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When we’ve got a lot on our plates, cleaning can be the last thing that we feel like doing. Plus, with so many products available (many at premium prices), it can be tricky to know where to start. However, one way to save time and money is to make your own cleaning products.
Natural products keep cleaning simple, cost next to nothing to make, and can be just as effective (sometimes even more so) than conventional cleaning products. And, being toxin-free, they’re generally better for our health, furniture, and the planet.
With this in mind, we’ve pulled together all you need to know to get started making your own natural cleaning products, and offered seven ideas for specific products to make.
Note: To be on the safe side, cleaning solutions should be kept out of reach of children and pets.
What key ingredients do I need to make my own natural cleaning products?
Before we look at how to make natural cleaning products, it can be useful to gather a toolkit of basic ingredients.
The three staple ingredients of natural cleaning recipes are often washing-up liquid, white vinegar, and baking soda. These ingredients will usually be enough to get you started, and you might already have them at home.
Washing-up liquid
This is potentially the most versatile and useful cleaning product. You can use it on most surfaces, but it’s also strong enough to cut through grease and dirt.
Any washing-up liquid will do, though you might want to consider getting one which is eco-friendly (these usually cost a little more, but a tiny amount goes a long way in homemade cleaning products).
Some people swear by more eco-friendly castile soap, which is made from vegetable-based oils instead of animal fats and is free of synthetic ingredients. The only downside to this soap is that you can’t mix it with vinegar.
Baking soda
Baking soda is a chemical compound known as sodium bicarbonate. It’s safe and effective for use in almost any cleaning task.
It absorbs odours and has a mild abrasive action, making it easy to remove dirt with a gentle scrub (without scratching surfaces) on counters, sinks, ovens, stoves, and bathtubs. It can also be used as a whitener and a deodoriser.
Baking soda comes as a fine white powder and can be sprinkled onto a surface or made into a cream cleanser. Just be aware that it can leave a white residue, so you’ll need to rinse or wipe surfaces well after using it.
Baking soda is safe, cheap, and effective. It’s available to buy in bulk on Amazon if you’d like to stock up.
White vinegar
Vinegar is made from acetic acid – a natural disinfectant which kills bacteria and dissolves mineral deposits (such as limescale), dirt, grease, and grime.
White distilled vinegar, which has 5% acidity, is the one to use for cleaning. It’s non-toxic, eco-friendly, cheap, and extremely versatile – working as a deodoriser, degreaser, stainless steel cleaner, glass cleaner, and a soap scum remover. White vinegar can be used neat or diluted in water, depending on the job at hand (but avoid mixing it with hydrogen peroxide).
The main reason that people avoid using vinegar as a cleaner is its pungent smell. But while its scent might linger for an hour or so, it then disappears – and you can mask it with a few drops of essential oil, such as lavender or peppermint.
You can buy white distilled vinegar on Amazon.
Equipment
To make homemade cleaning products, it’s useful to have measuring cups and spoons.
You’ll also want a few small ceramic or glass bowls for mixing up pastes and cream cleaners. Recycled ‘Gü’ dessert ramekins work well, or you could pick something up from your local charity shop.
Last but not least, you’ll need some empty spray bottles to house your homemade cleaning products. If you haven’t got any lying around, they’re available to buy on Amazon. You can use a funnel and a glass measuring jug to pour your concoctions into the bottle. Then just remember to label them, and you’re ready to start.
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Natural cleaning product ingredients – optional extras
Although washing up liquid, baking soda, and white vinegar will cover most of your natural cleaning needs, some people like to invest in extra ingredients to boost their products’ effectiveness.
Useful additions to your toolkit include surgical spirit or rubbing alcohol (with antiseptic properties) and 3% hydrogen peroxide (a stain-remover, whitener, and natural disinfectant).
You could also personalise your products with a few essential oils for some added luxury. Essential oils work well because they leave your home smelling fresh, but don’t linger for too long. Plus, there are countless scents, each with its own benefits.
Many essential oils claim to have disinfectant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. Citrus oils such as lemon, grapefruit, and sweet orange smell fresh and will add a zing to your home. They’re also made from the rind of the fruit, which has high concentrations of limonene – a substance known to help cut through grease.
Herbal oils to consider using include peppermint, which smells divine when combined with citrus; eucalyptus, one of the oldest natural medicinal oils used to combat viruses and bacteria; and lavender, which is calming and can combat mustiness and freshen laundry.
Tea tree oil has a strong but clean smell, and is a powerful disinfectant, antifungal, antiviral, and antimicrobial agent, as is thyme oil. Both work well in a multipurpose spray.
Generally, for every 500ml of cleaning product, consider using around five drops for its scent and up to 30 drops to maximise its other benefits. You can buy decent-quality essential oils individually or in sets on Amazon.
Note: While essential oils have medicinal properties for humans, they can be poisonous to cats and dogs. So it’s best to avoid using them if you have pets, or discuss it with your vet first.
