Our home is our sanctuary, a place where we rest our body and mind after a hectic and tiring day.
Your day to day productivity depends on the kind of environment you build. That being said, the cleanliness of your home is of great significance in every aspect. This is because proper cleaning requires time and effort and most importantly, the right cleaning solution.
Usually, we depend on cleaning products brought from local stores. Now, these products provide the necessary results, but they also contain components that are quite harmful to the environment as well as your health. You may have house plants or pets that may get affected and fall sick due to the toxins.
But what other choice do we have? Well, there are plenty of choices in this case. Cleaning products are not just available at the market, but you can find those agents at home. Trust us when we say, homemade cleaners can do just as good as the one we buy from the store.
All you need is to get some basic understanding of what are the key components of these cleaning solutions and how to make those safely at home.
Top homemade cleaners that are easy to make
When we consider making a homemade cleaning agent, we assume it’s a hard-working task. But on the contrary, these solutions can be made very easily. However, bear one thing in mind:
Homemade cleaners made of ammonia should never be mixed with cleaners containing bleach or chlorine. This is because the combination can produce harmful fumes that can affect you severely.
Also, when you make a DIY cleaning agent, it is essential to label its active components during the making process, so that your children can be aware of what they are dealing with.
Now, here’s what you can make.
1. All-purpose cleaner
All-purpose cleaners usually come in spray bottles to spray on many surfaces. To make one, you will require –
- A spray bottle
- Half cup of water
- Half cup of white vinegar
- Rosemary sprigs
- Lemon rind
Take a bowl and mix all of them together in the bowl. Now, pour the entire content in the spray bottle and mix well. Now, let the mixture rest for a week. Then, you can start using it as a stain-remover, cleaning surfaces, and more. Also, be careful not to apply any acid-based components in the mixture on surfaces that are made of stone. That can corrode the stone texture.
2. Kitchen surface cleaner
All-purpose cleaners are effective for mild cleaning. But, kitchen surfaces contain hard stains and food spills that require a strong agent. Thus, you’d have to make a separate cleaner for that.
Take a medium-sized airtight container and pour one-quarter of warm water into it. Now, pour four tablespoons of cooking baking powder into it and mix well. Shake it well, and then you can use it for cleaning stovetops, kitchen boards, cupboards, refrigerators, and microwaves. Baking soda is very helpful in getting rid of hard stains and foul odor, so you can also use raw powder on affected areas.
3. Heavy scrubber
Besides food stains and drink spillage, there are certain stains that are extremely hard to get rid of, for example, rusted stains or enamel stains on bathtubs and sinks. For that, you need to make a hard scrubbing agent that breaks its core components. And the best way to do that is by using lemon and borax.
Take a bowl and mix half lemon juice and half a cup of borax powder. Mix the combination well and keep it stored in a bottle container. Now, you can use them on any surface with a scrubber and then rinse it off. But, be careful not to use it on granite or marble items.
4. Homemade laundry solution
To make homemade laundry agent for removing hard stains, especially on white clothes, you will have to use an easy-to-make combination. Simply pour hot water and apply liquid bleach or liquid chlorine along with a dishwasher cleaner. Mix them well and pour them into a stainless steel bowl.
Now, take the affected garment and dip it in the bowl. Leave it there for about 20 minutes, and you’ll be surprised by the results. However, it may take you longer, so wait until you see the requisite results.
5. Glass cleaning solution
To make glass cleaners at home, you need half a cup cider vinegar, one-fourth of 70% alcoholic base, two cups of lukewarm water, and essential oil for fragrance. Now, mix them all together and pour it into a spray bottle.
You can use it to clean the windows, balcony doors, and anything else made of glass, like a glass table or mirror. However, be mindful that you should avoid using the mixture during humid days. This is because it can dry off real quick which will leave spots on the glass. Additionally, use an eco-friendly paper towel for more effective results.
6. Marble cleaning solution
As mentioned previously, marbles are not as flexible to clean as other textures and materials. If you have marble flooring or marble objects to clean, then you need to use less volume of the cleaning agent.
In a bowl, pour two cups of warm to lukewarm water and add two drops of any dishwasher (eco-friendly preferably) into it. Now, use a sponge to apply the cleaner and rinse it off. But, make sure that you don’t leave any lather on the surface or let it air dry on the marble surface. This is because the marble stone will start to corrode away due to these components.
Three exclusives from your kitchen
When we are in constant search for eco-friendly household cleaners, we usually forget the fact that the most reasonable items are stacked up in our kitchen shelves. Simply look around, and you will get a potential, versatile, and effective solution.
Salt
If you never considered salt as a cleaning supply, you should now.
Any kind of table salt will be a good option. You may also consider coarse salt (also known as sea salt). You can make a small paste and apply over your favorite porcelain set or appliance, to clean the dust, grime and stains, it acts as a soft scouring agent. It also acts as a catalyst when used with lemon. And, the added bonus is its deodorizing effect.
Corn starch
Just a tablespoon can work like a miracle, to clean all your glass dishes. You can mix a tablespoon with either water or vinegar, and a simple breeze on the surface is enough to grant you the sparking, streak-free touch. Best part is, you don’t even have to spend much. A 16-ounce container is enough to help you through the month.
Tea tree oil
Are you looking for something that has a microbial property?
Consider tea tree oil.
Not that expensive, and available at your nearby store, you can use it as an all-purpose cleaning agent. Clean your kitchen sink or the stained granite floor; just a swipe is enough. You can also add 8 to 10 drops of hot water to get an amazing result. And guess what, it not only acts as a disinfectant but also drives away bed bugs and also soothes bug stings.
Read more: Eco-friendly house cleaning tips for every mom
Three more must-have items for eco-friendly cleaning
Now that you have a quick list of most effective homemade cleaners, let’s take a look at a few additional agents that can be used for safe cleaning.
1. Alcohol
If you are skeptical about hygiene, then alcohol can solve most of your problems.
For any wound cleaning, alcohol is used in the affected area. The same can be applied for house cleaning too. However, research well before rubbing alcohol, as they should be used with caution. Similarly, you can also use Vodka for getting rid of the bad smell.
2. Hydrogen-Peroxide
Unlike room cleaning, the bathroom and kitchen need a little more attention and effort. Likewise, a component called Hydrogen-Peroxide can do wonders for disinfecting the areas. It can also be used as a great remover for stains. But, be careful not to use it on fabric and keep it distant from the skins to avoid any skin disease or irritation.
3. Citrus solvent
Last but not least, is Citrus Solvent. These solvents are very much effective in removing acrylic colors from paint-brushes, grease areas, and oil-stained surfaces. Usually, oil-based products are hard to remove, and local products contain harmful chemicals. But, a citrus solvent can remove it easily.
Wrapping up
The world needs our cooperation to provide a healthy atmosphere. Thus, it is our responsibility to use homemade cleaners which are safer to the environment around us. Use them to your advantage for a clean and hygienic home.
This post is shared with us by Cleaning Services Dubai to promote their services and uncompromising quality of work.
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