It seems like cleaning this time of year happens more often than usual. And due to the weather, most of us keep windows and doors closed when we clean, which can trap any unhealthy chemicals from mainstream cleaning products in our house. If you are looking for some natural and environmentally friendly cleaning solutions, look no further.
- Lemons. A cheap alternative to remove dirt and rust, and can be mixed with salt to scour surfaces. Lemon juice can also bleach stains, neutralize odors on hands, hard surfaces and in garbage disposals and can cut grease.
- Essential Oils. Potent and plant based, some essential oils can kill bacteria and mold. Tea tree oil can be used to fix scuffed floors and clean toilets, and orange oil can remove gum from various materials. You can buy essential oils at Swanson if you like low prices.
- Liquid Castile Soap. Who knew one soap could have so many uses? Liquid Castile Soap mixed with water can clean your car, floors, stovetop and almost any surface in your bathroom. Want to learn more about Dr. Bronner's (the product image featured in this post with all the words on the label)?
- Cooking Oils. Not just for making food more delicious—they can also get rid of dirt, hide scratches and hydrate wood. Vegetable oil can buff leather shoes, smooth scratches in wood furniture, and prevent wicker from drying. Oil olive can also buff stainless steel surfaces.
- Borax. Used mostly with or for laundry detergent, it can kill mold and fungus and soften hard water, too. It can also clean china, the dishwasher, pots and pans, and the toilet.
- Vinegar. Really a miracle cleaner, vinegar can make tarnish vanish, destroy soap scum and mineral deposits, and can inhibit the growth of mold, mildew and some bacteria. Did we mention that it’s cheap? Use it to clean your coffeemaker, dishwasher, drains, glass, showerhead and floors.
- Baking Soda. Not only used for cooking or sitting in the back of your fridge to eliminate odors, baking soda can also be used to clean stains off of coffee mugs, remove odors from upholstered furniture and erase crayon marks from white walls. It can also remove rust stains and dirt from a stainless steel sink.
- Standard Toothpaste. After you’ve brushed your teeth for the day, try your toothpaste to polish chrome and tarnished silverware, piano keys and scuffed linoleum.
- Regular Table Salt. Most salts will work just as well for scouring, but table salt is cheaper. Get stubborn stains out of glassware, remove grease from pots, pans and wooden counters and tables, and cleans spills in the oven.
Source: Real Simple