16 Safe, Chemical-Free Ways To Clean Your Home

If you are like many people today, you are more aware of the environment than you were years ago. You do not want to have your family exposed to toxic chemicals and possibly develop health problems. However, you still want your home to be clean. The answer? Use natural household cleaning products. You can find natural household cleaners for every cleaning chore in your home. Start with the household cleaning tips here and add to them as you find more that work for you.

All Purpose Cleaner

If you need an all-purpose cleaner that you can use around the house, you can mix the following ingredients in a spray bottle and use it on virtually everything in your house. Mix together two cups rubbing alcohol, one tablespoon of ammonia, one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid, and two quarts of water. You can use this on glass, tile, chrome, and other hard surfaces. If you have any doubts about using it, test it in an obscure area first.

Denture Cleansers

Denture cleaning tablets can be used for more than cleaning dentures and windows. You can use them in a variety of cleaning methods. The effervescent nature of the tablets combined with the cleaning components makes them ideal for a variety of applications.

• Flower vase: Over time, flower vases can develop a layer of gunk in the bottom. You can drop a denture-cleaning tablet in the bottom; allow it to sit for an hour and then rinse. Your vase will be beautiful and crystal clear.
• Laundry: You can use denture-cleaning tablets to remove stains from your laundry. Before you do this, make sure the garment is colorfast. Next, fill a bucket with water and several denture tablets. Put your clothes in the water and allow them to soak until the stain has disappeared.
• Coffee and tea stains: Ceramic absorb the tannins in tea and coffee and ultimately develop stains. You can restore them to their pre-beverage beauty by dropping a denture tablet in them and filling them with water. Allow them to set a minute or two. Rinse and repeat if necessary.

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Vinegar

It may not have the greatest smell, but it is one of the greatest all-natural cleaners you will find in your house. It can be used from the kitchen to the bathroom and every other room. Some of the most common uses of vinegar are outlined here.

• Ceramic tile: Ceramic tile has to be cleaned carefully to avoid damaging the stone. You can make a simple cleaner with half a cup of white vinegar and a bucket of warm water. Mop the tiles with a soft mop and allow them to dry. There is no need to rinse.
• Faucets: Cleaning faucets can be a hassle. You cannot put the faucet in a bucket of water like you do other household items that you clean. However, you can soak cleaning cloths in vinegar and lay these around the faucet. Let the faucet soak for an hour and then scrub with a toothbrush.
• Crystal: Clean your crystal as you normally would; however, rinse it in a solution made of half a cup of vinegar per gallon of water. This will keep it shining bright with no spots.
• Coffee maker: Automatic drip coffee makers need to be cleaned periodically to remove the buildup of coffee in the filter system. Once a month, pour one or two cups of vinegar in the reservoir and top with water. Allow the coffee maker to brew this mixture. After you have brewed your cleaning solution, brew several pots of clear water to rinse the vinegar taste and smell from the coffee maker.
• Drain cleaner: You can clear clogged drains using a mixture of one cup baking soda, one cup salt, one-half cup white vinegar, and two cups boiling water. Mix all the ingredients except the boiling water and pour into the drain. Allow the mixture to sit in the drain for fifteen minutes before pouring the boiling water down the drain. Rinse with hot tap water. You can repeat this as often as necessary.
• Remove polish build-up: If you have a prized piece of furniture that you want to restore, a half-and-half solution of vinegar and water will remove the furniture polish buildup.
• Cutting boards and wooden spoons: When you buy new cutting boards or wooden utensils, you can soak them overnight in apple cider vinegar. This will keep the wood from absorbing food odors.
• Fluffy towels: If you have ever wondered how the five-star hotels always manage to have the fluffiest towels, you can use this tip to have your own fluffy towels. After washing your towels, add two cups of white vinegar to the rinse water. Your towels will come out fluffier than ever before.
• Colorfast garments: If you want to be certain that your new red blouse will remain red, soak it in white vinegar and water for fifteen minutes before washing. This will work with any of your colorfast clothes. You do not have to rely on your garment’s tag to ensure it doesn’t fade.

Window Cleaning

Cleaning your windows can be frustrating. If you are not careful, you have streaks that are just as unattractive as the dirty windows. First, use crumpled newspapers to clean glass instead of using paper towels or napkins. If you do not have any newspapers, you can use coffee filers to clean your windows without streaks. Next, mix equal parts of ammonia and alcohol in a spray bottle. You should make sure you purchase non-sudsing ammonia.

You can use denture cleansers to clean your outdoor windows or windows that are very grimy and require a thorough wash. All you need are several denture cleaning tablets and a bucket of water. Drop the tablets in the bucket and allow them to dissolve. Next, use a soft cloth to wash the window, followed by a clear-water rinse. Allow it to dry naturally or use crumpled newspaper to dry the window.

If you have followed these steps and you still see streaks, grab the fabric softener. Wipe the window with fabric softener and allow it to dry. After the window has dried, wipe it again with a damp cloth and allow it to dry naturally.

Ink Remover

If your favorite shirt is ruined due to an ink pen leaking, do not throw it away before you try this old secret. Spray the ink area thoroughly with hairspray and blot with clean paper towels. Repeat until the stain is much lighter than when you started. Follow this with normal laundering and – voila! – your shirt is now ready to wear.

As you can see, there are many products around your house that can be used for household cleaning. You will save money and at the same time avoid exposing your family to unnecessary chemicals. Use the tips here to get you started cleaning naturally. You may find that you have cleaners you did not even know about in your kitchen pantry. Vinegar, baking soda, dish detergent, and simple soap can all be used to keep your home sparking clean.