Looking for a simple, non-toxic fabric softener that also saves money? If so, this blog is for you! There are 4 simple ways to soften laundry naturally: vinegar, salt, wool dryer balls, and homemade dryer balls. I’ll break down each method below.

In this blog, I’m outlining the exact steps you need to know to use vinegar to soften clothes naturally.

Before You Get Started

• Fabric softener, a common household product, softens clothes, particularly towels and sheets.
• Most fabric softeners rely on harsh chemicals (source), like synthetic fragrances. These artificial scents may irritate sensitive skin or allergies (source). Fragrances are also typically used in laundry detergents.
• There are 4 ways to soften laundry naturally: vinegar, salt, wool dryer balls, and homemade dryer balls. I’ll break down each method below.

How to Use Vinegar to Soften Laundry: Step by Step Guide

Here’s the simplest, homemade liquid fabric softener. This simple way of softening laundry requires no mixing, expensive ingredients, or hair conditioner (yes, that’s a thing). All you need is a cheap bottle of vinegar!

What You’ll Need

• 1 bottle of white vinegar (1/2 cup Distilled White Vinegar per standard load of laundry)

Instructions

• Add the vinegar to the washing machine during the rinse cycle, to the fabric softener dispenser, or a fabric softener ball (like a downy ball) at the beginning of the wash cycle. 

Can you Add Essential Oils? 

Some people like to mix a couple of drops of essential oils with vinegar in a small bowl before adding to the wash, but I don’t see the point in doing this. The clothes will not end up smelling like the essential oil. Instead, save the essential oils for other natural cleaners. 

Why Use Vinegar to Soften Laundry? 

The easiest and cheapest fabric softener is straight white distilled vinegar.

• Excellent Cleaning Power – Vinegar is a natural ingredient containing 4-6% acetic acid, making vinegar an excellent cleaning ingredient.
• Breaks Down Detergent – When used in the wash, vinegar may help soften fabrics by breaking down excess detergent left on the clothes (source).
• Neutralizes Odors – Vinegar also neutralizes odors, even mildew odors that can linger on clothes.
• Breaks Down Mineral Deposits – A high mineral content in your water may also leave clothes feeling stiff. Vinegar works to break down mineral deposits, which can also help soften garments. 

What to Avoid Doing 

​Vinegar isn’t always the right answer. There are certain times when you shouldn’t use vinegar or need to take precautions. Let’s talk about each scenario.

• Elastic Workout Clothes – The acid in vinegar breaks down elastics over time. Don’t use vinegar with elastic fabrics, like your favorite Lululemon yoga pants. Instead, opt for the non-vinegar options below.
• Never Mix Baking Soda and Vinegar – Some recipes call for mixing baking soda and vinegar to make a fabric softener. Baking soda is a base, while vinegar is an acid. When combined, they create a chemical reaction and cancel each other out. Not harmful, but not effective. When you do this, you’re wasting ingredients. Instead, use plain vinegar (distilled white vinegar) straight in the washer. 
• Mixing Castile Soap & Vinegar – Another combination that doesn’t mix is castile soap and vinegar. Homemade laundry detergent recipes are often made with castile soap, including my favorite liquid detergent and powder laundry soap. The good news is you can use straight vinegar as a softener and castile soap laundry detergent. You will not have an issue since you’re not mixing the two ingredients directly but instead using them in a giant washing machine (filled with lots of water). Keep the two products in separate compartments (one in the laundry soap compartment, the other in a downy ball or fabric softener compartment), as they’ll release at different times.
• Never Mix Vinegar With Bleach – The two ingredients will create a dangerous gas. If you plan to use bleach in the washer, skip this fabric softener and choose another option below. Or, try my homemade bleach alternative.

Three More Natural Fabric Softeners

Option 1: Salt

Salt is a favorite ingredient for lifting some laundry stains. And you can use salt as a fabric softener. I share a detailed recipe for this softener/scent booster here.

How to Make & Use

• Ingredients: 4-5 cups coarse sea salt or kosher salt + 1-2 teaspoons essential oil of choice
• How to Make: Pour the salt into a large storage container (make sure it’s wide enough to mix or shake the salt with the essential oil. Add the essential oil, then mix the salt and essential oil with a spoon or whisk (or shake the container). Let the mixture rest for 24 hours to allow the essential oil to infuse the salt.
• How to Use: Add 1/2-1 cup of salt to the washer per load. Add the salt directly to the washing machine basin at the beginning of the wash cycle.

Option 2: Wool Dryer Balls 

Dryer balls are not a traditional fabric softener but an excellent option for softening laundry. Wool dryer balls are an alternative to commercial dryer sheets.

How to Make & Use

• DIY and Store-Bought Options: You can make wool dryer balls if you’re crafty. Or, purchase a set of dryer balls from Amazon.
• How to Use: Add the dryer balls to the dryer, with wet laundry, and dry. If you’d like a subtle scent, add a few drops of essential oil to each dryer ball before using. Some people add a safety pin to a dryer ball before tossing it in the dryer to reduce static cling. 

Option 3: Homemade Dryer Sheets

I share how to make your own dryer sheets in my Natural Cleaning Made Easy cleaning course.

How to Make & Use

• Ingredients: 2 cups vinegar + 50 drops cleaning essential oil + 10 8-inch square cloths (such as baby washcloths, small towels, cut-up old shirts, etc.)
• How to Make: Combine the vinegar and essential oil in a storage jar. Add the cloths to the pot, submerging the cloths in the liquid.
• How to Use: Add 1-2 cloths to the dryer at the beginning of the cycle, along with wet clothes. The cloths won’t reduce static cling but soften laundry and add a fresh scent. Return the cloths to the jar after use, re-sumberging in the liquid.

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Simple Homemade Liquid Fabric Softener

Yes, a natural liquid fabric softener does exist. Simple solutions and recipes are usually the ones that are most often overlooked, and usually the ones that are most worthy of being shared. This simple fabric softener solution only requires one ingredient: vinegar!

Course Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Liquid Fabric and Softener

Prep Time 1 minute minute

Total Time 1 minute minute

Servings 1 load of laundry

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $.50 per load

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Distilled White Vinegar per load

Instructions

• Add the vinegar to the washing machine during the rinse cycle, to the fabric softener dispenser, or a fabric softener ball (like a downy ball) at the beginning of the wash cycle. 
• If you're looking for an alternative to vinegar, use wool dryer balls or salt laundry softener.

Notes

Precautions: 

• Exercise Clothes: The acid in vinegar breaks down elastics over time. Don’t use vinegar with elastic fabrics, like your favorite Lululemon yoga pants. Instead, opt for the non-vinegar options in the post above, like wool dryer balls, salt, or homemade dryer sheets.
• Castile Soap: Yes, you can use this vinegar solution with a castile soap based laundry soap. You will not have an issue since you’re not mixing the two ingredients directly but instead using them in a giant washing machine (filled with lots of water). 
• Essential Oils: Some people like to mix a couple of drops of essential oils with vinegar in a small bowl before adding to the wash, but I don’t see the point in doing this. The clothes will not end up smelling like the essential oil. Instead, save the essential oils for other natural cleaners. 

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Are you looking for a simple, effective, natural all-purpose cleaner to clean your home? If so, this recipe is for you! All you need is 2 ingredients and 2 minutes.

I’ll show you how to make the best all purpose cleaner recipes using vinegar or castile soap! Made with simple ingredients that are cheap and easy to find. With fantastic cleaning power, these natural cleaners will clean your whole house, from living room surfaces to the bathroom sink and tub to door handles.

Key Takeaways

• Two Ways – Below, you’ll find two recipes for all-purpose surface spray!
• Essential Oils – If you prefer a scented spray, add your favorite essential oil to the spray, like lemon or peppermint essential oil.
• Multi-Purpose Cleaning – Use this spray to clean almost any surface in your home. I’ll give you all the details below.
• Storage – Store this recipe for up to 1 month.

