Are you tired of spending an arm and a leg while trying to keep your home clean? Many cleaning products out on the market are expensive, and in addition are full of chemicals that may be harmful to humans and animals. Within the last few years, many people have decided to nix their former cleaning methods/products in pursuit of healthier, more natural/environmentally friendly, and cheaper ways to maintain a clean home. With just a few ingredients like vinegar (don’t worry, the smell goes away when the vinegar dries!), essential oil(s), and baking soda, here’s how you can get started!
Refrigerator: When it comes to where you store your food, it’s a good idea to ditch the toxic chemicals. Instead, create a 50-50 mixture of vinegar and water to wipe up spills.
Drain: Grab a scrub brush that can fit into the disposal. Pour vinegar over the brush then sprinkle it with baking soda and begin scrubbing!
Microwave: Use the same 50-50 mixture of vinegar and water that you used in the fridge, but pour it into a glass bowl. Microwave the bowl of 50-50 mixture for 2-3 minutes or until it boils. This will cause the residue that has built up in the microwave to soften, making it easier to wipe away with a cloth or paper towel!
Toilet: Pour a cup of the vinegar into the toilet and let it sit overnight. In the morning, sprinkle in some baking soda, then scrub and flush.
Drains: Close the drain and then pour enough vinegar over the drain to cover it. Let the vinegar sit overnight then drain and rinse.
Shower: Bring vinegar to a boil, then use it with a rag to wipe down the shower door and walls. Keep the walls damp by wiping them down about every 5 minutes for 30 minutes. After the vinegar starts doing its job, wet a sponge in more vinegar, sprinkle with baking soda, and scrub. Rinse down everything when finished.
Glass: Using a 50-50 vinegar water mixture in place of Windex to keep cabinet glass and mirrors sparkling and finger-print free. Bonus tip: if you use old newspapers in place of paper towels, you’ll get a streak free shine without the lint that usually collects from paper towels!
Wood Furniture: Mix ¼ cup of vinegar with 1 cup of olive oil to clean and condition wood furniture. If you want that “Lemon Pledge” effect, add a few drops of lemon or orange essential oil to the mixture.
Wood Floors: Mix ½ cup of vinegar into a gallon of water and mop as usual, to clean wood floors.
Carpets: Mix a few drops of your favorite essential oil with some vinegar in a spray bottle. Spritz lightly throughout. Side notes: tea tree oil works great on dust mites! (Be sure to test this in a small area out of sight to see how this mixture reacts with your carpet color.)
Air Freshener: In a 4-ounce spray bottle, add ½ teaspoon vinegar, fill the rest of the way with distilled water, and add a few drops of your favorite essential oil. Lemon and lavender essential oils are wonderful for this!
Windows: Mix together ¼ cup rubbing alcohol and 1/3 cup vinegar in a 32 ounce spray bottle, then fill the rest of the way with distilled water. Lightly spritz onto the windows then wipe with a lint free cloth (note the newspaper tip above!)
All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1 cup vinegar, 2 teaspoons borax, 4 cups hot water, 5 drops liquid dish soap, 10 drops tea tree oil, and if desired, 10 drops of your favorite essential oil.
If you thought that making your own cleaning products would be time consuming and difficult, we hope that these tips have changed your mind! With just a few inexpensive and all natural ingredients, you can get your home sparkling clean!
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