10 All-Natural, Homemade Cleaning Solutions to Scrub Every Inch of Your Home

The next time you have a sink to scrub or a window to wipe, no need to run to the store: just raid your cupboards and mix up a homemade cleaning solution. Everyday products like club soda (the bubbles help break down stains by loosening grime), vinegar (the acidity inhibits the growth of bacteria and prevents mold and mildew from forming), and even vodka (a proven germ eliminator) make for fast, cheap, and effective homemade cleaners. They're natural, too.

These DIY cleaners include everything from a homemade all-purpose cleaner to a natural glass cleaner and a solution for grimy hardwood floors. We have the ingredients you need—chances are, you already have most of them—plus the steps for mixing up the cleaning solutions and using them.

Homemade or natural cleaning solutions use simple chemicals and ingredients to remove grime, deodorize, and, in some cases, even disinfect surfaces. They're great for making surfaces look sparkling-clean. Still, if you're trying to disinfect or sanitize a surface, you may be better off turning to a store-bought disinfectant (preferably one approved by the FDA to kill bacteria and viruses) to ensure you've removed any harmful entities. For every day cleaning, though, these homemade solutions might be just what you need.

What's the shelf life of homemade cleaners? Most natural, DIY cleaning solutions can last up to a month. But some ingredients (like hydrogen peroxide) lose their potency more quickly. Your best bet is to mix up enough for only a onetime use.

Ready to start mixing and cleaning? Take a look at our cleaning recipes below, organized in one convenient chart, or read on for a full breakdown of each recipe.

1-Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner With Essential Oils

This homemade cleaning solution is all-purpose for most surfaces, except for glass.

What you’ll need:

• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
• 5 to 10 drops peppermint, lemon, or orange essential oil
• 1 squirt natural dish soap
• 16-ounce spray bottle

How-to:

1. Pour all the ingredients into the spray bottle. Shake well.
2. To use, spray onto the surface and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

Recipe by Melissa Maker

2-Homemade All-Purpose Lemon Degreaser

This cleaning solution works on all surfaces except for wood. 

What you’ll need:

• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 24-ounce spray bottle

How-to:

1. Pour all the ingredients into the spray bottle. Shake well.
2. To use, spritz onto a surface and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

Recipe by Linda Cobb

3-Homemade Vinegar and Vodka Disinfectant

This is an all-purpose cleaner, safe to use on all surfaces.

What you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup unflavored vodka
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 24-ounce spray bottle

How-to:

1. Pour all the ingredients into the spray bottle. Shake well.
2. To use, spray surface and let sit for 10 minutes to disinfect. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.

Recipe by Becky Rapinchuk

4-Homemade Glass Cleaner

With five simple ingredients, you can make a natural glass cleaner for all your smudge- and streak-destroying needs.

What you’ll need:

• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• 24-ounce spray bottle

How-to:

1. Pour all the ingredients into the spray bottle. Give it a little shake to combine.
2. To use, spray onto a microfiber cloth and apply to the surface.

Recipe by Becky Rapinchuk

5-Homemade Chrome Cleaner

You do not want to wipe down your chrome surfaces with just any cleaning solution. This homemade one (and a little buffing) will leave your chrome surfaces shining.

What you’ll need:

• 2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar
• 24-ounce spray bottle

How-to:

1. Pour the ingredients into a 24-ounce spray bottle. Shake well to combine.
2. To use, spray onto chrome surface. Let sit for 10 minutes. Wipe with damp cloth and buff with a dry cloth.

6-Heavy-Duty Kitchen Cleaning Solution

For big kitchen messes, you need a strong cleaning tool—but, thanks to this natural cleaning solution, you don’t have to resort to too-strong cleaning agents.

What you’ll need:

• 1/4 cup natural dish soap
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 5 drops clove essential oil
• About 3 drops of water
• Mixing bowl

How-to:

1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
2. To use, apply the solution to the surface using the gritty side of a double-sided kitchen sponge; scrub. Wipe up with a wet cloth.

Recipe by Melissa Maker

7-Homemade Sink Cleaning Solution

If your sink is in need of a good scrub, try this powerful, all-natural blend.

What you’ll need:

• 2 cups baking soda
• 10 drops clove essential oil
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 1 squirt Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap
• A few drops of water
• Butter knife
• Airtight container

How-to:

1. Mix the baking soda with the essential oils using a butter knife. Store in an airtight container.
2. To use, sprinkle the mixture over the sink surface, then add a squirt of soap and a few drops of water. Scrub with a nylon-bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly.

