Vinegar
Vinegar is a well-known natural cleaning agent that has been used for decades. Both white vinegar and apple cider vinegar have properties that can help with killing bacteria, deodorizing surfaces, and cleaning in general. White vinegar is commonly used to help polish silver and surfaces like windows because it can combat dirt, grime, and even grease easily. Apple cider vinegar has similar uses and is a great add-in to deodorize laundry naturally and clean drains. Instead of using surface cleaning products with harsh chemicals, next time try a little vinegar diluted with water.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a non-toxic substance that has a variety of everyday uses. Not only is it an antibacterial and antifungal agent, but it can take the place of multiple harsh cleaning products. Hydrogen peroxide and hot water are the perfect combination for cleaning floors, scrubbing countertops, and cleaning sinks and toilets. It’s powerful enough to remove stains from things like toilets while also gentle enough to not eat away at your home’s surfaces. You can even use hydrogen peroxide to help combat tough grime, mold, and mildew that grows in showers and sinks.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a widely used natural ingredient throughout households around the country. Commonly known for being a great natural option in toothpastes, baking soda has cleaning and whitening properties that work just as well as harsh chemicals. The uses for baking soda, especially in household cleaning, are abundant. From keeping an open box of it in your fridge to help deodorize it to cleaning floors and countertops, you can use baking soda for almost anything. It even works as an oven and surface cleaner as well as a great scrubber for toilets and bathtubs.
Castile Soap
Castile soap is a type of natural soap that is derived from vegetable and plant oils. It’s incredibly versatile in its uses and is a great alternative to any soap that may contain potentially dangerous substances like parabens. Castile soap can be used on almost anything, from your kitchen floors to your own body. It is non-toxic, biodegradable, eco-friendly, and safe for your skin — all on top of being an excellent cleaner. You can use castile soap as an alternative to a carpet cleaner, floor cleaner, surface cleaner, and even toilet cleaner.
Borax
Many people are unaware of what borax truly is, and that it is a naturally derived substance from a mineral. Sodium borate, more commonly known as Borax, is a salt of boric acid that comes in a powdery white form. It can be put into water and used in a variety of scenarios for cleaning. Borax can be used as a disinfectant, a surface and bathroom cleaner, a carpet and rug cleaner, and is also tough enough to fight grease and grime on ovens and mold and mildew stains in toilets.
Making Your Own Eco-Friendly, Safe Cleaning Solutions
The best part about using natural ingredients when cleaning your home is that it’s easy to create your own products — and it’s relatively inexpensive.
Next time you go to clean, try making some of these solutions as a safe alternative to the toxic chemicals in cleaning products:
General All-Purpose Cleaner
There are multiple ways to create a basic all-purpose cleaner with natural ingredients. For a vinegar-based cleaner try:
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- 1 cup of Borax
- 2 gallons of water
- 2 tablespoons of baking soda
If you’re looking to do without the vinegar smell, you can also try a Castile soap-based all-purpose solution with:
- 3 tablespoons of castile soap (use a scent like peppermint for a crisp, clean smell)
- 3 tablespoons of Borax
- 3 quarts to 1 gallon of water
- A squeeze of lemon juice
Toilet Cleaner
For an easy toilet cleaner that will leave your porcelain sparkling, try combining:
- 1 cup of white vinegar
- 3 tablespoons of baking soda
Window, Mirror, and Glass Cleaner
When making a glass cleaner, it’s important to remember that less is more. For a simple window cleaning solution, combine:
- 1 part white vinegar
- 4 parts water
OR
- 2 tablespoons of Borax
- 3 cups of warm water
Staying Away From Toxic Substances
Nowadays, there are so many different dangers in everything from our food to the cleaners that we use in our homes. Find safe alternatives to household chemicals that may be negatively affecting you. For those affected, toxin removal treatments deal with symptoms of environmental toxicity, heavy metal toxicity, and more.
