Keeping your home clean doesn’t have to involve harsh chemicals. There are many effective natural cleaning solutions that can be easily made using common household items. These DIY cleaners are affordable, safe for you and your family, and better for the environment. Let’s explore some of the best natural cleaning solutions for all areas of your home.

Natural Cleaning Solutions

Natural cleaning solutions have become increasingly popular in recent years. There are several key reasons why more and more people are switching from conventional cleaners to natural alternatives:

Benefits to your health – Many conventional cleaning products contain harsh chemicals, toxins, and irritants. Breathing in the fumes or absorbing chemicals through your skin during cleaning can cause adverse health effects. Natural cleaners avoid these chemical ingredients.

Kid and pet safety – If you have little ones or furry friends at home, natural cleaners give you peace of mind that your whole family is safe from toxic ingredients. Natural solutions are much less likely to cause accidental poisoning or irritation.

Cost savings – Pre-made natural cleaning products can be pricy. Luckily, you can easily DIY effective natural cleaners using common pantry staples and ingredients you already have at home. This allows you to save money.

Eco-friendly – Conventional cleaning chemicals get rinsed down our drains and end up polluting waterways and the environment. Most natural cleaning ingredients are biodegradable and far less harmful to the planet.

With all those advantages, let’s look at some of the best all-natural cleaning solutions you can make yourself.

All-Purpose Cleaner

An all-purpose cleaner is useful for cleaning a variety of surfaces around your home. Here is an easy recipe to make your own using common household items:

Ingredients:

• 1 part white vinegar
• 1 part water
• Lemon rinds
• Rosemary sprigs

Process:

1. Combine the white vinegar and water in a spray bottle, jar, or other sealable container.
2. Add several strips of lemon rind and a few fresh rosemary sprigs. These add a light citrus-herbal scent.
3. Allow the mixture to infuse for about 1 week so the vinegar fully absorbs the lemon and rosemary flavors.
4. Strain out the solids. Your all-purpose cleaner is ready to use.
5. Spray or wipe the solution onto surfaces in kitchens, bathrooms, or anywhere that needs cleaning. The vinegar cuts through grease and grime while the lemon-rosemary provides a light, uplifting aroma.

This all-natural cleaner can be used on most hard surfaces including countertops, appliances, mirrors, windows, floors, and walls. The vinegar acts as a natural disinfectant to sanitize surfaces. Best of all, you avoid the chemical fumes and odors of conventional cleaners.

Kitchen Cleaner and Deodorizer

The kitchen can be one of the toughest places to keep clean and odor-free. Food spills, grease, and cooking odors can build up on kitchen surfaces pretty quickly. Here is an easy natural cleaner that lifts away grime and leaves a light, fresh scent:

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons baking soda
• 1 quart warm water

Process:

1. Add the baking soda to a bowl or bucket of warm water. Stir to dissolve.
2. Use a sponge, cloth, or paper towel soaked in the solution to wipe down kitchen surfaces. Focus on areas like countertops, sinks, appliances, cabinets, and backsplashes.
3. The baking soda solution will power through grease and grime due to its gentle abrasiveness.
4. As the solution dries, it leaves behind a light baking soda aroma that freshens the entire kitchen.

Baking soda is an effective deodorizer for removing food odors. Its gritty texture is great for scrubbing surfaces clean while being gentle enough for frequent use. This kitchen cleaning solution is extremely affordable and keeps your kitchen fresh every day.

Natural Heavy-Duty Scrub

For dealing with extra stubborn grease, grime, or buildup, a heavy-duty natural scrub can get the job done. Here is an easy recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lemon
• 1/2 cup borax powder

Process:

1. Sprinkle the borax powder onto a plate or in a bowl.
2. Dip the cut side of the half lemon into the borax to coat it.
3. Use the lemon borax scrub on heavily soiled areas like cooktops, bathroom tiles, or outdoor grills. The gritty borax combined with the citric acid in lemon juice breaks down the toughest grime.
4. Scrub the area vigorously with the lemon borax scrub. The juice lubricates the borax to form a friction-boosting paste as you scrub.
5. Once scrubbed, rinse the area thoroughly with water to remove all borax residue. wipe or air dry.

The natural acidity of lemon and gentle abrasiveness of borax makes this simple scrub extremely effective for powering through hard stains and buildup on a variety of surfaces. It’s also very affordable to make. Just be sure to rinse borax residue thoroughly after use.

