Natural Ways to Clean Everything in Your House

16.07.2020 GREEN LIVING 0.0 0

natural household cleaners

It may or may not surprise you to know that traditional household cleaners feature harsh chemicals. If you're concerned about your family's health, it's probably time to switch over to natural solutions. They're inexpensive to make and easy to use! Plus, they're a much gentler and effective solution for our environment as a whole.

Here are a few homemade cleaners that have the power to tackle any mess.

Counters and Other Surfaces

Most surfaces don't require a unique solution to maintain a clean, shiny look. Unless you have to clean wood or stone, you can likely try a multi-purpose cleaner for these areas. It's best to use a reusable plastic or glass spray bottle to keep your cleaner ready to use whenever necessary. Here's what you'll need to create your own multi-purpose cleaner:

1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
1/2 cup lemon juice (optional)
10 drops preferred essential oil (optional)

That's all! You may want to include lemon juice because it contains helpful anti-bacterial properties, but you can skip the scented ingredients if you want a smell-free cleaner. Always conduct a spot test on a hidden area so that you don't accidentally damage your house. You should also use a dedicated stone cleaner for granite and marble counters, as vinegar can be too abrasive. The same goes for wood surfaces.

Windows and Mirrors

Your glass surfaces need a little extra care. Your all-purpose solution may leave streaks on your windows and mirrors, so it's best to make a specific glass cleaner. You'll need another spray bottle to store this mixture. Here are the ingredients for an effective glass cleaner:

2 cups water
1/2 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup rubbing alcohol

Feel free to add more or less vinegar or alcohol as you clean. You may find that a different mixture makes for a more effective solution on your specific glass surfaces. In any case, it's smart to keep this glass cleaner inside a cabinet so that it doesn't come into contact with sunlight. Use a microfiber cloth to apply the spray directly onto your windows or mirrors.

Stained Clothes and Rugs

You don't have to use commercial cleaners to maintain a spotless home. In fact, you may be able to remove old dried stains from clothes and rugs with a few household products. It's always easiest to extract fresh spills, especially when you have to deal with coffee or wine. That's why you should keep these products on hand for when you need to act quickly:

Hydrogen peroxide
Castile soap
White vinegar
Baking soda

You shouldn't mix these ingredients together because they're best used separately on a case-to-case basis. For example, you should use warm water and baking soda to gently scrub a fresh stain. Other combinations depend on the stained material. You should also never mix castile soap and white vinegar because it'll leave a harsh film behind. As long as you have these products on hand, it'll be easy to attack those stains immediately.

Wooden Furniture

If you have wooden tables, chairs and desks, it's important to keep them polished. You can easily make a DIY furniture polish that'll keep your pieces clean. Don't store this furniture polish for future use. Instead, you'll want to make as much as you'll need for a specific project. It won't store properly if you use a spray bottle or another container. Here's how to create a natural furniture polish:

2 cups white vinegar
2 cups olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice

It's best not to use this solution on hardwood floors, as it can damage its finish. Use a microfiber cloth to gently rub the mixture into your furniture – always go with the grain! Continue to apply the mixture until you achieve the results you want. Make sure to take a fresh cloth to the area to wipe up any excess product.

Tile and Stone Floors

Because wood floors don't react well to water or vinegar, it's smart to choose a specific wood cleaner for those areas. But you can still create your own natural solution for other floors. You can tackle your bathroom, kitchen and any additional space that has tile or stone floors. Here's how to whip up a simple cleaner for your floors:

1 gallon hot water
1 tablespoon castile soap
A few drops of essential oil (optional)

Like with the wooden furniture polish, you won't want to keep this mixture stocked. You should always make it fresh before you decide to clean. You can use a large bucket to mix the ingredients together. Take whatever mop you have on hand to apply the solution to your floors. Avoid waxed floors if you choose this recipe, as you should never use a wet mop to keep your waxed surfaces clean.

Try These Homemade Solutions for Your Cleaning Needs

These natural remedies can make your house look brighter and cleaner than ever. Try these suggestions to tackle counters, windows, rugs, furniture and more!

Written by Jennifer Landis

About the Author

Jennifer Landis is a mom, wife, writer, and blogger at Mindfulness Mama. She’s quite fond of peanut butter, distance running, yoga, and drinking as much tea as possible. Find her on Twitter @JenniferELandis.