How to make your own natural vinegar cleaners
By Christopher Ramos
The DIY all-purpose cleaners and disinfectants you can whip up right now.
Some of the items in your pantry (like baking soda and vinegar) work as effective homemade all-purpose cleaners and, even better, cost next to nothing. So the next time you’re staring down a big mess but you’re out of your favorite cleaning product, don’t run to the store — try one mixing up one of these DIY homemade cleaners that work instead. These natural products will kick grime to the curb and keep your wallet happy.
Important safety tip: Never combine ammonia-based cleaners with chlorine bleach or products containing bleach, such as powdered dishwasher detergent. The fumes they’ll create are extremely dangerous. Before doing any mixing, read the product labels first. Always label any bottles of DIY cleaners with all the ingredients inside. In case a child or animal gets into it, it’s important to know what the mixture contains.
1. Scented All-Purpose Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- One part white vinegar
- One part water
- Lemon rind
- Rosemary sprigs
Combine the above ingredients together, pour into a spray bottle, shake, and then let infuse for a week before using. Once done, you can use the homemade all-purpose cleaner to remove hard water stains, clean trash cans, wipe away wall smudges, and much more. Besides a fresh scent, the lemon rind may help boost cleaning power. Caution: Do not use acidic cleaners on granite, as they will etch the stone.
2. Kitchen Cleaner and Deodorizer
What you’ll need:
- 4 tablespoons baking soda
- 1 quart warm water
To clean kitchen counters, appliances, and the inside of your refrigerator, all you need is baking soda. “It makes a great deodorizer and can be used to shine stainless steel sinks and appliances,” says Carolyn Forte, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. To deodorize surfaces, use the homemade cleaner with baking soda solution above or pour baking soda straight from the box and into your drain or garbage disposal to remove odors. To shine and remove spots from stainless steel, make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply it with a damp cloth and rub gently in the direction of the metal’s grain. Rinse and buff dry.
3. DIY Glass Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup white or cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol 70% concentration
- 1 to 2 drops of orange essential oil for smell (optional)
The next time you need to wash your windows and mirrors, combine these ingredients and pour them in a spray bottle to make a homemade cleaner with vinegar. Hint: Don’t clean windows on a hot, sunny day, because the solution will dry too quickly and leave lots of streaks. For mirrors, spray the solution on a paper towel or soft cloth first before wiping.
4. Homemade Brass Cleaner
What you’ll need:
To clean non-lacquered cabinet pulls, bathroom appointments, and more, dampen a sponge with vinegar or lemon juice, then sprinkle on salt. Lightly rub over surface. Rinse thoroughly with water, then immediately dry with a clean soft cloth.
5. Natural Heavy-Duty Scrub
What you’ll need:
- 1/2 lemon
- 1/2 cup borax powder
Rust stains on porcelain or enamel sinks and tubs are no match for this cleaner. Dip the lemon into the borax and scrub the surface, then rinse. (This is not safe for marble or granite.) Tip: You can find borax, a laundry booster, in the detergent aisle or order it on Amazon.
6. DIY Grease Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup sudsy ammonia
- Scant 1 gallon of water
Sudsy ammonia contains detergent that helps remove tough grime. Mix 1/2 cup with enough water to fill a one-gallon container. Then clean your oven racks, stove hood, and grill by dipping a sponge into the solution and wiping over the surface before rinsing with clear water. You can also soak oven racks and grill grates in the mixture directly, with a little extra ammonia if they’re particularly dirty.
7. Last-Resort Clothing Stain Remover
What you’ll need:
- 1 gallon hot water
- 1 cup powdered dishwasher detergent
- 1 cup regular liquid chlorine bleach, not ultra or concentrate
Treat badly stained but washable white clothing by mixing the above ingredients into a stainless steel, plastic, or enamel bowl (not aluminum). Soak garment for 15-20 minutes. If stain is still there, let it soak a bit longer, then wash the item as usual.
