Chemical cleaners have long been a staple in households worldwide, promising sparkling surfaces and fresh scents. However, beneath their surface lies a host of problems, from environmental damage to so many health risks to us, our children, and pets. But fear not, we have Bio-Enzyme Cleaners for the rescue!

In this blog post, we’ll explore the issues associated with chemical cleaners, their causes, and the harms they pose.

However, we will also explore a growing movement of DIY all-natural cleaners made from the simple fermentation process to help. It is a small & sustainable step to move towards a disease-free body & a healthier planet!

Make your Home Chemical-Free Today!

Household Chemical Cleaners in Our Life

Floor cleaners, laundry washing, dishwashing, air fresheners, etc. contain harmful chemicals which pollute our indoor air, and water bodies and cause various health hazards.

They are irritating to both the nose and throat due to artificial fragrances, volatile organic compounds (which are the same building blocks that create smog), and other toxic ingredients. GROSS!

Read The Ingredient List Of Your Cleaners

Turn the bottle around and read the ingredient list of your cleaners. You will find no ingredient considered safe in it.

• HCL
• HEO
• SLS
• SLES
• Aluminium sulfates’
• phosphates
• Artificial colours
• Perfume, etc.

There is a rule in the law that food companies have to write each ingredient on the back of the product. But for cleaners, there is no such rule. They keep most of their ingredients hidden.

How do these toxins enter our bodies?

1. Inhalation
2. Through clothes when washed with chemical laundry detergents.
3. Through floor and surfaces absorbed by our skin when in contact.
4. Through food- Fruit and vegetable wash.

Packed In Plastic

Additionally, most conventional cleaners are packaged in plastic, and many of them aren’t biodegradable, meaning they won’t break down in nature.

Eco-Friendly Cleaning

The Beauty of DIY Cleaners:

There’s something truly satisfying about concocting your own cleaning potions. It’s a chance to reconnect with nature while saving money in the process.

Switching to a zero-waste cleaning routine has been one of the best things we have done for our wallet, health, and the environment.

Why are we using cleaning products that will wind up in our waterways and natural environments if they’re toxic and won’t break down?

That’s why I knew it was time to make the switch to zero waste cleaning, and I couldn’t be happier.

The Sustainable Solution: Bio-Enzyme Cleaners

Derived from Mother Nature, Bio Enzyme-based cleaners are 100% natural and non-toxic. It serves as a safer substitute for all harsh chemical-based cleaning products. It represents a strong cleaning vinegar that is all natural and can be easily made at home for free-ish with commonly available materials.

Why should you use Bio-Enzyme Cleaners?

• 100% Non-Toxic, Zero-Waste, Plant-Based and Natural.
• More Economical.
• No Preservatives.
• Performs Residual Cleaning.
• Highly Effective.
• Less water consumption.
• Diversion of Landfill Waste.
• Widely Versatile.
• Baby Safe, Pet Safe and Environment Safe.
• Improves indoor air quality.
• Improves septic systems and Rejuvenates Water Bodies.
• Gentle on your hands.
• Increases fabric life – When used for laundry wash.
• Easy to make at home.

How Do The Bio-Enzymes Work?

Bio enzymes contain Good Bacteria when placed in the right biological environment, the right temperatures & their food source, they produce certain enzymes which multiply as they digest waste like stains, food, soil, human and animal waste, etc.

The enzymes produced by the bacteria digest every type of dirt, stains and grot by breaking it down and the only by-products are water and carbon dioxide – this is safe cleaning in action.

Enzymes Multiplty Rapidly and Start Cleaning

The bacteria grow rapidly (doubling in concentration about every 20 minutes) and continue digesting the waste until the food supply diminishes or the stains are completely removed. Moreover, this process can continue for hours or even some days.

For example, if you have a dirty mark on the bedsheet, a chemical product will clean it reasonably quickly. However, enzymes do not act as quickly. Once you spray them on a bedsheet or surface, or apply them down the toilet, they keep working for days and remove the problem at the source until it vanishes – permanently.

How do Bio-Enzyme differ from conventional detergents?

