Let’s face it, cleaning stinks enough without the use of harsh, pongy chemicals! But what alternatives are there to ensure that our homes can be cleaned effectively and hygienically?
Well, you might be surprised as to just how many non-chemical solutions to most of your cleaning problems, actually exist within the average store cupboard or pantry. Not only may you already have some of these natural products in your home, but should you need to go out and buy them, they will cost you less than chemical based cleaning products would in the store, and are they far kinder to the environment and to your home, too. Take a look below at the top 4 natural solutions to cleaning your home:
- Vinegar: safe to use on fabrics, and virtually every surface in your home – but not marble – vinegar can be a great alternative to a chemical cleaning solution. If you don’t dilute it and allow it to dry completely, it can be really effective in killing most fungi’s and mildews, found in the home, such as mold that exists in window seals, fridge doors and shower curtains. Cleaning windows is a breeze with vinegar, simply mix a quarter of a tablespoon in a cup of water and add a drop or two of liquid detergent. Ceramic and floor tiles can also be cleaned quickly and easily with a quarter cup of vinegar added to a gallon of water; ground in dirt stains and grease will simply wash away.
- Baking Soda: Not only is baking soda great for removing stains and helping to shift tough, burnt on food, but it works really well at neutralizing bad smells and deodorizing. Try making a paste from baking soda mixed with a little water, and applying it to stains, or make a general cleaning solution from a quarter cup of baking soda mixed with a quart of water, to be used safely and cheaply as a cleaner for most surfaces in your home. Alternatively, use the soda in neat form to act as a scrub for really tough stains and grease. As an odor eliminator, simply sprinkle baking soda over the affected area (be it a rug, carpet or piece of furniture), and wait for a while before vacuuming it up. Blocked drains can also be fixed by pouring baking soda down and flushing it through with vinegar.
- Borax: Using baking soda again, this time mix it with a cup of borax, and use roughly 2 tablespoons of it when you’re washing the dishes.
- Vegetable Oil:Combining 2 parts vegetable oil with 1 parts vinegar (see how handy vinegar really is!) or even lemon juice, makes a fantastic natural alternative to harmful wood cleaners; putting the solution into an empty spray bottle makes life even easier.
