Green cleaning: D-I-Y natural cleaners that actually work

cleaning

Karen B. Gibbs TODAY contributor

April 24, 2014 at 8:42 AM ET

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Would you prefer to have household cleaners with ingredients that you can actually pronounce? From laundry detergent to an oven degreaser, we rounded up D-I-Y green-cleaning recipes that promise to tackle the toughest messes. Theyre easy to make, easy on the wallet and, best of all, easy on Mother Earth.

All-purpose cleaner and wipes

Whether youre cleaning a messy tabletop or sticky hands, Leslie Reichert, cleaning expert and author of "The Joy of Green Cleaning," suggests using a microfiber cloth and this D-I-Y cleaning solution: Mix one cup of 3-percent hydrogen peroxide, one cup of white vinegar, half a cup of lemon juice and eight drops of tea tree oil. Make wipes for on-the-go spills by soaking paper towels in the mixture and storing them in a Ziploc bag.

Cleaning scrub

To make your own all-natural cleaning scrub, try this simple scrubbing paste recipe from Kris Koenig, founder of Natura Clean, a Wisconsin-based eco-friendly cleaning company. Mix a half cup of baking soda with liquid castile soap until its the consistency of frosting. Scrub whatever surface needs cleaning, then rinse with water.

Laundry detergent

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Green cleaning: D-I-Y natural cleaners that actually work