	CHEMICAL CLEANERS	BIO-ENZYME CLEANERS
Ingredients Safety	It keeps cleaning even when you are done cleaning. The microbes keep on working, sometimes even for a few days after application until all the stains are completely gone.	100% Non-Toxic, Zero-Waste, Plant-Based and Natural.
Residual Cleaning?	No Residual Cleaning.	It keep cleaning even when you are done cleaning. The microbes keep on working, sometimes even for a few days after application until all the stains are completely gone.
Effectiveness	Temporary & Immediate Cleaning. They work quickly to remove stains and dirt, but their effects don’t last long as the harmful bacteria can grow back on the surface.	They are safe as they are composed of non-pathogenic, “good” bacteria. The ingredients have been carefully chosen to be gentle on us & non-toxic to the environment
Versatility	Yes, it is. No risk of ingestion of chemicals.	Can be used for multi-purpose uses.
Effect On Human Health	Their strong chemical composition can lead to health hazards, making them highly toxic for environments where the safety of children and pets is a priority.	They are absolutely safe as they are composed of non-pathogenic, “good” bacteria. The ingredients have been carefully chosen to be gentle on us & non-toxic to the environment
Baby, Pets and Environment Safe	No	Loaded with preservatives to preserve its life.
Impact On The Home Microbiome	They negatively impact the balance of beneficial bacteria and disrupt your home microbiome.	They support and maintain a healthy community of microbes, promoting a more harmonious environment which results in stronger immunity
Impact On The Environment	Conventional cleaning products pose significant risks to the environment due to their inclusion of synthetic chemicals like phosphates & sulfates.	Every 1 ml of bio enzyme helps rejuvenate 1000 ml of contaminated water, i.e., with every use, when the water goes down your drains, it helps revive the water bodies and marine life..
Economical	There are different cleaning products for different uses available in the market, and are expensive too.	They are more affordable as they can be produced using readily available waste citrus peels, reducing production costs.
Preservatives	Enzymes are a natural preservative which lets cleaners get better with time as they ages.	Made using a readily available waste material, i.e. Fruit & Vegetable Peels, water and jaggery. So, no waste that the earth can’t digest.
Waste For Landfills	Produce plastic waste and also chemical waste which does’nt break down in nature.	Produce plastic waste and also chemical waste which doesn’t break down in nature.

DIY Bio-Enzyme Recipe:

Making your own bio-enzyme cleaner is easy and cost-effective. Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:

RATIO

15: 10: 3: 1 (Volume of the container: Water: Lemon peels: Jaggery)

Variations and Applications:

You can customize your bio-enzyme cleaner by experimenting with different fruit scraps and sugar sources. Some popular variations include using pineapple peels, banana peels, or even leftover wine or beer.

After making it, you can combine and experiment for different cleaning purposes with soapnut powder, baking soda, wood ash, essential oils, etc.

Non-Toxic & Chemical-Free Bio-Enzyme Cleaners Variations

A selected range of Premium-Quality, Eco-Friendly, Chemical-Free Bio Enzyme cleaners for daily use at home or office! 

I like to make DIY zero-waste cleaning products. This makes zero-waste cleaning super cheap, easy and doesn’t take much time at all.

There’s also the added benefit of knowing exactly what ingredients are in your zero-waste cleaning products.

Multi-purpose cleaning with Bio-Enzyme Cleaners

1. All-purpose cleaner

Use it as it is for different surfaces.

2. Toilet Cleaner/ tough stain & grout remover.

Use leftover pulp from the enzyme after strained out. Grind in a mixer grinder and sieve. You will get a thick consistency that will work very well as a toilet cleaner.

3. Dish-wash liquid

Add Soapnut Powder (reetha) / wood ash along with bio enzyme in equal quantities.

4. Floor Cleaner

5. Laundry Detergent

Mix Soapnut powder and bioenzyme to make your own effective and safe laundry detergent.

6. Fruit and veggie wash

For fruit and veggie wash, take a bowl full of water and add in 4-5 tbsp of bio-enzyme and soak for 1-2 hours.

Eco-friendly cleaning around the home:

Now that you have a good idea of which tools and recipes you might want to try, let’s break down how to clean each room.

