Cleaning Green: Using Natural Ingredients for a Chemical-Free Clean

Why Go Green With Your Cleaning?

Cleaning products loaded with harsh chemicals can be harmful to your health and the environment. However, natural cleaning with ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils can get your home just as clean without the toxins.

I switched to green cleaning for a few key reasons:

• Chemical sensitivities: Many conventional cleaners contain chemicals that can trigger headaches, asthma, and other health issues if you have sensitivities. Gentler natural cleaners don’t cause these problems.

• Kid and pet safety: Young kids and pets sometimes ingest or come into direct contact with cleaning products. Natural cleaners are non-toxic if ingested and safer for kids and pets.

• Pollution: Harsh chemical cleaners contain compounds that pollute indoor air and the water supply. Natural cleaners help reduce the pollutants I release into the environment.

• Cost savings: Simple natural cleaning ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and soap are very affordable compared to costly commercial products. I save money by making my own natural cleaners.

What Are the Best Basic Natural Cleaning Ingredients?

With just a few basic ingredients, you can make highly effective natural cleaners for most household cleaning tasks. Here are my go-to natural cleaning staples:

Vinegar

White vinegar is naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial. It’s excellent for:

• Glass cleaner: Mix 1 part vinegar with 2 parts water and add a drop or two of essential oil for smell if desired. Spray on and wipe dry with a cloth or paper towel.

• All-purpose cleaner: Mix equal parts vinegar and water and use to clean most surfaces. For tougher jobs, use vinegar undiluted.

• Produce wash: Fill a bowl with 3 parts water and 1 part vinegar, soak produce to remove pesticides and wax.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a mild abrasive that lifts dirt, removes stains, deodorizes and scours without scratching. It works well for:

• Sinks and countertops: Make a paste with 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water. Apply to surfaces, let sit for 5 minutes and scrub away.

• Oven cleaner: Sprinkle baking soda over entire oven surface. Spray or drizzle with water to make a paste. Let sit overnight. Wipe clean the next day.

• Drain cleaner: Pour 1 cup baking soda down the drain followed by 1 cup vinegar. Let bubble for 10-15 minutes then rinse with hot water.

Lemon Juice

The natural acidity in lemon juice cuts through grease, disinfects surfaces and leaves a streak-free shine. It’s great for:

• Kitchen and bathroom surfaces: Mix equal parts lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. Spray over surfaces, let sit 5 minutes, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.

• Wooden cutting boards: After washing, rub a cut lemon over the surface. Let sit 10 minutes then rinse. The acid kills bacteria.

• Hard water stains: Rub undiluted lemon juice onto faucets and showerheads. Let sit 15 minutes then rinse. It removes mineral deposits.

Castile Soap

Castile soap comes from vegetable oils. It’s versatile for cleaning and gentle enough for floors and delicate surfaces. I use it for:

• Handmade laundry detergent: Mix 1 cup soap, 1 cup baking soda and 1⁄2 cup vinegar. Stir into a gallon of warm water until dissolved.

• All-purpose spray: Mix 1 tsp liquid castile soap with 2 cups water. Great for counters, floors and walls.

• Hand dishwashing: A few drops of castile soap in warm water works well with a cloth or brush.

Essential Oils

Just a few drops of concentrated essential oils allow me to naturally scent my homemade cleaners. Some of my favorites include:

• Lemon oil: Antibacterial, bright scent. I love it with vinegar-based cleaners.

• Lavender oil: Calming aroma. I add it to laundry soap and all-purpose spray.

• Peppermint oil: Stimulating scent for energy. I’ll mix a few drops into a glass cleaner.

My Favorite 3 Natural Cleaning Recipes

Here are a few of my go-to homemade cleaner recipes using natural ingredients:

Foaming Bathroom Scrub

This works wonders to clean soap scum in the shower and mineral deposits on surfaces.

Ingredients:

• 1⁄2 cup baking soda
• Liquid castile soap
• 10 drops essential oil (eucalyptus is nice for bathrooms)

Instructions:

1. Mix the baking soda and 5 drops of soap in a bowl until it forms a gritty paste.

2. Add 2 more drops soap and the essential oils. Stir in a little water until foamy if needed.

3. Apply to surfaces with a damp sponge or cloth and scrub clean.

Citrus Vinegar Spray

This all-purpose cleaner works on most surfaces in my home. It smells like a fresh bouquet!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 1 cup white vinegar
• Peels from 1 lemon AND 1 orange
• 15 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

1. Bring water and vinegar to a boil. Remove from heat.

2. Add citrus peels and let cool completely.

3. Remove peels, add essential oil. Store in a spray bottle.

4. Shake well before each use. Spray on surfaces and wipe clean with a cloth.

Lavender Laundry Soap

My homemade soap leaves clothes fresh and bright with a calming lavender scent.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups hot water
• 1/3 cup liquid castile soap
• 1/3 cup washing soda
• 20-30 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

1. Stir water, soap and washing soda until fully dissolved.

2. Allow to cool completely then add essential oil.

3. Use 1⁄2 cup per regular load of laundry.

The Takeaway

Green cleaning with natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda and soap keeps my home sparkling clean without exposing my family to nasty chemicals. And I get to save money by making my own effective homemade cleaners. The simplest ingredients can get the job done with less toxins and more peace of mind. Give green cleaning a try – your body and home will thank you!