Everything You Need To Know About Natural Cleaning Products

 

(Written for https://ordinaryhappilyeverafter.com/)

What Are Natural Cleaning Products?

Natural cleaning products are exactly what they sound like. They are natural versions of the cleaning products and chemicals you find at the cleaning aisle at your local grocery store. While most surfaces can be cleaned with these store-bought cleaners, inhaling the fumes from those chemicals can be harmful to people, especially small children, pregnant women, and older people who are more sensitive. When cleaning your house where there are most likely little rascals running around and touching everything they can get their hands on and then promptly putting their hands in their mouths, wouldn’t you want to use a cleaning product that’s not harmful to you or to your little ones?

Well, you are in luck! Most natural cleaning products are fairly easy to assemble and can be created using common kitchen ingredients like baking soda, water, olive oil, white vinegar, and a spray bottle. So, you don’t have to break the bank to be able to avoid commercial cleaning supplies and keep your house clean, as well as you and your family healthy. Also, you are avoiding a huge expense of having to go out and buy expensive cleaners all the time and attempting to sift through the million options and price ranges until you find one that works for your particular stain. Let’s just keep it simple with a few tried and true natural cleaning products you probably already have lying around, save you so money, and protect your family from harmful fumes. Another bonus to using homemade cleaning solutions is using all-natural cleaning products is environmentally friendly! So, you can help in improving the environment at the same time as protecting your home by being eco-friendly and using natural ingredients for your home cleaning!

What Are The Best All-Natural Cleaning Products?

There is no one best cleaning solution that will work for every stain and grease spot in your house, just like there is no one store-bought chemical cleaner that will solve everything. It can be a wee bit of a challenge at times to sift through all of the household cleaners out there and decide what the best fit is for you and your home. Especially since there are so many frou-frou cleaning products on the market that claim to be all-natural, yet they cost an arm and a leg. If they are all natural and made with natural products found at home, why are they so dang expensive? With cleaning products that claim to be “natural” or “organic” or “green”, unfortunately, there are no federal regulations that force manufacturers to list all of the ingredients in their cleaning product, so consumers like you can know if something is truly natural or organic or not. So, your fancy expensive cleaning product may STILL contain harmful ingredients or toxic chemicals that you and your family are inhaling.

However, rest assured, the majority of successful home cleaning solutions can be created with ingredients that are already in your pantry. And, when you create the cleaning solution yourself, you can be perfectly confident that it is actually truly natural and organic and not going to harm you and your family. Let’s start with the top 15 natural cleaning products and ingredients that will provide the foundation of the majority of your cleaners:

• Baking Soda
• Distilled White Vinegar
• Hydrogen Peroxide
• Cotton Balls
• Liquid Dish Soap
• Salt
• Lemon
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Corn Starch
• Tea Tree Oil
• Nylon Scrub Brush
• Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
• Spray Mop
• Spray Bottle
• Pumice Stone

If you don’t have these ingredients or supplies lying around, you can typically purchase each for just a couple of dollars at your local Walmart or grocery store. Now that you have the cleaning supplies you will typically need, let’s dive into some cleaning tips and recipes to make our homes sparkle, using our eco-friendly products that will keep our family healthy!

How Do I Make Natural Cleaning Products?

When making your own natural cleaners, there are a few precautions you will want to be aware of and follow: 

1. Never combine ammonia-based cleaners with chlorine bleach or anything that contains bleach, like powdered dishwasher soap. The fumes that are created are extremely dangerous and toxic! To avoid any harm or injury, make sure you read the product labels of anything you are about to mix together, to make extra sure it does not contain anything ammonia-based if you are about to mix it with chlorine.
2. Always label any DIY cleaning spray bottle with the intended use for the cleaning solution, as well as a list of all of the ingredients inside. Store your household cleaning products, even your non-toxic cleaning products in a safe place, well out of the reach of children. If, heaven forbid, a child or animal were to get into your cleaners, you know what the mixture contains in case of an emergency because you labeled the spray bottle with the ingredients.

Now that that is out of the way let’s get to the fun part and find some awesome all-natural cleaning solution recipes!

Kitchen Cleaning Recipes:

Kitchen Cleaner and Deodorizer:

Ingredients:

• 4 TB baking soda
• 1-Quart warm water

To be able to clean kitchen counters, stainless steel sinks, cutting boards with stubborn stains that refuse to come off, kitchen appliances, or the inside of your refrigerator, the magic ingredient is baking soda! Not only does baking soda act as a deodorizer and helps take away the funky smell that can happen in kitchens, but it also does a wonderful job of cleaning and removing stains. All you need to do is mix the baking soda and warm water, pour the solution on a cloth or sponge and start scrubbing away. It really does work like magic!

