22 November, 2024

How to naturally clean your house inside and out

Many people suffer from asthma, bronchitis, allergies, or sinusitis, and various home cleaning products contain allergens and toxins that can trigger those health issues.

What’s more, chemicals and toxins in cleaning products also pollute the environment, especially the soil and water they eventually end up in.

Your house can still be flawlessly clean if you use natural products and methods only – check them out and make your home a healthier place.

Cleaning floors

The floor is the largest surface in your home for you to clean, and it needs to be done frequently.

You don’t need anything more than a mix of vinegar and water solution – t cup of vinegar in a gallon of warm water. No matter if your floor is wooden, ceramic, vinyl, or linoleum, it will be clean for sure with this mix.

Bonus – there is no need to rinse it afterward, so you also save water and time. In case you have a vinyl or linoleum floor that looks shabby, you can mop it once more using club soda.

If you have a wooden floor, don’t saturate it too much with water and vinegar – just a mild touch with a mop will suffice.

Glass and mirrors

No need to use ammonia-based products for clear and shiny glass surfaces such as windows and mirrors.

Simply mix 4 tablespoons of lemon juice with half a gallon of water. Alternatively, you can use witch hazel or rubbing alcohol. An old cotton T-shirt or cloth diaper is all you need to remove the dirt from the glass surface.

The bathroom

When you think about it, the bathroom is usually not ventilated very well and there is a lot of humidity.

So, chemical products aren’t something you would need there to breathe in – natural products make more sense.

A mix of vinegar and baking soda can be successfully used as a toilet scrub, while borax is a great tool in cleaning the tub and scrubbing the tiles.

Cleaning the garden

Besides your house, the garden is the place where you spend a lot of time, so it’s better to use green products and techniques there as well.

First, plastic containers and bottles are bad for the environment when trashed away, so you better turn them into water cans.

Secondly, vinegar, salt, and water combined can be very effective at fighting weeds – if you apply them in moderation.

Thirdly, when spraying your fruits to protect them from pests and diseases, use sprayers that apply the liquid evenly.

There are types such as the Victory electrostatic sprayer that don’t even need a cord and save not only the liquid but your time as well.

Next, the outdoor furniture should also be cleaned with natural cleaners – after all, you also spend time sitting on it and eating from it. Why use harsh chemical cleaners there?

Lastly, always use leaf clippings, vegetables, fruits, and other organic leftovers to make compost, which acts as a natural fertilizer for the soil and plants. No need to use artificial fertilizers.

Metal surfaces

Metal polishes for copper, brass, stainless steel and other metal surfaces usually contain ammonia and a type of acid, among other shady ingredients. 

Salt and vinegar mixed with flour can do wonders for tarnished copper or brass. Use equal parts of the three ingredients and rub that paste onto the item using a soft cloth.

Let the paste dry out for an hour or so and then wipe it off with another soft cloth.

Clogged drains

To prevent drains from clogging, pour a lot of boiling water down them once a week – it will flush away oils and fats.

If the drain still clogs at some point, try a plunger first – it is not only healthier than using a chemical product but also faster.

In case a plunger doesn’t help, use half a cup of baking soda and half a cup of white vinegar and cover the drain if possible to create foaming pressure.

Alternatively, you can get a plumber’s snake and unclog the drain with that.

Bottom line

Cleaning naturally your house inside and out is a pre-requisite of a healthy lifestyle.

You shouldn’t poison yourself and your family with unnecessary chemicals that have their natural alternatives. Small changes lead to big, positive results.

A mother and lover of all things practical. My blogs will help you learn about everything from creating a designer kitchen to making the most of a spare bedroom, choosing the best double glazing to the best indoor gardening tips.