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Summer is here!  Birds are chirping, gardens are growing and you’re ready to enjoy the sun!  Hopefully you already have your spring cleaning out of the way so you can focus on fun.  If you procrastinated, or are just looking for a way to maintain your clean house in an eco-friendly way, why not try making your own cleaning products?  It’s easy and you’ll produce less waste.  Homemade cleaning supplies are also less harmful to you, your family and your pets.  Here are some easy recipes for green cleaning products that you can try at home (via Underwriters Laboratories):

• Glass Cleaner – mix two teaspoons white vinegar and one quart warm water in a bowl.  Stir.  Used crumpled newspaper to wipe a window or mirror clean.  Hint: To avoid streaks, don’t clean windows if the sun is on them or if they’re warm.
• All Purpose Cleaner – combine one teaspoon borax (a common household cleaner) or baking soda, two tablespoons white vinegar and ¼ teaspoon liquid soap in a non-aerosol spray bottle.  Add two cups hot water and shake gently until the ingredients are dissolved.  Spray onto surface and wipe with a damp sponge or cloth.
• Toilet Cleaner – Mix ¼ cup baking soda and one cup vinegar.  Pour the mixture into the toilet bowl and let it sit for a few minutes.  Scrub with a brush and rinse.  You can also try a mixture of two parts borax and one part lemon juice.
• Grout Cleaner – Sprinkle baking soda on damp grout and scrub with a stiff toothbrush.  Let it sit for about five minutes.  Boil a pot of water and, if you’re cleaning an area with a drain, pour it over the baking soda to rinse it away.  Otherwise, dip a rag in hot water and wipe it clean.  Tip: wear gloves to keep from burning your hands.
• Surface Cleaner – Mix two teaspoons borax, four tablespoons vinegar and three cups hot water in a bowl.  Apply by using a non-aerosol spray bottle or use a dampened cloth.
• Oven Cleaner – Sprinkle a generous amount of water on the floor of the oven.  Cover with baking soda until the surface is virtually white.  Sprinkle more water on top and let the mixture sit overnight.  Wipe away most of the grease, then use a little liquid soap on a sponge to wash away the remaining residue.

Going green is also a great way to save money.  The prices of household cleaners, especially the eco-friendly versions, tend to be expensive.  Many people choose to make their own supplies for economic reasons as well as green ones.  Summer can be a great time to get your house, as well as your finances, in order.   A home refinance may be in the cards for you this year as well.  Mortgage rates remain near historic lows, but they won’t be this low forever.  After the house is clean, you might want to contact a Home Loan Expert to see how much money you can save.  Saving green is almost as good as going green!

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