A few years back, I made the switch to natural cleaning products. Since then, I’ve discovered some fantastic recipes, tips, and shortcuts that have not only eliminated chemicals from my daily routine but also made my home cleaner, fresher, and quicker to tidy up!
One of my go-to cleaning products is distilled white vinegar, which you probably already have at home. I get it, you might be worried about your house smelling like pickles, but don’t fret—the smell disappears as it dries and can be easily covered with a few drops of essential oil. Here’s how I use vinegar in my natural cleaning routine:
With five kids, I’ve become quite the expert on tackling stains, especially on white clothes that seem to attract them like magnets. The best solution I’ve found is to pour undiluted vinegar directly onto the stain and then wash as usual. This method also works wonders for wine, tomato sauce, or other spills on carpets. Just pour vinegar on the spot, wait a few minutes, and wipe it up with a damp cloth.
Vinegar outperforms Windex and other window cleaners when it comes to achieving a streak-free shine on windows and mirrors. I mix one part vinegar with three parts water and add a few drops of my favorite essential oil, like lemongrass, or about half a teaspoon of organic dishwashing liquid.
For mold, I mix one part borax with four parts white vinegar in a spray bottle. Just spray it on, wait about an hour, and then wipe it off—the mold comes right off.
In our previous home, which had all hardwood floors, I discovered that mixing 1/3 to 2/3 cup of white vinegar in a gallon of warm water made cleaning the floors quick and easy.
To tackle toilet stains, sprinkle some baking soda in the drain, add about a cup of vinegar, and scrub. The bubbly reaction leaves the toilet sparkling clean.
For food spots, oil buildup, or stains on cabinets, mix one part vinegar with three parts water and scrub with a rag or sponge. The vinegar cuts through grease, leaving the cabinets clean and shiny.
For everything else, I keep two bottles of homemade spray cleaner in the kitchen and bathrooms. One is a mix of one part white vinegar, four parts water, 10-20 drops of essential oil (optional), and one teaspoon of organic dish soap. This works wonders on countertops, high chair trays, baseboards, walls, appliances, floors, and anywhere else that might get messy.
Here are some of my other favorite DIY natural cleaning recipes:
– Natural Stain Treatment Reference Sheet
– Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent
– Natural All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe
– Natural Oven Cleaning
– Natural Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipe
– Easy Homemade Scouring Powder Recipe
– Natural Cleaning and Organizing Checklist
– Natural Bathroom Cleaning
– Natural Kitchen Cleaning
Do you make any natural cleaning products? What do you create?
