It’s often believed that only strong chemicals work on tough grease and grime stains in our homes, but in fact, there are several highly effective natural solutions that can be used as an alternative to harsh chemicals. They clean just as well (if not better in some cases), and are equally as good at destroying harmful bacteria. Many of these solutions are probably sitting in your pantry as you read this, but if they’re not, they won’t cost the Earth to purchase and in most cases, they cost less than the chemical version. The natural cleaning products are also far less harmful to the environment and to your home. Listed below are 4 of the most popular natural cleaning products for use in the home:
- Baking soda
One way to use this in your home, is to make a paste with a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with a little water, this can then be applied directly to stains in your home. You can also make an all-purpose cleaning solution from a quarter cup of baking soda mixed with a quart of water, or use the soda neat to scrub at stubborn stains and grease.
Try sprinkling baking soda over your carpets, rugs or upholstery to help neutralise nasty whiffs; leave it for a few minutes before vacuuming.
For unblocking drains, sprinkle a good amount of baking soda down the plug hole, then tip vinegar down to flush it through.
- Vinegar
In undiluted form, vinegar will eliminate most fungi’s and mildews that can often be found growing in window seals, shower curtains and fridge doors, provided you leave it to dry naturally.
Dirty windows can easily be cleaned with a solution comprised ofa quarter of a tablespoon of vinegar mixed in a cup of water, and a couple of drops of liquid detergent.
Grubby floor tiles can be a real eyesore in your home, but add a quarter of a cup of vinegar to a gallon of water, and use the solution to get your tiles sparkling clean again; even ground in stains will easily shift.
Just be aware that vinegar is not safe to use on marble products, but it’s perfectly safe to be used on most other surfaces within the home.
- Lemon juice
Lemon juice is fantastic for dissolving soap scum and hard water deposits found in almost every home, and when mixed with vinegar or baking soda, it makes an effective cleaning paste.
You can also simply cut a lemon in half, sprinkle baking soda over the exposed centre and use it to scrub surfaces and stains. Just be mindful that on some surfaces, lemon juice can act in a similar way to bleach, so to avoid ruining surfaces, test it out on a small area first.
For an effective alternative to a shop bought furniture polish, mix a cup of olive oil with half a cup of lemon juice and it will work wonders on hardwood furniture.
Drains can also be freshened up by putting a whole lemon peel through the garbage disposal unit, and you’ll find your entire kitchen smells fresher, too.
- Vegetable oil
Using vinegar again, try mixing 2 parts vegetable oil with 1 part vinegar or lemon juice, and you’ll find it makes a great natural alternative to the types of wood cleaning solutions that can be very harmful to the environment. Pouring the solution into a spray bottle will make it easier and more convenient to use.