Many of our customers already use natural cleaning methods as a necessity, because of chemical sensitivity to traditional cleaning products. But so many more are changing over to natural remedies, because it’s easy, it’s economical, it makes sense and it feels better too.
Switching to homemade DIY cleaners might sound like a lot more work, but it’s actually quite simple. The ingredients are easy to come by and last a long time.
Here are some INTERESTING ways to try 3 of the most common ingredients in our kitchens that also have superb uses throughout the home – vinegar, baking soda (or bi-carb soda) and lemon juice.
Vinegar
One of the most common household items, vinegar has tons of cleaning power. Vinegar is totally safe and non-toxic, making it an excellent family and pet-friendly cleaning ingredient. You can use vinegar and vinegar solutions to clean counter tops, bathroom fixtures and floors! White vinegar (diluted with a little water) also makes a great hair conditioner rinse.
The best green cleaners are natural products that can be found in your own pantry. Are you ready to clean green? Pull out a bottle of vinegar and you’re ready to go! If you’re wondering how to clean with vinegar, then you’re in luck. Here are a few of our favorite vinegar based “cleaning tips”.
How to Clean Windows with Vinegar
Mix 1 cup vinegar with 1 cup water. Combine in a spray bottle and mix well. Spray lightly on the window and wipe until dry and smear-free with a rolled up ball of newspaper. Might sound nuts, but this works a treat.
How to Clean Tiles with Vinegar
Mix ½ cup vinegar with ½ tsp. all-purpose fragrance-free liquid detergent (try ecostore) and 2 cups very hot tap water. Combine in a spray bottle and mix well. Spray on then rinse with a sponge.
All-Purpose Vinegar Cleaner
Combine 3 Tbsp. white vinegar, ½ tsp. washing soda, ½ tsp. castile soap (Liquid Soap of vegetable origin, which is a true soap, contains no surfactants and is unscented) and 2 cups hot water in a spray bottle. Shake and spray!
How to Clean Wood Floors with Vinegar
Mix 3 – 4 tsps. Jojoba oil with 1 cup apple cider vinegar to clean and shine natural wood floors.
General Floor Vinegar Cleaner
Mix ½ cup white distilled vinegar with ¼ cup of liquid detergent and 2 litres of warm water. Mix well in a bucket and mop as usual.
How to Clean Your Toilet Bowl with Vinegar
Pour equal parts baking soda and vinegar in the toilet bowl. Wait several minutes for fizzing to stop, then scrub and flush.
How To Descale Your Coffee Machine with Vinegar
Instead of buying a chemical descaler for your coffee machine, you can actually make your own at home. (Please note that this will probably void your warranty but if your machine has passed the warranty period then give this Homemade Descaling Cleaner a go). Mix equal parts vinegar and water, then run the descaling cycle or just brew. After it’s finished, run the descaling cycle (or brew) again with just clean water to rinse any remaining vinegar solution away.
Baking Soda
Abrasive chemical cleaners can potentially damage the items they’re meant to clean, and they can also leave behind residue that you don’t want to come into contact with. This stuff is also bad for kids and pets and especially those who are chemically sensitive. Not to worry though! That extra box of baking soda you have lying around can help you get your home clean the green way. Use baking soda in place of abrasive powders or mix it with a few drops of water to make a paste to treat stubborn stains.
Baking soda might not be the first ingredient that comes to mind when you’re looking for a natural cleaning product, but baking soda is another edible and effective cleaning agent. Here’s how to clean with baking soda so you can still clean green all over the house.
How To Clean Your Coffee Pot and Mugs with Baking Soda
Remove deep stains from the coffee pot and mugs by using a soft sponge and some dry baking soda.
How to Clean Your Kitchen Sink with Baking Soda
Clean stainless steel sinks with a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Then add a small amount of warm water and mix to a smooth paste. Rub with sponge or cloth around sink. Don’t let the foaming scare you – it works great! When clean, rinse with clean water and then wipe over with a solution of 2 parts water and one part white vinegar.
How to Clear Blocked Pipes or Drains with Baking Soda
Clear blocked pipes or drains in the kitchen and bathroom by tipping half a cup of baking soda into the top of the pipe, following quickly with a kettle full of boiling water. The boiling water and baking soda together helps to melt any fatty deposits and the fizzing helps to dislodge larger pieces of gunk.
How to Clean Your Shower with Baking Soda
Use a scrub paste made from baking soda and a tiny bit of water to scrub soap scum in tubs and showers.
Odor Control
Sprinkling baking soda in the bottom of garbage bags will help control odors as you add rubbish.
Moisture Control
Anywhere that moisture is a problem such as cupboards, under the bed, in the bathroom and under sinks, place a bowl of baking soda to help control humidity or condensation buildup. You will need to stir the powder occasionally for maximum effective life.
How to Remove Laundry Stains with Baking Soda
Make a paste with baking soda and a tiny bit of water. Work it into stains prior to washing. For perspiration stains, let the paste set for about an hour before washing.
Lemon Juice
It’s funny how all those cleaning products try so hard to imitate lemon juice. Why not try the original? Pure lemon juice is a harmless, non-toxic organic cleaning solution. Using lemon juice, you can clean cutting boards, butcher blocks, your microwave and you can also infuse your vinegar cleaning solution with citrus peels to give it a nice fresh scent.
Natural cleaning is a safe and healthy alternative to traditional cleaning products and still leaves your home sparkling. If you want some more do-it-yourself “cleaning methods”, here is a list for cleaning with lemon juice. The best part? These recipes can be concocted in your own kitchen and they’re all green!
Cleaning Your Drain with Lemon Juice
Mix together hot lemon juice and baking soda and you’ve made a good drain cleaner that’s safe for septic systems.
Cleaning Your Bathtub with Lemon and Salt
Remove stubborn stains from your bathtub by dipping half a lemon in salt then rub it on the stains.
Cleaning Mildew Spots from Clothes
Remove mildew from clothes by pouring lemon juice onto the mildew spots, then rubbing it with salt.
Cleaning Your Wooden Cutting Board with Lemon Juice
It’s important to make sure cutting boards are thoroughly sanitized, especially when you’ve been dealing with meat. For an antibacterial clean, rub lemon juice into your cutting board, leave overnight and then rinse. Wood cutting boards appear to have anti-bacterial properties anyway, but the lemon will help kill off any remaining germs plus neutralize odors.
Hard Water Scale Remover
Spray fresh lemon juice on hard water scale build-up near taps. Rinse after 10 minutes.
Cleaning Your Microwave with Lemon Juice
Heat a bowl of water and lemon slices in your microwave for about 45 seconds, then wipe. Stains will be easier to remove and old food odors will be neutralized.
Odor Control
Half a lemon stored in your fridge, uncovered, will help control and eliminate unpleasant smells.
Want more ideas? See some of Maureen’s Suggestions For Healthy Home Products. Feel free to add some more cleaning ideas in the comments section. We always appreciate hearing your ideas, who knows, they might be ones we’ve never even thought of 😊