8. Natural Marble Cleaner
What you’ll need:
- 2 drops mild dishwashing liquid
- 2 cups warm water
Mix dishwashing detergent and water the next time you want to clean natural stone countertops. Sponge over marble and rinse completely to remove any soap residue. Buff with a soft cloth; do not let the marble air-dry. Caution: Never use vinegar, lemon, or any other acidic cleaner on marble or granite surfaces; it will eat into the stone.
Here are some DIY cleaning supplies that are as easy on the environment as they are to make.
All-purpose citrus cleaner
- Citrus peels
- 1–2 cups white vinegar
- 15–20 drops of essential oil
Directions:
Fill a jar of your choice with citrus peels, and then top off with white vinegar. Seal tightly with a lid, and allow to sit for a week. Then, strain the solution into a spray bottle and add your favorite essential oil. Use wherever you’d use a traditional multipurpose spray.
Floor and glass cleaner
- 1 cup isopropyl alcohol
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 15–20 drops of essential oil
Directions:
Pour the alcohol, vinegar, and water into a spray bottle. Add the essential oil of your choice. Spray onto paper towels for cleaning windows and mirrors. Add cleaner to a bucket for mopping floors.
Wood polish
- ¾ c. olive oil
- Juice of ¼ lemon
- 1 tbsp. white vinegar
- 3-4 drops essential oil
Directions:
Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, white vinegar, and essential oil into a spray bottle. When you’re ready to use the polish, test a small area first. Wet a cloth and squeeze out the extra water. Spray the polish onto the cloth, and wipe furniture. Buff with a dry cloth to finish.
Disinfecting wipes
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup rubbing alcohol
- 2 tablespoons dish soap
- ½ roll of paper towels
Directions:
Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl or jar, cut a paper towel roll in half, and pour over the mixture over the roll. Store in an airtight container. Use as you would disposable disinfecting wipes to clean countertops, spills, and other messes.
Fabric sanitizer/refresher
- 1½ cup warm water
- ½ cup witch hazel
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 20-30 drops of antibacterial essential oils (e.g., lemongrass, cinnamon bark, lemon, lavender)
Directions:
Combine warm water, witch hazel, baking soda, and essential oils in a spray bottle and mix well. Spray onto fabrics for a quick refresh.
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Vinegar is a natural, inexpensive alternative to harsh commercial cleaners. Apple cider vinegar offers the same benefits as plain white vinegar and a more pleasant smell. Both have a similar acidity level and can be used to clean and disinfect around the house, on everything from floors to drains. Apple cider vinegar is a nontoxic, biodegradable cleaning alternative.
How It Works
Cleaning with apple cider vinegar is safe; it effectively removes dirt, mineral deposits and bacteria from surfaces.Though not as effective as chlorine bleach, the mild acidic properties of apple cider vinegar works to kill bacteria on a cellular level. The active cleaning agent in any vinegar is acetic acid, which is safe for most surfaces, but can dull some finishes on wood or no-wax floors and can cause etching in softer stone counter and floor surfaces. A diluted solution of 1 cup of apple cider vinegar to 1 gallon of water safely cleans surfaces without risk of clouding or etching.
Cleaning the Kitchen
A solution of equal parts apple cider vinegar and water makes an all-purpose cleaner suitable for almost any surface in the kitchen. Use it to clean and deodorize the inside of the refrigerator and microwave. Wipe full-strength apple cider vinegar on wood cutting boards to clean and sanitize them. Add a cup of full-strength apple cider vinegar to the bottom of your dishwasher before running to clean and deodorize the machine and help prevent mineral buildup on your glassware.
Cleaning the Bathroom
Clean bathroom counters, cabinets, sinks and most surfaces with a mix of equal parts apple cider vinegar and water. Keep bathroom drains fresh and clean by pouring 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by a cup of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of hot water. Let it sit for 10 minutes; then flush with boiling water. Use apple cider vinegar at full strength on showers and tubs to remove soap scum. The acidity of apple cider vinegar helps cut mineral deposits and other buildup without creating chemical fumes or leaving residue that must be washed off.
