7 Natural Homemade Cleaning Products. We are surrounded by chemicals; they are in just about everything that our families eat, drink and use. Not all chemicals are bad, of course. Many of them have improved and simplified our lives. The ingredients in most commercial cleaning products, however, are very problematic.
Ingredients such as ammonia, chlorine bleach, and phosphoric acid can cause burns or blindness. Many store-bought scented products include chemicals that are known as endocrine disrupters. Additionally, individuals with asthma or other lung conditions may find that heavily-scented chemical cleaning products can trigger symptoms.
The good news is that there is a better way to keep your home clean! It’s simple to make your own natural homemade cleaning products. In fact, you probably have many of the ingredients in your home already. Vinegar, for example, is an excellent disinfectant and deodorizer while baking soda works well for scrubbing. If you prefer scented products, you can add essential oils to most of these recipes.
It’s also worth noting that it’s not all about the cleaner. It’s also about the person doing the cleaning! Invest in a few good scrub brushes and microfiber towels. You’ll find that most messes can be cleaned with these simple tools and a little bit of elbow grease.
Homemade cleaning products are safer for the environment, your home and your family. Here are 7 Natural Homemade Cleaning Products recipes that are simple and economical to make.
Homemade Laundry Detergent:
Use a ratio of 2:1 of soap flakes and washing soda to launder clothing. Soap flakes can be purchased or you can make your own by grating a natural vegetable soap. Baking soda, in an amount equal to that of the washing soda, can be added for additional freshness.
All-Purpose Cleaner:
This all-purpose cleaner works well for a variety of household surfaces, such as counters, tile floors, and tubs. Mix 1/2 cup of vinegar with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Pour this mixture into a 12 oz. bottle and fill the rest up with water.
Optional: Add several drops of your favorite essential oil if you prefer a scented cleaner.
Furniture Polish:
1/2 cup of olive oil plus 1/2 cup of vinegar makes a fantastic polish for wood surfaces. A lemon essential oil can be used as a fragrance if desired. (Add up to 20 drops).
Disinfecting Shower Cleaner:
This cleaner will fight soap scum and mold and keep things smelling fresh. Mix 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide with 2 cups of water and 1/2 of a cup of fresh lemon juice.
Glass Cleaner:
Straight isopropyl alcohol (yes, the kind you have in your bathroom) makes a terrific, streak-free glass cleaner. However, it is also very drying to the hands and has a strong scent. To make a gentler solution for clean windows, you can mix 2 cups of water with 1/4 of a cup each of isopropyl alcohol and vinegar.
Drain Cleaner:
There is a very simple solution to that unpleasant kitchen or shower drain smell. There’s no need to buy expensive and caustic drain cleaners. Simply mix up a small amount of 1:1 solution of baking soda to foam away bad smells and release clogs. As you’ll remember from science class, vinegar and baking soda together create a foamy volcano! So, you’ll want to measure out each in a separate container and then pour them in together. Allow this mixture to sit for 10-15 minutes and follow it up with a small panful of boiling water to break up any
Natural Stain Remover:
You’ll find that this mixture works just as well or better than the store-bought kind! ( Please note that this recipe does contain Dawn dishwashing soap, which is a fairly gentle cleaner.) Combine 1 part Dawn with 1 part baking soda and 2 parts hydrogen peroxide. Using a toothbrush or a small scrub brush to work it into the stain will really help.
These are just a few basic recipes to get you started. If you are looking to replace a particular favorite conventional cleaning product with something natural, a DIY idea or recipe almost certainly exists online! Once you start using natural homemade cleaning products, you’ll never want to go back. You’ll find that they clean just as well as their more toxic (and expensive) counterparts.