There are more than 40,000 chemicals in consumer products, and less than 1 percent of these are tested for safety. Cleaning products are often one of the worst offenders out of all these harmful products.
A study found that there are more chemicals than most people think in all cleaning products (including “green” ones). Many of these chemicals can be harmful to you and your family.
You obviously need to clean your home to get rid of germs and make sure the indoor air is clean. Make sure you are using these best home cleaning remedies to keep the air in your home safe.
1. Cleaning Oven
Instead of using harmful oven cleaners or running the oven on self-clean, try a paste of just baking soda and water. Mix it into a paste and let it sit on the oven for at least a few hours. You can just wipe off this paste for a new clean without any harmful chemicals.
2. All-Purpose Cleaners
You can make an all-purpose cleaner to cut grease with natural products. Plus, you can make it smell good without all those harmful fragrance ingredients.
Use equal parts of white vinegar and water. Mix this with rosemary sprigs and lemon rind.
Put this solution in a spray bottle. Make sure to shake and mix well, and let it sit for about a week before you use it.
You can use this solution to clean trash cans, counters, wall smudges, and hard water stains. The acid in the lemon rinds will also help remove stubborn stains.
3. Glass Cleaners
In addition to an all-purpose cleaner, you also need a glass cleaner. To make a streak-free solution, use 2 cups of water, 1/2 cup of vinegar (either cider vinegar or white), and 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol. If you want to make it smell good, add 1-2 drops of orange essential oil.
This solution dries quickly so don’t clean glass on a hot sunny day or else you will get a lot of streaks. To clean mirrors, spray this combination on a soft cloth or paper towel and then wipe.
4. Shower and Tub Cleaners
To remove soap scum from showers and tubs, you can make your own scouring and cleaning powder. Add 2 parts baking soda, 1 part borax, and mix with 1 part salt. This will clean even the toughest scum.
5. Cleaning Your Dishwasher
You can clean your dishwasher without much effort and without harmful chemicals. Fill a bowl safe for the dishwasher with 2 cups of white vinegar. Place the bowl (or jar) on the dishwasher’s top rack.
Run the dishwasher on the hot cycle. Do not add any other dishes. This will remove any odors.
Scrubbing the Toilet
Pour a sprinkle of baking soda in the toilet. Let it soak for about an hour. Then pour in about a cup of white vinegar, and let sit for about 5 minutes.
Flush the toilet after the vinegar sits for about 5 minutes. This should clean the toilet without scrubbing unless it is really dirty.
6. Kitchen Cleaners
Use 4 tablespoons of baking soda and mix with 1 quart of water. You can use this paste to clean kitchen appliances, counters, and also the inside of your refrigerator. Clean and wipe off the solution with a sponge.
7. Disinfectants
White vinegar is a powerful cleaner that can get rid of stains, odors, wax buildup, and mildew. The acidity in vinegar also reduces surface bacteria, so you can use this instead of bleach.
If you would like to learn more about the power of citric acid, lemons are another great way to sanitize non-porous surfaces and oxidized metals. The citric acid in lemons removes soap scum and other alkaline stains in bathrooms. Lemons naturally smell good, so you get that clean smell without harmful ingredients.
You can also disinfect your floors with the power of steam. When water is heated to 200 degrees, the steam removes stains and grease, and it also sanitizes both soft and hard surfaces. Take your time when steaming because it can take 20 seconds to fully remove germs, bacteria, and dust mites.
8. Removing Water Rings
If you need to remove a water ring from lacquer, unfinished wood, or any other furniture, you can do it naturally. Mix one part of white toothpaste (non-gel) with one part baking soda.
Use a damp washcloth. Then add the toothpaste mixture and rub it with the grain. Use a dry cloth to clean off.
Then you can shine and polish as normal, making the furniture look as good as new.
9. Shower Heads
You can clean the showerhead with a plastic bag filled with white vinegar. Tie this bag to the fixture to cover the showerhead. Let it soak for at least 12 hours.
Remove the bag and pour the rest of the vinegar into the drain. This will remove all the residue from hard water.
10. Create a Natural Air Freshener
No one likes their house to smell bad, but home fragrances contain toxic materials that can harm your lungs. You can make a natural blend.
Simmer a couple of cups of water on your stove to clean and freshen the air. You can add natural ingredients like (slice up your fruit):
- 1 lime and chopped ginger root
- 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons rosemary, and a drop of vanilla
- 1 orange, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and a small amount of cloves and nutmeg
Be sure your water doesn’t evaporate completely or you will burn the other ingredients. This will help make your home smell good and fresh to help you relax or before you have company.
11. Cleaning Marble Counters
You don’t want to use acidic solutions like lemon or vinegar on your stone counters because it can eat into the stone. Use 2 drops of a mild dishwashing liquid with warm water. Make sure you rinse off the soap residue.
Do not let the marble stay wet. You should buff it to dry with a soft cloth.
Home Remedies for Cleaning Final Thoughts
There are only a few ingredients you need to complete these home remedies for cleaning. Make sure you stock up on vinegar, baking soda, mild dish soap, lemons, citric acid, and other essential oils. You don’t have to use harmful chemicals to clean and freshen up your home.
Now that you know how to clean your home naturally to protect your children, check out the other blogs on Cyber Parent for other helpful tips on parenting and keeping your family safe.