Natural methods of cleaning homes

Store bought cleaning products are not only expensive, they’re also loaded with chemicals and toxins that are bad for your health and the environment. You can actually make your own cleaning products at home, with easily available ingredients – don’t worry, it’s easy! Here’s how.

1. Glass cleaner.

This cleaner works well on windows, mirrors and other glass items.

Materials
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol (also known as surgical spirit, available at any chemist)
• 1 to 2 drops of any essential oil, to give the solution a lovely smell (optional)
• Spray bottle
• Clean cloth

Method
• Mix the water, white vinegar, rubbing alcohol and essential oil together and put them in a spray bottle.
• Spray a little bit on a clean cloth, then use it to wipe down the glass.
• For best results, avoid cleaning your windows on a hot day, because the solution could dry too quickly and leave streaks on the glass.

2. Kitchen cleaner.

This cleaner works well on kitchen counters, stovetops, appliances, and inside the refrigerator.

Materials
• 4 tbsp baking soda
• 1 litre warm water
• Sponge or soft cloth

Method
• Mix the baking soda and warm water.
• Dip a sponge or soft cloth into the solution and use it to clean the kitchen.

3. Bathroom cleaner.

This cleaner works well on bathroom floors and tiles.

Materials
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide (easily available at any chemist)
• 1 tsp liquid dish soap
• Sponge or cleaning cloth

Method
• Mix the baking soda, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap together.
• Put a little bit on the area that needs cleaning and leave it there for five minutes.
• Use a sponge or cleaning cloth to scrub away the dirt, and then rinse it with clean water. 

4. Grease cleaner.

This cleaner works well for sticky things, like grease or the glue left behind by stickers and labels.

Materials
• 2 tbsp oil
• 3 tbsp baking soda
• Dry cloth

Method
• Mix the oil and baking soda together.
• Apply the mixture to any grease or glue stains, and rub it in with your fingers.
• Once the stain has come off, wipe off the object with a dry cloth.
• You can store the remaining mixture in a sealed container and reuse it whenever you like.

5. Pan cleaner.

This cleaner works well on pans that have gotten burnt and blackened.

Materials
• 1 cup of vinegar
• 2 tbsp baking soda
• 1 cup of water (adjust depending on the size of your pan)
• A scrubber

Method
• Fill the pan with water and add the vinegar to it.
• Put it on the stove and bring it to a boil.
• Remove it from the heat and add the baking soda. It will fizz up.
• Empty the pan and scrub it as normal, adding a little more baking soda if required.
• If it’s still not clean, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply it to the pan, leave it for a couple hours and then scrub it off.

6. Rust cleaner.

This cleaner works well on rusty hinges, rusty shutters and other rusty fittings.

Materials
• Salt
• Lemons

Method
• Sprinkle a little salt on the rust.
• Squeeze lemon juice over the salt, until it is fully covered, but don’t throw the lemon peels.
• Wait for 2-3 hours.
• Then, use the lemon peels to scrub off the rust.

7. Brass cleaner.

This cleaner works well for brass fittings, like door handles, bathroom fittings, and more to make them shine!

Materials
• White vinegar or lemon juice
• Table salt
• Sponge
• Clean cloth 

Method
• Pour a little bit of white vinegar or lemon juice on a sponge.
• Sprinkle a little salt over it.
• Use the sponge to wipe down the fittings.
• Rinse the fitting thoroughly with water, then dry it with a clean cloth.