Recipe by Becky Rapinchuk

8-Homemade Shower Cleaner

For a natural cleaner for your shower, look no further than this simple blend.

What you’ll need:

• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 1 cup water
• Microwave-safe bowl
• 24-ounce spray bottle

How-to:

1. Mix the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 to 60 seconds. Pour into spray bottle.
2. To use, spritz onto shower surfaces and let sit for 3 to 5 minutes. Wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.

Recipe by Debra Johnson

9-Homemade Mold and Mildew Cleaner

This natural mixture will get rid of mild mold and mildew problems without the use of harsh chemicals.

What you’ll need:

• 2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons tea-tree oil
• 1/4 cup baking soda
• 24-ounce spray bottle

How-to:

1. Pour the water and tea-tree oil into the spray bottle. Shake well.
2. To use, heavily spray moldy areas with the solution. Let sit for 24 hours.
3. Once 24 hours have passed, pour 1/4 cup baking soda into a small bowl and gradually spritz it with the solution until a gluelike paste forms.
4. Apply the paste to the moldy surface using a clean toothbrush and scrub. Rinse.

Recipe by Linda Cobb

10-Homemade Hardwood Cleaner

This homemade, natural cleaning solution for hardwood floors is just the trick to get those boards gleaming again.

What you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1 gallon warm water
• 2 to 3 drops lemon essential oil
• 2-gallon bucket

How-to:

1. Mix all the ingredients in a 2-gallon bucket.
2. To use, dip a mop head into the bucket and wring it out well, so that it is barely damp. Apply to floors and repeat.

 Recipe by Becky Rapinchuk

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

 

From Grime to Tarnish, these Natural Cleaning Solutions Actually Work

Common household items like salt and baking soda could be used to tackle countless chores around the home, in fact, you wouldn't believe just how much you could get done around the house with these cheap and widely available items.

Lemons

A fantastic cleaning agent that can be used to remove dirt and rust stains (due to its acidic nature). Cleaning with lemons becomes especially effective when mixed with salt, making an excellent paste.

Price: 50c a lemon.

Countertops: Cut a lemon in half and dip it in baking soda, using it to clean over a countertop, then wipe with a wet sponge and dry. Lemons should not be used on delicate stone, like marble or on stainless steel as it may cause discoloring.

Dishes: This fantastic alternative may be used alongside your dishwashing detergent, increasing its grease-cutting power. Simply add a teaspoon of lemon juice. 


Liquid Castile Soap
This plant-based soap is effective at loosening grime and dirt from surfaces. It is gentler too, so it won't leave the surfaces looking dull or damaged.

Price: About $8 for 8 ounces, available in supermarkets.

Sinks, showers, tubs and ceramic tiles: This soap may be used to create a homemade soft scrubber by combining 1 tablespoon with 1/3 cup baking soda.

Stovetop and vent hood: A few squirts of liquid Castile soap mixed with 2 cups hot water can be used to clean the stovetop, burners and vent hood, cutting through accumulated grease.


Table salt

If anything in your house needs a little polish, salt's granular texture makes for a beneficial cleaning agent. Any type of salt may be used, including sea or kosher salt, but table salt will be your cheapest option.

Price: 69 cents a pound.

Spills in the oven: Don't you just hate it when that casserole bubbles over when you take it out of the oven? A great way to clean the mess up without having to scrub your oven tray is to pour salt on the spill to soak it up. Once the oven has cooled down, wipe with a damp sponge. 


Vinegar

The benefits of cleaning with vinegar are plentiful, as it has the ability to wipe out tarnish, soap scum, mineral deposits and other grimy substances. Its acidic nature also creates an environment that inhibits the growth of mold, mildew and some bacteria such as E. coli and salmonella.

Price: $1.8 for a quart, available at supermarkets.

Drains: Use vinegar to clean drains and the pipes they are attached to by pouring the liquid down the drain. After about 30 minutes, flush with cold water.

Floors: 1/4 cup vinegar, added to a bucket of warm water may be used to clean almost any type of floor, except marble, as it can scratch it, or wood, as it can strip it.  

Essential oils


Consisting of the extraction of plants, some essential oils can kill bacteria and mold. As they tend to be very strong, you need not go overboard either. In fact, some oils like peppermint are so potent, that one drop of oil is equivalent to 30 cups of peppermint tea.

