Homemade cleaning products can be inexpensive and effective. The Optimist isn’t in business anymore, but their formulas are still great.
For the last decade, I’ve kept an ugly, industrial-looking spray bottle of diluted white vinegar under my sink. I use it mostly as a simple, non-toxic countertop spray that’s good for quick clean-ups during meal prep. While it’s been effective enough, both the look of the spray bottle and the unadulterated scent of vinegar leave something to be desired.
Enter The Optimist Co. Founded by Devin Donaldson after conventional cleaning products left her with a nasty asthma attack, they focus on simple, effective, non-toxic cleaning products that will help you keep your home spotless without compromising your health or the planet.
Devin sent me The Optimist Co.’s Make Your Own Cleaning Products Kit to try out a few weeks back. It comes with two amber-colored spray bottles with the cleaning formulas printed on the labels, a small bottle of castile soap and three small bottles of essential oils to make your custom scents.
Add some white vinegar and flat club soda* from your pantry to the mix and you have everything you need to build both an all-purpose spray (Time to Shine) and a glass and surface cleaner (Bright Side).
I made up both bottles the same day that the kit arrived. I followed the suggested recipes almost exactly, making only one change to the Bright Side. It suggests that you use plain white vinegar but instead, I used some of the lemon-infused vinegar I’d made during my Meyer lemon frenzy back in January (that’s what’s in the smaller measuring cup in the picture above). Bolstered with the enclosed lemon essential oil, every spray of that cleanser is an olfactory pleasure.
I’ve been using these sprays exclusively since they arrived and could not be more pleased with their effectiveness. I use them without worry around food, because I know that if a few droplets land on the contents of the fruit basket, no one will be harmed. Plus, they are far prettier than my old bottle of watered down vinegar.
*When we talked, I asked Devin what the flat club soda added to the mix and she said that it helps the cleaner wipe away streak-free, particularly on stainless steel appliances. So clever!
Disclosure: The Optimist Co. sent me the make your own kit at no cost to me for review and photography purposes. No additional payment has been made and all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
I was bothered by how many paper towels we were using so I purchased a few packages of the terry utility/shop towels sold at Costco. We use them for any task we might have used a paper towel for and then throw them in a basket we keep in the kitchen. Then when it is laundry time we throw them in the wash. When they get too stained to be used in the kitchen they are down graded to be used as shop towels (garage duty). It takes years and years for them to wear out completely.
In the last few years I’ve become so aware of the chemicals in my home and have switched to more natural cleaners but I’m still learning. A while back I bought a beautiful bouquet of eucalyptus and placed it in a vase in our hall powder room. When the sent faded, I bought a bottle of eucalyptus essential oil and when I clean I put a few drops on the dried bouquet. It fills the space with the scent, and adds a burst of freshness to the room after cleaning.
Cleaning tables with club soda is an excellent way to keep tables clean without nasty chemicals. Especially when people insist on eating directly off the surface!
I have switched to using Ivory dishwashing liquid for most cleaning jobs (windows, glass, etc.). I also use old t-shirts/recycled towels in all cleaning jobs. For oven cleaning I have switched to baking soda and vinegar. I use vinegar and water for as many things as I can and would love to make more of my own. With spring cleaning on my list this month this kit sounds perfect.
I have started making my own dishwasher detergent (1 cup borax, 1 cup washing soda, 1/2 cup kosher salt) and adding the citric acid right before I run the dishwasher. I have found that a) it keeps the whole container of detergent from getting hard and b) even using it in the pre-wash cup gets my glass incredibly sparkly.
I use a lot of vinegar in making my own cleaners and also use my hubby’s old, wore out socks for dusting, etc.
Thank you for this great giveaway opportunity
I made grapefruit peels in vinegar for cleaning with a microfiber cloth.
I, too, use a lot of vinegar but I also use a lot of baking soda and coarse salt for that extra grit to scrub tough pots and pans. I use vinegar and water and old newspapers to clean mirrors and glass. I would love to have a “nose-friendly” scent in my cleaning products that are environment friendly!
I use Method products, some homemade and microfiber cloths. Love the use of flat club soda!
I’m afraid I have a lot to learn about being more sustainable. I’ve learned a lot just reading the comments here! I do use old t-shirts and towels for cleaning and will try the lemon vinegar tip soon!
I’ve been making my own cleaning concoctions for a while now; baking soda and vinegar are the most prevalent ingredients. They make my stainless steel sink nice and shiny! I have also re-pursposed some cloth diapers as cleaning rags to use in place of paper towels. They are really absorbent and don’t leave behind a linty mess! Would love to try out this kit!
I have tried to replace my cleaning products with vinegar…
I wash my canning/yogurt draining flour sack towels in baking soda/vinegar in the washing machine with a double rinse. They are used for nothing else and are kept separate from other kitchen towels.
My motto has always been that saying “After the first four years the dirt doesn’t get any worse.” That’s only sustainable for a while. now it’s time to clean up with something non toxic.
