When my first child was about six months old, I suddenly got into finding a natural and DIY floor cleaner recipe. Having a little one crawling around who would put anything in their mouth made it a priority!
Back then, we lived in a tiny one-bedroom apartment with several different floor types. I needed a versatile and easy-to-make cleaner using ingredients I already had, like white vinegar, washing soda, and dishwashing liquid.
The good news is that making natural cleaners is super easy and can save you a ton of money! You might wonder, with everything a mom has to handle, why not just go for store-bought cleaners?
Have you ever checked the ingredients in regular floor cleaners, Swiffer mops, and other such products? Even something like bleach contains harsh chemicals that are harmful to breathe in. These popular cleaning products often have toxic ingredients that are far from natural and hold environmental and health risks—not ideal for a little one crawling around!
Things have changed a bit since I started trying out homemade natural cleaner recipes years ago. I’ve added a few more kids to the mix, and with working and schooling from home, life gets pretty hectic. People often ask me how I manage it all!
Honestly, I don’t do it all at once! Embracing a healthier lifestyle is something I’ve done gradually, learning and growing along the way. Given that vinegar smells and borax is controversial, once I found some store-bought brands I liked, I switched over. The good thing is, lots of companies now offer health-conscious products thanks to consumers who demand and support them.
While vinegar and water make a super simple cleaner, if you’re looking for something ready-made, there are some great brands out there. Many of these options are multipurpose, so you can use them beyond just floors.
Now, let’s dive into the DIY floor cleaner recipes that got me started! With a bit of practice, these recipes become automatic. You can use them with a microfiber mop or just a regular mop bucket. I usually skip microfiber cloths for home cleaning and opt for a cotton towel instead.
Essential oils can add a fresh scent and help fight bacteria, but too much can leave a film on vinyl or linoleum floors. I love using them on wood floors though, but you might want to skip them for laminate or tile. Here are some options to try out:
Wood floors need special care to maintain their finish. Some recipes suggest adding a bit of rubbing alcohol as a disinfectant, but I find it unnecessary. This recipe helps remove grime and add shine to hardwood floors. Just make sure to wipe it off thoroughly to prevent slippery surfaces! I use this to clean the wood floors in our home.
You can substitute lemon juice for the 1/2 cup of vinegar, but it has to be used right away. Some say to use 1/4 cup of lemon juice in a gallon of water to protect the wood finish, helping with greasy spots without being too acidic.
I like this recipe for ceramic tiles and laminate floors too. It doesn’t leave a greasy residue on vinyl or tiles and is great for natural cleaning. Some tile cleaner recipes add liquid dish soap for a bit more cleaning power; Sal Suds by Dr. Bronner’s works well since it doesn’t negatively react with vinegar like castile soap does.
For an all-purpose cleaner for hard floors:
For tough stains, pre-treat them with a solution of 2 tablespoons of washing soda (not baking soda) dissolved in 16 ounces of water.
We’ve talked about tiles, but what about grout? Especially in bathrooms and showers, grout can become discolored over time and accumulate grime, soap scum, and mildew. To clean grout, make a paste using hydrogen peroxide and washing soda. Use an old toothbrush to scrub, then rinse with warm water.
With six kids and several pets, we’ve dealt with our fair share of carpet stains! Here’s how to tackle them naturally.
Do you clean your home naturally? If you have any floor-related questions I didn’t cover, feel free to share below!
