Last week was quite eventful at our house with five separate spills happening in just one day. We had a quart-sized jar of homemade elderberry syrup shatter, tomato sauce splatter onto a wall, and mashed sweet potatoes smeared all over our Berkey filter. It’s safe to say our home doesn’t stay clean for long, and this week was no different. Thankfully, natural cleaning products saved the day, or I might have needed a glass of wine by afternoon.
I’ve switched completely to making my own cleaning products, which is great because it’s cheaper and keeps hundreds of chemicals out of our home. I absolutely love this homemade all-purpose cleaner I’ve been using. Although there’s some debate about the use of Borax, especially around eating areas, I still believe it’s a safe choice compared to most conventional cleaners. However, I wanted a cleaning spray that’s truly safe enough to drink.
My 18-month-old loves to “help” clean, and with this spray, I feel comfortable letting her pitch in. I usually spray a bit on a microfiber or huck towel and let her wipe down the cabinets. The ingredients are totally safe and even edible, depending on who you ask. I use filtered water, non-GMO white vinegar, and food-grade lemon and basil essential oils, which are generally safe for consumption when diluted.
When using essential oils, it’s best to use a glass bottle because some oils can break down plastic, causing it to leach chemicals into the spray. I use a glass bottle like the one in the picture, but I’ve also repurposed an old vinegar bottle with a spray top.
You can adjust the essential oils according to your preference—add more, use less, or leave them out entirely. The vinegar smell will fade once the spray dries, leaving just a hint of lemon and basil behind.
What do you use for cleaning? Do you let your kids help out?