7 effective natural cleaning products which cost pennies to make
Now that we’ve covered the basic ingredients, here are seven natural cleaning products to consider making.
1. Multipurpose cleaner
Most of your home can be cleaned with basic soap and water, which is the essence of this multipurpose cleaner. And the good news is that most of us will already have the main ingredient to hand: washing-up liquid!
Simply combine a teaspoon of washing-up liquid with one and a half cups of water in a glass measuring jug.
To help combat bacteria, viruses, and fungi that could be lurking in your home, you can add either surgical spirit or rubbing alcohol to your multi-purpose cleaner, both of which have antiseptic properties. These will also help the multipurpose cleaner to dry faster and leave fewer streaks in the finish.
If you’d like your cleaner to be fragrant, add around 10 drops of essential oil. Why not try lavender or tea tree oil, both of which have antibacterial properties? Or, you might just like to use your favourite oil, so you feel uplifted every time you clean.
Combine all the ingredients in an empty spray bottle, give it a good shake, and you’ll have an inexpensive, natural product that can clean almost anything – even fancy finishes such as stainless steel and natural stone.
2. Glass cleaner
This homemade cleaner is made from white vinegar, water, and rubbing alcohol and will leave your windows, mirrors, and glass shower screens sparkling clean. Plus, the rubbing alcohol helps it evaporate quickly and keep it streak-free.
To make this product, simply combine two cups of water with ½ cup of white vinegar and ¼ cup of rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Then, add a couple of drops of orange oil for a lovely citrusy scent.
3. Tub, tile, and grout cleaner
For the bathroom, products need to be tough enough to remove soap scum from tiles and bathtubs.
This intense natural tub, tile, and grout cleaner recipe will leave your bathroom gleaming.
All you need to do is mix ¼ cup of washing-up liquid with ¼ cup of baking soda, and add up to two tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide (just enough to make a paste). If you’re using essential oils, consider adding 10 drops of tea tree oil for its disinfecting properties.
Apply the paste to a damp, non-scratch sponge and give your bathroom tub, tiles, and grout a good scrub before letting it sit for 10 minutes. Then, wet the sponge, scrub again, and rinse the areas well.
This product is effective for tackling stubborn stains.
4. Toilet cleaner
When considering switching to natural cleaning products, some people might be concerned about their ability to combat germs.
However, this toilet cleaner recipe uses tea tree oil and hydrogen peroxide that, when mixed with water, becomes a powerful cleaner and disinfectant. It combats microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and mould as effectively as regular bleach, but is better for your health and the environment.
To make it, combine ¼ cup of baking soda, ½ cup of water, ¼ cup of washing-up liquid, ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide, and 15 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle (with a wide nozzle, as it can get clogged). Simply squirt the mix around the toilet bowl and scrub with your brush as usual, before flushing. For stains in the toilet bowl, try soaking it overnight in citric acid.
5. Drain unblocker
For an easy solution to prevent or clear blockages in your drains, try putting ¼ cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by ½ cup of vinegar. You’ll hear a satisfying fizz as they combine.
Leave the concoction to work for 15 minutes, then pour in eight cups of boiling water. And voila, the blockage should be cleared.
6. Stain remover
If you’re looking to create an effective stain remover, this homemade recipe couldn’t be simpler.
All you need to do is mix two parts of hydrogen peroxide with one part of washing-up liquid. Then, apply the paste to the stain with an old toothbrush or cloth, and rinse it off with water after a few minutes.
You’ll need to mix this stain remover up fresh every time and discard any excess, as it won’t keep.
7. Floor cleaner
Vinegar is one of the best natural floor cleaners because it cuts through grease and leaves no residue or long-lasting smell. However, it’s not suitable for all types of flooring, and you’ll need different amounts depending on the surface.
For tile and vinyl floors, use one cup of white vinegar to one gallon of hot water, and an optional 5-10 drops of essential oil.
To make a laminate floor cleaner, mix together ½ cup of surgical spirit or rubbing alcohol with ½ cup of water and ½ cup of white vinegar and use with a flat-head mop. Unfortunately, vinegar is too harsh to use on stone or hardwood floors.
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Your once-loved items are just waiting to be useful again. Pop them in a box, send them to Vintage Cash Cow for free, and they’ll make you an offer to rehome them all.
Final thoughts…
Many people assume that natural cleaning products will cost more than conventional ones. But homemade versions are quick and easy to make, and often cheaper, too, due to their simple ingredients.
So, with many benefits for your home, health, and the environment, why not try making your own natural products?
For further reading, head over to our home and garden section. Here, you’ll find everything from decluttering tips to spring cleaning checklists.
What’s your experience with natural cleaning? Do you have any natural cleaning products or tips that you can recommend to others? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
* Links with an * by them are affiliate links which help Rest Less stay free to use as they can result in a payment or benefit to us. You can read more on how we make money here.
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