Windows and Walls and Laundry
Use the 50/50 water and apple cider vinegar mixture to give windows a streak-free cleaning. The same mixture can be used on painted surfaces like walls and cabinetry to clean, remove stains and eliminate odors. Adding a cup of apple cider vinegar to a load of laundry freshens both the laundry, and the machine. Cleaning with apple cider vinegar helps reduce odors and eliminate mold and mildew on any surface. The scent of vinegar can be strong when wet, but as it dries, apple cider vinegar leaves behind a mild, sweet scent.
The Spruce / Cali Godley
You don’t have to walk down a cleaning aisle to find your best options for cleaning your home—just open your pantry. Vinegar, lemons, baking soda, and other natural homemade cleaners do a fabulous job of cleaning, disinfecting, removing stains, and more.
Using Vinegar to Clean
Vinegar cleans and deodorizes almost as well as most all-purpose cleaners. The recipe is to mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Use this solution to clean most areas of your home. Don’t worry about your home smelling like vinegar. The smell disappears when it dries.
Warning
Vinegar can discolor or damage some surfaces, so test it on a hidden area first to make sure no color change or damage occurs. Improperly diluted vinegar is acidic and can also eat away at tile grout. Vinegar isn’t a good idea to use on marble surfaces, either.
Bathrooms: Clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and countertops with the 1-to-1 vinegar and water spray solution. You can also mop the floor in the bathroom with a vinegar and water solution. The solution will clean away soap scum and hard water stains on your fixtures and tile, leaving them shiny and beautiful.
If you have unsightly rings in the toilet bowl, use pure vinegar there. Flush the toilet to allow the water level to go down before pouring the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim. Scrub down the bowl.
Kitchens: Clean the top of the stove, appliances, and countertop surfaces with equal parts vinegar and water. Use vinegar to clean floors and be amazed at the fresh shiny results.
Laundry rooms: Use vinegar as a natural fabric softener, which can be especially helpful for families with sensitive skin issues—add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle in place of store-bought fabric softener. Vinegar has the added benefit of breaking down laundry detergent more effectively. Try it to clean your washing machine as well.
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The Spruce / Cali Godley
Cleaning With Lemons
Lemon juice is another natural substance that can be used to clean your home. It can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits, and it’s great for shining brass and copper. Lemon juice can also be used to treat stains given its natural bleaching qualities, but that can also be a drawback. It’s a good idea to test it out on a hidden area first.
Lemon cleaning applications include:
- Mix lemon juice with vinegar or baking soda to make a cleaning paste.
- Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section of the lemon. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces, and stains.
- Mix 1 cup olive oil with 1/2 cup lemon juice to use as a furniture polish for hardwood furniture
- Put a whole lemon peel or orange peel through the garbage disposal—it freshens the drain and the kitchen.
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The Spruce / Cali Godley
Cleaning With Baking Soda
Baking soda is one of the most versatile cleaners. It can be used to scrub surfaces in much the same way as commercial non-abrasive cleansers. Baking soda is also great as a deodorizer. Place a box in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors. In fact, put it anywhere you need deodorizing action: trash cans, laundry, and even your family’s super smelly sneakers. Baking soda makes a great addition to the laundry room as well.
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The Spruce / Cali Godley
Using Other Natural Cleaners
There are quite a few other options for natural cleaners. You might be surprised to learn that things like ketchup, rice, coffee grounds, and other kitchen ingredients can actually do a fantastic job at cleaning the house.
You can also always buy commercially available natural cleaners, but be aware of what you need to look for in a green cleaning product before you buy it. Learn how to read labels on the products; many of these commercial products use natural ingredients that you may have in your home, but not all green cleaners are created equal.
Here are some DIY cleaning supplies that are as easy on the environment as they are to make.
All-purpose citrus cleaner
- Citrus peels
- 1–2 cups white vinegar
- 15–20 drops of essential oil
Directions:
Fill a jar of your choice with citrus peels, and then top off with white vinegar. Seal tightly with a lid, and allow to sit for a week. Then, strain the solution into a spray bottle and add your favorite essential oil. Use wherever you’d use a traditional multipurpose spray.