Before You Get Started: What You’ll Need

• To make these recipes, you’ll need either liquid castile soap OR white vinegar and distilled water. You’ll find all of these ingredients in the grocery store.
• You’ll also need a 16-ounce spray bottle. Glass or plastic both work.

How to Make DIY All Purpose Cleaner: Step-By Step Guide

These recipes are wonderful natural cleaning solutions and are far cheaper than any store-bought cleaners. Here are the two best ways to make an all purpose cleaner without harmful chemicals…

Recipe 1: Vinegar All-Purpose Spray

• 1 16-ounce glass spray bottle
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar or homemade orange peel vinegar (vinegar infused with orange or lemon peels)
• 1 cup distilled water (water with impurities removed; found at any grocery store)
• Optional: 1 teaspoon Sal Suds (a detergent-based soap that may be mixed with vinegar and is tough on dirt, grease, and soap scum)
• Optional: 15-30 drops of your favorite essential oil

Instructions

• Add the vinegar, water, and Sal Suds or essential oil (if using) to the spray bottle.
• Place the spray nozzle on the bottle and gently shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. You’ll want to do this each time you use the cleaner.
• Spray the surface directly, then use a cloth to wipe and clean the surface.

Want to add an essential oil? The best options

Essential oils are NOT required ingredients to make effective homemade cleaners, but they can add a lovely scent and beneficial properties.

You’re welcome to add an essential to either all purpose cleaner recipe. Here are a few of my favorites.  

• Tea Tree Oil: Known for its antibacterial properties, tea tree essential oil is commonly used to make natural cleaning products. 
• Peppermint: Adds a fresh, vibrant, minty scent. 
• Lavender: Adds a calming scent. 
• Orange or Lemon: A fresh, citrusy scent. 
• Germ Fighter Blend: This is a blend of individual essential oils. Each brand has its own name for this blend, some call it Thieves Oil, while others call it Germ Fighter. Usually a blend of lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus, clove, and rosemary essential oils. 

What is an essential oil?

Essential oils are concentrated oils derived from plants. For those wanting a more scientific definition, here’s how Retha, a certified aromatherapist from Plant Therapy, defines an essential oil,  “An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma compounds from plants. Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation, often by using steam.

Learn more about essential oils…

What to Avoid Doing

• Vinegar on Stone – Don’t use a vinegar-based cleaner on granite or marble. The acid can wear away at the stone. Instead, use the castile soap cleaner.
• Mix Vinegar & Castile Soap – I know, it’s a popular combo on Pinterest. But the two ingredients should never be combined in one bottle to make a cleaner. The result will be an oily mess. Read more about why this happens.
• Add More Castile Soap Than Recommended – More is not always better. When making the castile soap surface spray, stick with 2 tablespoons of soap. Castile soap is highly concentrated so a tiny amount goes a long way. Adding more will only result in a white residue left on surfaces.
• Essential Oils – Always be cautious when adding essential oils to DIY cleaners, particularly when young children or pets are in the home. Some essentials oils may be toxic or harmful to pets and young kids. There are many lists online that breakdown safe and unsafe oils to use in these situations. 

How to Use Homemade All Purpose Spray

Use either of these natural cleaning recipes just like any commercial cleaner.

• First, spray the surface directly with cleaner of choice. 
• Next, use a cloth or paper towel to wipe the surface clean (or a toilet brush for the toilet).
• If you’re using the castile soap cleaner, go back over the surface with a damp cloth, rinse and repeat.

What surfaces can I clean?

Before using a cleaner on household surfaces, always spot test first before liberally spraying any hard surface. Here are a few of my favorite ways to use an all purpose cleaner.

• kitchen surfaces: sink, cooktop, oven, counter tops, (do not use vinegar-based cleaners on marble or granite), inside the fridge, tile and grout 
• bathroom surfaces: sink, tubs, counter tops (do not use vinegar-based cleaners on marble or granite), tile and grout 
• kitchen table and chairs 
• toilets
• dusting surfaces (I recommend using a microfiber cloth)
• dirty toys
• door knobs
• lightswitches
• stainless steel surfaces
• interior car surfaces
• glass and mirrors (only the vinegar cleaner; the castile soap cleaner will leave streaks OR make your own glass cleaner with rubbing alcohol and vinegar)

FAQs

• Can I leave out the essential oil from the Castile soap recipe? Yes, you can skip the essential oil in either recipe. You’ll still make a fantastic cleaner without it!
•  Can I use filtered water instead of distilled water? When making homemade products, filtered water may be used for temporary solutions, but for longer-term storage, use distilled water (found in any grocery store) or boiled water (boil for 15 minutes, then cool) to limit the possibility of bacterial growth.
•  Are plastic spray bottles okay to use as well as glass? Yes, you can use either plastic or glass spray bottles.
•  Have you ever used the all-purpose surface cleaner with castile soap on wooden surfaces such as the kitchen table? Yes! I use this cleaner on many of the wood surfaces in our home without issue. Always spot-test a small area before applying any cleaner on a surface.
•  Could I use alcohol or Vodka instead of distilled water? That way, it would last longer & have more germ-killing power. Yes, you could make this substitute.
•  How do I prevent the castile soap cleaner from leaving a white residue on surfaces? This issue can occur when castile soap is mixed with hard water. Using distilled water to make the recipe should help. But if this problem is still happening, wipe the surface with a wet cloth, rinse, and repeat until the white residue is gone.

Print

DIY Homemade All-Purpose Surface Cleaner: Two Ways

The two best ways to make an all purpose surface cleaner. Use the spray of your choice to clean your whole house, from the kitchen and bathroom to living room. There's no job these homemade recipes can't tackle!

Course DIY, Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword DIY all purpose cleaner, diy surface cleaner, homemade all purpose cleaner, Homemade All-Purpose Surface Cleaner, homemade cleaning solution

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 16-ounce bottle (per recipe)

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $2

Equipment

• 1 16-ounce glass spray bottle

Ingredients

Castile Soap All Purpose Surface Cleaner

• 2 cups distilled water
• 2 TB liquid castile soap (scented or unscented) OR 1 teaspoon Sal Suds
• 15-30 drops essential oil of choice (optional) lavender, peppermint, orange, or lemon, etc.

Vinegar All Purpose Surface Cleaner

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1 cup white distilled vinegar
• 15-30 drops essential oil of choice (optional) lavender, peppermint, orange, or lemon, etc.
• 1 teaspoon Sal Suds (optional) for cleaning grease, picking up dirt on surface

Instructions

Castile Soap All Purpose Surface Cleaner

• Pour the water into a 16-ounce spray bottle (use a funnel, if needed). Add the castile soap and essential oil. Gently shake the solution to combine. Store at room temperature for up to 4 weeks.

Vinegar All Purpose Surface Cleaner

• Pour all the ingredients (vinegar, water, and if using Sal Suds or essential oil) into a 16-ounce spray bottle (use a funnel, if needed). Shake the solution to combine. Store at room temperature for up to 4 weeks.
• How to Use
• Gently shake the spray bottle before spraying the cleaner on the desired surface. Spray the cleaner and wipe off the surface with a damp cloth (this is important when using the castile soap cleaner since it can leave a soapy residue if left to dry)! Do NOT use the vinegar cleaner on marble or granite.

Video

Notes

Castile Soap Residue: Castile soap can leave a white residue on surfaces if not wiped down with a damp cloth. Also, hard water can cause a residue on surfaces when the soap interacts with the water. If this happens, just wipe the surface with a clean, damp cloth. Rinse and repeat.

Lemon Juice Note: In the video, I add lemon juice (1/2 lemon, juiced) to the vinegar cleaner. If you plan to store the cleaner for a few weeks, I don’t recommend this addition. If you’d like to add lemon juice, you’re welcome to do so. Do not add lemon juice to the castile soap recipe as the acid will not mix with the soap.

