Chemical cleaning products can be harsh on your skin, disruptive to your gut microbiome and unhealthy for your lungs. Fortunately, the ingredients you have in your kitchen cupboards and medicine cabinet can go a long way in helping you naturally clean your home without any negative side effects of toxic ingredients.

Vinegar, baking soda, and rubbing alcohol are three easy go-to options for DIY natural cleaning. Adding a few drops of essential oils can help provide the clean fresh scent that you might be used to from conventional cleaners without any toxic ingredients. Some essential oils even have anti-bacterial properties, such as tea tree oil, peppermint essential oil or cinnamon, oregano or grapefruit essential oils.

3 DIY Natural Cleaning Recipes

As you make the transition from conventional cleaning products to green cleaners, try these three DIY natural cleaning recipes to help you live a healthier lifestyle.

1. Homemade All Purpose Cleaner

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 4 tbsp baking soda
  • 20 drops of tea tree essential oil (you can also use lemon or peppermint essential oils for their antibacterial properties)

Directions:

Pour the vinegar into a large bowl then slowly add in your baking soda a bit at a time. Next add your essential oils. Using a funnel, transfer the mixture to a spray bottle for easy cleaning of surfaces or floors.

2. Natural Window & Glass Cleaner

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 4 cup warm water
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch

Directions:

Mix all of your ingredients in a spray bottle. Spray on mirrors or glass and wipe off with a paper towel.

3. Healthy Homemade Air Freshener

Ingredients:

  • 30 drops of pure essential oils of your choice (choose one or mix a couple scents)
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 3 cups water

Directions:

Mix your ingredients into a spray bottle, and mist the air to infuse the natural scent.

 

Chew on this

As a society we’ve become a bit obsessed with avoiding germs. Chemical anti-bacterial agents are used in everything from personal hygiene and cleaning products to the fabrics we use in our bedding. Too much emphasis on sanitization paves the way for superbugs and antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria.

Furthermore, exposure to bacteria and germs on occasion can actually help to train and strengthen your immune system.

Do you use natural cleaning products in your home? Tell us in the comments below.