I know, I know. Spring hasn't quite spring yet, but this has been a pretty balmy winter, and around here it's sure feeling like spring. The bulbs shooting up in my back yard definitely thing winter is over, so why not get a jump on the spring cleaning, right?

Of course, you don't want to spend all of that time and energy cleaning your house only to cover it in toxic chemicals. Conventional cleaning supplies are full of nasty ingredients that aren't healthy for you or for the planet. Green cleaners are pretty pricey, and you can't really be sure they're all that eco-friendly. So, how to spring clean without worrying about nasty ingredients? Luckily, you don't have to rely on a chemical slurry in a single use plastic bottle! Here are some resources to help you make your very own cleaning products.

Green Cleaning Ingredients

If you're making your own cleaning supplies, there are a few things you'll want to have handy:

• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Lemon juice
• Vodka - to sanitize, not to drink! Or maybe just one drink. You know, since you're working so hard at the cleaning.
• Borax

You don't necessarily need all of these, but it's nice to have them around the house. You can check out the links in the list above for even more cleaning recipes, but here are some basic ones to get you started.

All Purpose Cleaner

Combine 1 part water with 1 part white vinegar in a spritz bottle. You can use this to clean counter tops, glass and mirrors, and even the walls of your shower. If the vinegar smell bothers you too much, you can go with 1 part vodka to 2 parts water instead.

Soft Scrub Recipe

Soft scrub is handy any time you really need to scour, like the bathtub or the stove.For a super-simple homemade soft scrub, just mix 1/2c baking soda with a few drops of liquid castille soap, like Dr. Bronner's. Stir it up, and you're ready to scrub tubs, tile, and sinks!

Stain Remover

Stubborn stains on your countertops? Try squirting a little lemon juice on the stain, letting it sit for a bit, and wiping off. All but the trickiest stains should wipe away prety easily.

Floor Cleaner

Borax is a great disinfectant. Mix 1/2 cup borax with 1/2 gallon of hot water to wipe down germy surfaces, like bathroom counters and kitchen floors. Use a mop or your Swiffer with a reusable cover to clean your floors. I wouldn't use this to clean wood floors, however. For wood floors, your best bet is to invest in one of those awesome steamer mops. You don't need any special ingredients - it just uses plain old water to sanitize floors!

Are you guys getting ready to deep clean for spring? What cleaning supplies are you planning to make at home?

{Image Credit: Creative Commons photo by jaymiek}