I love green cleaning products. They’re environmentally friendly, practical and safe for my kids. Those benefits are all a huge bonus on my mom checklist. Plus, things such as vinegar and baking soda are insanely cheap! Here are a few of my favorites.

For Everyday Cleaning/Disinfecting:

White Vinegar Kitchen Cleaner

What You Need

2 cups white vinegar
2 cups water
Essential oil (optional)

I use this solution every day. It makes me feel great whether I’m mopping the kitchen floor, scrubbing the microwave or cleaning up around the sink. I especially love the touch of essential oils such as rosemary, lavender, eucalyptus, and tea tree. They make the cleaner smell wonderful and my hands never dry out like they used to with harsh cleaning chemicals.

For Grease:

Olive Oil, Vinegar and Baking Soda Cleanser

What You Need

1 cup distilled white vinegar
1/8 tsp liquid castile soap
1 tbs baking soda
3 cups warm water

Technically, this deep cleaner gets a lot of its cleaning power from something called pure castile soap, not the olive oil in your kitchen. Even though it’s green, castile soap packs quite a punch when it comes to dirt and grime. To boost its grease-cutting power, I add white vinegar and baking soda to the mix. This is everything you need for cleaning the inside of the oven, range hood, grill grate, kitchen backsplash and other greasy areas.

[insert page='Offer' display='content']

For Granite and Marble:

Pure Castile Soap Solution

What You Need

2 tablespoons of pure castile soap
1 gallon of distilled water

The one area you have to be careful with when you choose green cleaners is stone countertops. Granite and marble have a special protective layer that keeps them from scratching or staining, and acidic ingredients such as citrus or vinegar slowly eat away at this coating.

For Deep Cleaning:

Citrus DIY Kitchen Cleaner

What You Need

Peels from any citrus fruit (grapefruit, lemons, limes and oranges)
White vinegar
Large glass mason jars
Mesh sieve
Spray bottle

How To Make It

1
Save up your citrus peels and put them in the mason jar.
2
Add enough white vinegar to cover all of the peels completely. Seal the jar and let it sit for a week or two. The longer you leave it, the more powerful the cleaner will be.
3
Use the sieve to pour only the liquid into a separate mason jar or covered container. Get rid of the leftover peels.
4
Fill a plastic spray bottle halfway with this citrus liquid and the rest distilled water.
5
Use this mixture to clean any kitchen surface except marble or granite. For stubborn grime, use the citrus liquid directly without diluting with water.

The secret to major germ-fighting power actually lies in the peels, not the juice. What I love the most about this cleaner is the fresh scent you get with orange, lemon or grapefruit. It's so bright and cheery.

Don't forget: When life hands you lemons, make DIY kitchen disinfectant! Your entire kitchen will smell 100% clean afterwards and look amazing, and your hands will thank you.