Household Cleaning Products You Have in Your Pantry
Out of cleaning products? Want to use safer cleaning products in your home, but quickly get overwhelmed in the cleaning aisle trying to decipher which products are truly clean?
We have some good news! When it comes to effective and safe green cleaning products you don’t need the cleaning aisle at all! Chances are you probably don’t even need to go to the store because you probably already have these items in your kitchen.
Vinegar
Vinegar is very effective and is nearly as tough as the chemical filled all-purpose cleaners on the shelf of the store. Make an easy safe all-purpose cleaner by mixing equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle. Yes, vinegar does smell funny, but it is a natural disinfectant and oddly a deodorizer. The smell of the vinegar will dissipate once the vinegar is dry.
In the bathroom: Vinegar is great for cleaning the bathtub, toilet, sink, and countertops. It is also a great mirror cleaner. For tough toilet bowl cleaning, flush the toilet then pour full- strength undiluted vinegar around the rim and scrub it down the bowl.
In the Kitchen: Great for appliance surfaces and countertops (not marble). You can also mop floors with carefully diluted vinegar solution. You don’t want too much vinegar in a mopping solution because high acidity is not great for tile, grout, or hardwoods.
Laundry: Vinegar is a great natural fabric softener. Add it to the rinse cycle instead of store bought softener. It is better for sensitive skin and helps break down detergent. Vinegar is also great for cleaning the inside of the machine.
Lemon
The citrus properties of lemon are a cleaning powerhouse. This is why so many cleaning companies add it to their supplies and make sure “with citrus power” is clearly stated on the label.
Lemon is tough on soap scum and hard water and it gets metallic fixtures, such as faucets, looking sparkly and new again. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle it with baking soda; this makes a great dish scrubber. You can also use it to help put a little elbow grease into cleaning surface grime on counters, appliances, sinks, etc. Grind up the lemon peel in the garbage disposal to freshen it up and the entire kitchen will smell fresh as well. Just be careful to test an unseen spot when using lemon for the first time as its acts like a natural bleaching agent as well.
Baking Soda
Baking soda can be used for countless different cleaning jobs in your home. It is great as a non-abrasive scrubbing agent.
Baking soda is a friend to carpet as well. Sprinkle some on the carpet and let it sit for a while to de-odorize. This is great for homes with pets. There are many great ways you can use baking soda pastes mixed with water and other natural cleaners to spot clean the carpet as well. Check out our home remedies page for more great natural spot treatment tips.
There are so many great cleaning products just hanging out in your kitchen cupboard! For more great green cleaning tips and techniques please browse our blog and website.