The Best Eco-Friendly Cleaning Hacks Using Stuff You Already Have at Home

Introduction

Cleaning our homes is essential for maintaining a healthy living environment. However, many conventional cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can be bad for our health and the environment. Fortunately, there are many effective eco-friendly cleaning solutions that can be easily made using common household items.

As someone who cares about living sustainably, I have spent a lot of time researching and testing natural cleaning hacks. In this article, I will share the best eco-friendly cleaning hacks using stuff you already have at home. These solutions are safe, inexpensive, and easy to make. Implementing them will help you reduce waste while keeping your home sparkling clean.

Benefits of Eco-Friendly Cleaning

Before we get into the specific hacks, let’s look at why eco-friendly cleaning is important:

• Better for health: Conventional cleaners often contain toxic ingredients like ammonia, bleach, and formaldehyde. Green cleaning avoids these chemicals to promote better indoor air quality.

• Environmentally friendly: Natural cleaning solutions minimize plastic waste from single-use bottles and prevent toxic chemicals from going down drains.

• Cost-effective: DIY cleaners are much cheaper than buying commercial products. You likely already have the ingredients at home.

• Works well: While they are gentler, green cleaners made with vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and soap effectively kill germs and remove dirt, grime, and stains.

• Easy to make: Most DIY cleaners take just a few minutes to mix up. I’ll share my simple recipes below.

Equipment Needed

Before we get to the recipes, here are the basic supplies you’ll need:

• Spray bottles for mixing and storing cleaning solutions
• Distilled white vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• Baking soda
• Liquid castile soap
• Washing soda
• Essential oils like lemon, tea tree, lavender (optional)
• Microfiber cloths and sponges
• Bucket for washing floors

Okay, now let’s look at some of the best eco-friendly cleaning hacks in detail!

All-Purpose Cleaner

An all-purpose cleaner is great for wiping down counters, appliances, non-wood tables, and other hard surfaces.

My go-to recipe is:

• 1⁄2 cup vinegar
• 1⁄4 cup baking soda
• 1⁄2 tsp liquid soap
• 2 cups hot water

To make:

1. Add the baking soda to a spray bottle.
2. Pour in the vinegar and allow the fizzing reaction to subside.
3. Add the liquid soap and hot water.
4. Shake vigorously to dissolve and mix ingredients.

The vinegar cuts through grease, the baking soda scrubs, and the soap lifts dirt. Just spray and wipe down surfaces with a cloth. It’s safe for granite, stainless steel, tile, and other materials. The hot water helps everything dissolve and sanitizes surfaces.

Disinfectant Cleaner

For killing germs on high-touch areas like doorknobs, cell phones, and keyboards, I like to use a vinegar disinfectant spray.

Mix together in a spray bottle:

• 2 cups water
• 1⁄4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 tsp liquid soap
• 5-10 drops essential oil like lavender or tea tree (optional)

Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that can eliminate 82% of mold, 80% of bacteria, and kill viruses like influenza, E. coli, and shingles. The soap helps remove dirt. Spritz this on surfaces and wipe clean.

Glass and Window Cleaner

Want your windows and mirrors to sparkle? My DIY glass cleaner works just as well as Windex!

Simply mix in a spray bottle:

• 2 cups water
• 1⁄4 cup vinegar
• 1 tsp liquid soap

The vinegar breaks up dirt and grime, while the soap helps leave surfaces streak-free. I like adding 5 drops of lemon essential oil for a natural citrus scent. Use crumpled newspaper or a microfiber cloth to wipe down glass surfaces.

Scrubbing Cleaner Paste

For tougher cleaning jobs like removing gunk on stoves, sinks, bathtubs, and showers, a baking soda scrub paste does the trick.

Make a paste with:

• 1⁄2 cup baking soda
• Enough liquid soap to make a thick paste

Apply the paste to the dirty surface with a damp sponge. Let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing. Rinse thoroughly. The baking soda is a gentle abrasive that lifts away gross grime.

Wood Furniture Polish

Wood furniture can start looking dull over time. Bring back the shine with this super easy DIY wood polish:

Simply mix together and apply with cloth:

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

The acidity in the lemon juice cuts through residue on the wood grain to reveal the natural luster underneath. The oil moisturizes and protects the wood. It leaves behind a nice lemon scent too!

Drain Cleaner

Clogged drains are never fun. For a cheap eco-friendly fix, turn to baking soda and vinegar:

1. Pour 1⁄2 cup baking soda down the drain.
2. Follow with 1 cup hot vinegar and cover the drain.
3. Let react for 5 minutes.
4. Rinse with hot water.

The fizzy reaction will break up gunk, grease, and hair that’s blocking the pipe. You can also use a thin wire to fish out debris after the rinse.

Natural Oven Cleaner

Nothing works better than a simple baking soda paste for cleaning oven gunk without harsh fumes:

1. Sprinkle baking soda generously over bottom of oven.
2. Spritz with water to form a thick paste.
3. Let sit overnight.
4. Wipe away grime the next morning.

For tough spots, let the paste sit for a few hours before scrubbing and rinsing. The baking soda loosens burnt on food and grease.

Floor Cleaner

Mopping floors can be a chore. Make your own safe natural floor cleaner with stuff you have:

• 1⁄2 cup white vinegar
• 1 gallon hot water
• 5-10 drops essential oil (optional)

The vinegar disinfects the floors while removing sticky messes. For tough stains, add 1⁄4 cup baking soda to the bucket. I like adding lemon oil for a light citrus smell. Floors dry streak-free.

Grout Cleaner

Grout can get dingy with mold and mildew buildup. Whiten and brighten grout lines with this easy cleaner:

1. Squeeze lemon juice along grout lines.
2. Sprinkle baking soda on top.
3. Scrub with a toothbrush.
4. Rinse.

The acid in the lemon juice breaks up mold and stains, while the baking soda scrubs away residue.

Laundry Detergent

Of course, we do tons of laundry. Make your own eco-friendly laundry soap with:

• 1 bar soap grated finely
• 1⁄2 cup washing soda
• 1⁄2 cup borax

Grate a bar of castile or other natural soap. Mix in the washing soda and borax. Use 1-2 tbsp per load. This gets clothes clean without fillers, fragrance, and chemicals.

Conclusion

Implementing these effective eco-friendly cleaning hacks can help you eliminate toxins and unnecessary waste from your home. I encourage you to give these DIY cleaners made from household staples like vinegar, baking soda, and soap a try. You can save money while keeping your home sparkling clean in an environmentally responsible way.

What green cleaning swaps have worked for you? Do you have any favorite DIY cleaner recipes? I’d love to hear your tips in the comments!