A great way to help the environment and boost your group’s income for the year is by getting innovative with natural products and educating your local community about how to clean green! Many people have dozens of cleaning products in their home that may do a great job of cleaning, but have some bad side effects. They can harm the environment either while being used (as with many aerosol products) or else wash into the water table and cause harmful agents to be released.

A great way to raise awareness is by selling natural, homemade cleaning products!  The ingredients are cheap, and many can be found at your local grocery. Check out your local dollar stores for oversized salt shakers with large holes and plenty of plastic spray bottles (don’t forget peel and stick labels!) Grab some simple plastic buckets - clearance Easter baskets and cheap sand buckets work great. If you can convince the stores to donate the items, even better!

Making homemade cleaners is simple. Start with a natural cleaner that gets rid of dirt and soap scum, clans hand smudges off of wooden cabinet doors and kills odors in the fridge! Mix equal parts white vinegar and water and fill spray bottles. Label them ‘All Purpose Cleaner - 50% water, 50% white vinegar’. List the uses on another label on the opposite side of the bottle.

Next, a great bathroom cleaner that attacks sink grime, bathtub ring and dirty grout.  Mix 75% baking soda with 25% salt, and add a handful or two of white rice to discourage clumping. Fill the oversize salt shakers, and label them with the ingredients and uses.

Glass cleaner can be made from equal parts of rubbing alcohol and water, with one tablespoon of white vinegar added per cup. Again, small spray bottles work best; label them like you did the others. Add black and white newspaper cut down to about 12 inches square and a note to let people know that scrubbing the glass with it will add shine!

Finally, a wonderful air freshener can be made simply by mixing 20 to 30 drops of an essential oil into a spray bottle of water. Lavender, peppermint and almond are all easy to lay hands on. Note on the label to shake before spraying! A triple scented candle provides even longer lasting results.

Pack up your baskets and add handmade cards with instructions on how to make refills for each container!  Tie a ribbon around the basket handle and you are good to go. These cans eel easily for $15-$20 each, and cost much less than that to assemble - especially if you get some or all of the items and ingredients donated!