Keeping your home clean and fresh doesn’t have to mean using harsh chemicals. In fact, you probably already have everything you need to make effective, natural cleaning solutions right in your kitchen. These DIY cleaners are easy to make, environmentally friendly, and safe for your family. Plus, they can save you money and reduce your exposure to toxic substances.
Contents
All-Purpose Cleaner
Ingredients: 1 cup water, 1 cup white vinegar, 10 drops essential oil (e.g., lemon, lavender). Instructions: To create this versatile cleaner, mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Add ten drops of your preferred essential oil for a pleasant scent. Shake well before each use to ensure the ingredients are properly combined. This solution is excellent for countertops, sinks, and other surfaces. The vinegar’s acidity helps dissolve grime and disinfect, while the essential oil adds a fresh fragrance.
Glass Cleaner
Ingredients: 2 cups water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Instructions: Combine the water, vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and cornstarch in a spray bottle. Shake vigorously to mix thoroughly. Spray the solution onto glass surfaces and wipe clean with a lint-free cloth. The cornstarch helps to avoid streaks, leaving your windows and mirrors sparkling clear. This cleaner is an effective and affordable alternative to commercial glass cleaners. Just take note, cornstarch in cleaners can clog spray bottles and requires thorough mixing and regular cleaning of the spray mechanism to prevent blockages.
Floor Cleaner
Ingredients: 1 gallon hot water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda. Instructions: Mix the hot water, vinegar, and baking soda in a bucket. Use a mop or cloth to clean floors with this mixture. The vinegar works to cut through grease and grime, while the baking soda helps to deodorize and remove tough stains. This cleaner is safe for most types of flooring, including tile, linoleum, and sealed wood.
Bathroom Cleaner
Ingredients: 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide, 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap. Instructions: Combine baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap to form a paste. Apply the paste to bathroom surfaces such as sinks, tubs, and tiles. Let it sit for 15 minutes to break down soap scum and stains. Scrub with a sponge or brush, then rinse thoroughly with water. This cleaner effectively tackles tough bathroom grime without harsh chemicals.
Kitchen Degreaser
Ingredients: 1/4 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup dish soap, 1/4 cup water. Instructions: In a bowl, mix the baking soda, dish soap, and water until you form a thick paste. Apply the paste to greasy surfaces like stovetops and oven interiors. Let it sit for 10 minutes to loosen grease and grime. Scrub with a sponge or brush and wipe clean with a damp cloth. This degreaser cuts through tough kitchen grease effortlessly.
Wood Polish
Ingredients: 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 20 drops lemon essential oil. Instructions: Combine olive oil, vinegar, and lemon essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake well to mix. Apply the mixture to wooden furniture using a soft cloth. The olive oil conditions the wood, while the vinegar helps to clean and disinfect. The lemon oil adds a fresh scent and aids in cutting through any remaining grime, leaving your wood surfaces polished and nourished.But, it’s important to be cautious with its use on wood surfaces. Olive oil can leave a greasy residue and might not be suitable for all types of wood or finishes. It’s also noted that while this mixture can clean and bring out the shine in wood, it may also attract dust and degrade over time.
Carpet Cleaner
Ingredients: 1 cup white vinegar, 2 cups water, 2 teaspoons salt, 15 drops essential oil (e.g., lavender, tea tree). Instructions: Mix vinegar, water, salt, and essential oil in a spray bottle. Shake well to combine. Lightly spray the solution onto carpet stains and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub the area with a brush or sponge and blot with a clean cloth. The vinegar and salt work together to lift stains and deodorize, while the essential oil adds a pleasant scent.
Fabric Softener
Ingredients: 2 cups white vinegar, 2 cups water, 10 drops essential oil (e.g., lavender, eucalyptus). Instructions: Combine vinegar, water, and essential oil in a bottle. Shake well to mix. Add 1/4 cup of the solution to your washing machine’s fabric softener dispenser. The vinegar helps to soften fabrics and reduce static, while the essential oil provides a gentle fragrance. This natural fabric softener is a great alternative to commercial products.
Dish Soap
Ingredients: 1 cup liquid castile soap, 1/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon white vinegar, 1 tablespoon baking soda. Instructions: Mix castile soap, water, vinegar, and baking soda in a bottle. Shake gently to combine. Use a small amount on a sponge to wash dishes as you would with regular dish soap. The castile soap cleans effectively, while the vinegar and baking soda help to cut through grease and residue. This dish soap is gentle on your hands and tough on dirty dishes.
Air Freshener
Ingredients: 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons vodka or rubbing alcohol, 10 drops essential oil (e.g., lavender, citrus), 1 tablespoon baking soda. Instructions: Combine water, vodka, essential oil, and baking soda in a spray bottle. Shake well to mix. Spray the solution in the air or on fabric surfaces to freshen up your home. The vodka or alcohol helps to disperse the essential oil and evaporates quickly, while the baking soda absorbs odors. This air freshener provides a natural and refreshing scent without synthetic chemicals.
This article originally appeared on RetailShout
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