Floor and glass cleaner
- 1 cup isopropyl alcohol
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 15–20 drops of essential oil
Directions:
Pour the alcohol, vinegar, and water into a spray bottle. Add the essential oil of your choice. Spray onto paper towels for cleaning windows and mirrors. Add cleaner to a bucket for mopping floors.
Wood polish
- ¾ c. olive oil
- Juice of ¼ lemon
- 1 tbsp. white vinegar
- 3-4 drops essential oil
Directions:
Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, white vinegar, and essential oil into a spray bottle. When you’re ready to use the polish, test a small area first. Wet a cloth and squeeze out the extra water. Spray the polish onto the cloth, and wipe furniture. Buff with a dry cloth to finish.
Disinfecting wipes
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup rubbing alcohol
- 2 tablespoons dish soap
- ½ roll of paper towels
Directions:
Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl or jar, cut a paper towel roll in half, and pour over the mixture over the roll. Store in an airtight container. Use as you would disposable disinfecting wipes to clean countertops, spills, and other messes.
Fabric sanitizer/refresher
- 1½ cup warm water
- ½ cup witch hazel
- 2 tablespoons baking soda
- 20-30 drops of antibacterial essential oils (e.g., lemongrass, cinnamon bark, lemon, lavender)
Directions:
Combine warm water, witch hazel, baking soda, and essential oils in a spray bottle and mix well. Spray onto fabrics for a quick refresh.
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Vinegar is an amazing, cheap and natural cleaner, but anyone who has ever tried vinegar cleaners with it can affirm the fact that the smell isn’t all that appealing. Fortunately, it’s easy to modify the scent and enhance the cleaning capabilities of the vinegar with the simple addition of citrus peels.
The Yummy Life has a particularly useful set of recipes to make your vinegar smell fantastic with different citrus peels and herbs that are allowed to infuse together over a two week period.
She does warn that the initial vinegar smell will never completely disappear when you use vinegar cleaners, but when you infuse it with these citrus/herb combinations, the smell will become pleasant within no time -whereas regular vinegar cleaners continue to stink for a while. If vinegar scents really bother you, she also advises adding a bit of essential oil to the mixture to reduce the smell even more.
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We’ve all done it. We’ve gone out and bought useless gadgets that we don’t really need, just because they seemed really cool at the time. Then, we are stuck with a bunch of junk, and end up tossing it or trying to sell it on Ebay.
On the other hand, there are some pretty awesome tech inventions that are actually useful. For instance, many of the latest home gadgets do some of your work for you, from adjusting the home thermostat to locking your front door. And, if used as designed, these tools should really help to make your life a lot easier—and that’s not just a claim from some infomercial trying to sell you yet another useless gadget.
Take a look at some of the most popular “smart gadgets” on the market:
1. Smart Door Locks
A smart lock lets you lock and unlock your doors by using your smartphone, a special key fob, or biometrics. These locks are keyless, and much more difficult for intruders to break into, making your home a lot safer. You can even use a special app to let people into your home if you are not there to greet them.
2. Smart Kitchen Tools
Wouldn’t you just love to have a pot of coffee waiting for you when you get home from work? What about a “smart pan” that tells you exactly when you need to flip that omelet? From meat thermometers to kitchen scales, you’ll find a variety of “smart” gadgets designed to make culinary geeks salivate.
3. Mini Home Speaker Play:1
If you love big sound, but hate how much space big speakers take up, and if you want a stereo system that is no bigger than your fist, check out the Play:1 mini speaker. All you have to do is plug it in, connect, and then you can stream without worrying about any interruptions or interface. You can even add onto it, and have different music playing in different rooms.
4. Wi-Fi Security Cameras
These are the latest in home security, and they connect to the Wi-Fi in your home. You can use your mobile devices to monitor what is going on in your home at all times, no matter where you are. Options include motion sensors, two-way audio, and different recording options.