I use lots of white vinegar. Also love to use essential oils. Have been making my own laundry soap for several years.
I use borox, Dr Bronner’s peppermint soap, vinegar, and essential oils. It’s healthy for my family and it makes the house smell great! Thanks for the giveaway.
I’ve been making my own laundry detergent for years. I love it!
We use microfiber cloths for everything and they are wonderful. I make quite a few of our cleaners but we are always looking for something else to try.
We use vinegars forr a good amount if out cleaning with reusable rags. In addition web are our own furniture polishes with beeswax from our bees.
I have been making my own laundry soap for years. I like the idea of more natural cleaners. Some commercial products are so strong that they make me cough. Ugh.
I love using vinegar and lemon juice to get rid of my mineral build-up in my bathroom.. also vinegar on my black granite to lessen the white residue from water as well…
I have been using vinegar and baking soda as cleaning agents for some time now. I also use washable cloth when possible rather than paper towels or napkins.
I also make cold process soap for personal hygiene and I make my own laundry soap.
I made homemade laundry soap yesterday.
I have been using ecloths for several years now to clean my windows, only water needed. Works great and the cloths can be washed up to 600 times. I also have a vinegar and water spray bottle I use all the time.
I use vinegar on my windows and make cold process soap for my family and anything that needs scrubbing gets baking soda. That kit looks just as easy and such cute bottles!
It might be a small thing, but I dilute Bronner’s soaps and put them in foamers. Makes soap last a very long time.
I use borax to scrub the tub and in the toilet along with a little squirt of castile soap. I use the vinegar spray too but would love to upgrade or tweak it. Thanks!
I make my own laundry detergent and stain remover. I use bottles of concentrated biokleen that I mix with water and vinegar to clean the rest of my house. Thanks for the opportunity to try these new cleaners,
I, too, recycle old bath towels to reduce the use of paper towels. Also, use a steamer with a wee bit of fresh lemon juice mixed in with the water, to refresh dry cleanable clothes. Works well, especially on sweaters, and cuts down on dry cleaning, which is both better for the environment and my clothes. Would love to try this kit.
I loved the Meyer lemon idea you shared, and made a container of the spray after curd making. It smells wonderful and cleans well.
I buy white vinegar by the gallon and put one in the kitchen pantry and one in the laundry room. Love vinegar and baking soda and lemon for natural cleaning! Getting down to the basics!
We are big vinegar users in this house. I really like the ability this kit gives to continue to make your own cleaners after your first batch is gone. Sad that I can’t win. 😉
Vinegar and baking soda for everything!
I have switched to using Seventh Generation products and vinegar. The Optimist kit would make a cute house warming gift!
I have been making my own cleaning products for the last couple of years, use my lemon vinegar for cleaning most all surfaces as well as my own laundry detergent (which not only does a great job of cleaning, saves throwing away containers, is great for the environment and also saves me a lot of money!). I have a batch of citrus enzyme cleaner on my counter now, just waiting for the time to elapse so I can start using that! Would love to have this kit, love the looks of the containers, sure beats my recycled Windex bottles!
I also developed asthma later in life and have had to ban cleaners and commercial scented products from my home. Microfiber clothes and my handheld steam cleaner are my cleaning options for everyday. No phthalates, bleach, or petrochemicals.
I’ve been using old t-shirts cut into rags instead of paper towels. They are (usually) all cotton and can be washed and reused.
I use microfiber cloths for almost everything, and cut up a few to use on my old swiffer, instead of the disposables
Love this idea – make most of my own cleaners, the club soda idea is one I’ll try.
More efficient cleaning with multi-purpose cleaners instead of individual cleaners for each task. It reduces the number of bottles sprays and clutter. Also gave up dusting
What a nifty idea!
Using white vinegar to clean is one of my favorites. I use it on my stovetop, where I wouldn’t want any toxic chemicals.
I purchase locally made organic cleaners from the local farmer’s market. These work well for me!
I make a lot of my own cleaners, but I’m always looking for new ones to replace the few chemical ones I have left in my repertoire.
i use something called biokleen which is concentrated and smells okay. I sometimes need harder cleaning stuff with the kiddos though
I switched to vinegar and/or baking soda for many bathroom cleaning tasks.
I bought a pair of microfiber cloths for cleaning windows sans spray, and they’ve been fantastic! Especially for smaller jobs. I have yet to test them out on the entirety of the outside of the picture window. But it’s coming soon (c’mon spring!)
This seems a bit lame, but using all my old towels as rags rather than paper towels has made a bit difference. And getting some clothes designed for cleaning.
I love making my own cleaners. I made the switch many years ago to more natural cleaners and then I started making my own. I would love this cleaning set. The flat club soda is a great tip and is new to me.
I use Dr. Bronner’s peppermint castile soap mixed with baking soda to clean surfaces in the kitchen and the bathroom. This is a gentle but effective scrub and it smells so good I actually enjoy cleaning!