All-natural kitchen and bathroom cleaning solutions
It’s no secret that many store bought cleaning products contain harsh chemicals and toxic ingredients. These compounds present a danger to your family and can potentially corrode and damage piping and other plumbing fixtures.
Fortunately, mixing up your own all-natural cleaners is easier (and less expensive) than you might think. With a few empty spray bottles and a dash of creativity you can say goodbye to hazardous poisons and hello to a variety of all-natural cleaning solutions.
The power of acetic acid
Plain old white vinegar is pretty much a cure-all when it comes to disinfecting and cutting through nasty grease, dirt and grime. For tough jobs it’s perfectly safe to apply directly, but for daily use mixing one part water for every part vinegar is best.
Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for aroma, or double down on antibacterial properties with natural antiseptic oils like grapefruit or tea tree. Shake vigorously before use as the oils have a tendency to separate to the bottom.
Note: Vinegar based mixtures are not recommended for soft stone or porous countertops.
No mixing required
The next time you reach for a bottle of Ajax from under your sink, look up instead and grab a box of baking soda from the cupboard.
Baking soda cleans and deodorizes and offers the same non-scratch scouring properties of popular industrial cleaners. When you rinse your cleaning cloths down the pipes you’ll be naturally neutralizing drain odors and cleansing the traps.
For tiles, tubs, toilets and sinks, step up to washing soda (sodium carbonate decahydrate), which cuts through grease and removes stains. Wear rubber gloves as it can irritate skin and mucous membranes.
A simple solution for sparkling grout
Are grout stains a thorn in your side? Simply sprinkle baking soda along your grout lines and then gently scrub them with undiluted hydrogen peroxide. The chemical reaction will remove tinges and leave your grout looking like new.
Vinegar and baking soda produce a similar result, but hydrogen peroxide is particularly effective against mold.
Lemon and other citrus fruit
Many commercial products harness the sanitizing abilities of citric acid to cut grease and kill germs. Why not cut out the middle man?
Slice a lemon, lime or other citrus fruit and apply directly to clean and disinfect.