5. Nest Thermostat
This is a thermostat that lives with you. It can sense seasonal changes, temperature changes, etc., and it will adjust itself automatically. You will never have to fiddle with a thermostat dial or keypad again, because this one basically does all of the work for you. It can also help you to save as much as 12% on heating bills, and 15% on cooling bills.
6. Smart Lighting
Control your home lighting from your remote device. This is great if you are out and want to make sure that there are some lights on. It is designed to be energy efficient, so it will pay for itself over time because you won’t have to spend so much on your monthly energy bills.
7. Google Chromecast Ultra
Whether you love movies, television shows, music, etc., you can stream it all using Google Chromecast Ultra. Stream all of the entertainment you love in up to 4K UHD and HDR, for just $69 monthly.
8. Canary
This home security system will automatically contact emergency services when they are needed. This system offers both video and audio surveillance, so there will be evidence if there are any break-ins on your property. You can also use it to check up on what’s happening at home when you are not there, including to make sure the kids are doing their homework.
You can make these simple, green cleaning solutions yourself.
The next time you have a sink to scrub or a window to wipe, no need to run to the store: just raid your cupboards and mix up a homemade cleaning solution. Everyday products like club soda (the bubbles help break down stains by loosening grime), vinegar (the acidity inhibits the growth of bacteria and prevents mold and mildew from forming), and even vodka (a proven germ eliminator) make for fast, cheap, and effective homemade cleaners. They’re natural, too.
These DIY cleaners include everything from a homemade all-purpose cleaner to a natural glass cleaner and a solution for grimy hardwood floors. We have the ingredients you need—chances are, you already have most of them—plus the steps for mixing up the cleaning solutions and using them.
Homemade or natural cleaning solutions use simple chemicals and ingredients to remove grime, deodorize, and, in some cases, even disinfect surfaces. They’re great for making surfaces look sparkling-clean. Still, if you’re trying to disinfect or sanitize a surface, you may be better off turning to a store-bought disinfectant (preferably one approved by the FDA to kill bacteria and viruses) to ensure you’ve removed any harmful entities. For every day cleaning, though, these homemade solutions might be just what you need.
What’s the shelf life of homemade cleaners? Most natural, DIY cleaning solutions can last up to a month. But some ingredients (like hydrogen peroxide) lose their potency more quickly. Your best bet is to mix up enough for only a onetime use.
Ready to start mixing and cleaning? Take a look at our cleaning recipes below, organized in one convenient chart, or read on for a full breakdown of each recipe.
Do you own dentures? If so, have you ever had problems cleaning them? Do you want to know how to get rid of that excess buildup in between your full dentures or your partial dentures? As denture wearers, are you looking to find the best homemade denture cleaner recipes?
In this article, you’ll learn great DIY denture cleaner recipes that will make denture cleaning easy and risk-free. You’ll also learn how to make homemade denture cleanser solutions using ingredients from around the house; some elements will include white vinegar, warm water, hydrogen peroxide, and a homemade bleach solution.
Remember, if you want to have excellent dental health when it comes to your dentures, be sure to stay away from tobacco products and soak dentures daily. Health problems should be avoided at all costs, and oral health should be taken very seriously.
- Make Your Own Denture Cleaner
- DIY Denture Cleaner using Vodka
- Denture Cleansing Solution using Baking Soda and Peroxide
- Homemade Denture Cleaner using Bleach
- White Vinegar Solution for Cleaning Dentures
- Natural Denture Cleaner Using White Vinegar to Avoid Bad Breath
Make Your Own Denture Cleaner
DIY Denture Cleaner using Vodka
Vodka may be an appropriatealcoholic beverage but it’s also excellent for cleaning dentures. This strong liquid can disinfect your false teeth while brightening your pearly whites.
Place your dentures into a wide jar and pour vodka over them until they have entirely emerged in the liquid. The denture soaks overnight for the best results. Rinse them very thoroughly the next morning before putting them back into your mouth.
