Moving into a home is a fresh new start and what better way to add to that is having a clean home? Everyone loves a clean house, but unfortunately many of the cleaning products available are toxic. They can be harmful to us, our pets and the environment. We have put together some natural cleaning ingredients for cleaning your home and given some tips on how to use them.
5 Natural Cleaning Ingredients for Your Home and How to Use Them
1. Lemons
Lemons are a natural deodorizing agent that will leave your house smelling fresh and clean. They will also cut through grease, remove stains and even eliminate mold and mildew. Cut a lemon in half and use it to clean and remove stains and kill germs from cutting boards, rub it on your faucets to remove hard water stains and shine them up. Add salt to lemon juice and use it to scrub up stove top grates or your grill. You can even add lemon juice to your laundry to brighten clothes and leave a clean lemony smell.
2. Vinegar
Vinegar is a weak form of acetic acid, which makes it a great natural antifungal and antibacterial cleaning agent. A spray bottle filled with 50% vinegar and 50% water is perfect for cleaning counter tops in your kitchen or bathroom. Vinegar can also be used to eliminate odors. A cup full of it placed in a room over night can get rid of tough odors, like stale cigarette smoke.
3. Baking Soda
Most people are aware the effectiveness of baking soda as a way to eliminate odors, but it has other useful cleaning power, as well. It can be used to unclog drains when combined with vinegar – pour some baking soda down the drain, and then slowly pour in some vinegar until it foams. Flush with hot water and repeat until the drain is clear. Sprinkle some on carpets and vacuum it up after 15 minutes to keep carpet fresh. Baking soda can be used a scouring agent when combined with water to make your tile floors shine.
4. Club Soda
Club soda is another one of those natural cleaning ingredients that you might be unaware of. Windows will sparkle when cleaned with club soda, fill a spray bottle, spray and wipe with a soft cloth. You can also water your household plants with club soda, the minerals in the soda will help them grow. If your pet had an accident on the carpet, blot up as much of the urine as possible with a clean cloth. Saturate the area with club soda, let it fizz until the bubbles subside, and blot again. Repeat until the stain is removed, and let the carpet air dry.
5. Olive Oil
Olive oil is not just for cooking, it is also a great cleaner and polisher. Make a paste with olive oil and a teaspoon of salt and you can scrub your pots and pans. Have some stainless steel you want to shine? Olive oil can be used for that, just add to a clean cloth and start buffing. To make a great furniture polish, add some lemon juice to olive oil. A small amount of olive oil on a cotton ball can also be used to repair scratches on leather furniture. Just rub the cotton ball on the scratch and it should disappear.
Cleaning your home may not be your favorite thing to do, but it has to be done. These natural cleaning ingredients for your home, will allow you to clean safely.