Keeping your house clean and sanitary significantly impacts your and your family’s health and well-being.
Commercial cleaning products, on the other hand, can be problematic due to the existence of toxic chemicals, which can have detrimental effects on both the environment and personal health.
In this piece, we will cover the advantages of making your own cleaning detergents and provide simple recipes for whipping up your own all-purpose cleaner, toilet detergent, and antibacterial wipes.
Benefits of Natural Ingredients
Natural cleaners offer several benefits for those who want to keep their homes clean and healthy. Plus, they’re a great conversational topic for home parties.
One significant advantage of using them is their environmental friendliness.
Unlike chemical cleaners, natural ones do not contain harsh toxins and chemicals that can harm the environment. By using natural cleaners, we are not polluting our planet’s waterways or the air we breathe.
Another benefit of using natural cleaners is safety. Their chemical counterparts contain hazardous substances that can cause respiratory problems and skin irritation.
In contrast, natural cleaners are safe and pose no risk to our health, making them a healthier choice for our families. To take a step further, you can consider throwing a plant or two in the mix for an even healthier space.
Some natural ingredients, such as vinegar and lemon juice, have natural antimicrobial properties which effectively tackle bacteria and viruses.
Here are some of their benefits:
- Vinegar is an effective disinfectant and easily removes tough stains. Combined with lemon juice, it makes a concoction with strong antimicrobial properties, which can disinfect all surfaces.
- Baking soda is gentle but abrasive and can remove stains and deodorise surfaces.
- Hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleach substitute used to whiten and eliminate stains from clothing.
- Essential oils like lavender and peppermint leave a pleasant aroma and have strong cleaning properties.
Why Use Homemade Cleaning Products?
Commercial cleaning products often contain harmful toxins that can leave behind residue and irritate your skin. This is especially concerning for people with small children or dogs.
Professional cleaning services may use equally hazardous products, and it’s difficult to tell precisely what chemicals are used and how they may affect you and your home.
On the other hand, making your own detergents is a simple, cost-effective way to take control of the ingredients used to clean your house. You can choose the products you use in your home and minimise your environmental footprint.
Most households have natural, safe alternatives, making it straightforward to make your own cleaners without breaking the bank. Not to mention your home plants will love the fresher air.
Homemade All-Purpose Cleaner
Make your own all-purpose cleaner with this simple recipe using just three ingredients. Suitable for a range of surfaces and objects in the home, but be sure to test it on small areas first. Say goodbye to the lingering vinegar scent with this easy homemade solution.
- Combine 3 parts filtered water and 1 part distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle.
- Add several drops of peppermint oil into the mix.
- Give the bottle a firm shake, so the ingredients interact better.
- Test the solution on a small area to ensure it’s safe for use on the surface.
- Use the solution on a range of surfaces and objects in the home.
Homemade Toilet Detergent
Part ways with harsh toilet cleaners using this effective and sweet-smelling homemade concoction. Mix borax, white vinegar, and essential oils for a powerful solution that tackles even the toughest cleaning jobs. Let the solution sit overnight for a thorough clean, or use baking soda and white vinegar for a quick clean.
- Mix 100g borax and 125g white vinegar in a bowl.
- Add 10 drops of lavender essential oil and 5 drops of lemon essential oil to the mixture.
- Stir until the ingredients are fully combined.
- Drop the solution into the toilet bowl and leave it like that overnight.
- Scrub the toilet bowl, as usual, the next day to remove any stains or buildup.
Homemade Antibacterial Wipes
Reduce paper waste by creating your own natural and efficient antibacterial wipes. Combine castile soap, filtered water, and lavender oil for a safe and efficient cleaning solution.
For more “eco-friendly” and “cost-effective” marks, store the wipes in scraps of fabric and a container, and wash and reuse them.
Here’s how:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of castile soap and 3 litres of filtered water in a bucket.
- Add 10 drops of lavender oil.
- Cut up scraps of cloth into small pieces.
- Soak the wipes in the cleaning solution and give them a minute or two.
- Store the wipes in an air-tight container for easy use.
- You can use your antibacterial wipes on various surfaces and throw them in the washing machine when they get dirty.
Useful Tips when Making Cleaning Products
Making your own cleaning products is simple and inexpensive, but there are some essential guidelines to ensure that your products are effective and safe to use.
To begin, it is critical to use glass or stainless steel containers to prevent chemical reactions with plastic.
Plastic can combine with certain ingredients, such as vinegar, causing it to degrade and leach harmful chemicals into your cleaning products.
Labelling all homemade goods with the ingredients and the date of manufacture is also critical. This will allow you to note which products are still in good condition and safe to use.
When making your own cleaning products, only mix small batches at a time to avoid spillage and ensure freshness.
This is especially important for products containing natural ingredients, such as essential oils, which can lose effectiveness over time. Purchasing ingredients in bulk can help you save money and reduce packaging waste.
Finally, you can customise recipes to fit your specific cleaning needs.
For example, if you have tough stains on a surface, you can add more vinegar to your cleaning product to increase its cleaning power. Alternatively, add essential oil to create a more potent scent or boost its disinfecting properties.
Conclusion
You can create effective and safe homemade cleaning products that suit your specific cleaning needs if you keep these tips in mind.
Provide a clean and safe environment for your family while being ecologically aware and saving money using homemade cleaning products. These simple recipes will provide you with effective cleaning solutions that are free of the harmful chemicals found in commercial goods.
And if you, for some reason, do not find the time to clean on your own – professional cleaners are a few clicks away.
What more can a person want?
