Have you run out of bleach or your other go-to household chemical cleaners? Here are five natural cleaners that you can make today using ingredients right from your pantry.
Lemon-Scented All-Purpose Cleaner
Pour one part white vinegar and one part water into a spray bottle and insert lemon rind and a few sprigs of rosemary. Shake the mixture and let it sit for one week to allow the scent of the herb and lemon to infuse the solution. This natural emulsion can be used to clean trash cans, remove smudges on walls, and to get rid of hard water stains. The lemon rind helps to increase cleaning power, as well as give the solution a bright and fresh scent. (Don’t use this cleaner on granite or marble surfaces, though, since its acidity can be abrasive to stone).
Granite and Marble Countertop Cleaner
Although there are special solutions that you can purchase to clean your natural stone countertops, a combo of dishwashing liquid and warm water will work just fine. Mix two drops of mild dishwashing liquid with two cups of warm water. Sponge down your stone surfaces, rinse away soap residue, and buff the surfaces using a dry, soft cloth. It’s important, however, that you don’t let marble surfaces air-dry.
Non-Abrasive All-Purpose Kitchen Cleaner and Deodorizer
To create a mild cleaner that will work for kitchen counters, stainless steel sinks and appliances, and inside of your fridge, tried-and-true baking soda is the answer. Mix four tablespoons of baking soda with one quart of warm water. Dip a sponge into the mixture and wipe your surfaces clean.
Heavy-Duty Scrub
Ever used a lemon as a scrubber? You can now. Slice a lemon in half and pour a half cup of borax powder, which is a laundry booster that you can find in the detergent aisle. Dip the lemon into the borax and use the piece of fruit as a scrubber to remove rust stains on porcelain or enamel sinks and tubs. Rinse the surfaces.
Grease Cleaner
Create “soapy ammonia” by combining a third of a cup of ammonia with a third of a cup of water, and a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid. Stir the mixture. Dip a sponge into the solution and degrease stove tops, oven racks, stove hoods, and grill grates. Rinse with clean water.
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