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Homemade non bleach alternative offers an eco-friendly and safe option for cleaning, particularly for those sensitive to harsh chemicals or seeking to minimize their environmental footprint. Typically composed of natural ingredients they disinfect surfaces, remove stains, and eliminate odors without the use of chlorine bleach.
Not only are they effective in sanitizing and deodorizing various household areas, but they also serve as a cost-efficient alternative to commercial cleaning products.
Whether it’s sprucing up countertops, freshening laundry, or scrubbing bathroom fixtures, homemade non-bleach alternatives provide a versatile and sustainable approach to maintaining a clean and healthy home environment.
❤️ Why You’ll Love Non Bleach Alternative
Bleach is so hard to say “NO” to especially as we have been trained to think that smell means clean!
Here’s some studies to consider that really made me stop and think: In 2015, researchers found that kids whose parents used bleach to clean the house were more likely to have infections, especially the flu and tonsillitis. And the results were controlled for factors like secondhand smoke, mold, and bleach use in schools.
Another study conducted at the University of Leuven in Belgium – which included 9,000 children – concluded that: “passive exposure to cleaning bleach in the home may have adverse effects on school-age children’s health by increasing the risk of respiratory and other infections. The high frequency of use of disinfecting irritant cleaning products may be of public health concern, also when exposure occurs during childhood”.
🧽 Ingredients for Non Bleach Alternative
Washing soda, also known as sodium carbonate, soda ash, or soda crystals, is a chemical compound with the formula Na2CO3. It is a highly alkaline substance, and it is primarily used as a laundry booster and household cleaner.
Here are some key characteristics of washing soda:
- Alkalinity: Washing soda is highly alkaline, with a pH level of around 11. This alkalinity makes it effective for cutting through grease, stains, and grime.
- Water Softener: It has water softening properties, meaning it can help to remove mineral deposits and improve the effectiveness of laundry detergents, especially in hard water areas.
- Solubility: Washing soda is soluble in water, allowing it to dissolve and distribute evenly in solutions.
🧼 How to Do
- Make sure the water that you use is hot but not boiling.
- Washing soda is a key ingredient in this solution as it helps to boost the cleaning power. Be sure to stir the mixture well to ensure the washing soda is dissolved completely.
- Hydrogen peroxide is a natural disinfectant and stain remover, making it an excellent addition to your cleaning solution.
Watch for more about my non bleach alternative on Instagram!
🪄 Tips and Tricks for Non Bleach Alternative
Adjust Consistency: If necessary, add additional room temperature water to adjust the consistency of the solution. You want it to be thin enough to pour easily but still effective for cleaning.
🗒 Variations
- Citrus Infusion: Instead of lemon essential oil, you can use orange, grapefruit, or lime essential oil for a different citrus scent and additional cleaning properties. Citrus oils have natural degreasing and antibacterial properties, making them effective for cutting through grease and grime on surfaces.
- Herbal Infusion: Experiment with other essential oils known for their cleaning properties, such as tea tree oil, lavender oil, or eucalyptus oil. Tea tree oil is a powerful natural disinfectant, lavender oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties, and eucalyptus oil has a fresh scent and is effective against mold and mildew.
- Essential Oil Blend: Combine multiple essential oils for a custom scent blend and enhanced cleaning properties. For example, mix lemon, tea tree, and lavender essential oils for a refreshing and powerful cleaning solution.
- Aloe Vera Addition: Incorporate ¼ cup of aloe vera gel into the mixture for added moisturizing and antibacterial properties. Aloe vera is gentle on the skin and can help to soothe irritation while still providing effective cleaning power.
🗒 Substitutions
If you don’t have washing soda on hand or prefer not to use it, you can substitute it with other ingredients in your homemade non-bleach alternative. Here are a few alternatives you can try:
- Baking Soda (Sodium Bicarbonate): Baking soda is a common household ingredient that can serve as a substitute for washing soda. While it’s not as strong as washing soda, it still has cleaning and deodorizing properties. Use the same amount of baking soda as you would washing soda in your recipe.
- Castile Soap: Castile soap is a gentle and natural soap made from vegetable oils, such as olive oil or coconut oil. While it won’t provide the same alkalinity as washing soda, it can still help to clean and disinfect surfaces. You can add a small amount of liquid castile soap to your recipe to enhance its cleaning power.
- Dish Soap: Liquid dish soap can also be used as a substitute for washing soda in your homemade cleaning solution. It contains surfactants that help to break down grease and grime on surfaces. Add a small amount of dish soap to your recipe to help with cleaning.
- Vinegar: White vinegar is a versatile ingredient that can be used for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. While it won’t replace the alkalinity of washing soda, it can help to dissolve mineral deposits and sanitize surfaces. Consider adding vinegar to your recipe as a substitute for washing soda or using it in combination with other ingredients.
🫙 How to Store
Your homemade non-bleach alternative is now ready to use! You can store any leftover solution in a sealed container for future use or use it immediately for cleaning various surfaces, such as countertops, floors, or even laundry.
🤔 Common Questions
Yes, this homemade alternative can effectively clean tough stains and eliminate odors. Ingredients like washing soda, hydrogen peroxide, and essential oils have powerful cleaning properties that can break down stains and neutralize odors without the harshness of bleach.
The homemade solution can last for several weeks when stored in a sealed container in a cool, dark place. However, its effectiveness may diminish over time. It’s best to make smaller batches as needed for optimal cleaning performance.
Yes, there are environmental benefits to using homemade alternatives. By using natural ingredients and reducing reliance on commercial cleaning products, you’re minimizing your environmental footprint and reducing exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
Yes, this homemade alternative is generally safe for pets and children when used as directed. However, it’s essential to keep cleaning solutions out of reach of children and pets and to avoid using ingredients that may be toxic to them. Always follow safety guidelines and precautions.
Non Bleach Alternative
Ingredients
- 4 cups hot water, plus additional room temperature water
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1-2 cups 3% hydrogen peroxide, or 1 cup Pure Sodium Percarbonate
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
- 3-5 gallon bucket or washing machine
Instructions
- Prepare the Hot Water: Heat 4 cups of water until it’s hot but not boiling. You can use a kettle or microwave for this step.
- Mix Washing Soda: In a 3-5 gallon bucket or washing machine, add 1 cup of washing soda. Washing soda, also known as sodium carbonate, is a key ingredient in this solution as it helps to boost the cleaning power.
- Add Hot Water: Pour the 4 cups of hot water into the bucket or washing machine with the washing soda. Stir the mixture well to ensure the washing soda is dissolved completely.
- Incorporate Hydrogen Peroxide: Next, add 1-2 cups of 3% hydrogen peroxide to the mixture. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural disinfectant and stain remover, making it an excellent addition to your cleaning solution. Alternatively, you can use 1 cup of Pure Sodium Percarbonate, which is powdered hydrogen peroxide bonded with washing soda, for an extra cleaning boost.
- Add Lemon Essential Oil: To enhance the scent and add additional cleaning properties, add 10 drops of lemon essential oil to the mixture. Lemon essential oil has antibacterial and antiviral properties, making it a great choice for cleaning solutions.
- Mix Thoroughly: Stir the mixture well to ensure all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Adjust Consistency: If necessary, add additional room temperature water to adjust the consistency of the solution. You want it to be thin enough to pour easily but still effective for cleaning.
- Store or Use: Your homemade non-bleach alternative is now ready to use! You can store any leftover solution in a sealed container for future use or use it immediately for cleaning various surfaces, such as countertops, floors, or even laundry.
