Several years ago, I switched to using natural cleaning products. Since then, I have found a lot of great recipes, tricks and shortcuts that have not only taken the chemicals out of my daily life, but made our house cleaner, fresher, and faster to clean!
One of the products I use the most when cleaning and that you probably already have in the house is distilled white vinegar (It is also available organic). I know, I know, you don’t want your house to smell like pickles, but don’t worry, the smell fades when it dries and can be easily masked with a few drops of essential oil. Things I use vinegar for in my own natural cleaning:
Stains
With five kids, I have gotten a lot of practice with stains, especially on white clothes, which seem to attract stains like a magnet. The most effective treatment I have found so far is pouring undiluted vinegar onto the stain and washing as normal. This also works great for wine, tomato sauce, or other spills on carpet. Immediately pour vinegar on the area, wait a few minutes, and wipe up with a damp cloth.
Window cleaner
Vinegar is by far more effective than Windex or other window cleaners at cleaning windows and mirrors with a spot free shine. I mix 1 part vinegar to three parts water and add a few drops of my favorite essential oil (lemongrass) or a 1/2 tsp or so of my organic dishwashing liquid.
Mold Remover
One part borax mixed with four parts white vinegar in a spray bottle does wonders for mold. Just spray it on, wait about an hour, and wipe up. The mold wipes right off.
Hardwood Floors
Our last house was entirely hardwood floors, and this meant a lot of mopping for me. I found that 1/3 to 2/3 cup of white vinegar in a gallon of warm water cleans hardwoods very quickly and easily.
Toilet Cleaning
Pouring a few shakes of baking soda in a drain and then adding a cup or so of vinegar will create a bubbly reaction that, when scrubbed, leaves the toilet shining.
Cleaning Cabinets
If you have food spots, oil buildup or stains on your cabinets, mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water and scrub with a rag or sponge. The vinegar will cut any grease, leaving the cabinets clean and shiny.
All Purpose Cleaning
For everything else, I have two bottles of homemade spray cleaner in the kitchen and all bathrooms. One of these is 1 part white vinegar, 4 parts water, 10-20 drops of essential oil (optional), and 1 tsp of organic dish soap. This does wonders on counter tops, high chair trays, baseboards, walls, appliances, floors, and everywhere else things can be dumped, spilled or tracked.
More DIY Recipes:
Here are some of my other favorite DIY natural cleaning recipes:
Natural Stain Treatment Reference Sheet
Natural Homemade Laundry Detergent
Natural All-Purpose Cleaner Recipe
Natural Oven Cleaning
Natural Homemade Glass Cleaner Recipe
Easy Homemade Scouring Powder Recipe
Natural Cleaning and Organizing Checklist
Natural Bathroom Cleaning
Natural Kitchen Cleaning
Do you make any natural cleaning products? What do you make?
Is the Flu Shot Safe?
I never heard of using vinegar for toilet cleaning. After reading this post, I will definitely try vinegar for toilet cleaning. Thanks for sharing useful tips.
hi, I live in the uk and con not seem to find borax anywhere. Would borax substitute work as well or even better would anyone know where I would find borax in the uk?
Many thanks
I like your site, but you have different cleaning recipes in different spots… on another page you wrote that for windows you just use a 50/50 mix of water and vinegar. You also have different all purpose cleaner recipes depending on what page you visit. Some consistency would be nice. If you change your combinations, please change then everywhere on your site!!!
I agree. I just made a 50/50 solution and now I’m confused!
So glad I found your blog! Thank you for these ideas!
I’m looking for a all natural way to clean my produce.. Can you help please ?
Natural vegetable cleaner can be made by using juice of one lemon plus two tablespoon vinegar plus quart of distilled water (tap water that is boiled for three minutes then cooled). Mix together in spray bottle. Refrigerate when not in use.
I LOVE this info. I eat great and exercise, but I DON’T make my own cleaners. I’m going to start now. Thank you!
For my home made cleaner I use 1 part vinegar, 1 part lemon juice, & 2 parts distilled water. The acid in the lemon juice cuts through tough grease and grime along with the vinegar, but it also leaves a nice non-geeasy, clean shine to everything. Plus it smells nice!
Does it need to be refrigerated to keep it safe for babies high chair tray?