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vegan green cleaning book

vegan green cleaning book

Started by Jenn on May 17, 2011

8 Comments

Jenn said #1 May 17, 2011 at 6:10pm

Is anyone aware of a book that has recipes for homemade cleaners that are vegan? I've been looking on amazon.com and I see some books that look interesting with the cleaners and beauty products, but some of the recipes aren't vegan...

any recommendations?

Hazel said #2 May 17, 2011 at 8:56pm

What type of cleaners - are you just talking regular old bathroom/kitchen cleaners? I tend to just find ideas online or in general 'green' books. For cleaning - counters, sinks, bathtub, floors - I use baking soda, vinegar, Dr. Bronner's. I use jojoba oil to moisturize my face, and I wash my face with either just warm water and a washcloth, or a vegan face wash made by Desert Essence. I use Biokleen to wash my laundry. The stuff I use is really pretty minimal.

I don't know that there is a vegan green cleaning book, but it seems like household cleaners would all be vegan, just maybe not beauty products. You might be better off just searching online for specific things you are looking for, rather than looking for a book. You can find plenty about scrubs for the bathroom/kitchen, facial soaps and moisturizers, even making your own deodorant and toothpaste.

Starflower said #3 May 18, 2011 at 4:12pm

Try Organic Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck. Not a whole lot of recipes - most of the stuff is pretty basic - 1-2 ingredients, but suggestions for cleaning different parts of the house and different types of problems (soapscum, etc.). Its been a while since I read it, but pretty sure most suggestions were vegan.

Jenn said #4 May 20, 2011 at 1:00pm

Thanks for the suggestions. I will check them out!

Sara said #5 May 21, 2011 at 11:42am

There are good books out there, but you don't really need one. Just make a folder or notebook with recipes/ideas you find online.

I've started making my own cleaning products. Here is the list of stuff I use:

Borax: for general cleaning or as a laundry additive (if you use a store-bought natural detergent); you can also make your own laundry detergent (here is a good site: http://www.greenhome.com/info/magazine/001/soitriedit.html )

washing soda: all-purpose cleaning, laundry additive

baking soda: I probably use this more than anything. Instead of comet or harsh cleansers, I use baking soda on a damp scrubby sponge (I love the ScotchBrite natural fiber scour pads); I've yet to find a bathroom or kitchen surface that can't be cleaned this way

vinegar: next to baking soda, I use this most; good for mopping, deodorizing, drain cleaning, etc. Here is a website that has a bazillion things you can use vinegar for: http://www.rd.com/home/150-household-uses-for-vinegar/

denture-cleaning brush: you can get one of these at the dollar store for cheap, and it is perfect for cleaning small spaces (I use one to clean the seals on my fridge and to clean around faucets and in cracks)

lemon juice: makes everything smell nice; I like to add it to my mop water

olive oil: 2 parts oil and 1 part lemon juice makes a great furniture polish

Jenn said #6 Jun 15, 2011 at 1:49pm

Thanks Sara! I will check out those websites. I just started using a toothbrush for cleaning and am very happy with the results. I'll have to look for the denture one... I assume it's smaller? I have a couple spots that the toothbrush is too big for...

Patricia Grodberg said #7 Jul 9, 2011 at 1:32pm

Great suggestions! I'm also looking for recipes/ideas for household cleaners. What do you use for the stovetop or counters? I'm trying to give my house an incredibly long over-due heavy duty cleaning. What do you use to disinfect (seals on the fridge, dishwasher, etc.)? We're actually tearing the whole thing out and remodeling after the heat of the summer is gone but for now, I'm dealing with mildew and just general "grossness".

Jenn said #8 Jul 10, 2011 at 4:50am

Hi Patricia - I did get the recommended book "Green Housekeeping" (I LOVE books). Anyway... the first chapter is intro and the second chapter is all about cleaning everything in the kitchen you could possibly imagine... Maybe you could find that at your local library... I'm only in the second chapter... it's a very big and thorough book but I LOVE it! I did skip ahead when I first got it and read the chapter on the bathroom so my bathroom is already degrossed and I LOVE it! It's my favorite room in the house now... who woulda thunk it? Anyway... I love the book and think it should be in everyone's home. But that's my opinion LOL

She gives lots of ideas for how to use baking soda, vinegar and even hydrogen peroxide in the kitchen chapter. The book is not vegan, (for example, she explains the safest way to handle meat) but so far, all of the cleaning recommendations are vegan.

I'm really looking forward to when I've gone through the entire book and house room by room and find everything completely clean and happy... pets included!

Which reminds me... I need to see if she says anything about carpet shampooers... I don't have a clue what to use for cleaning solution in there.

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