Kitchen: 

It’s no surprise that the kitchen is the heart of the home and can get pretty dirty!

After making a big meal, I tend to wash the dishes using either a DIY dish soap.

I use my bamboo dish scrubs for things that need to be hand washed, then load the dishwasher. Dishwashers do save more water than handwashing, so if you have a dishwasher, load it up!

I typically use cast iron pans when cooking — here’s a blog post on how to clean those pans. If you have been on the fence about investing in cast iron, I highly recommend it because they’re awesome and they’ll last forrrevverrrr.

Lastly, I wipe down my counters, oven, and sink with my all-purpose cleaning spray and a rag.

Bedroom: 

Now, I have a dog who just loves to snuggle in our bed which isn’t super great. But who can resist such a snuggly companion?

So, we make sure to change our sheets every week, and always keep the pillows and top sheet covered so she isn’t rubbing all over what we directly sleep on.

One of the best ways to clean out the air in the bedroom is to simply open the window or you can dilute the bio-enzyme with water and add in your favourite essential oils for a nice fragrance.

Bathroom: 

Mix baking soda and bio-enzyme to create a scrub. Spread it all around the tub/ sinks and then use a bamboo scrubber, specifically for the bathroom, to wipe away any grime.

Then I use the all-purpose cleaning spray for the toilet, mirror, and sink. I use my old plastic toilet brush for inside the bowl and rags for everything else.

You may also like to read this – All Natural Zero-Waste Toothpaste

Floors:

Since every room has floors, it’s important to use eco-friendly cleaning products as much as possible.

We vacuum every other day with our Dyson because our dog sheds like crazy.

Around once a month we hit the floors with a mop. Just put a little in the bucket with water and clean the floors. They are clean & beautiful.

FAQ’S

how often should you deep clean your house?

You should do a deep cleaning in your home at least 2 times a year. Dust bunnies, grime, and other bacteria can hide out of sight, so it’s a good idea to deep clean. Under beds, under and behind sofas, closets, pantry, and everywhere else in your home should be cleaned.

how do I limit the amount of time spent cleaning?

While there are a few people out there who love cleaning, many of us don’t! So, it’s important to minimise what needs to be cleaned, and making a plan will allow you to spend less time on big cleaning projects.

The first defence is to get rid of things that you don’t use. Donate them to charity, give them to your friends, or donate to secondhand shops as much as possible. If there is less stuff around there is going to be less to clean and keep track of.

Secondly, work out a cleaning calendar and form habits to clean regularly. This will minimize the amount of time you spend cleaning overall because you pick up after yourself right away instead of dealing with big messes.

How do I know whether the Bio-Enzyme is ready to use?

There will be a white layer of enzymes floating on top and all the fruit peels settle at the bottom.

Can I put this in a spray bottle and use it in my home?

Yes. You can strain the cleaner with a fine sieve and then use it for cleaning glass, etc.

Can I shorten the time to make the cleaner by using a slow cooker?

No. I would not recommend cooking it or changing any of the above-mentioned processes.

Can you add extra peels to the fermenting Bio-Enzyme?

It’s best not to go adding things into a fermentation process that is already underway. You could accidentally add a contaminant or throw off the biochemical reaction happening naturally.

Will the brown sugar in the Bio-Enzyme attract insects?

No. The sugar in it doesn’t attract insects. The enzymes naturally present in it eat the sugar and turn it into powerful cleaning vinegar. So, there is no sugar left in the ready product. The finished product is what repels insects.

What is the shelf life of Bio-Enzyme Cleaners?

There is no expiry date for bio-enzyme cleaners. They only get better and more effective with time.

Will Bio-Enzyme work for bed bugs?

The absolute best way to kill bedbugs, cockroaches, ants or any other insect invading your home is to buy food-grade diatomaceous soil at an agriculture store. It will not harm humans or your pets but will kill the pests rapidly.

Sprinkle this soil over your mattress top, bottom & sides. Sprinkle it in your doorways, in any cracks, crevices & baseboards, under the fridge & stove as well as any other highly visible infested areas. You may have to repeat this procedure twice. It will work. It is organic & non-toxic.

