A new year is upon us, and it’s the season to clean and organize. A fresh start to the year sets a good tone for what’s to come and makes anything seem possible!

Whenever possible, I prefer to use natural homemade cleaning products in our home. Keep reading to learn more about natural home cleaning and the best products to use.

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Why Natural Home Cleaning?

With so many toxins in our environment these days, reducing our toxic waste seems like the right thing to do. Products we use daily are mostly made with chemicals and synthetic ingredients to get the job done (and make the product as profitable as possible).

Grabbing our favorite cleaning products at the supermarket is quick and convenient to use. But in the process, we unintentionally contribute to polluting our environment and our own bodies.

It may require extra effort, but changing to natural homemade cleaning products, can save you money, and it's safer for the environment and our health. And when you have kids or pets, it's even more of a reason to switch to natural cleaners around the home.

I'm will be honest and admit that there are times I use more potent products. But for the most part, I try my best to keep things natural and as healthy as possible. Especially since little Ava is around.

Natural Homemade Cleaning Products I Like To Use

VINEGAR

Vinegar is an acidic solution that kills microbes, including bacteria and fungus. It also works against grime, rust, and soap scum. It works wonders on its own or mixed with other ingredients.

• Equal parts water to vinegar works great as an all-purpose cleaning spray! Add some lemon essential oils or your scent of choice. Lavender smells fantastic too!

• Use the vinegar solution above (without the essential oils) to clean your windows and glass panes, such as shower doors. Just be cautious to not get the solution onto wood and metal frames.

• Add 1½ to 2 cups white distilled vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher along with your cleaner for shinier glasses and plates!

• My NATURAL HOMESTEAD SPRAYS contain vinegar to clean the chicken coop and others. It also works well for countertops, bathrooms, and other surfaces.

BAKING SODA

Baking soda has many benefits in the home and works wonderfully to absorb odors. It is slightly abrasive, giving it good scrubbing power. 

• Baking soda is one of the main ingredients in my NATURAL DIY LAUNDRY DETERGENT.

• A baking soda paste works wonders when you spill something on marble countertops. Read more about that HERE.

• Mix with water to form a paste and eliminate grease in ovens and stovetops.

• Shine and remove spots from stainless steel. Gently rub a baking soda paste with the grain and wipe it clean.

• A bowl of baking soda in the fridge could refresh foul smells.

• Sprinkle baking soda on bad-smelling upholstery, carpets, pet beds, and your mattress, let it sit for 15 minutes, and vacuum it up.

• Unclog a drain by pouring a 1/2 cup of baking soda down it, followed by a 1/2 cup of vinegar. Wait 5 minutes and flush with hot water. Be careful of the fumes!

BORAX

Borax is similar to baking soda but a more potent version. It's a very versatile cleaner. And because it is alkaline, it can be used on many more surfaces than acidic cleaners. It's also a great natural bleach agent.

• Use borax the same as you would baking soda.

• For tougher stains, I would use a borax and water mixture. Mix 1 cup of borax and ¼ cup of lemon juice until a paste forms and use where needed.

• Clean mildew and mold buildup. Mix 1 cup borax and 1 gallon of water, pour it into a spray bottle, spray onto the affected area or bathroom tiles, and let sit for 30 minutes. Wipe it clean.

LEMON

This delicious citrus fruit is not only delicious in lemonade and recipes; it's a potent cleaning tool. It can be used in many ways around the home. The acid in lemons is antibacterial and antiseptic and acts as a natural bleach.

• Cutting Boards - You can cut a lemon in half and dip it into salt to use as a scrubber for your cutting boards and surfaces.

• Toilet Bowl - All you need is half a lemon, which you will squeeze into the bowl. Then, sprinkle in some salt and use your toilet brush to give the bowl a good scrub. You can also add baking soda or borax to the mix for even more stain-fighting power!

• Faucets - Rub a cut lemon onto your chrome, brass, or even copper faucets, and then rinse! It will leave them squeaky clean!

• Garbage Disposal - This is my favorite! Place 1/2 a lemon in your garbage disposal with a handful of ice and turn it on! It will clean, sharpen, and leave it smelling delicious!

• Treat clothing stains with a lemon juice and salt solution. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then rinse with vinegar and warm water.

CASTILE SOAP

This soap works wonders and can be used for almost anything! This green cleaning product is non-toxic and bio-degradable. It is made from plant-based oils - coconut, hemp, sunflower seed, jojoba, or most commonly, olive oil. Castille soap has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties.

• Mix 6 cups water with 1/4 cup castile soap and 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oil for an all-purpose spray. This is a big batch and should last you a while. It has a shelf life of about 6 months.

• Floor Cleaner - ¼ cup of castile soap & 2 gallons of warm water!

• I use it as our liquid hand soap! Just mix 1/8 cup castle soap with 2.5 cups of water and 10-12 drops of your favorite essential oil!

• I use it for my laundry as well!

• Use it to safely wash down your fruits and veggies.

A FEW NOTES

• WARNING! Don't use lemon and vinegar, both acidic, on marble, granite, cast-iron, and aluminum. It will etch and damage the surface. Instead, use my natural DIY marble cleaner

• DIY cleaners won't stay very fresh and effective for a long time, so it's best to use them asap. It will still clean, but it will lose its disinfectant, antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic properties when stored for long periods.

• Consider pre-mixing dry ingredients and adding the water when ready to use. I.e., pre-mix borax, washing soda, and grated castile soap to have it ready and save you time.

• Always do a small patch test to ensure your DIY cleaning products are safe for the specific surface.

WAYS TO REDUCE WASTE

Another way I've tried to clean naturally and reduce waste is by using paper towels less. Yes, I still use some, but I try my best to use cloths and towels around the kitchen and home. They actually work really well and are easy to keep!

The trick is to always keep a stack near you in the kitchen so you can quickly grab a towel vs. going for the paper towel. Old torn shirts stashed in a drawer work just as well!

Below are a few of the favorites I have bought on Amazon, and they work great! After a few washes, they soften up and really are helpful around the homestead for cleaning.

I also LOVE glass spray bottles! They are easy to refill and perfect for making your own cleaning sprays!

Instead of using disposable sponges, use ones that will last you a long time and can be used in multiple ways when cleaning.

BONUS TIP: Use a pretty apron when cleaning or doing chores around the home! It will make you more excited to clean! I LOVE all aprons from the brand tagged below!

PIN FOR LATER

I hope this has given you some ideas on how to clean naturally! It's a work in progress over here, but I strive to do better every year! Much love, friends! Thanks for always following along and for your support! Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to stay up to date on all we do!

xoxo,

Annette