Denture Cleansing Solution using Baking Soda and Peroxide
Baking soda and peroxide are two available ingredients used for several health-related recipes, including oral health. Though there are many uses of baking soda, when these two ingredients are combined, they make the perfect cleaning solution for dentures.
Denture-Cleaning Solution with Baking Soda
- 2 teaspoons of baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Warm water
Put baking soda into a glass and add a few drops of warm water. Only put enough water to dissolve the baking soda.
Place your dentures into the glass and pour enough hydrogen peroxide into the glass to cover the dentures. Soak the dentures overnight and rinse the next morning thoroughly.
Homemade Denture Cleaner using Bleach
Bleach can be used for various things around the house, including but not limited to whitening your clothes and disinfect surfaces around the home. It also works as a great cleaning method for your dentures.
Bleach Recipe to Clean Dentures
- 1 cup of water
- 1 teaspoon of bleach
- 1 teaspoon of water softener
Mix all ingredients, but make sure that the cup of water is not hot water; aim for warm water temperature. Water softener, like Calgon, can be found in the laundry section of retail stores.
After you’ve mixed the ingredients, let the dentures soak in the solution for approximately fifteen minutes. Then, take them out and rinse them using a soft toothbrush.
Warning: Metal Denture Parts and Bleach
If you have metal parts attached to the dentures, avoid using a bleach solution. This could ruin the metal parts.
White Vinegar Solution for Cleaning Dentures
A natural denture cleaner using a white vinegar solution is easy to come by. What’s more is that Doctors of Dental Surgery, or DDS, highly encourage white vinegar to clean dentures.
White vinegar is an all-natural disinfectant. Using this product to provide denture care to your not-so-natural teeth will not only clean them, but it will also protect them against fungal growth.
Mix equal parts of the vinegar with water in a glass. Place the dentures in the glass and allow them to soak overnight. Brush and rinse them before putting the dentures back into your mouth.
Natural Denture Cleaner Using White Vinegar to Avoid Bad Breath
There’s one thing that everyone gets, whether they have dentures or real teeth, and that’s terrible breath. For instance, if you wear dentures and do not soak them overnight or clean the denture adhesive off every day, you’re prone to have bad breath.
White vinegar for bad breath is a must; even the medical professionals suggest using products around the house that act as a risk-free solution to cleaning dentures and avoiding bad breath.
The instructions are very similar to how you would treat your dentures in a white vinegar solution. First, you’ll mix two tablespoons of white vinegar and one cup of water.
Then, you’ll gargle and rinse for approximately thirty seconds and spit the solution out. The only difference here is that you won’t be using a denture brush after you’ve rinsed.
Learning how to create a DIY denture cleaner from ingredients that are affordable and accessible is the first step in maintaining good oral and dental health. Here, you’ve learned how to make a homemade denture cleaner using simple ingredients like warm water, white vinegar, and baking soda.
Instead of going to the store to buy a sodium bicarbonate solution, you’ll now have the correct knowledge to make sure your dentures live a long and healthy life from the comfort of your home.
And don’t forget, taking your dentures out of your mouth every day and cleaning them is highly suggested by the American College of Prosthodontists(..).
We hope you like our homemade denture cleaner recipes and tips we’ve provided in this article. Please share these DIY denture cleaner ideas on Facebook or Pinterest with your family.
We may collect a share of sales from items linked to on this page. Learn more.
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If you’re making the push towards a more natural lifestyle, you may be interested to know that you can actually make your own chemical-free all natural household cleaners at home.
Commercial cleansers are often laden with chemical additives that can be detrimental to your family’s health. Non-toxic natural cleaning solutions are easy to make, store, and they clean just as well as commercial cleansers.
The best part is, you only need a few ingredients for each recipe.
Table of Contents
All Purpose Cleaner
This recipe is an ideal replacement for your basic all-purpose cleaner, like Lysol. It can be used on sinks, countertops, toilets, and in the shower. This is also a good solution for wiping down the oven and other kitchen appliances.
Mix together 1 part white vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle.
