Store bought chemical-based cleaning products can be harmful to our health, causing irritation to our skin or eyes. However, it is easy to switch from these harsh chemicals to more natural homemade cleaning solutions. These solutions can be produced using ingredients lying around the average household. These tips and guidelines are provided by domestic cleaning services, TidyChoice.
Natural Ingredients You’ll Need
White Vinegar
White vinegar is a common household product and is brilliant in natural cleaning solutions. Due to its high acidic content, vinegar can dissolve and release any type of grit or dirt making it easy to clean or remove.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can act as an all-purpose cleaner. It has a fragrant and appealing smell, as well as anti-bacterial properties which makes it a great ingredient for cleaning.
Olive Oil
Oils can help nourish and bring a shine to certain surfaces, like wood. It can also loosen up grime or dirt making it easier to wipe away.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is also a useful ingredient in cleaning solutions. It can absorb excess moisture from liquid stains. Baking soda can also neutralise bad odours due to its alkaline state.
Tea Tree Oil
Many essential oils are beneficial in cleaning to add a pleasant smell to homemade cleaning solutions. Tea Tree Oil, specifically, can prevent a build up of mould and is said to be a natural disinfectant due to its anti-bacterial and antifungal properties.
DIY Cleaning Products
All-Purpose Cleaner
Mix together equal parts water and white vinegar. To this, add 10 to 20 drops of essential oil, tea tree oil is a good choice but any fragrant oil would work.
Use this as an all-purpose cleaner for tackling stains and dirt on. Add the mixture to a spray bottle, spray anywhere necessary and wipe with a cloth.
Oven Cleaner
Take equal parts baking soda and white vinegar and mix with two tablespoons of water, until a runny paste like consistency forms.
Scrub the floor and walls of the oven using the mixture and leave to dry for two hours or until dried out. Take a cloth and remove the solution which should also clear any dirt or food, leaving the oven clean.
Air Freshener
In a spray bottle, mix a quarter cup of white vinegar with one cup of water. To this add 10 to 25 drops of essential oil of your choice. The more essential oil added, the more fragrant the air freshener will be.
Spray the mixture in the air in your home to freshen and neutralise any odours and leave a lasting appealing smell.
Kitchen Cleaner
In a cup of warm water add a tablespoon of baking soda to make a cloudy liquid solution. Use this as a multi-purpose kitchen cleaner, to wipe down surfaces, countertops and the sink.
This can also be used to clean and clear drains by pouring the warm mixture down the sink. The mixture will also neutralise any odours coming from drains.
Adjust the amounts, by adding more baking soda and less water to form a thick paste. This can be used to wipe down and clean stainless steel or other metal surfaces. Apply using a damp cloth and leave to dry, before removing using a cloth.
Water Stains
Water stains on taps in the bathroom or kitchen can be an eyesore. However, this cleaning solution is a simple one. Simply, take lemon juice and a cloth or, better, half of a lemon, and scrub against the water stains.
The acidity of the lemon will dissolve any water stains and leave your taps sparkly clean. This method will also leave a fragrant citrus scent.
Toilet Cleaner
This requires three quarters of a cup of both baking soda and white vinegar, alongside, ten drops of tea tree oil. Adding an additional essential oil can be beneficial in creating a pleasant smell, like lavender or rose.
Mix the ingredients together until a viscous liquid forms and use this to scrub the toilet bowl. Afterwards, flush the toilet, washing the mixture down the drains. This can also act a drain unclogger and neutralise any odours.
Polisher
Dab a small amount of olive oil on a cloth and wipe down any metal or wooden items. This can add a shine and, especially, nourish wooden surfaces. Wipe in circular motions until any dirt is removed and the items are sparkly clean. Remove any excess oil using a second cloth or kitchen roll.
Microwave Cleanser
The microwave can be one of the most used appliances in the kitchen and, because of this, it can gather gunk and food regularly. In a microwave safe glass, pour equal amounts of both white vinegar and lemon juice until the glass is filled half way. Microwave on standard settings for two minutes.
When the cycle finishes, leave the door closed for additional few minutes for the created steam to properly release any gunk or grime. Simply, wipe down with a cloth removing any filth and leaving the microwave looking brand new.
Chopping Board Scrub
If you are a regular chef at home, then your chopping boards are probably used very often for a variety of foods. It is important to keep them sanitised after each use to prevent cross-contamination between foods.
Slice a lemon in half and dip the lemon in rock salt or table salt, depending on what you have available. Scrub the chopping board using the lemon and salt and leave the mixture for five to ten minutes before rinsing away with water.
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