DIY Grease Cleaner

Greasy buildup can be one of the hardest cleaning challenges. Grease coats oven hoods, stove drip pans, and other kitchen surfaces. Here is a homemade grease-cutting recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup sudsy ammonia
• Scant 1 gallon hot water

Process:

1. Add the sudsy ammonia to a bucket and fill nearly to the top with very hot water (not boiling).
2. Stir to combine the ingredients.
3. Using gloves, apply the ammonia-water cleaner to heavily grease-coated surfaces with a sponge or scrub brush.
4. Allow it to soak in for several minutes to penetrate the greasy gunk. Then scrub vigorously.
5. Rinse cleaned areas thoroughly with plain water afterwards.

The combination of hot water and ammonia’s grease-cutting properties allows this cleaner to power through the thickest greasy buildup on oven hoods, stove drip pans, and similar areas. It’s extremely affordable too. Just use proper ventilation and avoid inhaling fumes directly.

Window and Glass Cleaner

Streaky, dirty windows and mirrors are unsightly. This homemade glass cleaner leaves them sparkling:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup hot water
• 1 cup rubbing alcohol
• 4 tablespoons cornstarch

Process:

1. In a spray bottle, combine the hot water, rubbing alcohol, and cornstarch.
2. Shake vigorously until the cornstarch fully dissolves to make a cloudy mixture.
3. Spray the glass cleaner directly onto glass surfaces like windows, mirrors, shower doors, etc.
4. Wipe clean with a lint-free cloth, microfiber towel, or paper towels.

The cornstarch prevents streaking so the glass dries crystal clear. The alcohol cuts through oils, dirt, and grime to leave a spotless shine. This glass cleaner costs only pennies per bottle to make.

Hardwood Floor Cleaner

Keep your hardwood floors looking like new with this natural floor cleaner recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 3 cups warm water
• 1/4 cup salt

Process:

1. Combine the vinegar, water, and salt in a mop bucket.
2. Use a damp mop to apply the solution to your hardwood floors. Focus on high traffic areas.
3. Allow the floors to fully dry. The solution will lift dirt from the wood grain to restore a clean shine.
4. For periodic deep cleaning, dip a cloth into undiluted white vinegar and rub over scuffs or sticky areas. Rinse with water and dry completely.

The vinegar adds gentle cleaning power and the salt provides mild grit to scour away grime. Together they leave hardwood floors streak-free, shining like new. This cleaner is safe for all finished hardwood floor types.

Natural Sanitizing Spray

Disinfect household surfaces naturally with this easy homemade sanitizing spray:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoons tea tree oil

Process:

1. Add the white vinegar and water to a spray bottle.
2. Add 2 teaspoons of tea tree oil. Shake vigorously to combine.
3. Spray directly onto surfaces including countertops, doorknobs, light switches, handles, and anywhere else you want to kill germs.
4. Allow the solution to sit briefly before wiping with a clean damp cloth or paper towel.

The vinegar provides natural antibacterial properties while the tea tree oil enhances the disinfecting power. This spray sanitizes surfaces without leaving behind chemical residues like conventional disinfectants.

Furniture Polish

Wood furniture gets dusty and dull over time. Restore its shine and protect the finish with this DIY wood polish:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup olive oil
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water

Process:

1. Add all ingredients to a clean spray bottle. Shake vigorously to emulsify.
2. Lightly spray a small amount of polish directly onto wood furniture surfaces.
3. Use a clean, soft cloth to gently spread and rub in the polish.
4. Buff until the wood regains its luminous shine.

The olive oil moisturizes and restores luster while the vinegar clears away dust and grime. This polish also forms a protective barrier to prevent future fading and drying of the wood. Shake the bottle before each use.

Carpet Stain Remover

Tracking in dirt and occasional spills are inevitable with carpeting. Banish ugly stains naturally with this easy carpet cleaner:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup warm water

Process:

1. Add the baking soda to a bowl of warm water. Stir until dissolved into a cloudy solution.
2. Pour a small amount directly onto carpet stains like food, mud, or drink spills.
3. Allow it to soak in for a few hours to lift the stain from the carpet fibers.
4. Vacuum up the baking soda residue.

For stubborn or old stains, allow the solution to soak overnight before vacuuming. The baking soda will break down and lift the stain without harsh chemicals. Always test on an inconspicuous area first.

