Homemade cleaning spray — TRINE KRISTIANSEN

I aim for a toxic free home, and try to switch out the both expensive and chemical loaded products you can buy at the store, with clean and natural ones. Commercial cleaners are filled with toxic and polluting substances, and the producers even try to trick you into believing that you need different products for every room and situation, while they basically use the same ingredients in all their products, just with a different name tag.

These chemical-based products are harmful, and we should really worry about the long-term health concerns, together with the environmental pollution caused by their manufacture, use and disposal. In the US, for example, one in three people suffer from allergies, asthma, sinusitis, or bronchitis. Many of the chemicals used in cleaning products are allergy and asthma triggers, even in healthy individuals.

By creating safe and effective home-cleaning formulas you will limit your exposure to harmful toxins as well as creating a more healthy home environment.

Vinegar is pretty much all you need. That stuff works everywhere, from counters and floors to sinks and toilets. It’s pretty awesome on walls and windows, too. The natural acid is tough on bacteria and viruses. If you find the smell of vinegar a bit strong and funky in the beginning, don't worry, you'll get used to it. I add in essential oils, herbs or other spices, because not only do they add a lovely scent but they also up the cleaning power. Some ingredients that smell good and also have strong antibacterial and anti fungal properties are peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender, orange, thyme, cinnamon, rosemary and clove.

Ingredients

Herbs or spices, I use both fresh and dried. (Orange peels, lemon peels, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, lavender, thyme, rosemary, sage, etc) or 10 drops of essential oils

2 dl white vinegar (7%)

2 dl water

Spray bottle

Instructions

1. Add in a handful of your herbs or spices in a glass jar.

2. Pour in the vinegar and close the lid tightly. Shake the jar a bit to start saturating the ingredients.

3. Let the ingredients infuse in the vinegar for 7-14 days in a sunny place.

4. Strain out the dry ingredients and use the vinegar to make an all-purpose cleaner together with water, using a 50/50 blend.

5. If you rather want the 2 minutes solution, simply add in 10 drops of your favorite essential oil together with water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.