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Many of us default to commercial cleaning products for a quick and easy solution to messes and stains. Unfortunately, these products often contain harmful chemicals that can affect our health and the environment and usually come with a high price tag.
That’s why we’ve gathered 12 green cleaning hacks that are easy to implement. These eco-friendly tips are great for keeping your home clean and fresh.
Clean With Lemons
Lemons are not just for cooking—they’re also great for cleaning! Their natural acids can cut through grease and stains while leaving a fresh smell. You can use lemon juice to clean cutting boards, disinfect countertops, and brighten white fabrics.
Unclog Drains With Baking Soda and Vinegar
Dealing with clogged drains can be a real hassle. Thankfully, there’s an easy solution using baking soda and vinegar. Start by plugging the drain. Then, pour about 3 cups of baking soda, followed by roughly 2 cups of vinegar, down the drain. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, then flush it with a cup of boiling water.
Make Homemade Vinegar Cleaners
Vinegar is so versatile, and the best part is that it’s completely safe and non-toxic. It’s great for cleaning up spills, inexpensive, and can last long if stored properly. Because it’s slightly acidic, it can easily cut through grease, mineral deposits, and grime. You can use plain white vinegar for cleaning or infuse the vinegar with citrus peels or essential oils!
14 Vinegar Hacks You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner
Freshen Smelly Towels
To help freshen your towels, add distilled white vinegar to the wash cycle.
Homemade Air Fresheners
Simmer a pot of water with fragrant ingredients like citrus peels, cinnamon sticks, or cloves to create a gentle steam that will spread a pleasant aroma throughout your home. There is no need for artificial scents!
Freshen Carpets with Baking Soda
If your carpets have unpleasant odors, baking soda can help. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that can eliminate foul smells from your carpets. Simply sprinkle baking soda over the carpet and leave it overnight. In the morning, thoroughly vacuum the carpet. You’ll notice that the unpleasant smell is gone.
19 Clever Uses for Baking Soda Around the House (And It’s Not Baking)
Natural Bleach Alternative
Combine equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice in a bowl or container for a natural way to bleach your clothes without using harsh chemicals. Directly apply this mixture to any stains on your clothes or fabrics. Allow it to sit for 15-30 minutes, giving the natural bleaching agents time to work. Afterward, rinse the clothing with water and continue your regular washing routine.
12 Surprising Uses for Hydrogen Peroxide Everyone Should Know
Clean Pots and Pans with Kosher Salt
Forget about those harmful degreasers. Instead, head to your pantry and grab some kosher salt and lemon juice. Sprinkle a little lemon juice on the kosher salt, and use it as a scrub to clean your pans and remove any stubborn grease.
14 Surprising Uses for Salt That Don’t Involve Cooking
Disinfect Surfaces with Essential Oils
Essential oils can effectively disinfect surfaces. Lemon, lavender, and tea tree oil are powerful antiseptics perfect for disinfecting surfaces. These essential oils smell great and have natural antibacterial properties. Mix a few drops of your favorite essential oil with water to create a pleasant and effective cleaning spray.
Clean Grout Naturally
Cleaning grout, particularly in high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms, can be challenging due to frequent use. Rather than purchasing commercial cleaners, you can make a safe, natural grout cleaner at home using baking soda, castile soap, and lemon essential oils. These ingredients are effective and non-toxic.
Get the Formula: How to Make Homemade Grout Cleaner
Eco-Friendly Floor Cleaner
Keep your floors in great shape with a homemade floor cleaner. Mix one cup of white vinegar and a few drops of dish or Castille soap in a bucket of water. You can also add a few drops of essential oil for a pleasant fragrance. Use this mixture to mop your hardwood, tile, or laminate floors as usual.
How to Clean Vinyl Plank Flooring
Homemade Laundry Detergent
Making powdered laundry detergent at home is simple and highly effective for removing tough stains. Creating your own allows you to control the ingredients, ensuring a non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaner.
Get the Formula: Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe
8 All-Natural Homemade Cleaners You Can DIY at Home
Making your own all-natural homemade cleaner means using safe, eco-friendly ingredients that you may already have at home.
Check out these easy homemade recipes for window cleaner, laundry detergent, and more.
8 All-Natural Homemade Cleaners You Can DIY at Home
22 Homestead Kitchen Must-Haves for a Self-Reliant Kitchen
Given the central role of the kitchen in our daily routines, it’s essential to have reliable tools that can withstand the demands of everyday use. These tools save us time and money by avoiding frequent replacements and spare us the inconvenience of sudden breakdowns.
22 Homestead Kitchen Must-Haves for a Self-Reliant Kitchen
WD-40 Is Not Just For Squeaky Doors. Here are 10 Ways You Can Use It Around the House
For many of us, purchasing WD-40 is often prompted by the need to silence a squeaky door, only for the can to be shelved and forgotten. You’d be surprised to know that this well-known spray has numerous practical uses. Here are ten ways to make the most of WD-40 in your home.
WD-40 Is Not Just For Squeaky Doors. Here are 10 Ways You Can Use It Around the House
16 Surprising Household Problems You Can Fix With Vaseline
Vaseline is a versatile and readily accessible household staple with many unexpected uses. Here are 16 ways to use it for household problems.
