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Retro Housewife Goes Green

A retro housewife in the modern world.

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Green Cleaning Essentials

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May 13, 2020 By Lisa Sharp 10 Comments

Want to change up your cleaning routine and make it better for you and the planet? These green cleaning products can help you get started. 

eco-friendly cleaning supplies on table

Conventional cleaning products are full of questionable ingredients. Making the switch to green cleaning products is not only better for our families, but it can also save us money. 

Many of the best green cleaning products are really affordable and you may already have them around the house. While the ingredients are very important we also want to try to reduce waste when possible. Many of these items help us do that as well.

If you have been reading this blog for a while you know that I have a love for the 1950s. While there are a lot of commercial cleaners available in the 1950s, many housewives still used more simple cleaners like hot soapy water which will clean most things.

So making the switch to these more eco-friendly cleaning options can also be a very vintage thing to do. I even have a whole post with green tips from 1950s housewives. 

To recap, green cleaning is better for you, better for the planet, often cheaper, and it even fits into a vintage lifestyle. Have I given you enough reasons to try it out yet? If so I have some of my essentials for you to help you get started.

Green Cleaning Essentials

eco-friendly cleaners on table

Castile Soap

Castile soap can be used just like you would any other soap. I use it as an all-purpose cleaner (good old hot soapy water), to hand-wash dishes, hand washing,  and pretty much everywhere in my home. It also makes a great cleaning scrub when mixed with baking soda!

My favorite castile soap is Dr. Bronner’s. You can find it just about anywhere; Whole Foods, natural food stores, Target, Walgreens, Amazon, and most places that sell soap.

Note: Don’t mix vinegar and Dr. Bronner’s.

Vinegar

I go through a few gallons of vinegar in most months. I use it to disinfect, deodorize, kill weeds, clean my toilets, clean my garbage disposal, as a fabric softener, and so much more. I keep some in a spray bottle at all times and usually, there is a gallon in my laundry room.

Note: Vinegar can damage stone surfaces because it is an acid. Also, vinegar is not approved to kill COVID-19. Be sure to use approved cleaners while disinfecting right now.

Baking soda

Baking soda is another great cheap cleaning ingredient. While you will see many cleaning recipes calling for it to be used with vinegar this is only good if you are clearing a clogged drain.

Vinegar and baking soda, when mixed, react and become carbonic acid, which then decomposes to water and carbon dioxide gas. They are great when used separately though. Baking soda is great for a gentle cleaning scrub and deodorizing. One way I love to use it is as a carpet freshener.

cleaning scrub, cloth, and lemon on table

Everclear

Everclear isn’t the best thing for drinking but it works really well for cleaning. Many are discovering it currently because it contains above 60% alcohol which is needed to disinfect for COVID-19. 

I use it to make a daily shower spray, fabric freshener, air freshener, and of course as a disinfectant. Just make sure if you are using alcohol for disinfecting that the finished product is above 60%. Most vodka is not 60% or above so it’s usually best to skip that if disinfecting is needed.

Cleaning Cloths

Paper towels get expensive and are not the best for the environment. There are many options when it comes to reusable options. I like using old t-shirts cut into rags but you can also buy cleaning cloths that look and work like paper towels called unpaper towels. You can also make your own unpaper towels. 

I also really like the microfiber cloths from Grove Collaborative. They are a great size and really good quality. They also have multiple colors so you can have one color per area you clean. I have one set in the kitchen and one for bathrooms. I love that it’s easy for me to know which goes where.

Concentrated Cleaners

You can make your own cleaners very easily but I know sometimes time is a very valuable resource and spending a bit more to have something done for you is helpful.

There are a lot of great natural brands out there like Mrs. Meyers, Seventh Generation, and Method but if your goal is to also reduce waste a concentrated cleaner can be a good option.

These are cleaners that come in a small container and then you add water to make the actual cleaner. There are a lot out there now but one really good natural option is the Grove Collaborative brand. They even sell beautiful glass bottles you can mix the cleaners in. 

If you haven’t tried Grove Collaborative yet you can get a free earth-friendly cleaning kit that comes with a 3-pack of their concentrates, a glass spray bottle, cleaning caddy, and walnut scrubber sponges, plus you get free shipping.

person cutting plants with earth-friendly cleaners nearby

Once you stock up on these items you will be good to go with your new green cleaning. It’s such a great step for helping the planet and our families.

More Green Cleaning Tips

  • 15 Eco-Friendly Cleaning Hacks
  • 10 Benefits of Line Drying
  • 5 Ways to Start a Paper-Free Kitchen

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Filed Under: Cleaning, Green Living, Homemaking

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Green Bean says

    May 4, 2015 at 11:07 am

    I had NO idea that you weren’t supposed to mix Dr. Bronners and vinegar. Some very useful info. Pinning.

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp says

      May 4, 2015 at 11:09 am

      It’s a common mistake. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Jessica H. says

    May 4, 2015 at 12:28 pm

    This is a great list of green cleaning essentials! I love keeping jugs of white vinegar in the house. One of my favorite bathtub cleaners is white vinegar, lemon juice and baking soda. Works like a charm!

    Reply
  3. Farrah says

    May 4, 2015 at 6:41 pm

    I’ve never personally used soap nuts, but I’ve heard good things about them! :]! We use a vinegar/water mixture to clean messes up at the cat shelter I volunteer at!

    Reply
  4. susan - ofeverymoment says

    May 13, 2015 at 1:00 pm

    I am curious about how you use vinegar as a fabric softener. Do you add it to the washing machine where you would usually add the liquid fabric softener? how much do you use – and does it leave an odor? Does it help disinfect as well? You have me wondering … and ready to try it ! Great post!

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp says

      May 16, 2015 at 4:51 pm

      You use it like you would use other fabric softener. And it doesn’t have any odor. In theory it would disinfect since it has disinfecting qualities.

      Reply
  5. Luke Shavak says

    May 20, 2015 at 12:32 am

    Hey Lisa. Great list of ‘green’ cleaning solutions. Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Lynn Wheaton says

    August 14, 2015 at 8:55 am

    Great! I didn’t know that you can use vodka as a cleaner ingredient! Very thoughtful of you! I it pretty logical that vodka is a great disinfectant! I love to experiment with different natural ingredients to create nice homemade cleaners! By the way did you know that used tea bags are also used for cleaning! I was extremely surprised when I read that! Thanks for the post! 🙂 I love it!

    Reply
  7. Kadie says

    May 17, 2020 at 10:00 pm

    I’ve wanted to switch to natural & green cleaning products for a while now but have just never done it, I don’t know why. I am really interested in the Grove Collaborative products though. I noticed they have a lot more than just cleaning supplies, which is great. This is post gives a great place to start with the switch, pinned it 🙂 My Nan used to use the essentials you’ve mentioned. I remember the smells in her place, anytime I smell vinegar or certain soaps it makes me think of her 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

    Kadie | A Story About A Girl & The Great Canadian Housewife

    Reply
    • Lisa Sharp says

      May 18, 2020 at 8:09 am

      Grove is a really great place to shop. I love their products. I’m glad you liked the list and be sure to let me know if you have any questions.

      Reply

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Welcome to my blog! My name is Lisa and I'm the Retro Housewife trying to live a greener life. I share my love of all things vintage, homemaking and green living here on the blog. To read more, click here.

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