Easy Natural Cleaners You Already Have at Home

Why Make Your Own Cleaners?

Cleaning products available at the store often contain harsh chemicals like ammonia, bleach, and formaldehyde. While effective at cleaning, these ingredients can irritate eyes and skin and cause breathing issues. Making your own cleaners at home using simple, natural ingredients is an easy way to keep your home sparkling clean without exposing yourself and your family to harmful toxins. The main benefits of natural cleaners are:

• Gentler on lungs: No harsh fumes that can cause breathing issues or aggravating asthma.
• Kinder to skin: Plant-based ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice are non-toxic and less likely to cause rashes or irritation.
• Better for the environment: No phosphates, ammonia, or other chemicals that can pollute waterways and harm wildlife.
• Cost-effective: Common pantry items get a second use as natural cleaners, saving you money.

What You’ll Need

The good news is that to make effective natural cleaners, you likely already have most or all of the ingredients in your pantry and bathroom cabinets:

• Baking soda: A mild abrasive that cleans and deodorizes.
• White vinegar: Cuts through grease and kills mold and bacteria.
• Lemon juice: Removes stains, cuts grease, and freshens.
• Washing soda:Cuts through tough grease and deep cleans.
• Castile soap: Made from vegetable oils, effective cleaner and surfactant.
• Essential oils: Adds natural fragrance. Try tea tree, lemon, or lavender.
• Water

You’ll also need reusable containers like spray bottles and glass jars or bottles to store your homemade cleaners.

All-Purpose Cleaner

My go-to homemade cleaner for most surfaces in my home is an all-purpose vinegar cleaner:

Ingredients:
1 part white vinegar
1 part water
5-10 drops essential oil (optional for scent)

Instructions:

1. Add vinegar and water to spray bottle.
2. Add several drops of your favorite essential oil if you want a fresh scent. Shake gently to mix.
3. Spray on surface and wipe clean with a cloth.

This cleaner works great for countertops, appliances, windows, mirrors, and other surfaces. The vinegar cuts through grease and grime, while the essential oil leaves everything smelling clean and fresh. No harsh chemicals needed!

Disinfecting Cleaner

To naturally disinfect surfaces and kill germs, try this recipe using tea tree oil:

Ingredients:
2 cups water
1/4 cup vinegar
20-25 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to a spray bottle. Shake well before each use.
2. Spray over surface and let sit for 5-10 minutes to allow tea tree oil to disinfect.
3. Wipe clean with a cloth.

Tea tree oil has natural antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal properties to kill germs without harsh chemicals like bleach.

Scrubbing Cleaner for Tough Jobs

For tougher cleaning jobs like greasy ovens or dirt-caked bathrooms, try this scouring cleaner:

Ingredients:
1/2 cup baking soda
1/4 cup liquid castile soap
1 tablespoon washing soda
Water as needed

Instructions:

1. Mix baking soda, castile soap, and washing soda in a bowl.
2. Stir in water a little at a time until a thick paste forms.
3. Apply paste to surface with a scrubbing brush or sponge. Let sit 5-10 minutes.
4. Scrub the area, then rinse clean with water.

The baking soda loosens and lifts dirt while the washing soda cuts through tough grease and grime for a deep clean. Together with the liquid castile soap, this makes an effective and non-toxic cleaner and scrub for the toughest jobs.

Other Cleaning Solutions

Here are a few more natural cleaning solutions you can make at home:

• Window and glass cleaner: Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray on and wipe off with newspaper or a lint-free cloth.

• Drain cleaner: Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain followed by 1 cup vinegar. Cover and let fizz for 30 minutes, then rinse with hot water.

• Toilet bowl cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda in the bowl. Add about 1/4 cup vinegar and scrub with a toilet brush. Let fizz for 5-10 minutes before flushing.

• Wood furniture polish: Mix 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice. Apply a small amount to a soft cloth and polish wood.

Tips for Success

Follow these tips when making and using natural cleaners:

• Label each cleaner clearly so you remember what’s inside.

• Use cool water when mixing cleaners. Hot water can deactivate ingredients.

• Store cleaners in a cool, dark place and replace after 6 months. Vinegar and citrus juices can degrade.

• Never mix chlorine bleach or ammonia with vinegar, lemon, or other acids as dangerous gases can result.

• Test cleaners in a small inconspicuous area first to check for colorfastness or damage.

• Use a soft cloth, sponge, or scrub brush for scrubbing to avoid scratching surfaces.

With just a few simple ingredients from your pantry, you can make safe and effective cleaners to tackle any job in your home. Ditch the chemical cleaners and create your own natural solutions instead!