 

If you love making homemade products, you’ll also love these recipes: glass and mirror cleaner, tub and sink scrub, floor cleaner with vinegar, stain remover, and homemade laundry detergent. 

 

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Ingredients Needed

First thing, you need to make a cleaning concentrate with the citrus peels and vinegar (AKA: a citrus-infused vinegar). You’ll then use this concentrate to make your natural cleaning solutions (like all purpose spray, window cleaner, etc.) Here’s what you need to make the concentrate…

• 3-4 cups distilled white vinegar (should contain somewhere between 4-6% acetic acid, like this)
• a handful or orange peels, lemon peels, lime peels, or grapefruit peels
• (optional) 1 cinnamon stick or a few cloves
• (optional) a few sprigs of a fresh herb: sage, thyme, or peppermint (one or a combination)

Equipment Needed

• 1 quart-size glass jar (like a wide mouth mason jar) for infusing the vinegar and citrus rinds
• glass or plastic lid to seal the jar during the infusion process
• fine mesh sieve or strainer to separate the rinds from the infused vinegar
• large bowl for straining the vinegar from the rinds

Pro Tip: If you’d like to make a big batch of this concentrate, use a large jar and enough citrus peels to fill the jar. You’ll also need enough vinegar to cover the peels with the vinegar.

Q: Can I use apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar?

A: I don’t recommend using apple cider vinegar to make this orange peel vinegar cleaner. White vinegar is considered to be the most acidic vinegar and the strongest option for making a household cleaner. Save the apple cider vinegar for homemade salad dressing.

How to Make: Step By Step Instructions & Video

Step 1: Add Citrus Peels to a Jar

You can use just one kind of citrus peel, like orange peels, or a variety of different citrus peels mixed together in the jar.

Pro Tip: I collect citrus peels in a bag and keep the rinds in the fridge. After about a week, during citrus season, I can make a big batch of this cleaner with all the leftover rinds.

Step 2: Add Fresh Herbs or Spices (Optional)

This is optional. I love to add a sprig or two of fresh sage, mint, or thyme to the jar. Add both the stem and leaf.

You can also add a cinnamon stick or a few whole cloves as well. All of these ingredients add a lovely scent to the concentrate.

Step 3: Top with Vinegar

Pour vinegar over the peels and herbs/spices so they are completely submerged by the vinegar. Fill the jar to the top. Then secure the lid.

Step 4: Infuse for 2 Weeks

Place the jar under your sink, or on the counter, and allow the mixture to infuse for 2 weeks. Sunlight will speed up the process.

During this time the orange oils (in the rinds), herbs, and spices will infuse with the vinegar. The vinegar will turn a visible orange or yellow (depending on the citrus used).

Step 5: Strain the Peels from the Vinegar

After 2 weeks, the orange concentrate is ready to use. Yay!! Your patience has paid off and you now have a natural and incredibly powerful cleaning solution.

Using a fine mesh strainer and a large bowl, pour the contents of the jar into the strainer, allowing the beautiful cleaning vinegar to fill the bowl underneath and the strainer to catch the rinds. Discard the peels (and herbs or spices).

Return the infused vinegar to the storage jar (or use a clean jar) and secure the lid. Use this concentrate to make your own cleaners (see recipes below).

4 Ways to Use Orange Peel Vinegar for Cleaning

Your orange peel vinegar concentrate is ready, now what? Use this concentrate to make your own household cleaners.

1. All-Purpose Spray

Use the concentrate at full strength or add 1 cup water and 1 cup concentrate to a 16-ounce glass spray bottle (my favorite bottles). Shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. Use throughout the home: bathroom, kitchen, counter-tops, sink, cutting boards, the tub, shower, garbage can, or inside the fridge. Always wipe the surface with a clean, damp cloth after spraying.

Caution: Never use vinegar (which is acidic) on granite or marble kitchen counters or bathroom counters.

2. Clean Windows

Use the concentrate to make this homemade window and glass cleaner instead of using white vinegar. Don’t use vinegar on your smartphone screen or computer monitors since acid can strip the special coating.

3. Garbage Disposal Pods

Finely chop 2-3 lemon or orange peels and add them to an ice cube tray. Pour the concentrate over the top of the peels and freeze the ice cube tray. Once the pods are frozen, remove from the ice cube tray and store the pods in a freezer-safe bag. To deodorize, de-grease, and clean the garbage disposal, run cold water in the sink, place 1-2 pods in the garbage disposal and run the disposal.

4. Kitchen Degreaser Spray

For a simple kitchen degreaser, add a few drops of natural dish soap or Sal Suds (not castile soap, remember the reaction issue?) to either the full strength concentrate or 1 cup water and 1 cup concentrate in a 16-ounce spray bottle. Spray on the surface and wipe clean.

Print

Easy Orange Peel Cleaner (With Vinegar) + Uses

Don't toss your orange or citrus rinds; instead, use them to make a natural cleaning concentrate. Save money, reduce waste, and make an easy DIY orange peel cleaner with vinegar. And 4 incredible ways to use this powerful cleaner in your home.

Course DIY

Keyword citrus vinegar, DIY orange peel cleaner, homemade orange cleaner, orange cleaner, orange peel and vinegar, orange peel cleaner, orange peel vinegar cleaner, orange peels for cleaning

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Infusion (Rest Time): 14 days days

Total Time 14 days days 15 minutes minutes

Servings 1 quart

Author Kristin Marr

Equipment

• 1 quart-size jar such as a wide mouth mason jar
• 1 lid glass or palstic (not metal due to corrosion) or use a cloth or parchment paper secured with a rubber band
• 1 fine mesh sieve to separate the rinds from the infused vinegar
• 1 large bowl to separate the infused vinegar from the rinds

Ingredients

• 2-12 citrus peels such as: orange peels, lime peels, lemon peels, and/or grapefruit peels (one type or a variety, amount needed depends on size)
• 3-4 cups distilled white vinegar (between 4-6% acidity)

Optional:

• 1-3 sprigs fresh herbs such as: sage, peppermint, or thyme
• 1-3 cinnamon sticks
• 5-10 whole cloves

Instructions

Make Orange Peel Cleaner Concentrate:

• Add the citrus peels, herbs, and spices (if using herbs and spices) to the mason jar. There should be enough peels to fill the jar.
• Pour the vinegar over the peels and herbs/spices (use just enough vinegar to submerge the ingredients, the amount used will depend on how packed the jar is with peels).
• Now the vinegar needs to rest (infuse) for 2 weeks. I keep my jar under the sink during this time. During this time the orange oils and herbs and spices will infuse with the vinegar. The vinegar will turn a visible orange or yellow (depending on the citrus used).
• After 2 weeks, the orange vinegar cleaning concentrate is ready to use. Yay!! Your patience has paid off.
• Using a fine mesh strainer and a large bowl, pour the contents of the jar into the strainer, allowing the beautiful cleaning vinegar to fill the bowl underneath and the strainer to catch the rinds. Discard the peels (and herbs or spices).
• Return the infused vinegar to the storage jar (or use a clean jar) and secure the lid. Store the cleaning vinegar concentrate at room temperature for a couple of months, or in the fridge for up to 6 months.
• Now you can use this concentrate to make a cleaning solution. Here are a few options…

4 Ways to Use Orange Peel Cleaner Concentrate:

• Option 1: All-Purpose Spray Use the concentrate at full strength or add 1 cup water and 1 cup concentrate to a 16-ounce glass spray bottle (my favorite bottles). Shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. Use throughout the home: bathroom, kitchen, counter-tops, sink, cutting boards, the tub, shower, garbage can, or inside the fridge. Always wipe the surface with a clean, damp cloth after spraying.