Disinfectant Wipes

Disinfectant wipes help keep germs at bay but contain harsh chemicals. Make your own natural version with this recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoons tea tree essential oil
• 20 sheets of paper towel

Process:

1. Combine the vinegar, water, and tea tree oil in a shallow bowl.
2. Place paper towel sheets into the liquid to soak thoroughly (you may need to soak in batches).
3. Use the soaked wipes to clean and disinfect surfaces around your home. Focus on handles, countertops, bathroom surfaces, and anywhere else prone to bacterial growth.

The natural anti-microbial powers of vinegar and tea tree oil remove up to 96% of bacteria without toxic fumes or residue. Store unused wipes in an airtight container for up to a week.

Natural Air Freshener

Bad odors can build up in any room over time. Clear the air with this easy homemade air freshener spray:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup water
• 2 teaspoons essential oil (lemon, lavender, etc)

Process:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve the baking soda fully into the water.
2. Add 2 teaspoons of your favorite essential oil for fragrance. Lemon and lavender are popular options.
3. Transfer the air freshener liquid into a clean spray bottle.
4. Lightly mist the air whenever a room needs freshening up. The essential oils will leave a light pleasant scent.

As a bonus, the baking soda also helps absorb unpleasant odors. It’s easy to customize your own signature scent with different oil blends.

Dishwasher Cleaner

Regular use leaves dishwashers dirty internally and can create odors. Freshen it up with this natural cleaner:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water

Process:

1. Run your empty dishwasher through a normal wash cycle but don’t add any dish detergent.
2. Once complete, scatter baking soda along the bottom of the dishwasher tub.
3. In a measuring cup, combine the vinegar and water. Pour this into the dishwasher with the baking soda.
4. Close the dishwasher and let the mixture bubble and fizz for several minutes to clean.
5. Then run a normal wash cycle to rinse.

The chemical reaction of vinegar and baking soda breaks up grease and limescale that causes dishwasher odors. Your dishwasher will be sparkling clean!

Oven Cleaner

Oven surfaces get coated in baked-on food grime over time. This DIY oven cleaner restores a spotless shine:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup water

Process:

1. Combine the baking soda and water thoroughly to form a spreadable paste.
2. Apply the paste to cool oven surfaces using a nylon scrub pad or brush. Coat the inside glass, racks, bottom surface, etc.
3. Allow the paste to set for several hours or overnight. This allows it time to penetrate the grime.
4. After letting it soak in, scrub the surfaces to remove the grime. Rinse thoroughly with water.
5. For extremely stubborn deposits, repeat the process.

The baking soda abrasively lifts away grease and carbon deposits without harsh chemicals. Regular use keeps your oven spotless and odor-free over time.

FAQs

What ratios should I use for diluting vinegar or baking soda?

For cleaning purposes, you can generally use white vinegar undiluted at full strength for maximum grease-cutting power. If the vinegar smell is too strong, dilute with water at a 1:1 ratio. For baking soda solutions, dissolve 1-4 tablespoons of baking soda per cup of warm water depending on the job.

Where can I buy borax powder and sudsy ammonia?

You can find these cleaning products in the laundry aisle of most grocery stores or big box stores like Walmart. Make sure to never ingest borax or expose it to children or pets. Always use proper ventilation when working with sudsy ammonia.

How should I apply and remove the oven cleaner paste?

It’s easiest to spread a thin layer of the paste with a nylon scrubber or paintbrush onto a cool oven. After letting it soak, use rubber gloves to manually scrub off deposits under running water. Be sure to rinse thoroughly. Wipe dry with a towel.

Do I need to rinse surfaces after using vinegar or baking soda cleaners?

Most surfaces like countertops or sinks won’t need rinsing after using diluted vinegar or baking soda solutions. You’ll simply wipe the grime away. For food contact surfaces like cutting boards or plates, do a quick rinse with water after cleaning.

How long do natural cleaning solutions last?

Most homemade cleaners last 1-2 months before degrading. Store them in sealed containers away from direct sunlight and heat to maximize their shelf life. If you notice any change in color, scent, or performance, it’s time to make a fresh batch.

Conclusion

You don’t need a cabinet full of toxic chemicals to keep a clean, sanitary home. These natural cleaning solutions prove that you can effectively clean every room using ingredients from your pantry and natural elements like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon. Natural cleaning is better for you, your family’s health, and the environment. The next time you feel the urge to scrub your home spotless, try reaching for a homemade solution first. Keep your home clean and green.