There is no better time to rid your home of harmful cleaning products, and replace them with your very own! Not only will they be much safer to use; they are more affordable, extremely versatile, and eco-friendly. Here are eight of Evergreen Cleaning Company's favorite ingredients.

Baking Soda: An amazing non-toxic, food-grade ingredient. Well known for its deodorizing properties, it also handles dirt and grease almost effortlessly. Baking Soda can be used to clean almost anything! It is included in most DIY Cleaning Recipes, and for good reason.  I mean, what could be safer than a cleaning product that is also edible?

Borax: Also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate is a naturally found mineral that has a wide variety of uses. Borax is listed as a non-lethal compound with no hazardous concerns. Although unlike Baking Soda, it should not be consumed. Be cautious, and store in a safe place away from children.  It works great as a disinfectant, laundry booster, or to kill mold and mildew. 

White Vinegar: Also known as acetic acid, it's a great disinfectant and deodorizer. This is one of my favorite ingredients. From counter tops, floors, or even windows and mirrors; Vinegar will leave them clean and shiny. The strong odor is the only downside. Although, the smell will only last about 30 minutes, and can easily be covered up by adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil.

Liquid Castile Soap: A natural, vegetable-based soap that is a gentle yet effective cleaner. Can be added to your homemade cleaners to give them a little extra cleaning power, or used with hot water all by itself. Dr.Bronner's Pure Castile Liquid Soaps are my favorite. They have a wide variety of scents and sizes to choose from.

Washing Soda: Is a highly alkaline chemical compound that can be used to remove stubborn stains from laundry, as well as numerous uses around the house. It is great for removing mineral deposits, such as hard water spots on shower doors. You should wear gloves when cleaning with Washing Soda because it can cause minor skin irritation.

Soap Granules: Are bits of soap that cut grease and lift dirt. Look for brands that are biodegradable, petroleum-free, without added fragrance, and not tested on animals. Great for creating your own laundry detergent.

Olive Oil: Most of you know olive oil as a healthy cooking oil, but it also works great as a cleaning ingredient and polish. Lifts dirt, and leaves a nice shine on most surfaces. 

Essential Oils: Naturally occurring plant compounds that also make great scent additions to your homemade cleaners. Some oils also have cleansing, disinfectant properties, which make them the perfect final ingredient for your green cleaning arsenal! Some of my favorites are Lavender, Lemon, Melaleuca, Eucalyptus, and Wild Orange. Although essential oils are generally considered safe, they may trigger allergies. So keep this in mind when choosing which scents you want to include in your cleaners. 

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What are your favorite uses for the ingredients listed above? Leave a comment below!