  Caution: Never use vinegar (which is acidic) on granite or marble kitchen counters or bathroom counters.
• Option 2: Garbage Disposal Pods Finely chop 2-3 lemon or orange peels and add them to an ice cube tray. Pour the concentrate over the top of the peels and freeze the ice cube tray. Once the pods are frozen, remove from the ice cube tray and store the pods in a freezer-safe bag. To deodorize, de-grease, and clean the garbage disposal, run cold water in the sink, place 1-2 pods in the garbage disposal and run the disposal.
• Option 3: Clean Windows Use the concentrate to make this homemade window and glass cleaner instead of using white vinegar. Don’t use vinegar on your smartphone screen or computer monitors since acid can strip the special coating.
• Option 4: Kitchen Degreaser Spray For a simple kitchen degreaser, add a few drops of natural dish soap or Sal Suds (not castile soap, remember the reaction issue?) to either the full strength concentrate or 1 cup water and 1 cup concentrate in a 16-ounce spray bottle. Spray on the surface and wipe clean.

Video

Notes

Big Batch: If you’d like to make a big batch of this concentrate cleaner, use a large jar and enough citrus peels to fill that jar. You’ll also need enough vinegar to cover the peels with the vinegar.

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The post Easy DIY Orange Peel Cleaner (With Vinegar) appeared first on Live Simply.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is cheap and has many cleaning uses. When used in the bathroom, baking soda acts as a deodorizer, to lift stains and smells trapped on surfaces.

Keep a box of baking soda in your cleaning caddy for sprinkling on surfaces or to make cleaning products (just never mix baking soda with vinegar).

Print

Top 6 Natural Bathroom Cleaner Recipes

How to make the top 6 natural bathroom cleaner recipes for every surface: countertops, tubs and sinks, glass, toilet, and floor.

Course DIY

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword natural bathroom cleaner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 cleaner per recipe

Author Kristin Marr

Cost $2 per cleaner

Equipment

• 1 16-ounce spray bottle to make spray cleaners
• 1 12-ounce storage jar with lid to make toilet bowl powder or scrub cleaner
• 1 mop and bucket to make floor cleaner

Ingredients

Vinegar All-Purpose Spray

• 1 cup white distilled vinegar
• 1 cup distilled water

All-in-One Bathroom Cleaner

• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 2 cups warm distilled water
• 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap

Toilet Bowl Powder

• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup borax
• 1/2 cup coarse salt

Glass and Mirror Cleaner

• 1/2 cup rubbing/isopropyl alcohol or use vinegar instead
• 1/3 cup white distilled vinegar
• distilled water

Floor Cleaner

• 2 gallons warm water
• 1 cup white distilled vinegar OR 2 tablespoons castile soap OR 4 drops Sal Suds

Scrub Cleaner

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
• 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide

Instructions

Vinegar All-Purpose Spray

• In a 16-ounce spray bottle, add 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup water. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, if desired. Use this spray on all surfaces in the bathroom: tile, countertops, shower, tub, and sinks. Spray and wipe clean.
• Never use vinegar on granite, marble, or other stone surfaces. If you add a few drops of Sal Suds, use the spray to conquer soap scum.
  

All-in-One Bathroom Cleaner

• In a 16-ounce spray bottle, add 1 tablespoon baking soda and 2 cups warm water. Shake to combine. Add 2 tablespoons castile soap.
• Spray on just about any bathroom surface (except glass and mirrors). Wipe with a damp sponge or cloth, rinsing and repeating until clean.
  

Toilet Bowl Powder

• In a jar, combine 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup borax, and 1/2 cup coarse salt in a jar. Add a few drops of essential oil, if desired. Shake to combine.
• Shake into the toilet bowl, scrub, then flush. Spray the toilet bowl with undiluted vinegar or hydrogen peroxide to disinfect. Store with an air-tight lid.
  

Glass and Mirror Cleaner

• In a 16-ounce spray bottle, combine 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol (or vinegar), 1/3 cup vinegar, and top the bottle off with water. Spray on glass and mirror surfaces, then wipe clean.
  

Floor Cleaner

• Add 2 gallons warm water to a bucket, followed by either 1 cup vinegar, 2 tablespoons castile soap, or 4 drops Sal Suds. Mop the floor with the solution. For the castile soap mixture, you'll need to go back over the floor with fresh, clean water to avoid a white residue.
  

Tub and Sink Scrub

• Combine in a jar, 1 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup castile soap, 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide, and a few drops of cleaning essential oil (optional).
• Use a scrub brush to apply the paste to the surface, then scrub, rinse with a damp sponge, rinsing and repeating. Store with plenty of room in the jar for the mixture to expand, out of sunlight, with an air-tight lid.
  

Video

Notes

• Distilled Water: The recipes above call for using distilled water vs. tap (filtered) water. Distilled water is always the safest option when making homemade cleaners.
• Storage: Use homemade cleaners within about 3 weeks of making.

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The post How to Make The Best Non-Toxic Natural Bathroom Cleaners appeared first on Live Simply.

Growing up, my mom cleaned the mirrors and windows in our home with a famous blue liquid. This liquid, and the scent that came with it, represented “clean” in our home. I’m so glad glass cleaner was one of the first cleaning products to be questioned when we began to make the switch to using more natural products in our home.

Why Make Homemade Glass and Window Cleaner?

Let’s take a look at the ingredients listed on the Windex website (just one of many window and glass cleaner brands on the market): Water, 2-Hexoxyethanol, Isopropanolamine, Sodium Dodecylbenzene, Sulfonate Cleaning, Lauramine Oxide, Ammonium Hydroxide, Fragrance, Liquitint® Sky Blue Dye.

Common household ingredients, right?! Nothing like an ingredient list that makes you wish you paid more attention during high school chemistry class.

If you’d like to know more about the risks and dangers that may be associated with any ingredient you don’t recognize on an ingredient list (because they probably weren’t covered in high school chemistry class), check out the Environmental Working Group’s Database. The EWG grades nearly all ingredients found in common cleaning products in the United States.

Just reading the word fragrance on the ingredient list, above, raises a big red flag. Lots of undisclosed ingredients can be hiding under this vague ingredient name, including phthalates (which are believed to disrupt hormones and be carcinogenic).

Learning how to make your own cleaning products is one of the best ways to avoid toxic chemicals and have confidence in what you’re using to clean your home. There’s no need to memorize a long list of ingredients to avoid or spend hours researching safe cleaning products. And the best part is…with just a handful of natural and non-toxic ingredients you clean your entire home and make your own speciality cleaning products.

Why learn how to make your own cleaning products?  This DIY glass cleaner is a great place to start!

• Save Money. You probably already have most of the ingredients needed to make this homemade glass and mirror cleaner, and many other DIY cleaners, already in your home! And the best part, you can use the same ingredients to make other homemade cleaners, like an all-purpose cleaner.
• Reduce Exposure to harsh chemicals that are of known concern (like fragrance ingredients and ammonia), yet continue to be used in popular cleaners.
• Be Self-Sufficient. Learning how to cook and make your own natural cleaners is a great way to do this! That’s what Live Simply is all about.

Now I get it, the rational answer is not to “throw the baby out with the bathwater.” I understand that we don’t live in a bubble. I still use some plastic products in our home (just to name one example) and probably come in contact with phthalates, and other ingredients, just by continuing with daily routines outside our home. But when an alternative solution exists for something that’s sprayed in our home environment regularly, like glass cleaner, and that solution only takes 60 seconds to pour into a bottle and spray on my windows and mirrors, why not give it a shot?

Today, my goal is not  to scare you, but rather to show you just how easy it is to make homemade glass cleaner at home.

How to Make Glass Cleaner

Ingredients to make homemade DIY glass cleaner…

• 1/2 cup Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol): This ingredient is very low on the toxicity scale (see how it rates). Rubbing alcohol dries quickly and helps create that streak-free cleaning experience we all want from a glass, mirror, and window cleaner. If you prefer, I think vodka would also work as a substitute.
• 1/3 cup White Vinegar: The superstar of natural cleaning ingredients! This antibacterial ingredient is acidic and removes film, grime, and dirt on glass surfaces, naturally and without toxic chemicals.
• Water: From a safety and bacterial perspective, it’s best to use distilled water when making homemade DIY cleaners. For streak-free surfaces, like glass surfaces, using distilled water will keep surfaces streak-free (tap water can leave water spots on surfaces).
• Essential Oils: This is optional. If you want to scent your products, add a few drops of essential oil for a natural scent. I love a germ fighter blend (like this)–the combo of clove and other warm spices is amazing!
• 16-ounce Spray Bottle (my favorite): You’ll need a bottle to shake and combine the mixture of ingredients.

