Have you ever wondered how to keep your home sparkling clean without drowning in a sea of chemical cleaners? Well, you’re in the right place because I’m about to take you on a journey through the world of 13 natural cleaning ingredients that can handle just about any mess you throw at them.
Think of your pantry as a secret stash of cleaning superheroes, just waiting to swoop in and save the day. From the trusty baking soda to the zesty freshness of lemons, I’m about to reveal how these fantastic natural cleaning wonders can help you bid farewell to those harsh chemicals.
Some common natural cleaning ingredients include vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, essential oils, coarse salt, borax, washing soda, cornstarch, apple cider vinegar, and rubbing alcohol.
Learn how these everyday household items can have your home looking spotless and fresh while also being super eco-friendly. It’s all about cleaning smarter, not harder, and you’ll even earn some green points from Mother Nature for your efforts!
13 Best Natural Cleaning Ingredients
Cleaning your home without harsh chemicals is easier than you think with these 13 natural ingredients that tackle dirt, grease, stains, and grime with the power of Mother Nature.
1. Baking Soda
Baking soda is an amazingly versatile natural cleaning ingredient that can be used all around the home. Its gentle abrasive qualities make it perfect for scrubbing and scouring away dirt and grime.
I like to sprinkle baking soda directly on surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen to scrub stains and wipe away buildup.
Mixing baking soda with a little water to form a paste is great for tackling tougher cleaning jobs like scrubbing the oven or chrome fixtures. The baking soda paste clings to surfaces and breaks down grease and burnt on food.
For especially smelly areas like garbage cans or the fridge, baking soda can be left in an open box or container to absorb odors over time.
It’s also great for freshening carpets – just sprinkle on generously and let sit before vacuuming up. Laundry, drains, coffee makers, and tiles also benefit from the cleaning power of baking soda.
2. White Vinegar
White vinegar is a powerful cleaning agent that can help cut grease, remove odors, and disinfect. It’s a popular ingredient in many natural cleaning solutions. Its acidic properties allow it to cut through grease and grime with ease.
I like to mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to create an all-purpose cleaner. This solution helps wipe down countertops, appliances, windows, and other areas, removing dirt and leaving things streak-free.
Full-strength white vinegar is great for descaling appliances like the coffee maker too – just run a brew cycle with vinegar only.
The acetic acid in vinegar kills bacteria and fungi, making it a good natural disinfectant. Use it to mop floors or wipe down surfaces where food is prepared for added safety and sanitation.
3. Lemon Juice
The bright, citrusy power of lemon juice makes it a fantastic natural cleaning ingredient. I often use lemon juice to remove stains and brighten surfaces around my home.
Mixing equal parts lemon juice and baking soda forms a creamy paste that can tackle mineral deposits and soap scum in the bathroom. I’ll let it sit on grout or shower walls for a few minutes before scrubbing and rinsing – it breaks down buildup and makes tiles shine.
Lemon juice can also be combined with vinegar or water to make an all-purpose cleaner. Its fresh scent adds to the cleaning experience.
For laundry, I’ll pre-treat any stained clothes with straight lemon juice before washing. For lightweight cleaning and deodorizing, I love rubbing lemon wedges directly on cutting boards, garbage disposals, and more.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent natural cleaning ingredient for whitening, disinfecting, and tackling mold and mildew.
Use hydrogen peroxide in the bathroom to brighten tile grout and combat mold growth. Applying undiluted 3% hydrogen peroxide directly to stained grout causes it to bubble up – this oxidation process lifts dirt from the surface. Letting it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing removes discoloration.
For stubborn mold or mildew, spray hydrogen peroxide liberally and let it work its magic for an hour or more, then scrub and rinse away.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is also a popular ingredient in many natural cleaning solutions. Its mild acidity helps cut through grease and grime.
I like to fill my bathtub with warm water and add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar to soak away soap scum and hard water stains.
For laundry, I’ll add 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar to the wash cycle – its enzymatic properties help remove odors and brighten clothes.
The scent of apple cider vinegar quickly dissipates so it doesn’t leave a strong smell behind. I also use it diluted with water as a gentle all-purpose cleaner for countertops and other surfaces.
6. Essential Oils
Essential oils are a great natural way to add disinfecting and deodorizing power to homemade cleaners.
I love using lemon, lavender, and tea tree essential oils when making my multi-purpose cleaner. Just a few drops mixed with water, vinegar, or castile soap provide a boost of cleansing properties along with an uplifting aroma.
Lemon oil cuts through grease and leaves a fresh citrus scent. Lavender is calming, relaxing, and antimicrobial. Tea tree oil powerfully disinfects and fights mold growth.
I’ll add 5-10 drops of my chosen essential oil to a spray bottle filled with filtered water or another base cleaner.
7. Borax
Borax is a versatile natural cleaning powder that can tackle many tough jobs. I use it often as a laundry booster for extra stain-fighting power.
