Favourite natural homemade cleaning products

August 15, 2020

I don't know about you but I used to buy cleaning products once per month. I found out that my bill is much higher when I add these products to my list. Then I sat down and calculated the yearly cost we spend on the cleaning products. I was surprised. Do I really want to spend so much money on the products that harm our health and are not environmental friendly? No, not at all! And yet they can be replaced with natural cleaning products! I decided to scroll the internet and look for the natural ingredients I need so I can rush to the shop and buy everything I need. I was really surprised when I found out that I have every single ingredient already at home and there is no need to buy anything extra! Isn't it awesome? It is worth preparing such a basic set that allows you to disinfect and clean any surface in your home and garden. Forget about cleaning products filled with strong and often irritating chemical ingredients. Clean your home ecologically, safely and for the health of your loved ones and the environment.

Benefits of using homemade cleaning products

Here are the more important benefits of using DIY cleaning products:

  • Cheap

  • Extremely effective

  • Easy to use

  • Easy to get

  • Do not contain toxic chemicals

  • Environmentally friendly

The cleaning paradox

One of the most important positive effects of using natural cleaning products is the air quality in our home. And here is the paradox - the air after cleaning should be cleaner than before, right? Meanwhile, when using various types of chemicals, the opposite happens. So what's the point of using them? Also, keep in mind that there is no rule that specifies the use of the term "natural" or "ecological". As a result, these terms are notoriously misused due to their huge marketing potential.

Remember that you are the only one who can take care of the quality of life in your home. 

The most powerful ingredients

  • vinegar - has a great antibacterial effect, dissolves grease and what is important - its smell quickly wears off

  • baking soda - softens water, removes unwanted odors, cleans all kitchen utensils, prevents rusting, can replace washing bleach, suitable for cleaning fittings and more

  • borax - cleans and removes odors, softens water, an excellent disinfectant

  • grey soap - a great substitute for commercial detergents; cheap and ecological cleaning product, dissolves grease, ideal for cleaning floors

  • acid / lemon juice - has a strong antibacterial effect, cleans grease, limescale and refreshes; has a whitening effect - it can be useful when removing stains 

  • essential oils - enhance the antibacterial and antiviral effect of cleaning products, in addition, citrus oils have the properties of removing fats

The power of essential oils

Not everyone knows that natural essential oils are very versatile. With the help of ordinary oils, we can give the apartment a pleasant and unobtrusive smell. They can also save you from diseases ranging from headaches to rheumatism or digestive problems. But hardly anyone knows that they are perfect for cleaning and even disinfecting surfaces. See how to use them!

  • lemon - it smells fresh and nice, great for air freshening and many household cleaners. It has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties. Both lemon oil and fresh lemon effectively remove greasy stains. it is suitable for cleaning wood in a combination with oil.

  • tea tree oil - this is one of the oils that you should always have at hand. It has antibacterial and antiviral properties. Most often I mix it with water in a spray bottle - about 10 drops per 150 ml of water and use it to clean all surfaces. I also found out that it effectively repels lice and insects.

  • rosemary - it has a strong antibacterial and antiseptic properties. I like rosemary and mint combinations, I often add a few drops to the water and light them in the fireplace. Rosemary oil can also be used for washing or in a household washing-up liquid.

  • cinnamon - effectively protects against mold and helps to get rid of it. You can sprinkle cinnamon on the mildew or use a spray of oil and water. Ground cinnamon and essential oil are also effective weapons against pests. To scare them away, sprinkle cinnamon or use a few drops of undiluted oil.

  • pine - pine oil is effective in killing yeast bacteria and E. coli. It leaves a pleasant fresh and natural fragrance. Mostly I use it for cleaning floors, just a few drops are enough to take advantage of its valuable properties.

  • thyme - it is effective against salmonella, making it an ideal addition to homemade dishwashing liquids. I mostly use it to disinfect cutting boards.

  • orange - this fragrance not only improves your mood, but also, like lemon, copes with greasy stains. I use it when I cannot clean the hob. Like other oils, when combined with water, it works well as a surface cleaning spray.

  • lavender - not everyone is a fan of it, but it is one of the most effective antibacterial oils. I mix a few drops of oil with vinegar and use such a solution to clean the bathroom, bathtub and floor. The smell of vinegar is more bearable and the bathroom is clean and sanitized.

  • peppermint - has a cool, refreshing fragrance and antibacterial properties. This is one of the best natural air fresheners. Mint oil is a great deterrent to ants and spiders. If you don't have your favourite essential oils, check out the ones I always buy and recommend - Mystic Moments

Recipes for DIY cleaning products

Let's do it by yourself! Here are my favourite recipes for cleaning every room in your house:

Kitchen

Oven cleaner:

1 cup of baking soda, 2 teaspoons of salt, hot water - enough to make a paste. Leave for 5 minutes. Store away from cables and heating elements.

Dish soap:

the juice of three lemons, 1.5 cups of water 1 cup of fine salt, 1 cup of white vinegar, Mix lemon juice with water, salt and vinegar. Cook in the pot for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly, until the liquid thickens. Pour the still warm liquid into the glass vessel. Use like any other washing-up liquid.

Absorbing odors in the refrigerator:

Pour 2-4 teaspoons of baking soda into a small bowl and refrigerate. You can add a few drops of your chosen essential oil.

You can clean stainless steel dishes with lemon juice.

A paste made of baking soda along with water will remove sediment from coffee and tea cups.

You can remove the limescale from the kettle after boiling water with citric acid or vinegar.

Bathroom

Basin, bathtub, tiles:

0.5 cups of baking soda, 2-3 tablespoons of vinegar. Wipe clean with a soft cloth.

Toilet seat cleaner:

Put 0.25 cups of baking soda into the toilet bowl, drizzle with 1 teaspoon of vinegar. Leave for 0.5 h, rub and wash off.

Mirror:

1 teaspoon of vinegar, 0.5 liters of warm water. Pour into a spray bottle. Spray the mirror, wipe it dry (preferably with a newspaper so that there are no streaks).

Tiles:

0.5 l of water, 2 teaspoons of vinegar. Wipe with a sponge moistened in the solution.

Grout:

baking soda, water. Mix the ingredients, make a paste and put it on the grouts. Leave for 15 minutes, then rinse with water

Cleaning product for ceramic tiles on the floor:

0.25 cups of vinegar, 3.5 liters of warm water.

Drain cleaner:

Put 0.25 cup of baking soda down the drain. Pour 0.5 cups of vinegar and cover for 15 minutes. Finally pour 2 liters of boiling water over it.

Unfortunately this one has never worked for me. I always buy ready-made product to make my pipes fully drained. Hopefully it will work for you!

Mold remover:

0.5 cups of water 4 tablespoons of vinegar.

Washing chrome elements (handles, taps, taps):

Dip a soft cloth in a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water. You can add a few drops of essential oil.

Coating on shower heads:

1l of boiling water, 0.5 cups of vinegar. Unscrew the shower head, and put it in the solution for a quarter.

Limescale, rust:

Put a lemon slice on the stone raid and leave for 15 minutes.

Other rooms

All-Purpose Cleaner with Lemon

2 cups white vinegar, 2 cups water, 1 teaspoon natural dish soap (NOT castile soap) 30 drops lemon essential oil, 20 drops melaleuca essential oil. Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake to combine. Spray and wipe on counters, cabinets, sinks, toilets, and anywhere else.

I hope you like this post! Let me know what's your favourite DIY cleaning product recipe in the comments below.


© 2021 Natalia Snopkowska