Price: $14 for 5 milliliters, available at health-food stores.

Combs and brushes: Soak combs and brushes in an essential oil blend for about 20 minutes, by filling a container with 1 1/2 cups water, 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar and 20 drops tea-tree, lavender or eucalyptus oil.

Scuffed floors: Just apply two to four drops of tea-tree oil to the spots, wiping any excess oil with a cloth and rubbing it in distilled white vinegar.


Toothpaste

Standard toothpaste (paste not gel, free from tartar control and whitening), combined with a mild detergent and an antibacterial agent make a potent stain-fighter.

Price: About $3.65 for a tube

Tarnished silverware: Add a dab of toothpaste on a soft cloth and rub it onto the tarnish, then rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth.


Cooking oils

Vegetable and plant based oils are great cleaning alternatives, particularly olive and sunflower oil which may be used to dislodge dirt, diminish scratches and imperfections as well as hydrate wood that has aged or dried out from exposure to the sun.

Price: $7 a pint, from supermarkets

Cast iron pans: Use vegetable oils to make a scrubbing paste by combing them with a teaspoon of coarse salt. This easy blend may be used to combat cooked-on debris, which can then be rinsed off with hot water.

Leather shoes: First, wipe away any dirt with a damp cloth, then add a drop of vegetable oil to a soft cloth, rubbing the surface to remove scuff marks. Make your shoes shine by buffing them with a chamois cloth.


Borax

Borax can be used alongside your detergents, making your load cleaner. As it is rather alkaline, borax may also be used to kill mold and fungus.

Price: $5 for 4 pounds at supermarkets

Pots and pans: Borax may be rubbed into cookware with a damp sponge, then rinsed well.

Toilet: Just pour borax in the bowl, letting it sit overnight. In the morning, swish the bowl a few times with a toilet brush and flush.


Baking and washing soda


Also known as sodium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate, absorbs odors. Word of caution: when handling washing soda, wear rubber gloves.

Price: About $1.08 for a pound of baking soda; $7 for 4 pounds of washing soda.

Garage floors (and other concrete surfaces): Pour washing soda on top of oily and greasy spots, sprinkling with water until a paste forms. Let it stand overnight, then the next day scrub with a damp brush, hose it down and wipe clean.

Grills and barbecue utensils: Tough grease stains may be removed by dipping a moist stiff-bristled brush in washing soda, and scrubbing away.  

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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Dangerous Household Items You Should Quit Using Immediately

While you might take extra care to double clean items that you use regularly, there are certain chemicals that you simply cannot avoid. How come? Well, it’s because they’re ingrained in many of the everyday products that you never think twice about.

1. Store Receipts
Though it’s second nature to crumple up your receipt and toss it in your wallet or pocket, Will Bulsiewicz, MD, MSCI, board-certified gastroenterologist, warns against touching this proof of purchase. Many receipts are printed on thermal paper, which means that they’re covered in a thin coating of powder that develops the dye needed for the type. He says that “this powder contains BPA, an endocrine-disrupting chemical which has been linked to breast cancer, diabetes, and hormone abnormalities in children.”

He goes on to say that many studies have shown that BPA can be absorbed through the skin, making it important to limit your interaction with this chemical. “If you don’t need a receipt, ask the cashier not to print if it is possible. If you do need it, ask for it to be placed in the bag; don’t place the receipt in a bag with food items, particularly items that are consumed raw. Finally be sure you wash your hands well after handling receipts,” he advises.

2. Bug Sprays and Repellents

Though they might prevent bug bites, infectious disease specialist and clinical assistant professor Alexea M. Gaffney-Adams, MD, says that some of the ingredients found in bug sprays may raise an eyebrow, specifically, “organophosphates,” found in herbicides, nerve agents, chemical agents, and pesticides. They’re also known as plasticizers, which are about as scary as it sounds.

Gaffney-Adams explains that “these compounds are readily absorbed through the skin and inhaled. They poison insects – and humans – by disrupting neurotransmitters necessary for proper body functions. They can affect breathing and muscle function and can cause cardiovascular collapse and death in large amounts.” Prolonged exposure to these chemicals has been linked to lung and heart disease, delayed reflexes, and cancers.

