Introduction
Spring is a great time to do a deep clean of your home and remove accumulated dirt, grime, and germs from the winter months. While you may be tempted to use harsh chemical cleaners, there are many effective ways to naturally sanitize your home using simple, eco-friendly ingredients you likely already have on hand. In this article, I will provide tips on how I sanitize every room in my home using natural products that are safe for my family and the environment.
Kitchen
The kitchen contains many germ hotspots, so it’s important to thoroughly sanitize this space. Here are some of my favorite natural sanitizing solutions for the kitchen:
Natural Disinfectant Spray
To make an all-purpose disinfectant spray, I mix 1/2 cup white vinegar with 1 cup water and 10 drops of tea tree, eucalyptus, or lemon essential oil in a spray bottle. I spray this solution on countertops, appliances, and other surfaces and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before wiping clean with a microfiber cloth. The vinegar kills bacteria while the essential oils add extra disinfecting power.
Fruit and Vegetable Wash
Fruits and vegetables can harbor germs and pesticide residues. To remove these, I fill a bowl with cool water, add 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 1 tablespoon baking soda, then soak produce for 5 minutes before rinsing. The acidity of lemon juice dissolves germs while the baking soda removes pesticides.
Cutting Board Sanitizer
I soak my wooden cutting boards in a bowl of hot water mixed with 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar for 10 minutes. This kills any lingering bacteria. For extra disinfecting power, I’ll add 10 drops of tea tree oil.
Garbage Disposal Refresh
To remove odors and clean the inside of my garbage disposal, I grind up 2 cups of ice cubes made with white vinegar or lemon juice. As the ice cubes grind, the sharp edges scrub the disposal walls and the vinegar/lemon juice sanitize and deodorize.
Bathrooms
I focus on sanitizing high-touch surfaces in bathrooms, like faucets, toilet handles, and shower walls. Here are the all-natural cleaners I rely on for bathrooms:
Disinfectant Citrus Scrub
I make a citrus scrub by mixing 1 cup baking soda with 10 drops of lemon essential oil. Dip a damp sponge into the mixture and scrub surfaces in the bathroom. The baking soda disinfects while the lemon oil cuts through soap scum and hard water stains.
Vinegar Mold and Mildew Spray
To remove mold and mildew, I spray full-strength white vinegar directly onto the affected area and let it sit for 1 hour before wiping away. The vinegar kills mold at the roots and prevents future growth. For tougher mold, I’ll add 15 drops of clove oil, which has natural fungicidal abilities.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
For scrubbing the toilet bowl, I pour 1/4 cup of baking soda directly into the toilet water followed by 1 cup of vinegar. As the soda and vinegar react, it bubbles away dirt and leaves behind a clean, sanitized toilet bowl.
Floors
Floors can accumulate dirt, germs, and allergens over time. Here are two recipes I use to deep clean hard floors and carpets:
Disinfectant Vinegar Floor Cleaner
For vinyl, tile, and sealed hardwood floors, I mix 1 cup distilled white vinegar and 1 gallon of hot water in a bucket. I mop floors using this solution to cut through grime and disinfect. The hot water helps dissolve stuck-on messes while the vinegar sanitizes.
Sanitizing Carpet Powder
I sprinkle baking soda liberally over the carpet and let it sit overnight, allowing the baking soda to absorb odors and kill carpet bacteria. In the morning, I vacuum thoroughly to lift away dirt and remove the baking soda. For areas that need extra sanitizing power, I’ll blend 10 drops of tea tree or eucalyptus oil into the baking soda first.
Furniture
Upholstered furniture like sofas, chairs, and rugs can hide germs in their fabric. Here are two natural ways I sanitize soft furnishings:
Tea Tree Oil Upholstery Spray
I add 20 drops of tea tree oil and 2 cups of water to a spray bottle, shake well, and mist over fabric furniture, rugs, and curtains. Tea tree oil is naturally antibacterial and antifungal to sanitize these textiles. I let the spray sit for 30 minutes before wiping with a clean cloth.
Steam Cleaning
Using the steam function on my vacuum, I go over sofas, chairs, and other upholstered furniture to kill germs and mites lurking deep in the fabric. The combination of heat and moisture breaks down germ proteins and naturally sanitizes soft furnishings.
Conclusion
With a few simple ingredients like vinegar, lemon juice, essential oils, and baking soda, I can easily make my own natural cleaners that get my home clean and germ-free for spring. Going the DIY route with non-toxic sanitizers keeps my family healthy without exposing us to harsh chemical fumes and residues. And using pantry staple ingredients helps me save money and reduces plastic waste from store-bought cleaners. With a little strategic cleaning, I can refresh my home for the new season using clean, green products that are safe for my family and kinder to the environment. What are your favorite natural cleaning solutions? I’d love to hear any sanitizing tips you swear by when spring cleaning!