Just spray the solution and clean as you normally would. Keep in mind that the vinegar only smells until it is dry. However, if this is irksome to you, you can add a few drops of essential oil to mask the vinegar.
Bath, Tile, Tub and Sink Scrub
You can keep your bathroom from smelling like a school gym without harming your health or the environment. Many commercial janitorial cleaning companies and popular over-the-counter cleaners use fragrance-laden chemicals to disinfect and cover up offensive odors commonly found in bathrooms and fitness centers.
You can get tiles, sinks and tubs just as clean with this natural option. This scrub can be used in place of Soft Scrub or other bathroom scrubs.
- In a shallow bowl, mix together a squirt of biodegradable dish soap (Seventh Generation works well) with two teaspoons of lemon juice.
- Add baking soda slowly until it creates a paste.
Use this paste on showers, toilets, and sinks. Apply it using a scrubby brush or a sponge. You can also let this solution sit overnight to get out the really tough stains.
Glass Cleaner
Cleaning windows is one of the most rewarding ways to use green cleaning methods. Use this as a substitute for Windex for a natural streak-free shine.
- Mix ¼ c. rubbing alcohol, ¼ c. white vinegar, 1 tbsp. cornstarch, and 2 c. of warm water in a spray bottle.
- Shake everything up until the cornstarch is dissolved.
- To make sure your glass stays extra shiny, use a newspaper instead of a paper towel or cloth to wipe it down with. The newspaper doesn’t leave any lint and leaves a perfectly clear shine.
It is a good idea to shake the bottle each time you use it as the cornstarch can sometimes settle to the bottom of the bottle and clog the spray mechanism.
Carpet Cleaner
For brand new stains on the carpet, use club soda instead of an expensive spot cleaner. It works well on new stains, but doesn’t do much if it has already set in.
- For set-in stains, mix together ¼ c. of liquid dish soap with 1/3 c. of water.
- Shake this in a spray bottle until it becomes foamy.
- Spray the foam onto the stain and rinse with white vinegar.
To deodorize a smelly carpet, lightly sprinkle baking soda on the carpet 30 minutes before vacuuming. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer.
Fabulous Floor Cleaner
Keeping floors clean is easy with green ingredients. After sweeping up debris, simply add ½ cup of vinegar to a gallon of warm water and mop the way you normally would. No chemicals, no perfumes, just a clean, shiny floor for only pennies.
If you have wood floors, damp mopping isn’t such a good idea. You can use the same solution, however, and simply spray it onto a cleaning cloth, rubber band the cloth to your dry mop and wipe up all those dust bunnies, dander mites and grime for a wood floor that lasts beautifully for generations, without harming the environment.
Inoffensive Oven Cleaning
Commercial oven cleaning products are one of the worst culprits for toxic fumes in the home and the task is rarely pleasant, but these steps can make oven cleaning as inoffensive as possible while still getting the job done.
Of course, prevention is worth its weight in gold when it comes to oven cleaning. Lining the bottom of your oven with aluminum foil can reduce the need for serious cleaning, simply replace the foil when it collects drips and spills. Also, some ovens offer a self-cleaning setting which bakes the oven at extremely high temperatures, turning spills into ash that is far easier to wipe up.
If your oven needs some serious cleaning and you don’t have a self-cleaning oven, you can still use high heat to make the cleaning job easier. Set the oven at its highest temperature for 15-20 minutes, making sure to turn the overhead fan on. Then allow the oven to cool to a comfortable temperature and wipe out as much as you can wipe damp sponge.
Next, for those stubborn, caked on messes, create a paste with baking soda and water and smear it on, leaving it to sit overnight. The next morning, those baked on spills will wipe away easily without any toxic fumes.
Final Thought
With only a few ingredients you can switch out commercial cleaning products from your home and use safe, natural alternatives. Not to mention, save money – nearly all of these natural cleaning supplies can be purchased in bulk at a fraction of the cost of commercial and residential cleaning products.
Cleaning your home with these natural ingredients will protect your health and the environment, while keeping your home looking and smelling its best.
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