3. Laundry Detergent

According to family physician and general practitioner Maskfika N. Alam, MD, you might be surprised to know that washing your clothes can actually be dangerous. In addition to being full of harsh chemicals, “many detergents contain phenol, which can be easily absorbed through your skin and can cause renal and hepatic dysfunction,” she says.

When you’re in doubt, go with an organic brand of laundry detergent, especially if you have eczema, allergies, or sensitive skin.

4. Fire Retardants

Meant to keep us safe, fire retardants have actually been linked to infertility, cancer, and other disorders, according to Dr. Bulsiewicz. “They are used in most infant clothing and can be found in foam cushions in sofas and chairs, as well as children’s car seats, nursing pillows, and other upholstered products,” he says.

To avoid coming into contact with fire retardants, make sure that you buy only natural fiber clothing, particularly for children and infants. Furthermore, if you’re looking to upgrade your living room, Bulsiewicz recommends only opting for newer furniture products that contain foam, as most furniture made in America after 2005 does not contain fire retardants.

5. Non-Stick Coated Cookware

If you need to whip up some miracle recipes, you should opt for non-stick coated cookware pans or casserole dishes. However, Adam S. Gropper, MD, explains that these non-stick coatings can melt when they’re overheated, revealing aluminum that’s super unhealthy when digested.

“Ingested aluminum has been linked to Alzheimer’s disease and several cancers. If you see flaking or gauging in your coated cookware, it’s time to replace it,” he advises.

6. Deodorant/Antiperspirant

Though they are meant to keep you feeling fresh, Dr. Gropper says many formulas utilize aluminum to clot your pores and prevent excessive sweating. Since absorbing aluminum is linked to Alzheimer’s diseases and both prostate and breast cancers, Dr. Gropper recommends trying out natural deodorants instead.

7. Air Fresheners

They might get rid of the stench from the bathroom, but inhaling these chemicals isn’t safe for anyone in your family. The artificial fragrances that are added to air fresheners can irritate your eyes and cause inflammation. Dr. Alam says that “chronic inhalation of phthalates can cause asthma and can damage your lungs.”

8. Hand Sanitizers and Antibacterial Soap

You might think that these products are helping you stay healthy, but they can do more harm than good in the long run. The compound triclosan is found in more than 75% of hand sanitizers and antibacterial soaps, as well as in linens, underwear, gym equipment, and plastic products. “This is another endocrine buster resulting in reproductive toxicity through alterations in hormone regulation according to the FDA,” Dr. Gaffney-Adams explains.

Tricoslan has been linked to allergies, asthma, eczema, and thyroid disease. Furthermore, it’s also a suspected carcinogen, and when you overuse these products, you might build an antibiotic resistance to bacteria, making infections more difficult to treat.

9. Mothballs. Naphthalene, found in mothballs and products alike, can destroy red blood cells and has been proven to cause cancer in animals but has not yet been proven to cause cancer in humans.


10. Oven Cleaner. Many of these cleaners contain corrosive alkalis, which can have grave effects on your gastrointestinal track and respiratory system if inhaled or ingested.

11. Furniture Polish and Stain. Non-vegetable, oil-based stains and polishes are not only extremely flammable but contain the chemicals phenol and nitrobenzene, which can be absorbed by your skin and can cause skin cancer.

12. Toilet Bowl Cleaner. The corrosive ingredients that make acidic toilet bowl cleaners clean so well are the same ingredients that can cause burns on skin and eyes. They are also extremely dangerous when mixed with other types of cleaners. 

13. Gas Space Heaters. Gas powered anything releases toxins and using them indoors is extremely dangerous and can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning —a condition that presents very little warning symptoms.

14. Cleaning Solutions. As the biggest offenders on the list, and the most commonly used, it's no secret household cleaners contains hazardous toxins. What's most concerning is it's not required for cleaners to list their ingredients on the bottle, leaving consumers in the dark. Even those claiming to be "green" or "natural."

15. Extension Cords. While an extension cord itself isn't dangerous. The way they are commonly used is. Many people don't realize there is a voltage capacity, and plug in as much as they can—creating a huge fire hazard. This, coupled with using warn out cords and running them under furniture and carpets, is why extension cords are a leading cause of fire in the US.

12. Flaking Paint. Homes built as recently as the late 70s can have interiors covered in lead-based paints—hazardous when the paint starts to flake AND when it's time to repaint. Inhaling these particles can lead to lead poisoning.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement