Bleach is a powerful cleaner that kills almost all types of germs and viruses, but it’s also very toxic. The fumes can cause respiratory issues, skin burns, and even damage your nervous system. Mixing bleach with other harsh chemicals can create even more dangerous fumes that are harmful to both your body and the environment. It’s not just humans who are at risk; bleach is toxic to pets too.

We all love bright, white linens and sparkling clean homes, so how can we achieve that without using bleach? Fortunately, there’s a bleach alternative that’s just as effective and will leave your clothes smelling fresh and your home shining bright.

Ingredients:
– 3/4 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide
– 1/4 cup lemon juice
– 2 tablespoons citric acid
– Filtered water
– 20 drops lemon essential oil
– Amber 1/2 gallon glass jug
– Funnel

Why These Ingredients?
Each ingredient in this recipe helps to gently brighten clothes. Citric acid boosts the cleaning solution’s effectiveness, especially in hard water. Hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice are excellent stain removers and brighteners. Using an amber glass jar or storing the mixture in a cool, dark place helps maintain the effectiveness of the essential oils and peroxide.

How To Make a Natural Bleach Alternative:
1. Measure out 3/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide and pour it into the amber glass jar.
2. Measure out 1/4 cup of lemon juice (bottled or fresh) and add it to the jar.
3. Add 2 tablespoons of citric acid to the jar.
4. Gently swirl the jar to dissolve the citric acid and mix the ingredients.
5. Fill the rest of the jar with filtered water.
6. Add about 20 drops of lemon essential oil and gently swirl the jar to mix.

How To Use:
This bleach alternative can be used in various ways for laundry and home cleaning:

– Laundry: Add 1 cup per small load on the hottest water setting for whiter whites and softer clothes. For stained clothes, soak the entire garment in this mixture overnight, then wash as usual.
– Cleaning Surfaces: Pour the mixture into a glass spray bottle and spritz it on kitchen counters and surfaces to kill germs. It also works as a window or mirror cleaner.
– Scrubbing Tiles and Grout: Mix some of the bleach alternative with a small amount of baking soda to create a scrub for tiles and grout.
– Toilet Cleaning: Add a cup of the mixture to the toilet bowl, let it sit for an hour, then scrub to remove stains.