Cleaning Recipes That Get The Job Done Naturally

Whether you have a sensitivity to chemical fumes or prefer an eco-friendly method, these natural cleaning recipes from Better Homes & Gardens get the job done.

The first thing to keep in mind when creating your own cleaners is to never mix ammonia and bleach because the resulting fumes are toxic. Baking soda and salt are mild abrasives that can easily take the place of commercial scrubbing powders. Salt is slightly more abrasive but still gentle enough for most surfaces.

To mix your own general-use scented cleanser, stir a drop or two of essential oil into baking soda or salt using a wire whisk. Store the mixture in a small glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. As the fragrance fades, refresh it with another drop of oil.

Lemon Scrubber

Borax and lemons are known for their cleaning and whitening powers, but each works differently. Because it is an alkali, borax is good for cutting grease, oil, and dirt. Lemons are slightly acidic, so they work well at eliminating soap scum and hard-water deposits. To get the benefits of both, dip a lemon half in borax and use it as a scrubber for the bathroom, kitchen counters, cupboards, and appliances — any surface that is likely to have both alkali and acidic dirt.

To remove rust or food stains on countertops, rub a cut lemon over the spot or squeeze fresh lemon juice onto the area and let it sit for up to 30 minutes.

Distilled White Vinegar

This mild acid works on alkaline substances, dissolving scale, inhibiting mold, and cutting soap scum. It’s terrific for stains such as coffee, rust, and tea. Dilute distilled white vinegar in water to cut through tacky dirt, soap scum, mineral deposits, or wax buildup. (Add a drop of essential oil to diffuse the vinegar odor.) For heavy buildup, soak a rag in vinegar, lay it over the area, leave it for an hour, and then scrub.

Ammonia

Dilute 1 tablespoon of ammonia in a pint of water for a strong grease-cutting solution.

Liquid Dish Soap

To create a single-use cleaning solution, dissolve a teaspoon of liquid dish soap in a quart of water, then add a teaspoon of vinegar. (Do not add the two at the same time; the acid in the vinegar will neutralize the alkali in the soap.)

Salt

For a paste that removes hard-water stains, mix 1/4 cup salt with 2 tablespoons vinegar.

Baking Soda

Sprinkle baking soda on half of a lemon and use it to clean stainless-steel sinks.

To see more recipes and cleaning ideas, visit the article on Better Homes & Gardens.