Are you tired of spending money on multiple cleaning products that take up a lot of space? Often, with just a few simple ingredients, you can make your own cleaning solutions at home. Most homemade cleaning products are a fraction of the cost and are typically better for your health1and the environment. Get started with these five everyday cleaning solutions:
- Clean and deodorize your kitchen.2 Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 quart of warm water in a spray bottle for a kitchen cleaner you can safely use on most countertop surfaces and appliances. It makes stainless steel shine and freshens up the inside of a refrigerator.
- Make your shower sparkle.3 Combine 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Place in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds then pour into a spray bottle. Spray, then let sit for three to five minutes before wiping clean.
- Scrub your toilet bowl without toxic fumes.4 Use a glass bowl and wooden spoon to combine 2 cups of baking soda with 100 drops of a disinfecting essential oil, such as tea tree or lavender – this makes enough for about 30 cleanings. Transfer to an airtight glass jar, and store outside of the bathroom. To clean, place 1 tablespoon of the baking soda mixture into the toilet bowl then sprinkle more around the sides. Next, add 2 cups of regular 5% distilled white vinegar. The vinegar and baking soda should begin to foam. Scrub the bowl with a toilet bowl brush, let the solution sit for 15 minutes and flush.
- Get smudge-free, fresh-smelling windows and mirrors.3 Mix 2 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol and 5 drops of peppermint essential oil in a spray bottle. Wipe down with a microfiber cloth.
- Clean surfaces naturally.5 Combine 3/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle with seven drops each of tea tree oil and lavender oil. You can swap the rubbing alcohol for distilled white vinegar, but do not use any vinegar solution on granite, marble, natural stone or hardwood.6
When making your own cleaning solutions, be sure to follow each recipe carefully to avoid damaging surfaces or mixing potentially toxic combinations.Baking soda, distilled white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap are the most common homemade cleaning product ingredients. Get that fresh, just-cleaned smell with the addition of lemon or essential oils. When combined, used alone or diluted with water, you can clean just about anything.
1Cleaning refers to the removal of dirt and impurities from surfaces. Cleaning does not kill germs, but it may lower their numbers. For the latest disinfectant recommendations, please visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website.
2Good Housekeeping – 9 Homemade Cleaners That Actually Work, According to the Experts
3Real Simple – 10 All-Natural Homemade Cleaning Solutions to Scrub Every Inch of Your Home
4BobVila.com – How To: Make Your Own Toilet Bowl Cleaner
5DIYNetwork.com – Easy Essential Oil Disinfecting Spray
6Reader’s Digest – 8 Things You Should Never Clean with Vinegar
FAQs
All you need are these 5 ingredients from your pantry to clean and disinfect the way Mother Nature intended.
- 5 Ingredients for 10 Natural Cleaning Tips.
- Baking Soda. ...
- White Vinegar. ...
- Olive Oil. ...
- Essential Oils. ...
- Water.
All-Purpose Cleaners
- Recipe 1 (Mild) - 1⁄2 cup vinegar. - 1⁄4 cup baking soda. - 1⁄2 gallon hot water. Mix ingredients in spray bottle. ...
- Recipe 2 (Moderate) - 2 Tbsp borax. - 1/4 cup vinegar. - 2 cups hot water. Mix borax and vinegar with water in spray bottle.
Simply mix together equal parts white vinegar and baking soda in a container. Once the mixture is complete, pour it into the toilet bowl and wait for it to fizz. After the fizzing subsides, take a brush and use it to scrub away any stains or spots in the bowl.
What are the 5 basic cleaning? ›
In this blog post, we'll delve into what these steps are and why they are crucial.
- Step 1: Preparation. Before you dive into the actual cleaning process, it's crucial to prepare yourself mentally and physically. ...
- Step 2: Dusting. ...
- Step 3: Cleaning. ...
- Step 4: Sanitizing. ...
- Step 5: Final Touches.