Just add 1⁄2 cup of borax along with the regular detergent. For smelly carpets, sprinkle borax liberally, let it sit for an hour, then vacuum up the powder – it helps deodorize by absorbing odors.
Mixed with water, borax makes an effective all-purpose cleaner to cut through kitchen and bathroom grime. It’s even useful for handwashing delicate fabrics that can’t go in the washing machine. The mineral salts in borax lift stains and dirt without fading colors.
A borax soak can remove built-up grossness in reusable water bottles too.
8. Coarse Salt
Coarse salt can be used as a gentle scrubber to lift dirt and grease without scratching. I keep some salt handy for scouring pots and pans caked with baked-on food; just sprinkle some salt onto a damp sponge or cloth and gently scrub. The coarse grains help lift stuck-on food particles without damaging surfaces.
For noticeably cloudy drinking glasses, ice water with a dash of coarse salt quickly removes the film when swirled around.
And sprinkling salt onto a halved lemon gives me an easy scouring tool for whitening cutting boards or removing tarnish from silver naturally.
9. Washing Soda
Washing soda is an amazing natural cleaning powder for tackling extra dirty and smelly messes. I use it to boost laundry detergent when clothes are heavily soiled or stained – just add 1⁄2 cup of washing soda to the machine along with the regular soap. It works wonders to lift grease, sweat, and food odors leaving clothes fresh and clean.
For really baked-on casserole dishes or pots, I’ll fill them with water, add a few tablespoons of washing soda, and simmer on the stove for 10 minutes. This melts away all the caked-on gunk for easy cleaning.
You can also make a thick paste of washing soda and water to scrub tile grout or oven surfaces when they need heavy-duty treatment.
10. Vegetable Glycerin
Vegetable glycerin is an amazing natural ingredient for cleaning windows, mirrors, and other surfaces without streaks or residue.
Mix 1 part vegetable glycerin with about 10 parts water in a spray bottle. The glycerin allows the solution to sheet smoothly onto glass surfaces. Wipe with a lint-free cloth, it will leave surfaces crystal clear without any soap film or streaks.
Vegetable glycerin has a mild lubricating effect that prevents beading and spotting. Use it on windows, shower doors, stainless steel appliances, and ceramic tile – it makes everything shine beautifully. Unlike other window cleaners, there’s no chemical smell or sticky feeling afterward.
11. Cornstarch
Cornstarch can be used as a scrubbing powder to absorb grease and clean surfaces. It’s a popular ingredient in many natural cleaning solutions.
For example, you can use cornstarch to clean your kitchen sink or bathtub. Simply mix some cornstarch with water and use it to clean your sink or bathtub.
You can also use cornstarch to clean your windows and mirrors. Simply mix some cornstarch with water and use it to clean your windows and mirrors.
12. Castile Soap
Castile soap is an incredibly versatile natural cleaning ingredient made from vegetable oils. You can use a few drops of liquid castile soap mixed with water in a spray bottle as an all-purpose, non-toxic cleaner. It cuts through grease on counters, appliances, and other surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom.
For extra scrubbing power, make a paste with castile soap, baking soda, and water to scour the tub and shower. Castile soap also works well as a gentle laundry detergent – it gets clothes clean without added dyes or perfumes that can irritate skin. A couple of tablespoons in the washing machine does the trick.
13. Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a powerful disinfectant and cleaning agent that can be used in many rooms of the home. Mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle to disinfect surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom quickly. The alcohol evaporates quickly without leaving behind any chemical smells or residues.
For mirrors and glass, rubbing alcohol is fantastic mixed with water for streak-free cleaning and shining. Full-strength rubbing alcohol can also be spritzed onto soap scum in tile grout to break it down and make scrubbing easier.
Check out our extensive collection of 39 Homemade Natural Cleaning Recipes That Actually Work for more eco-friendly cleaning solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do natural cleaning ingredients really work?
Yes, natural cleaning ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice can be effective in cleaning almost anything. They are also safer for the environment and for people who use them.
2. Are natural cleaning ingredients safe for pets and children?
Yes, natural cleaning ingredients are generally safer for pets and children as they are free from harsh chemicals. However, even natural products should be kept out of reach of young children.
3. What are the benefits of using natural cleaning ingredients?
Natural cleaning ingredients are safe for food preparation areas, as they don’t leave behind harmful residues. They effectively remove grease, stains, and odors without harsh chemicals. Additionally, they are environmentally friendly, often made from sustainable ingredients, and can be a healthier option for households, especially for those with allergies or sensitivities.
4. Can I make my natural cleaning products?
Yes, making your natural cleaning products is not only cost-effective but also empowering. With just a few simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils, you can create a wide range of effective cleaning solutions for various surfaces and purposes.
5. Are natural cleaning products more expensive than conventional ones?
No, natural cleaning products are not necessarily more expensive than conventional ones. Many manufacturers offer products with eco-friendly ingredients that cost about the same as traditional cleaning solutions. When cost is higher, it is offset by factors like increased safety, better indoor air quality, and a healthier environment.