Reading your cleaning products’ ingredient list can sometimes feel a little bit daunting with many unpronounceable chemical names. Perhaps you have been looking into using homemade cleaners to provide that same clean with fewer chemicals.
However, do homemade cleaners really work? What are the benefits of using them?
Benefits of Homemade Cleaners
There are many benefits to using homemade cleaners. Here are just a few:
They cost less
The homemade cleaners that we will outline below cost only a few dollars to make – and sometimes use products that you already have at home.
They are less toxic
Since they do not use harsh chemicals, homemade cleaners are healthier to use. This may be a priority for you, especially if commercial cleaners aggravate any health conditions in your household.
You know the ingredients
Finally, household cleaners use common ingredients. You know what is being sprayed in your home and around your family, which can give you real peace of mind.
Homemade Does Not Mean Harmless
As mentioned, homemade cleaners are less toxic and use fewer chemicals. However, that does not mean that safety is no longer a consideration.
Some homemade cleaners use things like bleach, ammonia, or rubbing alcohol, all of which can be dangerous if mixed improperly or used recklessly. When in doubt, wear protective gloves and be careful while using any cleaning product.
4 Natural Cleaners to Use in Your Home
All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
Use this to clean and deodorize most surfaces (but not natural stone). Shake well before spraying.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of citrus peels
- White distilled vinegar
- Water
- Liquid castile soap
Instructions
- Add 4 cups of citrus peels (lime, lemon, orange, grapefruit, etc.) into a mason jar. Fill the mason jar with vinegar, seal the lid and leave in a sunny spot for at least 2 weeks.
- Strain the vinegar and discard the peels.
- Mix 1/2 cup of the citrus-infused vinegar to 1 cup of water and 1 teaspoon of liquid castile soap into a spray bottle, shaking well before each use.
Window Cleaner
Use this in place of Windex, or other glass cleaners, to keep your windows and mirrors sparkling!
Ingredients:
- Distilled water (regular water is fine, but distilled water prevents streaking)
- White distilled vinegar
- Rubbing alcohol
Instructions
- Mix 1 cup of distilled water, 3 tablespoons of white vinegar, and 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol together in a spray bottle. Shake well to mix.
Carpet Cleaner
Use this whenever a spill or stain mars your beautiful carpet. You can also use this cleaner to simply freshen up your carpet.
Ingredients:
- Dawn dish soap
- Distilled white vinegar
- Warm water
Instructions:
- Vacuum your carpet to pick up any debris before you get started.
- Combine 1 teaspoon of dish soap and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar into a spray bottle. Fill the rest with warm water and shake well to combine.
- Spray generously on your carpet, particularly on any stains or spills. Blot clean with a towel or microfibre cloth.
As you can see, using natural household cleaners are not difficult to make or use. With these simple cleaners in your arsenal, your home will be naturally sparkling in no time at all!