All-Natural Soft Cleanser | Fabulous Farm Girl

Over the last year I have replaced every cleaning product in my house with all-natural homemade versions. From a cleaning standpoint we were toxin-free and I was more than just a little bit proud. But deep down I was a little bit ashamed too because I had a one dirty little cleaning secret. Comet. I just couldn’t give it up. I only use it for sinks but do you know what the most germ-filled place in your house is? Yup, the kitchen sink. Comet cleanser seemed to work so well on my nasty kitchen sink that I just kept using it. Then I read a recent air pollution study done on over 20 well known cleaners conducted by the EWG. Among those tested, Comet Disinfectant Powder Cleanser was highlighted as producing 146 air contaminants when used as directed–more than any other product tested. Okay, I give!

As it turns out, a replacement for Comet was right in my cupboard. I can’t make the dry powder (I don’t think) so I went for the liquid version. I saw some homemade recipes that included bleach but that’s a toxic chemical plus it can ruin your clothes so, no thanks. I saw some that used vinegar but vinegar and baking soda neutralize each other and vinegar unsaponifies castille soap so, no vinegar. I used the following four ingredients and here’s why:

Baking Soda—for scrubbing
Castille Soap—for cleaning
Hydrogen Peroxide—for whitening and brightening
Lemon Essential Oil—cleanses and purifies the air and surfaces
Melaleuca Essential Oil—helps purify and freshen the air and surfaces.

All you have to do is stick the ingredients in a bowl and mix it up. You can add a little more or less water depending on how thick you like it. The tricky part is getting it in the container. You could use a mason jar and just scoop it out but I like the ease of a squeeze bottle. I bought one of those picnic condiment bottles for a buck at my local grocery store but it is a little small. An empty ketchup bottle would work great but I didn’t have any. Just look around and see what you have. The soft scrub will be runny at first and then start to thicken up so put it into your container right away using a funnel. Make sure there is extra room in your container as the mixture will expand some.

This was what my bathroom sink looked like after 2 months (or more?) of not cleaning it. Okay people, stop judging me! Seriously though, I didn’t clean it on purpose because I knew that when I finally came up with a recipe for Soft Cleanser I would need a nasty, filthy sink to test it on. I sacrificed myself (and my sink) so no one else would have to look at it. My husband got on board after about a month and let his sink go uncleaned as well but it wasn’t as impressive as mine.

When I have used Comet on the sinks I always use a scrub brush and they clean up super fast. But I wanted a real test of the product so I only used a regular sponge and just cleaned half the sink. It took a little longer than usual and a little more rubbing but how many of your sinks have 2 (okay, 3) months worth of make-up, hair products, toothpaste and who knows what else stuck to them. It took it all off, no problem. Big smile!

It was hard to just clean half the sink but I wanted to show you the dramatic difference. After seeing the difference I was totally grossed out. I can’t believe I lived with a sink that nasty for so long all in the name of science! Notice the drain plug in this picture. I didn’t clean it until I cleaned the whole sink and I had forgotten what color it actually was.

Whew, that’s better. I was so thrilled with how great my homemade Soft Cleanser worked that I even cleaned my husband’s sink. And then every sink in the house. I think that the best part (other than zero air contaminants compared to 146) is that this homemade Soft Cleanser smells great! Oh, and did you see the drain plug? Nice!

Of all the cleaners I’ve made this soft cleanser might have given me the biggest thrill upon use. Seriously, did you see that sink? It could also be that Comet was my last hold-out and now that I’ve replaced it my cleaning cabinet is truly toxin and chemical free. Yay!

All-Natural Soft Cleanser
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup castille soap
1/4 cup water
2 tsp. Hydrogen Peroxide
10 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops melaleuca essential oil

In a medium bowl place all ingredients and stir until smooth. Pour into a container with a lid or a squeeze bottle with enough room for a little expansion. Shake well before use.

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