We may know that cleaning solutions containing chemicals will work on even the toughest stains, and kill the hardiest of bacteria, but that doesn’t mean that we want to use them in our homes.
Store-bought chemical-based cleaners often seem like the most convenient option, but what some of them contain can be pretty harmful to the environment, not to mention our health if overused, inhaled, spilled, or in the wrong hands.
Fortunately, if you’re looking for other ways to clean your home than with chemicals, there are several solutions you can easily and affordably, make yourself at home:
All purpose cleaner
White vinegar is the star ingredient in this all-purpose cleaning solution; with antimicrobial properties, distilled white vinegar has a high acid content, making it great for keeping surfaces around the home, hygienically clean.
Simply combine one part vinegar with one part water, add some lemon juice or your favorite essential oils to get rid of the vinegary smell, and you’re good to go! For the easiest way to use this all-rounder solution, pour it into a spray bottle and give it a good shake before each use. Just be careful what surfaces you use this on, and always carry out a spot test first to check for staining or damage.
Alternatively, you can make a similar cleaning product with vodka, if you really don’t like the smell of vinegar, or you have natural stone surfaces you need to clean. Take a quarter cup of water and mix it with 3 quarter’s of a cup of 120-proof vodka, before adding lemon juice or essential oils.
Degreaser
Since soap naturally has degreasing properties, don’t waste your money on expensive store-bought degreasers when dish soap is just as effective, and a whole lot more affordable and safer to use, to boot.
If you’re trying to clean something that’s really greasy, all you need to do is add a few drops of liquid dish soap directly to the area, and then scrub. Should the grease be hardened and tougher to remove, however, you can make a solution of baking soda and vinegar.
A powerful combination, baking soda and vinegar make for a highly effective, heavy-duty cleaning solution, tough enough to cut through even the greasiest of items. Begin by mixing a little baking soda to water until a paste is formed. Spread the paste onto the affected area or item, then squirt some diluted white vinegar over the top. As it starts to fizz, the grease will begin to lift, and the longer you leave the paste on the grease, the more effective it will be and the less you’ll have to scrub it with a brush.
It’s also worth mentioning that a lot of cleaning companies are using natural products nowadays, meaning that you can enjoy a healthier, cleaner home without the use of harmful chemicals, even when hiring professionals.
Finally, you don’t need to keep buying cloths, sponges and paper towels for cleaning purposes when you can just as easily use old clothes, cut up into smaller pieces. Then, when you’re done cleaning with them, simply throw them in with your next washing cycle, dry them out, and use them again.