Grease Cleaner:

Ingredients:

• ½ C sudsy ammonia
• 1-Gallon of water

Sudsy ammonia contains a detergent that will help remove the tough grime or grease from your kitchen that always seems to magically happen when you are baking. Mix ½ cup of ammonia with enough water to fill a 1-gallon container, to ensure the cleaner solution is sudsy enough. Then, you free to clean your oven racks, stove hoods, and greasy grills by dipping a sponge in the solution, wiping over the surface, and then rinsing with clean water. You can also soak oven racks and grill grates in the solution directly if they are extra dirty, so the solution can have more time to cut away the grease on them.

Cleaning The Garbage Disposal And Kitchen Sink Drain:

Supplies:

• ½ C baking soda
• 1 C white vinegar
• Water
• Ice
• Salt
• 1 whole lemon

Are you tired of your sink smelling like old garbage? Use this recipe to help prevent nasty food buildup, as well as have your sink smell nice again. Remove the drain catch. Pour ½ C of baking soda and 1 C of white vinegar down your drain or garbage disposal. You should be able to hear the mixture fizzing. While the white vinegar and baking soda solution is doing its part, boil several cups of water on the stove. Carefully pour the boiling water down the drain after the vinegar and baking soda mixture has been in the drain or disposal or a few minutes. After you have poured the boiling water down the drain, fill your drain with ice and add up to 1 C of salt over the top of the ice, until the ice is covered. Run the faucet with cold water over the ice and salt mix and turn on your garbage disposal until all of the ice and salt have disappeared. You have now cleaned and disinfected your drain or garbage disposal, hooray! 

Now, to help get rid of any nasty smells that might remain. Cut the lemon into halves (or smaller pieces if your garbage disposal is picky about the size of things) and add half of the lemon at a time to the garbage disposal while the faucet is still running. 

Removing Grease And Burned Gunk From Pots and Pans:

Supplies:

• Dryer sheets
• Water
• Spatula
• Baking soda (optional)

Ever made a delicious meal and then been left with a burned pot or pan that you can’t remove the burned gunk from, no matter how hard you scrub? Try this solution to save you time, so you don’t just have to rely on a scrub brush and the cleaning power  and strength of your scrubbing arm. Fill the dirty pots and pans with hot water, enough to cover the bottom of the pan and burned area. In each filled pot or pan, place an unused dryer sheet at the bottom, being careful not to burn your hands. Let the pots and pans sit overnight in a safe place where no little one can grab them and knock them over. In the morning, remove the dryer sheet and scrape off any remaining gunk with a hard, flat-edged spatula. 

While the dryer sheet method works incredibly well in removing grease and burned gunk from pots and pans, you may come across some extra stubborn burned spots that need a little bit of extra help. If that is the case, after trying the dryer sheet, dump out the water and coat the burned gunk or grease with baking soda. Let it sit for a few hours and then try to scrape away the gunk with a spatula again.

Removing Stuck-On Food From Your Oven:

Supplies:

• Baking soda
• Water
• Bowl
• Non-scratching sponge or hard-edged spatula

Pour the baking soda into the bowl and slowly add the water until it forms a paste. The amount of baking soda and water you will need depends on the size of the area you are cleaning. Rub the baking soda solution onto all the areas that need to be cleaned inside the oven, or on the top of the oven. Let the solution sit overnight. The next day, use a non-scratching sponge, like Scotch-Brite, to loosen and remove the baking soda mixture that is plastered on your oven.  If the burned food residue is still really stuck on, you can try using a hard-edged spatula, just be careful not to scratch the surface of the oven and leave marks.

Bathroom Cleaning Recipes:

Deep-Cleaning And Deodorizing The Toilet:

Supplies:

• ½ C baking soda
• 1 C white vinegar
• ½ TSP tea tree oil
• Spray bottle
• Toilet brush
• Paper towels or cloth
• Pumice stone (optional)

When you just can’t seem to get the nasty stain to come off of the porcelain toilet or enamel sinks and tubs, try this heavy-duty scrub. By cleaning your toilet with natural cleaning products, you can avoid toxic chemicals that are harmful to your lungs and eyes, as well as still effectively kill off the bacteria. Combine 1 C of white vinegar and a ½ teaspoon od essential oil in a spray bottle. Spray it over your toilet seat, lid, base, and inside the bowl. If you don’t have any essential oil, just stick with the vinegar and spray it all over the toilet. Sprinkle ½ C of baking soda in the toilet bowl, above where the water sits and scrub with a toilet brush. For any stubborn mineral deposits or stains, scrub them with a pumice stone. Always double check first in an inconspicuous spot when scrubbing with a pumice stone, to make sure it won’t scratch the surface of your toilet. After scrubbing, use paper towels or a rag to clean the seat, lid, or anywhere else outside the bowl that you sprayed with the vinegar and essential oil solution.

