I LOVE using natural ingredients to clean my house whenever I have the chance! Whether it is essential oils, borax, vinegar or more, I love having magical cleaning hacks to use to clean my whole house!
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Why I Wrote This Post
I am a country gal from way back and my Grandma was always teaching me fancy combinations that would clean silver, make a sink shine or get gunk off of bottles!
These are some of the ones she taught me and also ones that I have accumulated over the years from friends who are super duper cleaning focused (looking at you Tena D!)
Stock Your Pantry
You can make all of these recipes with 13 ingredients that you might already have around your house!
- Borax: Toilet bowl cleaner, kitchen sink cleaner, dishwasher cleaner, laundry detergent
- Vinegar: Toilet bowl cleaner, showerhead cleaner, all-purpose kitchen cleaner, air freshener (with citrus peels), dishwasher cleaner, microwave cleaner, cutting board sanitizer, coffee pot cleaner, streak-free mirrors and windows, fabric softener alternative
- Baking Soda: Kitchen sink cleaner, carpet freshener, silver polish, stain remover
- Hydrogen Peroxide: Kitchen sink cleaner, stain remover
- Essential Oils: Lemon: All-purpose kitchen cleaner, microwave cleaner
- Castile Soap: Laundry detergent
- Washing Soda: Laundry detergent
- Citrus Peels: Air freshener, garbage disposal deodorizer
- Cinnamon Sticks & Cloves: Air freshener
- Olive Oil: Wood polish
- Lemon Juice: Wood polish, cutting board sanitizer
- Salt: Cutting board sanitizer, coffee pot cleaner (with ice)
- Ice Cubes: Garbage disposal deodorizer, coffee pot cleaner (with salt)
Natural Bathroom Cleaning Hacks
Because I was a caregiver for my elderly mother-in-law, I had to clean the bathroom often with serious chemicals! Now that she is in a nursing home, I am able to go back to my natural cleaning solutions for almost everything… yay!
Sparkling Bathroom Tiles
Banish bathroom grime with a potent paste of borax and vinegar! Mix equal parts to form a thick consistency, then apply to tile surfaces and grout. Let it sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing with a damp sponge. The borax lifts dirt while the vinegar tackles mildew and soap scum!
Fresh and Clean Toilet Bowl
Pour 1 cup of vinegar into the toilet bowl and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then, add 1/2 cup of borax and scrub with a toilet brush. The vinegar will disinfect and deodorize, while the borax tackles stubborn stains. Finish by flushing for a sparkling clean bowl.
Showerhead Cleaner
Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar and secure it around the showerhead with a rubber band. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight for heavily clogged showerheads. The vinegar will dissolve mineral deposits and improve water flow.
Natural Kitchen Cleaning Hacks
It is so funny to me that people have cabinets full of specialized cleaners when you can make most of your own cleaning products for the kitchen that work even better than the fancy expensive ones!
Gleaming Kitchen Sink
For a naturally clean and deodorized sink, sprinkle baking soda over the surface, then scrub with a paste of borax and hydrogen peroxide. The baking soda will help remove stuck-on food particles, while the borax and hydrogen peroxide work together to disinfect and brighten the sink. Rinse with warm water for a sparkling finish.
All-Purpose Kitchen Cleaner
Combine 1 cup of white vinegar, 1/2 cup of water, and 20 drops of lemon essential oil in a spray bottle. This versatile cleaner cuts through grease and grime on countertops, stovetops, and even inside the refrigerator. The lemon essential oil adds a fresh, invigorating scent to your kitchen!
Air Freshener
Create a natural air freshener by simmering a pot of water with citrus peels, cinnamon sticks, and cloves. The gentle heat will release the fragrant oils, filling your home with a warm and inviting aroma!
Dishwasher Cleaner
Pour 1 cup of white vinegar into the bottom of your empty dishwasher. Run a hot water cycle to remove buildup and deodorize the dishwasher. For extra cleaning power, add 1/2 cup of borax to the pre-wash compartment.
Garbage Disposal Deodorizer
Toss a few citrus peels (lemon, orange, or grapefruit) and a handful of ice cubes into the garbage disposal. Run the disposal with cold water to freshen and deodorize. The citrus oils will help neutralize odors and leave your kitchen smelling clean. I generally have to reach in and pull out the remaining peels!
Microwave Cleaner
Place a bowl of water with 1/4 cup of white vinegar and a few drops of lemon essential oil in the microwave. Heat on high for 5 minutes, allowing the steam to loosen food particles. Then, wipe down the interior with a damp sponge.
Cutting Board Sanitizer
After washing your cutting board, sprinkle it with coarse salt and rub with half a lemon. The salt acts as an abrasive cleaner, while the lemon juice disinfects and deodorizes. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
Coffee Pot Cleaner
Fill the coffee pot with equal parts white vinegar and water. Run a brew cycle, then run another cycle with just water to rinse. This will remove mineral deposits and coffee residue, keeping your coffee tasting fresh.
Old waitress trick to clean glass coffeepots, put a fair amount of ice cubes in the coffee pot. Pour a bunch of salt in and shake the coffee pot. The salt will melt the ice and the ice will scrape off the gunk!
Natural Living Room Cleaning Hacks
I remember as a kid spraying the Pledge over all the wood and the stinky scent of it… I am so glad that I can have natural living room cleaning products instead of harsh chemicals!
Streak-Free Mirrors and Windows
Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a pleasant scent. Spray the solution onto mirrors and windows, then wipe clean with a microfiber cloth for a streak-free shine.
Carpet Freshener
Sprinkle baking soda over your carpets and let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight for a deeper clean. Then, vacuum thoroughly. The baking soda will absorb odors and leave your carpets smelling fresh and clean!
Wood Polish
Mix equal parts olive oil and lemon juice in a bowl. Apply the mixture to wood furniture with a soft cloth, rubbing in the direction of the grain. The olive oil conditions the wood while the lemon juice cleanses and adds shine.
Silver Polish
Line a bowl with aluminum foil and fill it with hot water. Add 1/4 cup of baking soda and a few drops of dish soap. Submerge your silver items in the solution for a few minutes, then rinse and dry with a soft cloth. The chemical reaction between the aluminum foil and baking soda will remove tarnish and restore shine to your silver!
Natural Laundry Hacks
I admit it, I LOVE the smell of Tide, but two of my family members can't tolerate their clothes when we use artificially scented products… sigh! Here are my go to laundry hacks!
DIY Laundry Detergent
Create your own natural laundry detergent by grating a bar of castile soap and mixing it with 1 cup of borax and 1 cup of washing soda. Use 1/4 cup per load of laundry. This eco-friendly detergent is gentle on fabrics and tough on dirt, leaving your clothes clean and fresh!
Fabric Softener Alternative
Skip the chemical-laden fabric softeners and opt for a natural solution. Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. The vinegar acts as a natural fabric softener, leaving your clothes soft and fluffy while also helping to remove any lingering detergent residue. I also use dryer balls in my laundry routine!
Stain Remover
Treat stubborn stains with a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Apply the paste to the stain, let it sit for 15 minutes, then gently rub with a damp cloth. This combination is effective on a variety of stains, including coffee, wine, and grass.
18 Best Homemade Cleaning Solutions Wrapup
I hope you love these amazing natural cleaning solutions that I have collected over the years! The best part is, once you get in the habit of stocking them, you can clean almost anything at the drop of a hat!
Here are some more cleaning posts you might love:
- How To Get Poop Smells Out Of Clothes
- How To Get Rid of Urine Smell In Bathroom
- How To Use White Vinegar In Your Laundry
