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There is something nostalgic about using a product that your parents and grandparents used, and I believe that we can often find a lot of modern wisdom from the way things used to be done. One of the products I remember seeing in both of my grandparents houses growing up (and my mom using when I was little) was a scouring powder like Bon Ami.
A Natural Cleaner?
When I first had multiple toddlers crawling around, I started to become aware of potentially harmful substances in cleaning and household products. I began researching (and often getting rid of) favorite products if they weren’t safe to use around my kids. Bon Ami is one cleaner that stumped me for a while and that I still don’t think is a terrible option. Here’s why…
It works with a physical action to scour away dirt and other stuck on substances. Rather than relying on a chemical reaction, this scouring powder actually scrubs the dirt and grime away with just a sponge or brush. Unlike most cleaners, it doesn’t contain chlorine, dyes or artificial fragrances and it earns an “A” rating from the Environmental Working Group. It also works really, really well. Our grandparents were on to something. I used Bon Ami for years and would still consider it at the natural end of the spectrum for store-bought cleaners.
At the same time, there are a few sources that claim that Bon Ami may cause respiratory irritation and at one point, I ran out of the bottle I had and was looking for another option. Since I already keep bulk ingredients on hand for making beauty and cleaning products, I experimented with ingredients I already had to see if any of them would work in a similar way. I eventually settled on a three-ingredient version that I absolutely love and now use this when scouring powder is needed.
Homemade Bon Ami Alternative Scouring Powder
Note: This recipe has been updated to remove borax. As I explained in this post, borax is a controversial ingredient and it gets very mixed reviews on safety with most recent reports claiming it may be harmful. While all of the actual research I’ve seen shows that its cousin, boric acid, and not actually borax powder (sodium borate) is the problem, I’m erring on the side of caution until more research emerges. Additionally, Bon Ami powder is still a really budget-friendly green option that does not contain borax (and which has a higher safety rating than Borax on EWG) so if it doubt, I’d stick to that over borax for now.
I use this easy recipe for homemade scouring powder because it cleans everything from stuck on floor messes to tile goo. I feel safe letting my kids use it to help clean and it takes about a minute to make.
It is inexpensive to make and cleans better than store brands without the vague smell of chemical warfare. I use this all the time to clean our bathroom, and especially our kids bathroom which tends to be covered in dirt and stuck on soap/grime after just a few baths. In fact, this was my testing ground when I was experimenting with homemade versions.
I knew that this stuff worked well, but to put it to the test, I restrained myself from cleaning the bathroom for two whole weeks (meaning I was incredibly busy and didn’t get time to clean it for two weeks). It was bad… really bad. I also knew that my kids would be soaking in said freshly cleaned tub that night and didn’t want them to lose any skin pigment from the cleaners I used so I turned to this natural homemade powder.
Did it work?
Oh yeah… I cleaned the tub one half at a time so I could see the difference. Even with my less than exceptional camera, you can probably tell which side got cleaned first. (Top side, if you can’t tell with my camera)
So, how do you make it? The recipe is very easy and very inexpensive:
Scouring Powder Ingredients
- 1 cup baking soda
- ½ cup salt (not iodized)
- ½ cup washing soda
- 5 drops lemon essential oil- for scent. optional.
Scouring Powder Instructions
- Pour ingredients into jar or bowl.
- Mix or stir until well mixed.
- If you want to make a shaker, put in a pint or quart mason jar and poke some holes in the top (carefully) with a sharp serrated knife or use the top of a parmesan cheese container!
Notes
- Lightly wet surface with water or undiluted white vinegar (for really bad messes)
- Sprinkle powder on and let sit 5 minutes
- Scrub with sturdy brush until clean
- Rinse with water or vinegar (for really bad messes)
Is your tub clean? Have a way to get it cleaner naturally? Please tell me about it below!
Just made this and it worked well. NOW if you could come up with a homemade daily shower spray so I don’t have to scrub the tub, I would consider you a genius!
There IS a diy shower/tub cleaner, google it, you’ll find it.
Yes! Me too. I need a daily shower spray!
Borax is not toxic, but you do not want to inhale the dust or ingest it. I still use gloves to clean with it. It is anti-fungal. I have horses and it has been used as a natural treatment for thrush of their hooves. I have heard of people getting a rash after using borax, so use gloves and be on the lookout. Our well water is hard and turns sinks and tubs blue, but borax cleans it perfectly!
Thank you!!!! I have also used Borax to kill mildew in the bathrooms and use it mixed in water in a spray bottle to use on the corners of tubs and tile shower walls to prevent mildew from coming back. You mix or dissolve
1 cup of borax to a gallon of warm water. Put the mixture in a spray bottle to use.
hi when you sprayed it on your shower walls do you leave it for a few minutes then just wipe away? thankyou
When I spray the borax water on the corners etc…to prevent the mildew from coming back I leave it there do not wipe it away because the water will evaporate leaving a borax protective barrier. that’s what keeps the mildew away!
It should be fine… I use it on our glass stove top all the time.
Will this be safe on glass stovetops? I usually use Bar Keeper’s Friend but the smell is harsh.
What kind of salt do you use? Iodized? Thank you for sharing your recipes!
For this recipe, either works fine… the cheaper the better.
