Clean green for less

Make your own simple homemade cleaning products that work just as well (and cost less) than even the eco-friendly store-bought versions. A couple easy recipes—one for a general household cleaner and one for a dishwasher detergent—from the www.myhealthygreenfamily.com blog.

Citrus-vinegar cleaner

Ingredients:

• citrus peels

• white vinegar

Fill a jar with citrus peels, cover with white vinegar, seal and let sit for two weeks. Remove peels, strain liquid. Store in jar and dilute 50/50 with water when transferring to spray bottle.

Dishwasher detergent

Ingredients:

• 1 cup baking soda

• 1/3 cup citric acid

• 1/3 cup coarse salt

• 10-15 drops citrus essential oil

Mix dry ingredients. Add oil, mix again. Use 1 tbsp. per load (2 tbsp. if extra dirty). To aid rinsing, add citrus-vinegar cleaner to rinse compartment.