How to Clean Naturally

Last Updated on April 14, 2023 by Ellen Christian

Wondering how to clean naturally? Check out these natural cleaning tips to find out how best to make your home clean without chemicals

Learning how to clean without chemicals is important to me because I really hate having to worry about what kind of harmful ingredients are in my cleaning products. 

Now I worry about my pets walking on the floors or coffee table and then licking their paws.  Who knows what kind of horrible things are ending up in their bodies from household cleaners?

How to Clean Naturally

While I’m a huge fan of all-natural cleaners, some of them can really be expensive and I don’t have a lot of room for extras in my grocery budget.  I need natural solutions that aren’t going to break the bank.

I have found that there are a number of different homemade solutions that are natural I can make all by myself.  They cost pennies compared to their expensive alternatives at the grocery store.   Here are a few of the ingredients I keep on hand when creating my natural cleaners and why.

Baking soda

Baking soda is sodium bicarbonate. Baking soda neutralizes acids and breaks down proteins which means it is very valuable as a stain remover.

It neutralizes the scent of acidic odors so it works wonderfully to eliminate odors.  It stabilizes the pH level in water so it makes a fabric softener.  I buy a large box to keep with my cleaning supplies and a small box to keep in my pantry.

Vinegar

Vinegar is basically acetic acid and water that was formed through the fermenting process. The acid in the vinegar means that this works well to cut grease.

It also helps to dissolve mineral deposits which is important if you have hard water.  If you mix vinegar and baking soda together, they react and foam up which works well to clean your drains.

Lemons and Lemon Juice

Like vinegar, lemons are acidic.  They also have antibacterial and antiseptic properties so they are great germ killers.  

If you don’t like the smell of vinegar, lemon juice is a good alternative for you.  Lemon juice is also a natural bleaching agent so it works well on stains.

Salt

Salt is also known as sodium chloride.  Salt has a slightly abrasive nature so it works well as a scrub. I generally choose salt with a coarser grain because it’s easier for me to work with.  

Salt absorbs liquids and lifts them from surfaces and it works well to lift and remove grease and oil in your oven.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil is also known as melaleuca oil. It’s an essential oil that works wonderfully to control mold and mildew.  It’s antibacterial and anti-fungal.

You need only a few drops of this essential oil so a small bottle lasts a long time. If you’re wondering how to clean naturally and still fight mold, you need this.

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Washing Soda

Washing soda is sodium carbonate. It is not the same as baking soda or washing powder. They are entirely different things.  Washing soda is a natural chemical compound that comes from the ashes of plants.

Washing soda is an alkaline that works as a solvent to remove stains.  Unlike bleach, washing soda does not generally stain fabric.

It also helps remove mineral deposits from tile or to scrub the stove. You need to wear gloves when you use washing soda to avoid irritation.

Borax

Borax is also known as sodium tetraborate.  In the past, Borax was used to refer to borate salts in the Middle East and has been used to preserve food (and mummies) for hundreds of years.

And, Borax works well as an insecticide and is antiseptic for cleaning purposes. Do not ingest and make sure you wear gloves.

Using these seven natural products alone and with each other will let you tackle most of your household needs without relying on toxic chemicals or expensive green cleaners.   Have you tried using any of these products yet?

More on how to clean naturally

• How to make your own laundry detergent
• 12 homemade cleaning recipes
• DIY Baking soda air freshener
• How to add essential oils to laundry

Ellen Christian

Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.