Removing Mold And Mildew From The Tub And Shower:

Supplies:

• ¼ C liquid dish soap
• ¼ C white vinegar
• Water
• Spray bottle
• Microfiber cloth or other cleaning cloth
• Funnel or measuring cup with a spout

In a microwave-safe dish (ideally a measuring cup with a spout for pouring to avoid splashing and burns), heat a ¼ C of white vinegar until it is extremely hot. Carefully add the hot vinegar to a spray bottle. If you weren’t able to use a measuring cup with a spout, use a funnel to pour the vinegar into the spray bottle so you won’t burn yourself. Add a ¼ C of the liquid soap to the spray bottle and carefully swirl or shake until it is mixed. The solution should not be runny. Thoroughly spray the hot solution on any and all affected areas, including the tile grout in the tub. The gross areas in your bathroom should be completely coated. Allow the solution to sit so it can do its job of eating away the mold and mildew and soap scum for at least 30-45 minutes, overnight if possible. After the solution has set, use a cloth and water to rinse the solution and affected areas. 

Clothing And Carpet Stain Remover Recipes:

Yellow Underarms On White T-Shirts Remover:

Supplies:

• ½ C baking soda
• 1 C white vinegar
• 2 C warm water
• 1 TB salt
• 1 TB hydrogen peroxide
• Bucket
• Old towel
• Smaller bowl or container
• Spoon

Combine 1 C of white vinegar and 2 C of warm water in the bucket. Soak your shirt in the mixture for approximately half an hour. In the smaller bowl, combine the ½ C baking soda, 1 TB salt, and 1 TB hydrogen peroxide. Use a spoon to mix them it all together into a paste. Layout the old towel and put your shirt on top, with the stain exposed. Thoroughly cover the stain with the baking soda paste and let it sit for about a half-hour. Run a load of laundry and throw your shirt in the washer at this point like you normally would. Before putting the shirt in the dry, check to make sure the yellow armpit stain is gone. If it is not gone yet, don’t throw it in the dryer, since the stain will just set in further. 

Instead, repeat the process and soak in the white vinegar and water solution, then cover the stain with the baking soda mixture again. Throw in the wash again, and then check to see if stain is finally removed before throwing in the dryer.

Last-Resort Clothing Stain Remover:

Ingredients:

• 1-Gallon hot water
• 1 C powdered dishwasher detergent
• 1 C regular liquid chlorine bleach (not ultra or concentrate)

Have a nasty old stained white shirt that just won’t come clean, no matter how many different kinds of clothing detergent you’ve tried? Use this clothing stain remover solution on white clothing to remove the yellow spots under the pits or collar caused by sweat. Mix the ingredients above into a stainless steel, plastic, or enamel bowl (not aluminum). Soak the offending garment for 15-20 minutes. If the stain is still there after that time, let it soak a bit longer, then throw the piece of clothing in the wash like normal.

Carpet Stain Remover:

Supplies:

• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Water
• Spray bottle
• Scrub brush
• Vacuum cleaner

Cover the stained area with baking soda. Mix one-part white vinegar and one-part water in a spray bottle. Leaving the baking soda on the carpet, spray the stain with the white vinegar and water solution. The vinegar water mixture will cause a reaction with the baking soda, and it will bubble and foam on the carpet. This is completely okay. Let the vinegar and baking soda solution set by staying on the carpet stain for at least 3 hours. Use your scrub brush and gently scrub the cleaning mixture into the stain. Wait for the solution to dry by leaving on the carpet overnight. The white vinegar, water, and baking should have dried by now, leaving a chalky baking soda residue on the carpet. Vacuum the affected area, and if any of the chalky mixture is still there, gently scrub it off with a clean cloth. Your stain should have been removed by now, and your carpet will look like new!

All-Purpose Cleaners And Misc. Cleaning Recipes:

Scented All-Purpose Cleaner:

Ingredients:

• One-part white vinegar
• One part water
• Lemon rind
• Rosemary sprigs

Want your house to be clean, as well as smell nice? Combine the ingredients above, pour into a spray bottle, shake, and then let it sit, or infuse, for a week before you use it. Vinegar makes a great disinfectant! Once your cleaner is ready, you can use it to remove hard water stains, clean stinky trash cans, wipe away wall smudges made by little grubby hands, and clean or greasy kitchen countertops. This cleaner is perfect for stubborn stains, with the benefit of making your house smell pretty and refreshing as you are cleaning as well.

