DIY products for a greener, cleaner spring

It's time to bust out the buckets and brushes to do the annual spring cleaning.

Call me crazy, but I always look forward to this ritual. What's decidedly unsatisfying about doing dirty jobs is using an arsenal of pricey, nasty-smelling chemicals to make everything sparkle and shine. Consumers spend hundreds of dollars each year on specialized cleaning products that promise to make cleaning jobs easy. The problem is, nobody's figured out how to bottle elbow grease, which is the active ingredient in getting things clean.

Many products we use on a daily basis are downright harmful, not only to humans and animals, but to Mother Earth. They pollute our oceans and threaten our drinking water. The nonprofit Environmental Working Group rates the safety of 2,500 products at EWG.org/guides/cleaners. Some products get A ratings, but plenty score big, fat Fs.

I've started mixing up homemade brews to bust dirt and grime in every room of the house. Move over, Mr. Clean! Mrs. Cheap is on the job, armed with DIY recipes that are not only nontoxic, but cost pennies to make and work just as well as expensive products. Ask your grandma.

Stock up on white vinegar, ammonia, baking soda, bleach, isopropyl alcohol, Castile soap (I love Dr. Bronner's) and a bottle of your favorite essential oil, which will make formulas smell nice. And never underestimate the power of plain soap and hot water.

For safety sake, when making your own products, always clearly label bottles with lists of ingredients and keep them out of reach of children. Test formulas on inconspicuous areas first to make sure they won't damage finishes. Never mix bleach with ammonia or other cleaning products as dangerous, toxic fumes will result.

Now, grab a clean spray bottle and a measuring cup. I promise you'll never buy Windex again.

Tile floor cleaner: Mix a ½ cup white vinegar with 1 gallon warm water in a bucket, and mop away. This not only cleans ceramic floors well, but it disinfects, too. For wood, check with the manufacturer for recommendations. Tip: Add a few drops of essential oil, and the whole house will smell terrific.

Oven-rack cleaner: Use this trick to get stained, dingy racks shining like new. Fill the bathtub with very hot water and add ½ cup automatic dishwasher cleaner. Line the tub with a towel to protect the finish, add the racks, and soak for a several hours, or even overnight. With a little scrubbing, baked-on gunk comes off like magic.

Furniture polish: Mix ¼ cup vinegar and ¾ cup olive oil (use the cheap stuff) in spray bottle, and use sparingly to polish wood with a microfiber cloth.

Granite counter cleaner: Mix 2 cups water, ¼ cup isopropyl alcohol, 5 drops essential oil, a few drops of dish-washing liquid or Castile soap in a spray bottle. Spray liberally on countertops, wipe and buff dry with a microfiber cloth.

Toilet bowl cleaner: Sprinkle equal parts vinegar and baking soda into the bowl, and let the bubbles do the work. Scrub and flush. This dynamic duo also cleans and deodorizes drains, too.