There are so many unknown chemicals in our everyday cleaning products. Do we really know what is in them? We get sucked in with the bold claims and the convincing words. However, we probably should be more conscious of what we choose to clean with. It’s probably not safe to be inhaling and breathing in the various chemicals that we constantly spraying or wiping with.
First, let’s take a look at some natural ingredients to keep handy in the house. You might even have some of these already!
- Vinegar: its acidity is what makes it a valuable cleaning agent. It can help get rid of gross buildups, break down soap scum and other things.
- Baking Soda: this can help remove odors. It can also help dirt and grease dissolve easier. This in combination with other natural ingredients helps clean in many different ways.
- Hydrogen Peroxide: it’s an effective cleaning and sanitizing agent that is gentle on the environment. It’s also effective in stain removal, killing mold and mildew and is antibacterial.
- Castile Soap: made from 100% plant oils, it is really good at cutting through grease. It is good for people with allergies or sensitive skin.
- Olive Oil: this can be used as wood polish or as a lubricant to clean sticky things. It can also be used to shine stainless steel and brass.
- Essential Oils: they can be added to cleaning concoctions for scent purposes and aromatherapy. It can take down the strong smell of vinegar.
Now, let’s move on to different cleaning solutions that can be made with these natural ingredients!
Homemade 3 Ingredient All-Purpose Cleaner
½ cup distilled white vinegar
2 cups of water
20 drops of essential oils (of your choice)
Pour all ingredients into a bottle. If you want to be environmentally-friendly, consider using a glass bottle! Gently swirl to mix the ingredients together, and start spraying! There are things to note about this cleaning solution. Do not use on granite or marble countertops. The vinegar will etch these surfaces.
Castile Soap Surface Cleaner
2 cups distilled water
2 tablespoons castile soap
15 drops of essential oils (of your choice)
Pour water into a 16oz. Spray bottle. Add the castile soap and essential oils. Gently shake the bottle to mix ingredients. Increase the amount of castile soap if you want more of a soapy consistency. Due to this cleaner having water, use it as quickly as possible within 3 weeks to avoid the risk of bacteria forming.
Natural Glass Cleaner
2 cups water (distilled or filtered)
2 tablespoons vinegar
10 drops of essential oils (of your choice)
Combine all ingredients in a bottle. Shake to mix it all together.
Hydrogen Peroxide Stain Treatment
2 parts hydrogen peroxide to 1 part dish soap
This is to pre-treat stubborn stains. Add a few teaspoons of baking soda if you need extra help with deodorizing or scrubbing power. This is especially effective for those stubborn armpit stains. This can be used to treat red wine, grease, yellow armpit, grape juice and pet urine stains.
Kitchen Cleaner and Deodorizer
4 tablespoons of baking soda
1-quart warm water
Use it to clean the fridge, kitchen counters and appliances. It helps with deodorizing and shining appliances.
All-Purpose Furniture Polish
¼ cup vinegar
¾ cup olive oil
Combine all ingredients and shake well to polish your furniture. For wood furniture, combine ¼ cup lemon juice with ½ cup olive oil. Shake to mix.
There are many more natural cleaning solutions out there! There are so many ways to make your own. Look out for your family and pets. Their health is important. So is yours.
Resources: Wellness Mama, Greatist