Many people would like to make their own nontoxic cleaning products but they don't know how. They’re also concerned about whether they’ll clean as well as the store-bought variety. After reading this post, you will have all the information you'll need to make your own natural, effective homemade cleaners.
I've been using my own homemade cleaning products for years. They're easy and inexpensive to make and they’re safe to use. Don’t wait one more day without making your own! And don’t worry about proportions of ingredients you see on the internet. The recipes do not need to be exact to work. In fact, you could use straight vinegar and have all the cleaning power you need for 90% of your cleaning needs.
More good news. One all-purpose cleaner will take the place of most of the cleaning products under your bathroom and kitchen sinks so you’ll have more empty space. The recipe I use for my all-purpose clean is the one I describe below for cleaning glass and mirrors.
Vinegar is the secret ingredient. Vinegar is nontoxic, inexpensive, and a workhorse when it comes to degreasing, declogging, and demineralizing toilets, showers, tubs, and sinks. Not only is it gentle on all surfaces, but it’s also a disinfectant. What's not to like about vinegar? Vinegar is the king of cleaners and baking soda is the queen.
My natural cleaner go-to person is Annie B. Bond. She’s an authority on natural homemade cleaners and has written several books and articles on the subject. You’ll find a lot of great information on her website.
Vinegar is the new smell of clean. We’ve been trained to think that clean smells like chemicals. Did you ever notice when you walk down the cleaning aisle that you sneeze or get a runny nose? I either hold my breath on that aisle or avoid it altogether because I don't want to inhale the toxic fumes . When buying vinegar, Annie recommends Heinz white distilled vinegar because it is made of vegetables, not petroleum.
Conventional cleaning products no longer smell like clean to me. They smell like what they are—chemicals masked by lemon scents. While you’re getting used to the smell of vinegar-based cleaners, know that the smell dissipates quickly. If the smell of vinegar bothers you, hang in there while you change your paradigm about what clean should smell like. Again, it smells like vinegar!
At one point I thought I’d have to buy a new toilet because mine looked so disgusting and wouldn’t come clean. Then I remembered that vinegar is the best at removing mineral deposits.
Vinegar Cleaning Recipes
Revitalize an old, mineral stained toilet, sink, shower, or tub with virtually no effort. Here’s how.
• For the toilet: Pour 1 cup of vinegar into the toilet and let sit overnight. Add a few tablespoons of baking soda for extra whitening power. In the morning, scrub with a scrubbie or toilet brush, then flush. What could be easier than that! If the mineral deposits are thick, you may need to do this for a few nights, but you will be amazed that your toilet will look like new. Vinegar naturally deodorizes and kills germs too!
• For the sink or tub: You can partially fill the sink or tub and add vinegar or you can soak a wash cloth in vinegar and place it over any places you want to demineralize.
Unclog the sink or tub drain: Pour ½ cup of baking soda down a clogged drain. Then pour ½ cup of vinegar into the drain and cover for a few minutes until the fizzing stops. Then pour a liter or two of boiling water into the drain. For very clogged drains, you may need to “snake” the drain and repeat the process.
Clean Mirrors or Glass (also for an all-purpose cleaner): Combine 2 cups water, ¼ cup vinegar and ½ teaspoon of liquid dish soap in a spray bottle to make a fantastic natural window cleaner. For a streak-free mirror or window, use a microfiber cloth. I also use this recipe for my all-purpose cleaner.
Disinfect Surfaces. Vinegar is your go-to natural disinfectant for use in the bathroom or kitchen. Mix 1 part vinegar with four parts water for an all-purpose cleaning solution that will disinfect anything from shower stalls to tubs to counter tops to doorknobs.
Greasy Kitchen Surfaces: Dip a sponge in vinegar and wipe down the greasy surfaces (stove, countertop, pots and pans, and fan covers).
Be sure to label your spray bottles of homemade cleaning solutions. I always think I’ll remember what’s in the bottle, but I never do.
So have I sold you on the idea that vinegar is one of the very best cleaners around? If you’re eager to read more, here’s an article about the top 10 uses for vinegar.
Learn to love the smell of vinegar in your home – it says clean and disinfected! Clear out the toxic cleaners under your bathroom and kitchen sinks and make way for one or two spray bottles of cleaners--so safe you can drink them!
Cheryl Miller is a wellness strategist, life coach, and Mayor of CherylMillerville.com.
Cheryl used to dread having company because it meant chucking all the clutter into her spare bedroom, into closets, and under the bed. She learned how to do this from her mother … and her grandmother.
Now Cheryl lives a beautiful, harmonious life and people want to know how she made the transformation. As a wellness strategist, Cheryl is especially eager to share information about organizing the three most important rooms in your home—the three rooms that contribute most to great self-care.
Cheryl generously shares her secrets of success and strategies to streamline the kitchen, the bathroom, and the bedroom. She’ll show you how to set up fabulous self-care routines so you can live a healthy, happy, harmonious life. You’ll learn how to bring more harmony into your life and your home at www.cherylmillerville.com/harmonioushome