Dirt cheap and easy: Green Cleaners

I just finished a batch of home made cleaners. Alice's Wonder Spray is commonly known. I find that this recipe really can take care of most every day wipe-ups. Further it is cheap, pennies a bottle. Making your own cleaner is another small way to take control of your sustainability. Proctor & Gamble just is not always needed.

This type of mix-your-own cleaner is quite easily mixed up by kids. My 8 year old is our chief-cleaner-maker. The Mighty Midway 4H group made Alice's Wonder Spry as a event in Midway neighborhood. I once even helped a whole preschool make some -with lots of helpers (The Mississippi Watershed Management Organization MWMO sponsored these events). Having different scents available makes the mixing task fun! Lemon, and cedar are very nice.

MWMO wants to folks to try Wonder Spray because its safer for us and safer for our surface waters (i.e. the Mississippi River). Plus, it works!

Here is the basic Wonder Spray recipe:

Ingredients

2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon borax
1 1/2 cups very warm water
1T liquid dish soap
3-15 drops essential oils (optional)

Directions

Fill bottle with the warm water. Add the the vinegar and borax in a 16oz spray bottle,
and shake to dissolve the vinegar and borax. Add soap LAST and then scent with essential oil if desired.