KEEP IT CLEAN – NATURAL CLEANING PRODUCTS FOR YOUR HOME

Sustainability and eco-friendly living really do start at home. All around the world, people are switching from synthetic home cleaning products to natural ones. And for good reason.

Making your own eco-friendly versions of detergents and cleaners is not only easy, but it’s affordable and highly effective, too. The ingredients in all of these natural cleaning product ideas are probably already in your kitchen. If not, you can purchase them at a fraction of the price that synthetic products go for. 

Creating home cleaning products that are completely natural and free of any harsh chemicals isn’t only good for your pocket. It also means a safer environment for children, pets, and the planet. 

Using these simple ingredients, you can prevent further toxicity damage to your local environment, protect your skin from harsh chemicals, and ensure your home stays fresh, fragrant, and hygenic. 

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO START YOUR NATURAL CLEANING JOURNEY

Before you can begin the transition from synthetic to natural home cleaning products, there are a couple of pantry staples you’ll need to stock up on. 

 

• BICARBONATE OF SODA 

 

Also known as baking soda, this versatile powder is often used as a raising agent in cakes. An effective deodorizer and mild abrasive, bicarb has an alkalizing effect on its environment. By fizzing when wet, bicarb lifts stubborn grime and neutralizes acidity. 

 

• LEMON JUICE

 

This zesty citrus fruit possesses naturally antiseptic and antibacterial acids, making it perfect for streak-free cleaning around the home. Lemon also acts as a mild natural bleach, so you can use it for stain removal.

 

• WHITE VINEGAR

 

White vinegar has been used for centuries as a natural antibacterial and disinfectant for home cleaning. The sharp acidity of vinegar cuts through grease, rust, and hard-water stains with ease. Its shelf-life is also much longer than lemons. 

 

• ESSENTIAL OILS

 

While eco-friendly cleaning products may be effective, they don’t always have the best fragrances. However, a couple drops of your favorite natural essential oils can transform any solution into a spring-fresh delight. Plus, many essential oils contain their own antibacterial or disinfectant properties too. Peppermint, tea-tree, lavender, lemon, and eucalyptus work best. 

 

• SPRAY BOTTLES AND TUBS

 

These are not technically ingredients, but they are essential tools for creating your own natural cleaning products at home. Investing in a selection of glass spray bottles and tubs gives you sustainable storage for your cleaning products that you can reuse time and again. 

With these ingredients and tools, you can build up a range of effective natural cleaning products that target different elements of hygiene in the home. 

 

• NATURAL CLEANING PRODUCTS YOU CAN MAKE FROM HOME

 

You might be used to buying these six cleaning products at the store, but all of them are easy to make when you have access to the right supplies. Each of these recipes is customizable, allowing you to personalize the potency and fragrance to your liking. 

 

• TOILET CLEANER 

 

Toilet cleaner is an essential cleaning product in any home. Glug 2 parts white vinegar and 1 part distilled water into a spray bottle, and add in 10-15 drops (in total) of peppermint and lemon essential oil, and shake well. 

Spray generously onto the inside of your toilet bowl and then sprinkle 2 tablespoons of bicarb on top. Let this sit for 10 minutes (it’s going to fizz!) and scrub with a toilet brush before flushing.

 

• AIR FRESHENER

 

This natural air freshener is not limited to bathroom use. You can spritz it anywhere in the house for a sweet and refreshing burst of fragrance that lingers—without the chemicals. 

Fill a small spray bottle with distilled water and add 15-20 drops (in total) of lavender, peppermint, and lemon. Feel free to switch up the essential oils to suit your personal scent preference. 

 

• ALL-PURPOSE SURFACE CLEANER

 

This is the type of product you can spray onto anything from kitchen countertops to the fridge door. Combine 1-part white vinegar with 6 parts distilled water in a wide-nozzle spray bottle. 

Add in a few drops of lavender, lemon, and peppermint oil, and shake well. This combination will effortlessly cut through sticky spills and leave surfaces sparkling and sweet smelling. 

 

• CARPET DEODORIZER 

 

This recipe is perfect for bringing freshness to your carpet. However you can also use it as a repellent for fleas, bed bugs, and dust mites. It requires only two ingredients: bicarb and a selection of essential oils. 

Spoon bicarb into a resealable tub until ¾ full, and then add 10-15 drops per cup of tea-tree and lavender oil. Close the lid and shake vigorously until the oil and bicarb have combined. Sprinkle the mixture evenly across your carpet and let it sit for 10 minutes, before vacuuming it all up. 

Depending on the type of mattress you have, you can use this deodorizer to keep your bed clean too. You can also use it on your sofa and on any indoor or outdoor cushions that need cleaning. 

 

• WINDOWS, MIRRORS AND TAPS CLEANER 

 

The solution to streaky glass and grimy faucets couldn’t be simpler. In a spray bottle, combine 1 part white vinegar with 2 parts distilled water, and throw in two thick slices of lemon. Add 5-10 drops of lemon essential oil, and let it sit for 30 minutes in the fridge. Spray generously onto windows, mirrors, or taps and wait 5 minutes before wiping off with a dry microfiber cloth. 

 

THE BENEFITS OF GREEN CLEANING YOUR HOME

 

The push for eco-friendly home cleaning products stems from a variety of reasons, and provides us with a variety of benefits. 

Creating your own cleaning goods from natural, non-toxic ingredients means less plastic waste and less water contamination in your area. 

What’s more, going green with your cleaning supplies is significantly cheaper than buying commercial products. Plus, you can have fun making your own products and customizing your scents.

If you don’t have the time to make your own solutions, find a local supplier of natural, eco-friendly cleaning products. There’s bound to be a supplier near you that will welcome your support. 

Making the switch to eco-friendly cleaning products is a small step in sustainable living. But small steps make big differences to the environment when lots of people take them together.