Add the rubbing alcohol and vinegar to the spray bottle, and essential oil if using (about 10-15 drops), then top the bottle off with water until full. So easy, right?!

How to Use DIY Glass Cleaner

With your homemade glass cleaner ready to go, here’s how to put this spray cleaner to use…

• Spray on surfaces. Use this cleaner on glass, window, or stainless steel (always spot test first) surfaces. This glass cleaner also works as a homemade window cleaner and mirror cleaner. You don’t need 3 different products for cleaning windows, glass surfaces, and mirrors–just this one!
• Wipe with a cloth. I recommend a microfiber cloth for streak-free cleaning. Microfiber cloths don’t leave behind the lint like many other cleaning cloths.

More DIY Cleaner Recipes and Tips

After making this recipe, give these natural cleaning tips and recipes a try…

• 5 Secrets to Using Natural Cleaners 
• Easy Homemade Sink and Tub Cleaner 
• All Purpose Cleaner 

Print

Homemade Glass and Mirror Cleaner

How to make a DIY homemade glass and mirror cleaner. This streak-free formula is budget-friendly, non-toxic, and takes less than 5 minutes to make!

Course Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Glass Cleaner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 16 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rubbing/isopropyl alcohol (if you'd prefer to not use this ingredient, skip it and add 1/2 vinegar OR vodka)
• 1/3 cup white distilled vinegar
• distilled water distilled water is best if storing for a few weeks, filtered water is fine if using within a few days

Instructions

• Add the alcohol and vinegar to a 16 ounce spray bottle.
  1/2 cup rubbing/isopropyl alcohol, 1/3 cup white distilled vinegar
• Add water until the bottle is full (use a funnel, if needed). If you don't care for a vinegar scent (although it goes away once the surface dries), add a few drops of your favorite cleaning essential oil. I personally like lemon, grapefruit, or a germ fighter blend. This glass cleaner may be stored at room temperature.
  distilled water
• To Use: Spray a glass, mirror, or window surface with the cleaner, then wipe the surface with a cloth (microfiber is best for streak-free glass cleaning).

Video

The post How to Make Homemade Glass and Mirror Cleaner appeared first on Live Simply.

Live Simply is all about keeping things simple, so I don’t want to give you the wrong idea. You don’t need to make and use 8 different cleaners in your kitchen. I use an all-purpose spray to clean most of the surfaces in my home, from my kitchen counters to dusty shelves and bathrooms.

We all have different preferences and cleaning needs, so an all-purpose spray may not work for your every cleaning need, particularly when it comes to tricky areas of the kitchen like the oven or a greasy sink. There are also other areas of kitchen cleaning to think about, like dishes and the floor. Today’s list is intended to cover every surface and cleaning need in the kitchen. Customize this list based on your own needs.

8 Homemade Cleaners For The Kitchen

Below, you’ll find what I consider to be the best of the best homemade kitchen cleaning products. Here are the cleaners we’re going to talk about and how to use them…

1. All Purpose Vinegar Cleaner: All surfaces (except marble, granite, and stone surfaces).
2. Stainless Steel and and Glass Cleaner: All stainless and glass surfaces in the kitchen and throughout the home.
3. Kitchen Sink Scrub Paste: Dirty, greasy sinks. May also be used in the bathroom on tile, tubs, and sinks.
4. Kitchen Sink Scouring Powder: An easy sprinkle-on powder for dirty, greasy sinks. This is great for a quick-fix clean that can also be used on bathroom tubs and sinks and in the toilet.
5. Dirty Oven Scrub: For all my overachiever friends who love to clean their oven. I see you and have mad respect for you.
6. DIY Dish Soap: When you need to hand wash dishes, plus suggestions for store-bought dishwasher options.
7. Granite Cleaner: For granite countertops.
8. Mop Solution for Kitchen Floors: Clean hard kitchen floors and all hard floors in the home with 2 homemade floor cleaner options.

Okay, so there’s the rundown of products. Now let’s talk about how to make each of these homemade kitchen cleaners…

1. All Purpose Cleaner 

This is the one product that literally does it all: counters, appliances, inside the fridge, the oven and stove-top, cabinets, and open shelving. If you don’t have a stone countertop (such as marble or granite), vinegar is my preference. If you have a speciality countertop, castile soap may be a better option.

• For an all purpose vinegar cleaner, combine 1 cup distilled water, 1 cup white vinegar or homemade orange vinegar, 15-20 drops essential oil of choice (if desired). Add all the ingredients to a glass spray bottle.
• For an all purpose cleaner without vinegar, add 2 cups distilled water to a glass spray bottle, followed by 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap or 1 teaspoon Sal Suds and 15-20 drops essential oil of choice (if desired).
• If you prefer the store-bought route, check out this post with my top non-toxic all purpose cleaner suggestions.

2. Stainless Steel and Glass Cleaner

If you make vinegar all purpose cleaner, use it to clean and polish glass surfaces (such as kitchen windows) and most stainless steel surfaces. If you’re using an all purpose cleaner made with castile soap or Sal Suds, you’ll need to use something else as the soap can leave behind a cloudy film on glass and stainless.

• Make a glass and stainless steel cleaner by combining 1/2 cup rubbing alcohol and 1/3 cup white vinegar in a 16-ounce spray bottle, then top off the bottle with distilled water. If you’d prefer to not use rubbing alcohol, skip it and use 1/2 cup of vinegar instead. Spray on a glass surface and wipe with a microfiber cloth.

3. Kitchen Sink Scrub Paste

My kitchen sink is constantly in use between dishes and dirty hands. A homemade scrub not only strips away build up from dirt and grease, but also shines, deodorizes, and freshens the surface. This scrub also works wonderfully in tubs and bathroom sinks.

• Make a sink scrub cleaner by combining 1 cup baking soda, 1/4 cup liquid castile soap or Sal Suds, and 1 tablespoon hydrogen peroxide. Stir until the ingredients resemble a thick paste. If you want a thinner paste, add more soap or water (distilled water if storing the cleaner, tap water is fine if this is a one-time, immediate use product). Use the paste immeadiately after combining or store for later. If storing the cleaner for future cleaning needs, spoon the paste into a jar (such as a wide-mouth mason jar or Weck jar) and seal the jar. This cleaner will harden when exposed to air for a prolonged period of time. Use an amber jar or something that won’t allow light to seep through if using hydrogen peroxide in the paste and storing for later use. It’s also important to leave room at the top of the jar for expansion. The cleaner will expand within the first 24 hours. Store for up to 1 month.

4. Kitchen Sink Scouring Powder

If you don’t want to make a scrub (above), but need something to clean a greasy or dirty sink, this powder is the easiest solution. Simply sprinkle baking soda over the kitchen sink surface, then use a wet cloth or scrub brush to scrub away the dirt and grease. So easy! Check out this Instagram video to see this trick in action.

5. Dirty Oven Scrub 

Confession: I can’t remember the last time I cleaned my oven. If you want to clean your oven, you can either use the sink scrub recipe or make an oven cleaner.

• Make an oven cleaner by combining 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/3 cup water, and 1 tablespoon liquid castile soap or Sal Suds in a bowl. Use a sponge to apply the scrub to the interior of the oven. Let the scrub rest for at least 30 minutes, longer for a dirty oven. Dip a sponge in a bowl of warm water, wipe the oven, then repeat. Change the water frequently. A scrub brush may be needed for tough grease stains. Once the scrub is completely rinsed from the oven, spray vinegar (or an all-purpose vinegar cleaner) in the oven. Wipe the oven with a damp cloth. Without the vinegar spray the baking soda may leave behind a chalk-like powder (safe, but annoying).

