While staying in sync with the demands of daily life and keeping up with your ever-climbing bills, your inner conscience may be concerned about the planet you call home.
As a result of this conscience, you’re motivated to make everyday efforts to protect the environment, save expenses, and maintain good health. This article is about doing all three.
It is smart to cut costs wherever possible, and one of the best and most dependable ways to do so is by not spending as much on cleaning supplies. Plus, many cleaners bought at home are not great for the environment or health because of the harsh chemicals they contain. Adapting to DIY eco-friendly cleaning solutions should be your way to go green!
This article will be your best friend in the fight against dirt and grime. It urges you to take action against the impact of your everyday maintenance. Give homemade cleaners a try! They’re the perfect way to care for your health, save a little more money, and help the environment. Learn more about them below.
Basics of DIY cleaning solutions
Making your own cleaning solutions is a step toward sustainability. With every homemade concoction, you lessen your impact on the environment, protect loved ones, and preserve water from a chemical assault. Homemade cleaning solutions are favored for their cost-effectiveness, simplicity, and eco-friendliness.
There are various types of cleaners suited to different purposes. Here are some common ingredients that act as staples for cleaning due to their natural properties:
- Base/alkali. Examples include baking soda, borax, and washing soda, from mild to strong. These are helpful in removing dirt, fat, and grease. They are used in all-purpose and oven cleaners.
- Acids. Such as vinegar and lemon juice, help break down rust, mineral deposits, and hard water stains. They can clean glass, windows, brass, copper, mold, and tiles.
- Detergents. Such as washing soda/borax, soap nuts/granules, and vegetable coconut oils help to remove dirt and grease. They can replace conventional laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, and cleansers.
- Abrasives. These can scratch surfaces. Examples include powders and scouring pads, which help wear off dirt by replacing conventional scouring pads and steel wool.
- Bleach and sanitizers. These help to disinfect and smell better. Examples include sunlight/citrus, hydrogen peroxide, borax or vinegar, tea tree, and lavender oils.
- Air fresheners. Alternatives include open windows, essential oils, lemon or lime juice, simmering spices on the stove, and baking soda to smell better.
These non-toxic homemade natural cleaners are comparatively cheaper than buying commercial products. DIY cleaners reduce plastic waste and promote biodegradable ingredients while minimizing exposure to harmful chemicals that can cause allergies to your household members. Isn’t that amazing?
However, the most important factor in adapting to these cleaners is understanding your needs and customizing them. It will come with time as you can control and use the ingredients effectively.
Read more: Eco-enzyme: An Organic Liquid That Has Many Benefits
How to make DIY cleaning solution recipes
Creating your own cleaning supplies turns you into a green cleaning expert, mixing commonplace products into green mixtures that safeguard the ecology of your surroundings. Plus, it’s also a creative journey that encourages independence and imagination and helps promote a lifestyle focused on wellness. Here are a few mixes you can try.
Natural floor cleaner
For this homemade floor cleaner, combine half a cup of white vinegar, one gallon of water, and ten drops of your preferred essential oil in a bucket. Let your floor air dry before mopping. Because vinegar acts as a cleanser and deodorizer, it leaves your floors gleaming and clean, making it appropriate for many flooring, including hardwood, tile, and laminate.
DIY stain remover spray for fabrics
This recipe is best for removing biological stains like sweat or food. To do this, combine one part hydrogen peroxide and baking soda with two parts water in a spray bottle. Thoroughly shake before using. Apply straight to the stain, allow it to sit for one hour, and then proceed with regular washing.
DIY carpet stain cleaner
To remove stubborn stains from your carpet, use a spray bottle to mix two teaspoons of dish soap and white vinegar with two cups of warm water. Dab as much of the discoloration as you can with a clean cloth. After applying the cleanser and letting it set for five minutes, use a damp cloth to wipe the stain once more until it lifts.
DIY jewelry cleaner
Add one tablespoon each of salt, baking soda, and dish soap to one cup of hot water in a bowl lined with aluminum foil (shiny side up). Gently stir to dissolve all ingredients. After soaking jewelry in the solution for five to ten minutes, rinse and pat dry.
Citrus-infused vinegar cleaner
Use a homemade solution of citrus-infused vinegar by filling the jar with citrus peels, covering them entirely with white vinegar, allowing them to sit for a few weeks, and then utilizing the strained liquid. This cleaner, with the natural acidity of vinegar and fresh aroma of citrus peels, makes it ideal for various surfaces.
Herbal disinfectant spray
Create an herbal disinfectant spray by combining two cups of water, half a cup of vinegar, and ten drops of antibacterial essential oils, such as thyme and eucalyptus. This mist efficiently eliminates germs from high-touch surfaces and leaves a fresh, clean herbal aroma.
Olive oil and lemon juice furniture polish
Use this easy-to-make polish by combining half a cup of olive oil and one-fourth cup of vinegar. This concoction gives the wood a sustained shine and a delightful citrus aroma while simultaneously cleaning and conditioning it.
Baking soda oven cleaner
Make a paste from half a cup of soda and the required amount of water and coat the inside of your oven with it, then leave it overnight to do its job. This will help remove baked-on spills and splatters while avoiding non-toxic cleaning chemicals.
Read more: Green Home: DIY Cleaners for a Fresh and Healthy Space
In conclusion
Homemade cleaning solutions are a means to rescue you from useless expenses, environmental impact, and possible health issues. An effective and safe cleaning foundation can be built in your home with basic household ingredients, such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon. Various recipes can be formulated based on requirements and understanding each ingredient to adjust in the routine.
It’s a simple yet empowering shift to achieve a cleaner home and a healthier planet. So stop procrastinating and use your household products to create a concoction that tailors to your home and makes it green. Start experimenting, choose which suits you best, and keep enjoying the benefits of DIY cleaning.
If you would like to see more resources on homemade cleaners/cleaning solution DIY, check out the Household Management Science Labs. The lab uses the research of the Institute for Life Management Science to produce courses, certifications, podcasts, videos, and other tools. Visit the Household Management Science Labs today.
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