Many people prefer eco-friendly cleaning products to the ones with strong smells and a lot of chemicals. They can be safer for families especially with children and pets around the home. However, what many people don’t know is how easy it is to make natural cleaning products using ingredients you already have in your fridge or cupboard. The Helpling team has chosen some of our favorite natural home cleaning recipes for every different room and surface in your home.
All-purpose natural cleaner
Our first natural home cleaner is quite possibly the easiest to make, and you can use it anywhere in your home! If you mix equal parts of vinegar and water, you will get a universal all-purpose cleaner. Don’t fancy the smell of vinegar? Add a few drops of lemon juice to eliminate it. Put it in a spray bottle from the dollar store if you don’t already have one and use it for all kinds of surfaces, mirrors and windows.
Bathroom cleaning
Bathrooms are never fun to clean, but we can help make the job easier. A cup of baking soda mixed with a cup of vinegar makes an amazing natural toilet bowl cleaner. Simply pour the liquid into the basin and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub and flush the toilet afterwards.
Floors
Castile soap is also useful for natural home cleaning purposes. Castile soap is made from olive oil and usually blended with other essential oils. A dash of this soap (or just olive oil, if you don’t have any soap lying around) mixed with a quarter cup of vinegar in a bucket of warm water makes an effective floor soap. Just dunk your mop in the bucket, wring it out and wipe down the floors to see them sparkle.
Windows and mirrors
Vinegar is your best helper when it comes to windows. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle to make your windows and mirrors shine. Use undiluted vinegar directly on hard-to-remove spots. Apply it to a cloth, rub the area clean and enjoy the sun coming through sparkling windows.
Laundry
Homemade laundry detergent is extremely easy to make. Grate 1 cup of your favourite natural soap with a cheese grater, add ½ cup of washing soda as well as ½ cup of baking soda and it’s ready. Mix it together and store in a glass container. Use one tablespoon per load for fresh and soft clothes.
Drain opener
If your kitchen or bathroom sink has a drain, simply pour ½ cup of baking soda down the drain and follow with ½ cup of vinegar. Cover it and let sit for half an hour. Flush with boiling water afterwards and forget about the plunger!
Scrubbing surfaces
Have you noticed lately that some parts of your house need a good scrubbing? Mix baking soda with a bit of castile soap and an essential oil of your choice for fragrance. Your tubs, countertops and sink will shine like never before!
Removing odors
Now, when your house is sparkling you probably want it to smell even better. Simmer a pot of water with cinnamon sticks and cloves or with a few drops of the essential oil you like on the stove. Let it simmer until you’re satisfied and the smell has completely wafted throughout your home.
Share your own natural home cleaning recipes with us below. Read more about alternative cleaning methods with natural ingredients here: coffee grounds or olive oil.