6. DIY Dish Soap 

I’ve made both dish soap and dishwasher soap, but I’ve found that I much prefer to go the store-bought route with my dishwasher soap and just stick to homemade dish soap. I’m not sure I’d actually call this dish soap “homemade” since there’s no soap-making involved. Instead, I use Sal Suds (which is super tough on dirt and grease, castile soap’s big brother) in its diluted form with a bit of vinegar to make dishes sparkle and shine. If you prefer to go store-bought with dish soap and dishwasher soap, here are my favorite brands.

• Make a DIY dish soap by combining 1/2 cup distilled water, 1/2 cup Sal Suds, and 1 tablespoon white vinegar in a soap dispenser. Shake the bottle to combine the ingredients and use on a dish cloth, sponge, or directly in water.

7. Granite Cleaner 

If you prefer to make a cleaner just for granite countertops (since vinegar is a no-no on stone surfaces), you can make your own with just a few ingredients.

• Make granite cleaner by combining 1/3 cup rubbing alcohol and 5 drops tea tree essential oil (optional) in a 16-ounce spray bottle. Then top off with distilled water and 1/2 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Shake the bottle before each use.

8. Mop Solution for Kitchen Floors

Finally, the kitchen floor…the place where all the dirt and crumbs end up. There are two ways to make a mop solution for hard floors in the kitchen (and both solutions can be used throughout the home), either with vinegar or with castile soap. I’ll share both recipes below…

• Make a vinegar floor cleaner, combine 2 gallons hot water, 1/2 cup white vinegar, 5 drops essential oil (optional) in a bucket. Use a mop or cloth to clean kitchen floors. 
• Make a castile soap floor cleaner, combine 2 gallons hot water, 2 tablespoons liquid castile soap, 5 drops essential oil (optional) in a bucket. Use a mop or cloth to clean kitchen floors.

Natural Cleaning Kitchen Tips

Here are 3 other areas to clean in your kitchen and natural solutions for these areas.

How to Naturally Clean Cutting Boards 

Skip the bleach and use this natural method instead. Learn how to naturally clean cutting boards…

How to Naturally Clean the Dishwasher

If you’re like me, you probably don’t think about cleaning your dishwasher often. But it’s important to give this area a clean every so often. Learn how to naturally clean the dishwasher…

How to Naturally Clean Your Fridge & Keep Odors Away

The fridge can harbor all sorts of bacterial growth and odors. Here’s how to clean your fridge and keep odors away.

The post The 8 Best Homemade Cleaners For The Kitchen appeared first on Live Simply.

Why Make an All Purpose Cleaner With Vinegar

Vinegar is an excellent natural cleaner. Most household vinegars (used in the kitchen) contain 4-6% acetic acid, which is what makes vinegar such a great cleaning ingredient. Vinegar has been shown to have antibacterial properties. To quote Dr. Alan Taege, an infectious disease expert at the Cleveland Clinic, in a recent interview with Women’s Health Magazine, “Vinegar does have disinfectant activity. Vinegar is acetic acid, which has the ability to destroy bacteria and viruses.”

Beyond its cleaning effectiveness and long-time traditional use, vinegar is super affordable. Besides baking soda, it’s probably the most affordable ingredient you can use when making homemade cleaning products.

What kind of vinegar is best to use for cleaning?

White vinegar is considered to be the most acidic vinegar out there and the strongest option for making a household cleaner. So when it comes to picking out a vinegar for cleaning purposes, I recommend going with distilled white vinegar. There’s no need to go organic when it comes to purchasing a vinegar for cleaning, just go with the most economical option you can find. I prefer buying a large bulk bottle of vinegar as vinegar is the most-used cleaning ingredient in my home.

But I Can’t Stand the Smell of Vinegar…

Or maybe someone you live with can’t stand the smell. If this is you, here are two ways to make and use an all purpose cleaner without having your house smell like a vinaigrette salad dressing.

• Transform white vinegar into a fragrant citrus vinegar. This is easy to do and only requires a handful of leftover citrus peels (orange peels, lemon peels, grapefruit peels, lime peels–your choice), fresh herbs, warm spices, and white vinegar. This infusion turns the vinegar into a deliciously-scented homemade orange peel vinegar (or take out the oranges and sub in whatever citrus you have on hand). Use this vinegar instead of white vinegar in homemade cleaning recipes like today’s all purpose vinegar cleaner. Find the recipe for orange peel vinegar here.
• Skip the vinegar and use castile soap instead. This homemade all-purpose cleaner is made with castile soap and water. It’s a great alternative to an all purpose cleaner made with vinegar.

How to Make an All Purpose Cleaner with Vinegar

To make all purpose cleaner with vinegar, you’ll need to combine 2 ingredients, with a third optional ingredient in a 16-ounce spray bottle. Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe.

1. Vinegar

I recommend using distilled white vinegar or a homemade orange peel vinegar. You’ll need 1 cup of vinegar to make this all purpose cleaner. If I want a stronger cleaning spray, I go with full strength vinegar. If I’m just looking to wipe down some counters and dust, I usually go with the suggested 1:1 ratio of water to vinegar. The beauty of making your own cleaning products is that you are in complete control of the strength of your product.

2. Water

If you’re going to use this cleaner within a few days, filtered water from your fridge or sink will be just fine. But if you’re planning to store this cleaner for a few weeks, distilled water is the safest choice. The distilled water process removes potential contaminants that could cause bacteria growth.

3. Essential Oil (Optional)

If you’d like to add a scent to this all purpose cleaner (aside from using an orange peel vinegar, if desired), or want to add extra antibacterial properties to the cleaner, adding an essential oil or a combo of essential oils is a nice option. Essential oils are concentrated oils derived from plants. Above, I’ve included a chart of some of my favorite essential oils to use for cleaning. I personally like lemon, grapefruit, or a germ fighter blend. You don’t need to add an essential oil to this cleaner to make it effective, this is simply an added bonus ingredient if you choose to use it. Keep in mind, it’s very difficult to determine how much of an essential oil is needed to make something like this DIY all purpose cleaner an antibacterial, antiviral, etc. spray. After all, this is a homemade spray and not something we’re testing in a lab.

4. Spray Bottle

I highly recommend investing in a couple of glass spray bottles if you’re going to make your own all purpose cleaners. Glass spray bottles will cost about $20 for a set of two. I’ve had my bottles for years and reuse them over and over again when making all-purpose spray.

How to Use This All Purpose Cleaner

There are so many ways to use this cleaner. Let’s take a look…

• sinks and tubs
• kitchen counters and tables (DO NOT use on granite or stone surfaces. This all purpose cleaner is a better option.)
• dusting surfaces (I recommend using a microfiber cloth)
• dirty toys
• door knobs
• lightswitches
• stainless steel surfaces
• bathroom counters
• toilet surfaces and even in the toilet bowl

Spray the surface directly with all purpose cleaner, then use a cloth to wipe the surface clean (or a toilet brush for the toilet). I don’t recommend using the cleaner on glass or mirror surfaces as it will leave behind a residue.

Print

DIY All Purpose Cleaner with Vinegar

How to make an easy all purpose cleaner with vinegar. Use this homemade cleaner to clean multiple surfaces in your home: kitchen surfaces, bathrooms, tubs and sinks, and more.

Course Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword homemade vinegar all purpose cleaner

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 16 ounces

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 16 ounce glass spray bottle
• 1 cup white vinegar (between 4-6% acidity) or homemade citrus vinegar
• 1 cup distilled water
• 15-20 drops essential oil (optional) I personally like lemon, grapefruit, or a germ fighter blend.

