Why Use Natural Ingredients for Cleaning?
Cleaning our homes is an important part of maintaining a healthy environment. However, many conventional cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to our health and the environment. Using natural ingredients for cleaning is a great way to avoid these chemicals while still getting your home sparkling clean.
Natural cleaning ingredients are readily available, inexpensive, and effective. Many items you already have in your pantry can replace conventional cleaners. Vinegar, baking soda, lemon, and salt are some of the most versatile options.
Switching to natural cleaners provides these benefits:
- Avoids toxins found in many conventional cleaners like bleach, ammonia, and synthetic fragrances. These can cause or exacerbate respiratory issues.
- Lowers your carbon footprint since natural ingredients don’t require as much processing and packaging.
- Saves money as natural cleaners are very inexpensive compared to conventional options.
- Adds a fresh scent from natural extracts like lemon, peppermint, and lavender rather than artificial fragrances.
- Promotes sustainability by reducing plastic waste from cleaning product containers.
Keep reading to learn how to harness the cleaning power of ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemons. With just a few items from your pantry, you can make your own effective natural cleaning solutions.
Vinegar
Vinegar is arguably the most versatile natural cleaning ingredient. Several types of vinegar can be used for cleaning, including:
- White vinegar – the most common type that is readily available and inexpensive. Avoid colored vinegars like balsamic.
- Apple cider vinegar – contains beneficial enzymes and antimicrobial properties. However, it has a strong scent.
- Distilled white vinegar – the most concentrated and also the strongest for cleaning purposes.
Due to its acidity, vinegar is great for:
- Disinfecting – vinegar can kill bacteria and viruses. Always test on a small area first.
- Removing grime – grease, soap scum, and hard water stains dissolve with vinegar.
- Deodorizing – vinegar neutralizes stubborn odors lingering in the home.
Some examples of using vinegar for cleaning include:
- Adding 1 cup vinegar to laundry removes odors and brightens fabrics.
- Mixing 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water makes an excellent all-purpose cleaner.
- Soaking produce in a vinegar solution removes pesticides and wax.
- Pouring vinegar down drains prevents buildup and deodorizes.
Vinegar is endlessly useful for natural cleaning. Keep a spray bottle filled with diluted vinegar handy for quick cleaning jobs.
Baking Soda
Like vinegar, baking soda is a versatile natural cleaning product likely sitting in your kitchen cabinet right now.
As a natural alkaline, baking soda can:
- Scrub – its gritty texture lifts dirt and stains from surfaces.
- Deodorize – it neutralizes odors instead of just masking them.
- Clean – baking soda dissolves grease and grime.
- Absorb – it can absorb moisture and odors.
Some examples of how to use baking soda for cleaning:
- Make a paste with water to scrub tubs, sinks, and countertops.
- Sprinkle on mattresses and carpets to deodorize before vacuuming.
- Mix with dish soap for an abrasive sink and counter cleaner.
- Remove odors from laundry by adding 1⁄2 cup per load.
For tough clogs and buildup, combine baking soda and vinegar to make cleaning bubbles. The reaction breaks up grime.
Lemon
Don’t discard used lemon peels – they can make your home sparkle. The acidity in lemons cuts through grease and brightens surfaces.
Lemon can be used in cleaning recipes by:
- Squeezing fresh juice into a spray bottle diluted with water.
- Adding peels to vinegar mixtures for an energizing citrus scent.
- Scrubbing cutting boards with used lemon halves to remove odors.
- Boiling peels in vinegar and water to clean and deodorize the microwave.
Additionally, you can make a non-toxic lemon scented cleaner by:
- Adding 10-15 drops of lemon essential oil to a glass spray bottle.
- Filling bottle with 1 cup water and 1 cup distilled vinegar.
- Shaking well before each use.
This solution cuts through grease, kills germs, and makes your home smell fresh and clean.
Salt
Table salt works like an abrasive cleaner. The gritty texture of salt makes it perfect for scrubbing Without scratching delicate surfaces.
Some of the top uses for salt as a natural cleaner are:
- Cleaning greasy pots and pans – Sprinkle salt and rub with paper towel or sponge. Rinse clean.
- Removing wine stains – apply salt immediately to absorb the wine, then scrub and rinse.
- Cleaning cutting boards – scrub with salt to remove stains and odors.
- Unclogging drains – pour 1⁄2 cup salt down the kitchen sink drain followed by boiling water to clear clogs.
Dissolve salt in warm water to make a gentle all-purpose scrubbing solution. Be sure to thoroughly rinse surfaces after scrubbing.
Get Scrubbing with Natural Cleaners
Vinegar, baking soda, lemons, and salt are just a few examples of inexpensive natural cleaning ingredients you likely already have stocked in your home. With just these basic items, you can tackle most cleaning jobs safely and economically while protecting your indoor air quality.
Pay attention to label warnings on conventional cleaners – harmful ingredients like bleach, ammonia, and formaldehyde are common. Make the switch to natural cleaning for a healthier home.
