As I continue to explore sustainability and a zero waste lifestyle, I’ve come to a lot of realizations. A big one is that I usually already have what I need in my pantry, especially when it comes to cleaning supplies. So many of the cleaners I’ve used in the past are harmful to the environment, so I’ve researched and tweaked natural cleaning recipes that I found online. I wanted to share some of my favorites with you because they are just so easy to make!
Clean Up Your Home with These Easy Natural Cleaning Recipes
I’m always working on reducing the chemicals we use at home. Instead, I like to opt for a natural cleaner made with simple ingredients from my pantry. Not only is it more budget-friendly, but it’s also really satisfying to make something instead of buying it.
All purpose cleaning spray & disinfectant
- White vinegar
- Orange peels
This cleaning spray is so easy to make, especially if you make a big batch. Simply put the orange peels in the vinegar and let it sit for a week or so. I keep mine in amber glass spray bottles. It makes a great countertop cleaner and glass cleaner. You can also use it in combination with baking soda as a tile and grout scrub.
Update: I do not use this on our marble countertops because it could ruin them! Refer to this post about how I maintain our counters.
Glass cleaner
- 1 cup rubbing alcohol
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
Sometimes, I make a dedicated glass cleaner, especially if I have a big photoshoot coming up. You can add essential oils, too. Also, make sure to use newspapers to clean the glass for a streak-free shine.
Hardwood floor cleaner
- 3 teaspoons white vinegar
- 16 ounces of warm water
- lemon essential oil
I mix this combo in a bowl with a spout so I can easily pour it into my spray mop (I love that one because the pads are reusable and easily washed with laundry). Just make sure to follow the exact ratio of vinegar and water because the acidic nature of vinegar can dull wooden floors.
Produce wash
- 2 cups water
- the juice of 1 lemon
- 1 cup white vinegar
Most of the produce we eat comes from our organic veggie garden. We live on a busy street, so I made sure everything gets washed well before we eat it. You can also use this for any vegetables and fruit that you get at the farmers market or store. Make sure to store the produce wash in the fridge in between uses. To use it, combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and spray the produce liberally. Then, let it sit for a few minutes and rinse with cool water.
Wood cutting board cleaner
- salt
- half of a lemon
A wooden cutting board is porous, so I’m careful about what I use to clean it. Simply sprinkle salt onto the board and then scrub it in with half of a lemon. After the salt has dissolved, let it sit so that the board gets sanitized. Then rinse with water and dry.
Linen spray
- 1 part water
- 1 part witch hazel or vodka
- eucalyptus or lavender essential oils
In between washing sheets, I like to use a linen spray to freshen things up. Especially because the dogs sleep in our bed! We shared a DIY pillow spray last year and this basic recipe is easily customized. Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake. Also, make sure to give it another shake before using.
The few things I don’t DIY:
Some natural cleaning recipes are either too labor intensive, require too many speciality ingredients, or are not cost effective for us. For example, I don’t make our own laundry detergent because I am happy with my Mrs. Meyers Basil Laundry Detergent. We make sure to figure out ways to reuse the plastic bottle, too.
Also, I don’t make my own dishwasher detergent mostly because we have a brand new one and I am scared to somehow mess it up! Lastly, I don’t make our own dryer sheets because we use wool dryer balls.
What other natural cleaning recipes would you like to see on the blog? I’m always open to sharing the ways I experiment with reducing waste in our home!
Looking for more posts about sustainability? Check out these:
- How to Go Green at the Grocery Store
- 6 Documentaries About Sustainability to Inspire Your Zero Waste Journey
- How to Store Produce Without Plastic
- How to Live a More Eco-Friendly Lifestyle
- How To Make Reusable Beeswax Wraps for Food