Instructions

• Add the vinegar, water, and essential oil (if using) to the spray bottle.
• Place the spray nozzle on the bottle and gently shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. You'll want to do this each time you use the cleaner.
• Spray a cloth or the surface directly, then use a cloth to clean the surface. (Check out my 11 natural cleaning caddy essentials here.)

Notes

Where to use this cleaner...

• sinks and tubs
• kitchen counters and tables (DO NOT use on granite or stone surfaces, use this cleaner instead)
• dusting surfaces (I recommend using a microfiber cloth with this cleaner)
• dirty toys
• door knobs
• lightswitches
• stainless steel surfaces
• bathroom counters
• toilet surfaces and even in the toilet bowl (use a toilet brush after spraying)
• interior car surfaces

More DIY Cleaning Recipes with Vinegar

• Glass and Mirror Cleaner
• Orange Peel Vinegar Cleaner
• How to Naturally Clean Your Dishwasher
• Vinegar Floor Cleaner (for Hard Floors)

The post DIY All Purpose Cleaner with Vinegar appeared first on Live Simply.

Over the past year, I’ve been looking for ways to simplify our home life even more. One of the ways I’ve simplified is in the cleaning department. I’ve limited the cleaning products used in our home to just a few basic ingredients. At this point, I’m able to clean my entire home with just three simple products: baking soda, vinegar, and Sal Suds. Oh, and a couple of essential oils.

If you’re looking to simplify your cleaning routine, today’s chat is for you. Let’s take a look at the three major cleaning products in my cleaning caddy. These products are versatile enough to clean multiple surfaces in multiple areas of the home.

cleaning solution

Natural Cleaning Made Easy

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The fast-track way to reduce your chemical exposure, use natural cleaners, and create a healthier home environment.

Natural Cleaning

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The post Simplify Cleaning: 3 Natural Ingredients That Will Clean Your Entire Home appeared first on Live Simply.

It’s easy to pick up a natural ingredient–like vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap–from the store, but what does it look like to actually use these products to clean a home or care for the body?

In the past, we’ve talked about using natural ingredients to clean the main rooms in a home. We’ve also explored more specific tasks: cleaning toilets, disinfecting cutting boards, scrubbing sinks, and cleaning the dishwasher.

Today, let’s focus on how to naturally clean the fridge. Not only does a regularly cleaned fridge look and smell great (we’ll talk about avoiding fridge odors later), but it’s also an important key to successfully meal planning, staying within a budget, and keeping food fresh.

Here’s how I clean my fridge on a weekly or bi-monthly basis (depending on our schedule).

Weekly is ideal, since I can clean on the weekend, meal plan based on what’s in my fridge, and then shop for other food items needed to make meals for the upcoming week.

Step One: Make an All-Purpose Cleaner 

What You’ll Need: White Vinegar +  Sal Suds (optional) + Essential Oil (optional)

A basic vinegar all-purpose spray cleaner can be made. Or you can add a bit of extra cleaning and deodorizing power to the vinegar solution by adding Sal Suds and essential oil. Vinegar naturally disinfects and cleans, Sal Suds lifts dirt, and the essential oil provides a lovely scent and beneficial cleaning properties. I like to use grapefruit, sweet orange, or lemon essential oil.

Both spray cleaners can be used to clean other areas of the home, too, hence the all-purpose title.

Step Two: Inventory and Remove Food 

Before using the all-purpose spray, remove everything from the fridge. I personally just remove food from the main areas, saving the condiment shelves and vegetable/fruit drawers for a deep cleaning session.

As you remove the food, take a mental note of what needs to be used ASAP, what can go back in the fridge and used at a later date (this is the food you can use to create your next meal plan), and what needs to be tossed or composted.

Step Three: Spray and Wipe

Once the food has been removed, spray the main surfaces with the all-purpose cleaner. I prefer to let the spray rest on the surfaces for a few minutes before wiping the spray off with a clean towel.

Step Four: Return Food

Finally, return the usable/edible food (we already tossed the stinky beans hiding and rotting in the back of the fridge ;)) to the fridge. At this point, since I clean my fridge on the weekend, I also create my meal plan at the same time. My fridge inventory is fresh in my mind, so it’s easy to start planning based on what I already have in stock. This practice keeps my budget in check since I don’t purchase foods already sitting in my fridge when I visit the store.

Extra Deep Cleaning: 

Every couple of months, I also remove the condiment shelves and fruit and veggie drawers, and wash them in a sink full of warm water, 1 cup of vinegar, and a few drops of Sal Suds.

If there’s ever build-up in the fridge (maybe a mysterious spill that wasn’t caught earlier in the week?), I use a homemade scrub cleaner on the stubborn area.

The fridge can be a home for all sorts of interesting odors. Some of these odors are lovely (sweet strawberries and fresh herbs) and some aren’t so appealing (cooked beans that have seen better days).

Regularly cleaning the fridge helps take care of most odors, but just to be safe I like to keep a jar of baking soda and essential oil in the fridge. This mixture helps to neutralize the odors and keep them from overtaking the fridge (and other foods).

What You’ll Need: 1 cup baking soda + 40 drops lemon, grapefruit, or sweet orange essential oil

The post How to Naturally Clean Your Fridge + Keep Odors Away appeared first on Live Simply.

We all love a good superhero. A guy or gal who does it all: saves planets and people from destruction, fights off evil villains, and possesses a charming personality (and appearance).

Friend, I’d like to introduce you to a new superhero. A superhero that saves my home from dirty and greasy destruction, fights off dirty villains, and possesses a charming appearance. Okay, maybe that last one is a bit of a stretch.

Say hello to All-Purpose Cleaner Spray 2.0. Yes, this superhero is just a homemade cleaner, but a very heroic one.

A few months ago, during a busy season of our lives, I ran out of my major homemade cleaners. As I pulled out the ingredients to make more cleaners, a do-it-yourself lightbulb flickered on above my head, What if I could make just one all-purpose spray to tackle dirt, dust, and grease. An all-in-one superhero cleaner?

Clearly, I have two young children…superhero cleaner?

I looked at the cleaning ingredients in my cleaning caddy: castile soap, vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, Sal Suds, borax, washing soda, and alcohol. In order to fight dirt and grease, I knew a soap-based ingredient would be needed. Maybe castile soap? That will work.

I looked around for something else to add to the castile soap; something that would provide disinfecting properties and extra cleaning power. I knew the answer… vinegar.

Now, if you’ve read my post 4 Natural Ingredients to Avoid Combining, you’re probably waving your hands at me (well, technically your computer or phone), “No! You can’t combine vinegar and castile soap.”

That statement is absolutely correct. While castile soap and vinegar are both amazing cleaners on their own, they can’t be combined to create one mega superhero cleaner. When combined, vinegar (an acid) and castile soap (a base) cancel each other and create unsaponified soap. This reaction reduces the soap back to its original oils, which results in a very unpleasant cleaning product and experience.

So much for that combo.

With that cautionary reminder, I picked up an old cleaning friend, Sal Suds.

If you’ve been around Live Simply for long, you probably already know about Sal Suds. Sal Suds is Dr. Bronner’s tougher version of soap, although its chemical makeup makes it a detergent, not a soap. Sal Suds is formulated to conquer tough cleaning projects: unforgiving grease and stubborn dirt.  Sal Suds, unlike castile soap, can be combined with vinegar since it’s a detergent with a different chemical composition than castile soap.

I use Sal Suds for tough cleaning tasks, like washing dishes, mopping the floor (it’s amazing how much dirt two kids and two dogs can track into a house), and removing stubborn grease stains from garments. Sal Suds is my backup tough guy when castile soap just can’t get the job done (Sorry, Castile, I still love you!). Sal Suds is not a body-care product, so it doesn’t receive quite the same attention as its versatile cousin, castile soap.

Now back to my cleaning caddy…

I grabbed an empty spray bottle and proceeded to make an all-purpose spray using vinegar and Sal Suds. I poured 1 cup of vinegar into the bottle, followed by 1 cup of water, and just a few drops of Sal Suds. I shook the bottle and then set off to work, cleaning every foot (an inch isn’t really attainable ;)) of our home.