Along with it, you can also spray bio-enzyme one a month over your bed mattress.

Will Bio-Enzyme be sticky from the sugar added in it?

No, the yeast consumes the sugars as food until it is all used up and creates a strong vinegar in return.

Will Bio-Enzyme Cleaners make foam like normal cleaners available in the market?

No, it doesn’t. Chemical cleaning companies led us to believe through their commercials and conditioned our brains to think that more foam means more cleaning, which is just not true. So yes, BE may not produce foam but cleans perfectly fine and sometimes even continues cleaning after you’re done.

We have become so accustomed to seeing foam in everything we use that we have started believing that it is foam that is cleaning.

If we want foam, we can achieve that by adding soapnut (reetha) powder to the bio-enzyme.

Are the pulps after straining from the mixture still useful, i.e. as fertilizer for the plants?

Yes, you can mash up the pulp and use it to apply on tiles or floors, keeping it for 10-15 minutes before washing it off. Alternatively, you can compost it if desired.

What contains enzymes? What can I buy that contains them?

All life contains enzymes, except for extremely simple entities like viruses. Companies sell enzymes relevant to cleaning in consumer products such as contact lens cleaning solutions, meat tenderizers, pet stain removers, and a variety of laundry products.

It’s also possible to extract enzymes from food waste for use in household surfaces and textile cleaning; this tutorial outlines how to use citrus peels for that purpose.

Is Bio-Enzyme cleaner safe for polished concrete floors?

You will have to explore that yourself. i am not sure whether it will leave any mark over it or not.

Why only citrus peels? Can I use vegetable scraps, like spinach and vegetable stalks also?

Make BE using any fruit or veggie peels (except onion and garlic). Just for good cleaning results, citric acid fruits are necessary. Plus, it will also smell better. But, you can always try mixing different peels and flower petals as well to see what works for you.

Do I have to wait till I have enough peels to make a batch?

1. You can put in the required quantity of jaggery and water and keep adding peels over a week or so. But make sure the ratio of quantity is exact as mentioned above.
2. Consider the start date of fermentation when you’ve added all the required quantities.
3. The second thing that I do and you can do as well is keep freezing the peels as you collect over time and when you have a big quantity like 3-4 kgs, you make a big batch in a plastic drum or empty clean paint buckets.

Why Should we use Plastic for making Bio-Enzyme?

Glass containers can not hold the gasses released during the fermentation process, as they will explode. And will corrode metal as it’s vinegar and is acidic. Sustainability doesn’t mean throwing away all the plastic you already have and starting new. It is about using what you have and not buying new plastic.

Can I use normal white sugar?

Microbes refuse to feed on white sugar because it is bleached and too refined. You can only use, Jaggery, brown sugar, palm sugar, molasses, etc. for BE.

Why a container with a wide mouth?

If you have a small mouth container, you will have to chop up the peels finely. I will suggest you to get wide mouth containers for convenience.

Do we need a strong base container?

Yes. of course we do. It is important to make sure you don’t create a mess by crushing and exploding under slight pressure from the bio-enzyme fermentation.

Why should the container be airtight?

1. Fermentation demands an airtight container. If not, it will slow down the process and will take longer to get ready.
2. So, no fruit flies get in during the process. They could lay eggs and you will get worms floating in your Bio-Enzyme (BE).

Why a transparent container?

It is just for convenience so that you know what is going on inside easily without having to open it.

I see a white fungus layer on my Bio-Enzyme. What went wrong?

Nothing to worry about. That is just enzymes in it, you can mix that in. As long as you don’t see black or green fungus on it, you are good to go.

What if I want to create this in bulk and don’t have much of the peels? where do I get it?

You can collect the peels from fresh juice shops and vendors. They have citrus waste in bulk on a day-to-day basis.

How do I know that my Bio-Enzyme is ready?

1. The fruit peels will settle at the bottom
2. You will see a white layer floating on top.
3. It will smell like vinegar & clean up any stained surface.

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See this Youtube Video on Bio-Enzyme by Peepal baba