Modern chemical cleaners are supposed to make cleaning easier. However, with costs going up and dangers about using chemical products becoming more widely known, many people are starting to switch back to all-natural, safe cleaning products. Unfortunately, those pre-made cleaners can be rather expensive as well. If you’re looking for an inexpensive, safe way to clean your home, try these three natural cleaners.
Lemon
There’s a reason so many cleaning products contain lemon. Lemons and lemon juice are natural antiseptics, antibacterials, and deodorizers. Along with a strong cleaning power, lemons leave your home smelling wonderfully clean. Here are some ways you can use lemons to keep your home spotless.
- Copper Pans - if your copper pans are getting dirty, reach for a lemon. Dip a lemon half in salt and scrub the copper pan. Then rinse well with water. The salt acts as a natural abrasive while the lemon cleans and disinfects.
- Plastic Food Containers - sometimes taking lunch to work results in hard-to-clean spots and stains on your plasticware. Fortunately, there’s a simple, natural way to clean them. Mix lemon juice and baking soda together and scrub the containers. If necessary, you can always let it set overnight.
- Stain Removal - because of their acidity, lemon juice makes a great bleaching agent. It can help remove stains from clothes and keep clothes bright. Soak clothes (do not use on silk) in a mixture of lemon juice and hot water for 1-8 hours depending on the stain. Then simply put the clothes in the washer as usual.
Vinegar
Vinegar isn’t only for cooking; it can also be used to clean. It is an inexpensive, natural cleaner that can cut through tough grease and stains with ease. Here are a few ways you can use vinegar to naturally clean you home.
- Window Cleaner - if you’re fed up with window cleaners filled with harsh chemicals, try mixing a 50/50 solution of vinegar and cold water in a spray bottle. Then spray the solution onto the window and wipe away with a microfiber cloth for a clear, streak-free clean.
- Natural Fabric Softener - if you or a family member has sensitive skin, then you know that finding hypoallergenic fabric softener is nearly impossible. To save money and stress while keeping clothes soft, simply pour ½ cup of vinegar into the washing machine to keep clothes cleaner and softer.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is a milky alkaline substance that is a natural, gentle abrasive and a deodorizer. Baking soda is generally used for cleaning tough grease stains and rust. It’s a cheap and effective way to naturally and safely clean your home.
- Oven Cleaning - mix ½ a cup of baking soda and a few teaspoons of water to create a paste. Then spread the paste all over the inside of your oven and let it sit overnight. Then scrub the oven and the burnt food and grease should come right off.
- Cleaning Rust - put a thick paste of baking soda and water right on the rust. Let it sit for at least fifteen minutes and then scrub it off. Use this paste on garden furniture, tools, car trims, and pretty much any other metal surface.
- Toilet Bowl Cleaning - add a cup of baking soda to the toilet bowl and let it sit for at least an hour. Then add a cup of white vinegar and let it sit for another hour. Then flush.