In a spray bottle, mix 2 cups of lukewarm water, 1/4 cup of distilled white vinegar, and 1/3 teaspoon of grease-cutting liquid dish soap. Shake to mix. Spray on windows and use either a lint-free microfiber cloth or a window squeegee (preferably) to clean the glass.
What do maids use to make a house smell good? ›
In conclusion, housekeepers make houses smell good in many ways, from air fresheners and candles to fresh flowers and baking soda.
What is the simplest cleaner of all? ›
- WATER: Water is the simplest cleaning agent and some form of dirt will be dissolved by it, but. ...
- DETERGENT: Detergents are those cleaning agents, which contain significant quantities of a group of. ...
- ABRASIVES. ...
- DEGREASING AGENTS. ...
- ACIDS AND TOILET CLEANSERS. ...
- ALKALIS:
“We let it sit for 10 minutes and then wipe the soap scum away.” Since then, I've learned that an added step makes this secret sauce even better — use the microwave before applying. In a microwavable safe glass container, mix ⅓ cup Dawn dish soap with 3 cups white vinegar. Microwave for five minutes until simmering.
Can I mop with Dawn and vinegar? ›
After trying different commercial cleaners, we decided to mix one part Dawn dish soap and to two parts white vinegar, which I had on hand, in a bucket and mopped the floor with the soapy mixture. How it actually worked: The combo was a winner and brought the floor (almost) back to its original glory.
Do I need to rinse floors after cleaning with vinegar? ›
There's no need to rinse your vinegar-mopping solution from your floors. Keep in mind that your floors should be drying very quickly if you've wrung out your mop sufficiently.
Dish Soap. When in doubt about what to put in mop water, reach for your handy bottle of dish soap and dunk your mop into a sudsy mixture. “This mop water solution is safe, effective, and convenient—who doesn't have dish soap at home?” says cleaning professional Robin Murphy, founder of ChirpChirp.
What is the best homemade all-purpose cleaner recipe? ›
Mix the ingredients: Add the following to a glass spray bottle: 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, 3/4 cup water, 5 to 10 drops of essential oil, and 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid soap. Use the alcohol-based cleaner safely: Shake the spray bottle well before each use.
What is the best homemade shower cleaner? ›
The 50-50 combination of Dawn dish soap and vinegar is a very effective for cleaning showers. This powerful cleaning solution will break down soap scum, hard water build up on tubs and showers, and can also be used to clean sinks and appliances.
Is it safe to put laundry detergent in your toilet tank? ›
It isn't a good idea to put laundry detergent into the toilet tank. The detergent can cause clogs in the toilet and pipes. Additionally, if the home has a septic system, the laundry detergent will devastate the beneficial bacteria, reducing the effectiveness of the septic system.
What are the five 5 cleaning chemical agents? ›
Common Chemicals Used for Cleaning & Decontamination Guideline
- Hypochlorite (Bleach) ...
- Alcohols. ...
- Chlorine Dioxide. ...
- Hydrogen Peroxide & Peracetic Acid. ...
- Iodophor Disinfectant (Wescodyne) ...
- Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats) ...
- References.
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most powerful natural cleaning and disinfecting agents. Health professionals trust it against harmful bacteria, antigens, and viruses. It's used for a variety of disinfecting jobs, including cleaning cuts, removing earwax, and promoting dental hygiene.
How do you make all-purpose cleaner with baking soda and vinegar? ›
All-Purpose Cleaner: Combine 1 teaspoon baking soda, 2 teaspoons vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon dishwashing liquid, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 2 cups hot water in a spray bottle and shake well. Add essential oil for fragrance if desired and add 1 teaspoon borax for extra cleaning power.
What is a natural recipe for all-purpose cleaner? ›
Mix the ingredients: Add the following to a glass spray bottle: 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol, 3/4 cup water, 5 to 10 drops of essential oil, and 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid soap. Use the alcohol-based cleaner safely: Shake the spray bottle well before each use.
