage daughters).

I realized the most common plastic containers I regularly purchased were health and beauty products and household cleaning supplies. After many failed attempts at creating homemade shampoo and conditioner, I concluded the refill strategy is the best solution. Luckily, we have multiple retailers that provide a good selection of refillable products, though unfortunately, that is not available now because of COVID-related bulk precautions.

I did have success creating a fun styling gel for curly hair made primarily from flax seeds, which I am particularly proud of. I am still working through deodorant and lotion concoctions but have not yet found any that I am crazy about. I am also researching homemade toothpaste recipes and look forward to fun future experiments.
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There is a wealth of recipes for DIY all-natural, non-toxic household products on the internet from sites like Humbled Homemaker, Everyday Cheapskate, and Mommypotomus.  My strategy is to find recipes with a few simple ingredients, ones you can already find around your house. Most of these ingredients are packaged sustainably, or at least available in refillable or large sizes. After many attempts and failures, I’m ready to share my favorite recipes and an essential list of ingredients:

The essentials

Super Washing Soda (sodium carbonate) 
Baking Soda (sodium bicarbonate) 
Coarse Salt
Castile Bar Soap 
Castile Liquid Soap 
Lemon Juice 
Vinegar
Your Favorite Essential Oils 
 
Both Super Washing Soda and Baking Soda come in 3-4lb boxes, which can be purchased from stores like Lowes and Walmart or ordered online. There are bulk deals online for most of these ingredients as well. However, one must be careful about the packaging associated with online shipments. 
 
Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile Soap is available as a bulk refillable in most natural foods stores. I am a big fan of Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds; it is better for cleaning hard surfaces such as dishes. Luckily, our own fabulous, local French Broad Food Co-op sells this as a bulk refillable. It also makes a great all-purpose spray and mop solution. My other recommendations for all-natural household cleaners include your favorite combination of vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and baking soda as well as the dish liquid below.
Without further ado, here are my favorite tried-and-tested recipes:

Dish Liquid:
1 Tbsp Salt kosher or table
2 cups hot water
⅔ cup liquid Castile soap or Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds
1 Tbsp washing soda
⅛ tsp tea tree oil, lavender, or citrus essential oil
 
In a small pot heat a few Tbsp water and salt until dissolved. Pour into a separate container. Combine the washing soda and 2 cups of water to the pot and heat until dissolved. Add the sal suds and essential oil to the pot and pour into the jar or dispenser. Add saltwater mixture and shake. It will foam and thicken (you can add more for thicker soap).
Dishwasher soap cubes:
1 cup washing soda
1 cup Kosher salt
1 cup baking soda
¾ cup lemon juice
 
Measure all dry ingredients into a bowl and stir to combine. Then add the lemon juice. Let the ingredients foam for a minute. Mix all together and press into molds that will fit in your dishwasher. Peanut butter cup molds and ice cube trays work well. Allow tablets to harden completely overnight. 
Laundry detergent: 
1 bar Castille soap, 
1 cup washing soda, 
1 cup baking soda, 
1 cup Kosher salt. 
 
Grate Castille soap in a food processor, then add in the other ingredients. Make sure to cover the top, so you don’t inhale the particulate. A ¼  cup scoop is perfect for a top loader machine.

Follow this link for a video tutorial where I demonstrate making some of these recipes in my own home!
Please share your favorite DIY recipes, I would love to hear about your successes!






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​Krista Stearns is a longtime member of the West Asheville business community as well as a passionate environmentalist grateful for the privilege of helping to coordinate the GreenWorks Plastic Reduction Task Force.

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