Tackling your weekly chore list can feel daunting, especially when you're confronted with endless chemical-filled cleaners that promise sparkling results while downplaying their harmful effects on our health and the environment.
We often don't consider the impact that our household cleaners are having on us, but many conventional products contain ingredients that can irritate our eyes, skin, and respiratory systems, among other significant health issues.
When they make their way down our drains, these same ingredients can adversely affect the quality of our water systems and the wildlife populations that call them home. In the air, they reduce our indoor air quality and play a notable role in the formation of smog outdoors.
But a clean home is still critical to maintaining a healthy, happy life, so what can we do?
Fortunately, there are tons of natural cleaning solutions out there that are just as effective, if not more so, than their chemically formulated counterparts—and odds are, you have most of the ingredients to whip them up already in your cupboard.
To get you started, here are seven simple solutions you should consider next time you're gearing up for your weekly refresh.
Note: While these cleaning solutions are natural and made from items you likely already have in your pantry, they are still not designed for human consumption. It's important to ensure they are stored safely away from children and pets.
A good all-purpose cleaner is a household essential, and all you need to mix one up at home is a little water and vinegar! Here's how to do it.
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS: Combine equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Mist your surfaces with the mixture and wipe away with a damp cloth — easy!
This all-natural, all-purpose cleaner is an excellent choice for windows, mirrors, and other glass products, as well as stainless steel sinks, stovetops, and counters. However, you should avoid using it on countertops made of stone, flooring, and small appliances with rubber seals (like your blender or washing machine), as vinegar can have a corrosive effect.
There's nothing worse than mildew-stained grout in the shower, but this Lemon Tartar Grout Cleaner is all you need to make the space between your tiles look brand new again!
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS: Combine the cream of tartar and lemon juice in a bowl until it forms a thick paste (you may not need all of the juice from both lemons). Using an old toothbrush, apply the paste to your grout and wait a few minutes before scrubbing away the stain. Once you're done, rinse the grout with water, and you're ready to go!
If you have particularly stubborn grout stains, a portable steam cleaner is also a great tool for lifting grime without the use of harsh chemical cleaners.
The secret to keeping wooden furniture looking shiny? Homemade Olive Oil Wood Polish!
It's a less harsh alternative to mineral oil wood polishes, which contain petroleum, is safe for kids and pets, and adds moisture back into surfaces while helping to protect them from dust and debris! Follow the directions below to mix up your all-natural DIY polish at home.
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS: Mix equal parts olive oil and white vinegar together in a bowl and add to a spray bottle. Spray the polish onto your wooden furniture and buff the surface with a microfibre cloth. Make sure to shake your spray bottle before each use to combine the mixture well!
PRO TIP! Add five to ten drops of your favorite essential oil to the mixture for a dose of fresh fragrance while you polish. Our team's top picks are lemon, orange, and lavender!
Dealing with carpet stains is an unavoidable part of life. From pets to kids to spilled morning coffee, they're often victim number one when it comes to everyday mishaps, leaving us running for the quickest solution to fix things while the stain's still fresh.
One of the most effective solutions? Baking soda — simple as that!
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS: Begin by sprinkling baking soda over the entirety of your carpet stain. Next, dampen a microfiber cloth with warm water and use the cloth to cover the baking soda. Leave the stain covered and damp for at least 3-4 hours (although overnight is ideal!). When you return, vacuum up the baking soda, and voilá — stain-free!
If the stain remains after you complete the steps above, you can cycle through the directions again to lift away any leftover discoloration and grease.
If you have a garbage disposal in your kitchen, you're probably familiar with the not-so-welcome smell that happens when food particles get caught in your disposal.
Luckily, there's a quick, natural fix that can have your disposal smelling fresh again in no time. All you'll need are a few citrus peels and some ice cubes!
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS: Start by running some cold tap water down your disposal drain. Then, with your disposal on, add pieces of citrus peel, letting your disposal break them up slowly. Once your disposal finishes processing the peels, drop your ice cubes in and let your disposal grind them as well.
The citrus peels help eliminate foul odors and cut through grease and grime that may be caked onto your disposal blades. The ice cubes help sharpen the blades and are useful in dislodging any stuck food scraps!
While you're in the process of freshening up the kitchen, let's tackle your microwave too! Once again, we'll lean on trusty citrus to get the job done.
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS: To start, fill a large measuring cup with around a ½ cup of water. Next, add the lemon slices. Place the measuring cup in the microwave and microwave at a high temperature for around 3-5 minutes (you want the water to come to a boil). When the time is up, do not open the microwave door. Let the mixture stand for five minutes while the steam loosens splatters inside the microwave. After five minutes, you can open the door and use a microfiber cloth to wipe away residual grime!
Our final recipe is fitting, as it's also the perfect final step on your weekly chore list — get the house smelling fresh and cozy! A simmer pot does just the trick!
Simmer pots are large pots or Dutch ovens filled with simmering water, left on your stovetop, with several aromatic ingredients (think cinnamon or citrus) that make your space smell nice.
There are all sorts of simmer pot recipes that you can try depending on the season and your preferences, but the one below from The Travel Bite is great for summer. Just make sure you don't leave the house with your stovetop on!
INGREDIENTS:
DIRECTIONS: Place all your ingredients into a pot or Dutch oven and fill with enough water for everything to float. Then, turn on your burner (we suggest one of the back ones) and bring the water to a simmer. You can leave your pot simmering for up to two hours—or more if you check in and add more water when necessary!
And that's that! Seven natural cleaning solutions to help you tackle your weekly chores — no chemical cleaners needed! Here's to making a positive impact, one scrub at a time!
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