Although it can seem irrelevant, the way we clean our home affects the environment. Traditional cleaning products are effective but they contain harmful chemicals that affect both our health and the planet. What can we do to make things better? We can use eco-friendly products and adopt greener cleaning practices which lower our ecological footprint and create a safe, toxin-free home. This guide will emphasise all benefits of natural cleaners, provide you with DIY recipes and practical tips & tricks to reduce waste.
The Benefits of Using Natural Cleaning Products
Benefits of switching to natural cleaning products are numerous. Some of them are visible instantly, and some have long-term effects. What is the most important, green products are safer for your and your family’s health as they do not contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), bleach, ammonia and synthetic fragrances. These chemicals can irritate skin, eyes and lungs, as they are connected with asthma, hormone disruption and even some chronic diseases. Fortunately, there are natural alternatives which are non toxic and safe for children and pets – vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice and essential oils.
When cleaning, we rinse harsh chemicals down the drain, and they go directly to the water systems. They affect aquatic ecosystems and wildlife, polluting water and causing long-term damage. This can be avoided if we opt for natural products – they are biodegradable, free from petroleum byproducts and do not pollute water. Another advantage of these products is that they are not tested on animals, which makes them environmentally responsible and cruelty-free.
To reduce plastic waste, use concentrated refills, glass spray bottles or bulk purchases, instead of single-use plastic bottles. Some brands offer zero-waste packaging made from recycled or compostable materials. Best option is to make your own cleaning products. It may sound complicated, but the recipes are simple and the ingredients are cheap. You will save your money, health and planet. Let’s see how to make these products and how to use them.
DIY Recipes for Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
The recipes we are going to share with you are simple, but the products you are going to make are effective and clean literally everything – from kitchen grease to bathroom limestone. Best of all – you already have all these ingredients in your home.
1. All-Purpose Citrus Cleaner
The first solution you should make is all-purpose citrus cleaner. You can use it for everything – kitchen counters, tiles and bathroom surfaces. Here is what you need:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- Peels from 2 lemons or oranges
- 10 drops lemon or tea tree essential oil
Take citrus peels and soak them in vinegar for 7 – 14 days. Strain it and then mix it with water in a glass spray bottle. If you want, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance. Essential oils have disinfection properties, too.
2. Streak-Free Glass and Mirror Cleaner
For a solution which will perfectly clean your windows, mirrors and other glass surfaces, you need:
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 cups warm water
- 3 drops lavender or mint essential oil (optional)
Just mix all ingredients and shake them well. Spray the solution on glass and clean it with microfiber cloth or newspaper (your hands will end up black but the surfaces will be immaculate). The secret of this recipe lies in cornstarch – it breaks down the grime and prevents streaks.
3. Tile and Grout Scrub
This scrub make wonders for tiles and grout, and you are going to need:
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup castile soap
- 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide
- A few drops of eucalyptus oil (antibacterial)
Mix all the ingredients until a thick paste is formed. Take a brush and apply the paste to ties or grout. Let it sit for 5 – 10 minutes, then scrub and rinse. This paste is perfect for the kitchen and bathroom, where mildew and buildup are common.
4. Wood Polish
To make your wooden surfaces shine again, you need:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 5 drops lemon essential oil
Just mix all the ingredients and shake well before each use. Apply a small amount to a cloth and buff wood surfaces. You will be amazed with the results. This solution is so effective because olive oil conditions wood, while vinegar lifts dirt gently.
5. Natural Disinfecting Spray
This spray will not just disinfect your entire home, but it will make it smell beautifly and freshly. The ingredients are:
- 1 cup vodka or rubbing alcohol (over 60% alcohol)
- 1 cup distilled water
- 20 drops of lavender, eucalyptus, or tea tree oil
Just mix everything in a glass spray bottle and you can immediately use it – spray on doorknobs, light switches, bathroom surfaces and other high-touched areas. Do not use it on porous surfaces like natural stone, because it can damage them. For more clever ways to handle common home cleaning challenges, read our blog on how to clean baseboards quickly and easily—a surprisingly simple trick that can freshen up your space.
If time or convenience is a factor, opting for a green-focused move-in or move-out cleaning service can also be a responsible way to maintain sustainability without compromise
Tips to Reduce Waste in Your Cleaning Routine
Using eco-friendly products is great, but if you want to go greener, you need to reduce waste and live more sustainably. Do not throw away used plastic bottles – you can refill them with your DIY products instead. Label them for easier organization. Repurpose your old clothes – you can use them as cleaning rags and save money that way. If some product cannot be made at home, buy concentrated solutions and mix them with water – this will make less plastic waste. Some eco conscious brands offer a subscription refill model, which is great for the environment because you can keep the same containers and use them over and over.
The choice of cleaning tools is also important – use microfiber cloths, bamboo brushes and washable mop heads. You will not only reduce waste, but save a lot of money over time. You cannot avoid using sponges, but what you can do is to choose ones made of cellulose, coconut husk or loofah. They work miracles when paired with baking soda. If you’re dealing with specific cleaning challenges, read our article on how to remove sticker residue, which offers eco-friendly solutions.
We all love when our home smells fresh, but fragrances are the most common causes of indoor air pollution and allergies. Replace them with essential oils of your choice – lavender, eucalyptus, peppermint and citrus.
What to Look for in Store-Bought Eco-Cleaners
If you are not into making cleaning products on your own, but want to stay green – don’t worry! There are plenty of great products which can be bought in markets. You just need to know what to look for if you want a product which is truly safe and sustainable. Pay attention to the product’s label – look for third-party certifications such as EPA Safer Choice, EcoLogo, or Green Seal, full ingredient transparency, recyclable or biodegradable packaging and fragrance-free or essential-oil scented products. That is the only way to be completely sure you are buying the right things.
Eco-friendly cleaning routine is not complicated or demanding – just a few small adjustments in your everyday life and cleaning practice will make a huge difference. You will create a healthier living space and a cleaner planet just by switching to natural ingredients, reusing supplies and cutting down on plastic. You will be doing something good for you, your family and the Earth.