10 Natural DIY Cleaners that are Good for Your Health, Wallet, and the Environment

Are you a skeptic like me especially when it comes to buying supermarket cleaning products? It's not a secret that the ingredients found in these products can harm you and the environment. Making your own natural DIY cleaners can give you the same sparkling clean home. But do they work? I did some tests myself and shared the results of my favorites. 

The ingredients cost very little and you probably have them on hand. These basic items include white vinegar, baking soda, salt, citrus fruit and essential oils. You can reuse your old cotton clothes instead of buying towels to wipe or clean the house. 

Here is a compilation of easy cleaning recipes to get you started. It includes all of the top cleaners most people will need. Let’s find out what a few basic ingredients can do.

In the Kitchen

​Microwave cleaner

To get rid of the odor and grease in the microwave, mix 6 tablespoons baking soda or 1/2 cup lemon juice with 1 cup water in a microwave-safe glass container. Microwave the mixture until it boils, then leave it inside with the door closed until it cools. The steam will loosen the dirt and make it easy to wipe down the inside of the microwave.
Watch Video from Lifehacker

My Results: I was meaning to clean my microwave so I tried this method using lemon and it left a pleasant citrusy smell loosening the food splatter stains. The best part for me was I didn't have to use the nose burning cleaning product to clean.   
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Kitchen sink cleaner

If you want to kill harmful germs like salmonella and E.coli from the kitchen sink, heat ½ cup white vinegar, spray all over the sink, let it sit for at least 1 minute and wipe it clean. If the sink has stubborn stains, sprinkle generous amounts of baking soda, spray vinegar, leave it for 10 minutes and rinse it with water. 

​My Results: I used this method for my kitchen sink and it left a sparklingly clean sink.. good as new. I used to use the stainless steel spray and since I have sensitive skin, my skin used to burn after using it. But after using these mild but effective ingredients, it gave me confidence to incorporate it in my daily chores without having to be scared of getting a skin reaction. However, if you have even the slightest doubt, do recommend wearing gloves to clean.     
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Oven Cleaner

Empty the oven, combine ¾ cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of warm water to create a paste, coat the oven with the cleaner (avoid bare metal surfaces and door) and leave it overnight. Next day, spray the coat with vinegar and wipe down the oven or scrape off the paste with a damp cloth. For the door and metal surfaces, wipe down with equal parts of water and white vinegar. 
​Watch Video from Andrea Jean Cleaning
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My Results: I was using a supermarket oven cleaner thinking it would get rid of the stubborn stains but every time it would leave very strong fumes that made it hard to breathe at times. I had to open all the ventilation while cleaning. The fumes would stay for days even if I thoroughly cleaned the oven. I don’t know if I am overthinking but didn't feel safe to eat the food till the smell would fully vanish. Rather than living in fear, using baking soda, vinegar and salt to scrub the stubborn stains made a huge difference.
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Stovetop Cleaner

Remove burner caps and plates and clean the crumbs. Dampen the stove, mix  ¼ cup of water and ¾ cup of baking soda, spread the paste over the stains, spray vinegar on top of the paste, let it sit for 30 minutes and scrub it. If the stain is stubborn, mix one part vinegar and one part Dr Bronner's Castille soap and scrub the stain.
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In the Bathroom

Shower head buildup remover

Over time the shower head accumulates mineral deposits reducing water pressure. To get rid of the buildup, fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, secure it with a rubber band and leave it overnight. The next morning, run the shower to get rid of the buildup and the smell.
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Toilet Cleaner

To clean the toilet seat, lid and handle, mix 1 cup vinegar, ½ teaspoon essential oil in a small spray bottle. Spray surfaces and let it sit for several minutes. In the meantime, sprinkle ½ cup baking soda (use borax for harsh conditions) inside the toilet bowl and scrub inside of the bowl with a toilet brush. Use a clean dry cloth to wipe vinegar solution off the seat, lid, and handle and flush to clean the bowl.
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Window and Mirror Cleaner

To clean the windows and mirrors, mix 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water in a spray bottle to use on your windows or mirrors to polish and clean. You can also add some essential oils for a fresh scent. Old newspapers make a great mirror and window wipe, leaving you with a streak free result. 
Watch Video from Home Made Simple
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General Purpose

All-Purpose Cleaner

Mix 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 4 to 8 cups hot water in a spray bottle. Add a few drops of essential oil to any mixture to give it a fresh scent. Spray on any surface and wipe to sanitize the house. 
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Drain Cleaner

Dump 1/4 cup baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 cup vinegar, let it sit for 15 minutes and then pour 8 cups of boiling water. 
Watch Video from Clean My Space

Natural Air Freshener

Combine and mix 1 cup baking soda, 15-20 drops essential oils and dried herbs (if available) in a jar with small holes on the top. Place it in different areas of the house. It will eliminate unpleasant odors and leave the essential oil fragrance behind. It lasts approximately one month.
Watch the video from eHow
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PLEASE NOTE: If you have any skin allergies or conditions, always wear gloves to clean. Keep a separate spray bottle or container to mix the natural cleaners. Make only a small batch of natural cleaner so that your products don’t sit on a shelf and go bad before you run out. The ratios and measurements given can be changed based on your needs.  
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Make a Change for the Better

A 20-year study conducted by scientists at the University of Bergen, Norway found that exposure to cleaning products can be as harmful as using 20 cigarettes a day. If you are someone who has had experience with harsh chemical reactions, you know how toxic manufactured chemical products can be. This shows that even for the rest of us, we can benefit from making changes.

Fortunately, we know simple and easy alternatives are available. Adopting this change can keep you, your loved ones and the environment safe. 

Author: Shreena Tuladhar 

Shreena always wanted to give back to the community and believes writing to inform is one of the ways.

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