Cleaning Hacks to Keep Your Home Spotless Without Harsh Chemicals

That deep burning sensation in the lungs and nose after using bleach to clean the bathroom, the lingering air of “new car smell,” the chemical film from disinfectant sprays… Popular cleaning products on the store shelves might be doing more than just annoying your nose. Many of these common cleaning products contain compounds known to significantly affect our health.

Switching to natural, chemical-free cleaning offers a safe and affordable option without compromising on effectiveness. By using ingredients you likely already have at home, you can easily tackle dirt and grime. Learn why natural cleaning is worth the switch, how to make powerful cleaners at home and room-by-room tips to keep your space spotless.

The Case for Natural Cleaning and DIY Solutions

For too long, chemical cleaning products have been a market favorite but research increasingly shows that they come at a cost. A 2019 study published in Environmental Sciences Europe explains that chemical residues from conventional cleaners contribute to water pollution and permanently disrupt aquatic ecosystems. In fact, the runoff from these chemicals also impact your drinking water. Opting for natural alternatives is a simple but impactful way to detox from these harsh chemical compounds.

The effects of phthalates, parabens and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in popular chemical cleaners don’t only affect the environment, they drastically impact our bodies as well. According to The Lung Association their regular use is associated with chronic respiratory conditions like asthma, which can significantly impair the body’s function. Thankfully, your body is resilient and natural compounds like shilajit can promote healthy mitochondrial function and hormone balance, which are affected by exposure to the compounds so prevalent in popular cleaning products.

You can’t avoid exposure to these chemicals completely, but it is possible to eliminate them from your home, and you can actually save money by doing it. Are natural or homemade cleaners up to the task? Yes!

Not only are compounds like vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice powerful and effective, they are cost-friendly staples that you likely already have in your kitchen. Most importantly, these simple agents rival the performance of commercial cleaners without exposing you and your family to harmful chemicals.

DIY Cleaners You’ll Love to Make

Switching to natural cleaners does not have to come at a cost. With simple ingredients from your pantry, you can create powerful DIY solutions that are cost-effective and just as powerful as commercial products.

All purpose spray: Combine 1 cup of water, 1 cup of white vinegar and 10-15 drops of tea tree oil in a spray bottle for a versatile spray.

Glass cleaner: With 1 cup of water, 1 cup of rubbing alcohol and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, you can create a cleaning agent that guarantees a streak-free finish.
Heavy-duty scrub: For tougher messes, create a paste using half a cup of baking soda and just enough hydrogen peroxide to foam to a thick consistency. Spread the paste on the target area and let it sit for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing with a sponge or brush.
Air freshener spray: Mix 1 cup of distilled water, 2 tablespoons of vodka or rubbing alcohol and 20-30 drops of your favorite essential oil for a refreshing fragrance throughout your home.

DIY Quick Fixes

Not every cleaning challenge requires a full-scale intervention or specialised products. Small and easy quick fixes using natural household items are perfect for those everyday messes.

Scratches on wood: Rub half a walnut over the scratch, pressing gently to release natural oils. These oils penetrate the wood to make the scratches less visible.
Rust on metal surfaces: Make a paste of equal parts salt and lemon juice. Apply and let sit on the acidic area for 10-15 minutes, then scrub with a sponge to break down the rust.
Dull silverware: Line a large bowl with aluminium foil, filling it with boiling water and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Submerge the silverware for a couple of minutes to release the tarnish.
Fridge odors: Place activated charcoal or coffee grounds in an open container in your fridge to absorb unpleasant smells.

Room-by-Room Hacks to Keep Your Home Spotless

Every room in your home has unique cleaning challenges. Your kitchen collects grease and odors while your bathroom battles moisture and grime. With targeted, natural solutions, you can tackle these issues while maintaining a health, toxin-free environment.

Kitchen

The kitchen is the heart of the home and often the messiest. Food spills, grease splatters and stubborn odors build up quickly in this high traffic space. Try out these targeted solutions for a spotless kitchen:

Deodorize your sink with baking soda and vinegar. Let the fizzy mixture sit in your drain for 5-10 minutes, then rinse it out with hot water.
Remove stains and odors from your cutting boards by scrubbing them with a lemon half. For extra cleaning power, sprinkle salt or baking soda on the board before scrubbing.
To degrease sticky surfaces, mix 1 cup of water and 1 cup of vinegar with 10 drops of lemon or eucalyptus essential oil.

Bathroom

Bathrooms are a haven for germs, moisture and mildew. Try out these natural alternatives to tackle tough grime and lingering odors:

To clean and brighten your grout, apply a paste of equal parts baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and let it sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing it with a toothbrush.
Freshen your toilet by sprinkling baking soda in your toilet bowl and then spraying with vinegar till it fizzes. Scrub with a toilet brush or flush it out for a clean toilet bowl.

Living Spaces

Your living areas are for entertaining, so dust stains and odors often accumulate in these shared spaces. These simple hacks will help you maintain a fresh and inviting environment:

Prevent dust from building up with a microfiber cloth lightly sprayed with water and lemon essential oil.
Remove carpet stains by mixing 1 tablespoon of baking soda, a drop of dish soap and water. Apply this mixture to the stains, blot with a cloth and rise with a damp sponge.

Bedroom

Your bedroom is for relaxation and unwinding, where cleanliness contributes to better sleep and overall well-being. Manage allergens and odors to create a serene environment with these easy tricks:

Freshen linens with a lavender spray made from 1 cup of water and 10-15 drops of lavender essential oils for a soothing aroma that promotes relaxation.
Keep mattresses clean by sprinkling baking soda and letting it sit for 15-20 minutes before vacuuming it up.
For a subtle, natural scent in your closet, create small sachets of dried lavender, cedar ships or your favorite herbs to place on the floor.

Embrace natural cleaning

Your kitchen and bathroom don’t have to smell like a Lysol factory or a cheap gas station air freshener, nor does a clean home need to smell like an Abercrombie & Fitch store. It’s very easy to minimize environmental exposure to substances that not only smell awful, but also may interfere with our body’s function.

Strange smells that linger for days are not a necessary condition of maintaining a clean, healthy home. Keep it simple– you can save significant time and money by habitually stocking up on a few cheap, basic natural cleaning products that you already have in your pantry!