Cleaning Without Chemicals

Keeping your home clean need not involve a lot of expensive eco-cleaning products. While there are a host of environmentally preferable cleaning products available at organic stores and supermarkets, many a cleaning trick can be used from the days of old. Have a look at our quick and easy DIY recipes on how to make cleaners from items in your pantry to use for cleaning everything from toilets to windows. If you are not up to making your own - check out local makers and retailers of eco-labelled options below.

DIY with items in your pantry

All purpose cleaner:

One part white vinegar, one part clear water, add some essential oils if you wish, like tea tree or eucalyptus, combine and shake.

Kitchen cleaner and deodorizer:

4 tablespoons baking soda, 1-quart warm water. To clean kitchen counters, appliances, and the inside of your refrigerator, and to be used to shine stainless steel sinks and appliances.

Cleaner for bath and toilet:

One cup vinegar, and half a cup baking soda. Mix with hot water, pour and allow to sit for five minutes before flushing or cleaning.

Glass cleaner:

Two cups water, half a cup white cider, and 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol (70%). Combine these ingredients and pour them into a spray bottle, use a paper towel or soft cloth to wipe.

Hand sanitiser:

While we know that washing your hands with soap is the best alternative to keep you safe, the following is a simple and quick way to make your own hand sanitiser.

3 parts isopropyl alcohol or ethanol (90%), 1 part aloe vera gel. Mix all ingredients. If you have an aloe vera plant at home, stripping the leaves and mashing the gel is your best bet. Add essential oils, like tea tree or lavender, to mask the alcohol smell. 

Cleaning products

Local natural cleaning product suppliers:

  • Be Natural Soaps - New Plymouth. Handmade organic soaps.

  • Bin Inn Waitara - Waitara. Stocks a range of cleaning products in bulk containers which you can fill into your own bottles/containers.

  • Down to Earth - New Plymouth. Stocks bamboo scrubbing brushes and bars of Dr Bronner’s castille soap (which you can use as the base for homemade dishwashing/laundry liquid).

  • Kawakawa Kottage Krafts - Mokau. Soap, shampoo bars and balms. Collect there or mail order deliveries weekly. Contact 0221 396 775.

  • Shonagh Hopkirk - Inglewood. Sells bulk washing soda ash and baking soda, with recipe. Contact Shonagh 021 255 6390.

  • Tempt - New Plymouth. Sells cotton dishcloths.

  • Your Home Naturally NZ - Homemade cleaning products that don’t cost the earth. Made by Michelle in Inglewood.

  • Watts Good Creations - Hāwera. Sells materials for making your own low toxic cleaning products as well as her own locally made cleaning products.

Local Cleaning Companies

Echo Cleaning Company - New Plymouth and Coastal Taranaki. Chloe started a cleaning company that avoids the use of nasty chemicals. They invest in high-quality ethical equipment that lasts the distance and generates minimal rubbish in landfills.

If you know of other stockists/retailers/suppliers/services or all round fantastic sustainable sources please let us know so that we can include them.