Glass Cleaner:

Ingredients:

• 2 C water
• ½ C white vinegar
• ¼ C rubbing or isopropyl alcohol (70% concentration)
• 1 to 2 drops of orange essential oil for smell (optional)

Want to clean your mirrors and tired of the pesky streaks that always seem to happen? Combine all ingredients and pour them into a spray bottle and start wiping the glass surface. When cleaning mirrors, spray the cleaner on a paper towel or soft microfiber cloth first before wiping the mirror to prevent streaks from occurring. Also, be sure not to clean windows on a hot and sunny day, since the glass cleaner solution will dry too quickly and then leave lots of ugly streaks on your window. 

Pen Ink Stain Remover:

Supplies:

• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton ball or old toothbrush

You may also need:

• Petroleum jelly
• Mineral spirits
• Liquid dish soap
• Water
• Washcloth

If a ballpoint pen explodes in your pocket or purse, or a crazy kid trying to be creative uses a pen on your couch cushion, here’s the perfect solution to get rid of the stain quickly. You will want to attack it right away before the pen stain has a chance to set in even further. If the stain is spreading, apply petroleum jelly around the perimeter of the stain to stop the stain from spreading even further. 

If the stain is on sturdy fabric, like a cotton shirt, you can use a toothbrush to scrub. If it’s on a more delicate fabric, like your couch, for example, start with a cotton ball. Soak the cotton ball or toothbrush in rubbing alcohol and gently blot or rub the stain until it is no longer visible.

If the stain is especially stubborn, you may have to apply mineral spirits after trying the rubbing alcohol. Use a cotton ball to rub the stain away. On some fabrics, the mineral spirits can remove the color of the fabric, so be sure to first test it out by scrubbing in an inconspicuous area of the clothing or fabric. 

If you only used rubbing alcohol to get out the pen stain, it will likely evaporate on its own, and you won’t need to rinse the rubbing alcohol out. If you used petroleum jelly or mineral spirits though, you will want to dilute a few drops of dish soap in water and gently rinse the affected area with a clean washcloth. Then, just to be safe, rinse again, but just with water this second time.

Cleaning Tile And Wood Floors:

Supplies:

• 1 C white vinegar
• 1-Gallon warm (not hot) water
• Spray mop, or a bucket and a cloth

This is the perfect cleaning solution for sealed wood floors and non-porous tile (like porcelain). Mix 1 C white vinegar and 1-Gallon of warm water together in a bucket. If the smell of vinegar is too strong, you can always use a drop or two of an essential oil to the solution to help with the smell. 

If you’re using a spray mop, fill the mop’s reservoir with the white vinegar and water solution. Spray and wipe the floor, being careful not to oversoak the wood floors. You want things to be scrubbed and gleaming, not soggy and bordering on a flood and water damage. If using a bucket and a cloth, wring out your cloth each time after dipping it in the bucket of cleaning solution and then scrub the floor. If needed, wipe everything after scrubbing with a clean, dry cloth to dry everything and prevent water damage. And voila! Your floor is now clean!

Brass Cleaner:

Ingredients:

• White vinegar or lemon juice
• Table salt

Have any brass décor items that have dulled, and you want them shining and polished like new again? Try combining white vinegar or lemon juice and table salt. It works like a charm to clean non-lacquered items is to dampen a sponge with vinegar or lemon juice, and then sprinkle on a bit of salt. Light rub over the tarnished surfaces. Rinse thoroughly with water, and then immediately dry with a soft cloth to prevent hard water stains. If your brass is lacquered, then you only want to wipe it with a soft, damp cloth; don’t use any cleaning materials on it.

Water Ring Remover:

Ingredients:

• One-part white non-gel toothpaste
• One-part baking soda

This natural cleaning solution is perfect for cleaning spots where you accidentally left a water ring from setting down a glass that was wet on the bottom. Mix the toothpaste and the baking soda together. Dampen a cloth with water, add the toothpaste mixture to the offending spot, and run with the grain to buff over the spot (do not use this on unfinished wood, lacquer, or antiques). Then, get a dry cloth and wipe off the home cleaning solution. Polish and shine like you normally would afterward.

Marble Cleaner:

Ingredients:

• 2 Drops of mild dishwashing liquid, like Dawn dish soap
• 2 C warm water

Mix the dishwashing detergent and warm water and sponge over the marble countertop. Rinse completely to remove any soap residue and buff with a soft cloth. Do not let marble air-dry. Precaution: never use vinegar, lemon, or any type of acidic cleaning solution on marble or granite surfaces since it will eat into the stone.

Anyone Can Use Natural Cleaning Products

As you can see, there are many different eco-friendly and healthy natural cleaning solutions out there. For many solutions, you can easily use cleaning items you already have in your home, so you don’t break the bank on expensive cleaning products that claim to be organic. Start today with mixing up a few of these homemade cleaning solutions and help your family and home be clean and healthy!