What is Borax? Where can I buy it?

Borax is a powder or crystalline salt used as a water softener and disinfectant. It also makes an excellent freshener when added to laundry and is an all-around deodorizer. You can find borax in most grocery or discount stores.

Where can I find soap flakes?

You can buy a box of soap flakes at a natural food store or online, but if you’re feeling particularly motivated, you can make your own! Use any non-liquid castile soap that does not contain sodium lauryl (laureth) sulfate (SLS) or Diethanolamine (DEA), and simply grate it with a cheese grater.

What is washing soda? Where can I buy it?

Washing soda (sodium carbonate) is in the same family as baking soda but it is much more caustic (it has a pH of 11), so you should wear gloves when mixing it to avoid irritating your skin. Washing soda cuts grease, removes wax or lipstick and neutralizes odors in the same way that baking soda does. Don’t use washing soda on delicate items like silks, woolens or vinyls. It is found in the laundry section of most supermarkets.  You can also call Arm and Hammer's toll-free number 1-800-524-1328 and a representative can tell you where it's sold near you.

Is vegetable glycerin necessary?

Vegetable glycerin is used as a preservative and is a by-product of palm and coconut oil production. You can buy vegetable glycerin online or find it in soap-making supply stores, health food and/or herbal supplement stores. Essential oils may be substituted as an alternative preservative, but if you plan to make a large batch of cleaner and save some for later use, vegetable glycerin will significantly increase the shelf life of your product.

How do I dispose of my leftover conventional cleaners?

The best thing to do is to use up what you have left of your conventional cleaners. If you suspect you have sensitivities to these products, you may want to stop using them. But, don’t flush them down the drain or put them in the trash. If you’d prefer to remove them from your house, contact your local health department or waste disposal service and ask how you can safely dispose of them in your area. Some cleaners are considered “household hazardous waste” and must be disposed of properly.

What are essential oils? Do I have to use them in these recipes?

Essential oils are liquids formed from the distillation of the leaves, stems or flowers of a plant. They are very concentrated liquids, so a little (even just a few drops) goes a long way. Essential oils are purely optional in our recipes. Some people use them to add an attractive scent to the product; in addition they have anti-bacterial properties and can be used as a preservative. They are commonly available in health food stores, and are sold online. You may want to look for ecologically harvested essential oils.

WARNING: It should be noted that some people can be highly sensitive to essential oils, leading to symptoms such as headaches, asthma exacerbation or other health effects. If you, your family members, or other guests to your home may be affected by essential oils, simply leave them out of the recipes. This will not impact your cleaner’s effectiveness.

Can I use the scrub and the all-purpose cleanser on all surfaces such as tile, marble, masonite, wood, etc?

You can use this product safely on tile, glass, stone, wood, linoleum, stainless steel and most floor and counter top surfaces. It is not recommended for marble surfaces, however, as the acidic nature of the vinegar could eat away at the surface. If you are unsure of how it will affect the surface you want to clean, simply test the product on a small area first, let it dry and observe the results before cleaning the rest of the surface.

My spray bottle doesn’t work right. What should I do?

In our research testing these recipes, we found some spray bottles that just were not up to snuff, or stopped working well over time, Your best bet is to try spray bottles from a janitorial supply store, which are made for cleaning products. You can also reuse a spray bottle from an old product you have used up – but make sure it completely clean! Accidentally mixing in chemicals from old products can be dangerous.

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