I used pretty much the same thing for scouring powder. I also make a lemon cleaning oil by taking a quart jar and filling it almost full with white vinegar. Then I collect all my lemon peels and seeds and put them in the jar and let it soak for about 6 weeks. The vinegar draws the oils out and it makes a great cleaner. It smells like lemony vinegar (so a little better than straight vinegar).
I love this! I will definitely try it. Thanks
Okay about the lemon peels
Do you separate the peel from the inner part of the lemon? The reason I ask is.we use a lot of lemons. And I’d like to make the lemon vinegar.
So do you scrape the lemon peels off first or cut it off before you squeeze the Lemons to make it easier to then put just the peels into the vinegar?
according to ewg skin deep website–a rating of 5-6 (not so great) https://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ingredients/705996-SODIUM_BORATE
You are so right.
BORAX is toxic and if someone wants to go all the way healthy and is using borax then you might as well just use regular toxic cleaning products. Borax is even an ingredient that’s in the poison that kills mice. I would never use it in my home with my 2 young kids.
I think there are different kinds or grades of borax. Heres a link to the research she did on this site https://wellnessmama.com/26407/borax-safe/
You beat me to it!
Borax is not toxic, it is not boric acid. Do you really think they are selling this in the laundry aisle and recommend using it to make homemade laundry soap.?? It would tear up fabric if it was toxic.
It’s not extremely toxic, most common household cleaners are much more so. I have dusted it all over the floor to kill fleas and it works. Boric acid is a little more toxic, but if you take reasonable precautions it isn’t that bad either. It’s a good roach killer. Just don’t breathe the dust, or make a solution of it and spray for bugs.
My Prof. in college was allergic to borates, so some people are and they should be more careful.
Practically anything can cause problems if used carelessly.
But yet people do lots and lots of drugs, but people don’t seem to complain about that as much as they complain about 20 mule borax.
I thought Borax was toxic . . .
I used just borax the other day, and it worked really well. Is there any reason you know of NOT to do this?
It shouldn’t hurt anything, but Borax can be really strong, so I tend to dilute with baking soda or salt just to make it less abrasive
Borax is not abrasive just like baking soda is not abrasive. I have found that salt however is abrasive and scratches
I’m sorry if you have answered this before, but what is a good source for buying baking soda in bulk? Thanks.
hi sarah, just browsing and noticed your question. I buy my baking soda from a local restaurant supply. hope that helps 🙂
I am wondering if this cleaning recipe works also on acrylic bathtubs. They are more easily damaged and scrached?
My tub turned yellow and I tried everything and searched on line and and tried all suggestions. Today I cleaned my tub with comet, as the person who refinished my tub suggested and the bottom 2″ were still yellow. I just put in more water and poured a gallon of white vinegar in the tub and let it set for several hours and when I let it out it looked a lot better. I thought I was going to have to have the tub redone again. I did wipe the a tub with a dry towel after. I think I will go it again soon.
Bleach mixed with water also works well for bleaching out tub stains.
salt WILL scratch, baking soda will not.
also I found out that borax does not scratch. I would mix up a batch with Borax and baking soda
I suggest that you inquire at your local feed shop or country supply store. In my area, baking soda is about 1$ per box (454g), but at the feed store, 50lbs is 30$. It is food grade for livestock, so is great for these projects.
Does anyone have a good solution for a stain remover
for the laundry?
thank you
I use a combination of blue dawn and hydrogen piroxide ratio of 1:2 gets grease, blood and tomato out. I haven’t been able to figure out a really good option without dawn yet
I use blue dawn and white vinegar in a 1:1 ratio and spray on shower walls and tub. Just leave on for about 30 minutes, and use water to wash away soap scum from tubs. I’m sure it could be used elseware.
go to the Dollar Store and buy “Awesome”. I haven’t found anything that it will not remove. 1 quart costs $1.00
Just spray it on ‘anything’ . . spray direct on clothing, walls, floors- carpet or tile. Blood, ink, food stains, etc. . .
You will find it at the back of the store with their other cleaning supplies. I keep a bottle beside the washing machine, in the kitchen and in every bathroom. Unbelievable!
What are “Awesome’s” ingredients?
Castille soap and baking soda mixed together works great!!
I get baking soda in bulk from Sams Club or BJs buying club.much cheaper than regulate store. $5.99 for 13.5 lbs
I buy mine at a local BJ’S or Sam’s club
13.5 pounds for $6.99
I buy the 13.5 pound bag for $6 at my local BJ’s club or Sam’s club.
Hey, I just found two large sizes of baking soda right at Walmart in the bulk section. See if your Walmart has a bulk section. There was a 1.5 pound box and a 3 pound bag. If your Walmart doesn’t have the large sizes, you can order it online at the Walmart website (with free pick-up). You may want even larger but you can get the 1.5 and 3 pound sizes at (or at least through) Walmart. Good luck and keep fighting the good fight!
Hello. I’m trying to find non-toxic cleaners to use around the house because my girls help clean and also because I get awful reactions with chemicals and smells. My throat closes up. My most problematic place to clean is my white tile shower. I hate it. So today I started by spraying it with distilled white vinegar, undiluted, and then shaking the scouring powder over it. Felt I was going to die from the fumes of the vinegar. I know it’s not toxic, but I couldn’t breathe in there. Kept on having to get out of the shower to take a breath. What should I do? I do need something strong because my white tile shower is in a desperate state right now.
Every tried Branch Basics? It’s what we use for almost everything: https://wellnessmama.com/go/branch-basics/