For Earth Day this year I visited my sister Kate’s third glass class in Hopewell, NJ.  We demonstrated how to make a simple, DIY Glass Cleaner and then all 40 of the sweet monsters made their own people- and planet-friendly concoction in a spray bottle.

They also designed their own individual labels and hang tags before bringing their bottles home.  Hopefully, their moms and dads are using the spray on a daily basis now.  (I wish I’d taken photos of the event but it was quite hectic so I didn’t get it together.  The kids were quite enthused about the whole happening.)

Here’s the easy to follow formula for eco friendly glass cleaner:

• One Cup warm water
• 1/2 Cup to 1 Cup Distilled White Vinegar*
• 20-50 drops essential oil.  We used Lemon essential oil.  You could also try lavender, orange citrus or sweet tangerine.

*You can adjust the amount of distilled white vinegar to suit your personal preference; its smell is as potent as its cleaning power.  To help minimize the lovely vinegar scent we added about 40 drops of essential oil to the bottle.  Before spraying on glass, be sure to shake the bottle so the oil isn’t left floating on top of the mix.

Why you should try it:   It’s probably the most effective, eco-friendly and least expensive Glass Cleaner available today.  It’s healthier — better for the air you breathe than conventional store-bought glass cleaners.  And you can stop purchasing plastic bottles that wind up in ever-mounting landfills.  Simply empty, clean and use one of the spray bottles you probably already have under one of your sinks.

Cost:

• One gallon of Distilled Vinegar ($2 – $2.99, depending on retail store)
• Essential Oil ($8.99; health food / Whole Foods market).
• These 2 ingredients will last you a very long time.
• I use a microfiber sponge which can be rinsed clean after each use.  I highly recommend breaking that paper towel habit.

If you give it a try, let me know how it goes.

If you really are pressed for time, here are a few suggestions for store-bought sprays.  The GoodGuide rates Method and Seventh Generation among their Top Two household cleaners.  I also love Better Life and Ecover.  For hard core grime, nothing beats Shaklee’s Scour Off Heavy Duty Paste, one container has lasted me three years. It’s really quite amazing.

Source: The Alternative Consumer

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