In an instant, I became obsessed with my new superhero all-purpose cleaner. The cleaner easily conquered the evil villains living in my home: dust, stubborn grease on my stove-top, nasty bathroom odors, and even an accident left behind by Toby under my desk (Did he know I was cleaning that morning? Toby…).

I’ve been using this all-purpose cleaner for several months now, and my love for it only grows deeper. Now it’s time to share this love with you.

Print

All-Purpose Cleaner Spray (with Grease-Cutting Power)

A simple all-purpose spray that lifts dirt, grease, and disinfects. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword All-Purpose Cleaner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 16 ounces

Ingredients

• 1 cup white distilled vinegar
• 1 cup distilled water
• 1/2 tsp Sal Suds

Instructions

• Pour the ingredients into a 16-ounce spray bottle, adding the Sal Suds last. Gently shake the bottle to combine the ingredients. 
• Spray on desired surface. Wipe the surface with a clean cloth. 

Notes

Feel free to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to this spray, mainly for scent purposes in this cleaner (although the essential oil may also provide beneficial cleaning properties). Lately, I've been adding about 10 drops of clove or lemon essential oil to this spray. 

Learn more about why I use distilled water and other safety tips, here. 

There are two other all-purpose spray cleaners in the Live Simply archives. Both spray cleaners are fantastic (one uses vinegar and the other uses castile soap). I personally think this version offers a bit more cleaning power since it combines the power of more natural soap/detergent (lifts dirt and grease) with the power of vinegar (lifts odors and grease, and disinfects).

I've used this cleaner on my counter-tops, stainless steel appliances, in the bathroom, to clean mirrors and windows, the interior of my car, and on our tile floor (small spills or a doggy accident). Do not use this cleaner, due to the use of vinegar, on granite or marble surfaces. I recommend using 1/3 cup rubbing alcohol, filling the rest of the 16-ounce bottle with water, then adding the Sal Suds. The only issue with the rubbing alcohol is that it shouldn't be used on any wood surfaces. 

The Sal Suds Debate: Sal Suds is a hot topic in the natural community, so it remains a product that some use and others stay away from. What’s all the fuss about? Sal Suds receives an A on the Environmental Working Group’s website. You can also read more about the big SLS debate on Lisa Bronner’s blog. If you're trying to tackle tough grease (or dirt), Sal Suds is the way to go (in my opinion). Sal Suds may be purchased at most health food stores (the cleaning product aisle) or online. 

The post All-Purpose Cleaner Spray (with Grease-Cutting Power) appeared first on Live Simply.

Honestly, I never once thought that making such drastic food changes would later lead to an entire overhaul of my cleaning and bodycare routines. Even though that wasn’t ever my goal–a complete lifestyle overhaul–it happened slowly over time, and the transition was quite natural. Literally, natural.

As I began to overhaul my cleaning products, I realized that there was very little information “out there” (whether it be in books or via the online world) about the practical “how to” of natural cleaning. Sure, I could easily find a recipe to make an all-purpose cleaner, but I also needed more “how to” to make natural cleaning practical…

How exactly can I get my cutting boards clean without bleach?

What about my toilet? Yuck! How do I get my toilets clean and odorless without the help of those famous scrubbing bubbles? 

What about my kitchen sink? How do I clean and disinfect my kitchen sink without that metallic green can? 

So many questions and so few answers.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve researched and tested the answers to these questions in my own home. Because I truly believe that natural cleaning is doable, but most of us just need to be empowered with the practical how-to’s of cleaning. The kind of how-to’s that break down using salt to clean a cutting board or sink, and the practical side of getting an oven or dishwasher clean. That, my friend, is where natural ingredients meet our practical need for getting an entire home clean. Well, relatively clean. #kids #dogs

Today, we’re going to dive into another very practical natural cleaning how-to by focusing on cleaning the dishwasher.

It probably sounds a bit crazy to clean a dishwasher, right?!

Isn’t a dishwasher the tool we use to clean dishes, silverware, and pots and pans? Why does a tool designed to clean need to be cleaned?

I hear ya! I felt this way, too. But here’s the thing: the dishwasher is probably the hardest working large appliance in the entire kitchen, besides the oven. On any given day, the dishwasher can be exposed to everything from grease to food particles. Day after day of this kind of exposure can lead to a major germ and bacteria party that puts the best college parties to shame. All of this exposure means that you need to give the dishwasher a bit of cleaning TLC every so often.

I clean our dishwasher once a month. Sometimes, I’ll clean it every two or three months, just because life gets busy. When our dishwasher receives extra cleaning TLC, I’ve noticed that it works better. My theory is that even if you can only dedicate one day (which takes about 30 minutes of time) a year to cleaning your dishwasher, your dishwasher will thank you.

And one side note. If you don’t have a dishwasher, then you’ll probably want to skip this how-to tutorial and head over to my How to Naturally Clean Your Kitchen Sink post, since your sink probably needs a bit of extra TLC due to all the hand-washing.

Step One: Clean the Filter 

What You’ll Need: White Vinegar +  Sal Suds, or a natural dish soap + Hot water

If you didn’t read your dishwasher manual (raises hand), then you may not know that there’s an important part, actually two, at the bottom of your dishwasher basin. Let me introduce you to the filter. This guy has the very special job of catching food, sand, dirt, and anything else that may rinse off your dishes and silverware. If you’ve noticed that there are food particles on your dishes, and they just aren’t fully clean when you remove them from a wash cycle, then your filter is probably blocked and screaming out for some cleaning TLC.

To remove your filter, simply lift it out of its home at the bottom of your dishwasher, and then remove the mesh filter. Discard any loose food in the trash, and then fill your sink with hot water, so the water is just high enough to submerge the filters, and then add some white vinegar. I usually add about 1/2 of vinegar and a few drops of Sal Suds (I don’t recommend using castile soap), depending on how dirty the filters are. You could probably get away with just using Sal Suds, if you want to conserve on vinegar. Let the filters soak for about 30 minutes, and then gently scrub them with a scrub brush, or sponge, under hot water. Gentle is key!! Do not break the filter. If you don’t have time to soak the parts, then simply spray them with vinegar and/or wash them with hot soapy water. The goal is a clean, grease-less filter.

Once the filter is clean, place the filter back in the dishwasher. Before doing this, you may want to check in the hole of the filter to make sure there isn’t any food stuck down there.

Step Two: Clean the Dishwasher 

What You’ll Need: All-Purpose Vinegar Spray + 1 cup White Vinegar 

Now that the filter is clean, let’s crash the germ and bacteria party that’s currently taking place in your dishwasher!

First, use the vinegar spray to spray down the racks of your dishwasher. Use a scrub brush to scrub the racks. If the exterior gasket looks gross, gently scrub it or wipe it down with a sponge.

With the filter back in place, pour 1 cup of white vinegar in the bottom of your dishwasher. If you’d like to add a few drops of grapefruit, lemon, orange, or even tea tree essential oil before pouring the vinegar in the basin, go ahead and add it to the vinegar. Now close the door on your dishwasher, and run it through a full cleaning cycle.

That’s it!

If your dishwasher could send you a giant heart emoji text right now, it would. Just know that your dishwasher is extremely thankful for the natural cleaning TLC. It promises to work extra hard for you!

While I’m caring for the dishwasher, I spray the outside with All-Purpose Vinegar Spray, and then wipe the exterior clean with a microfiber cloth.

PS: This is how I clean my dishwasher. As always, whether you’re using store-bought cleaners or do-it-yourself products, it’s always best to do your own research and consult your appliance manual.

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If I had to pick the one item in my kitchen that’s used more than anything else it would definitely be my favorite wood cutting board. That rectangular board has been with me for a couple of years now, faithfully taking the daily chopping, banging, and stains (think: beets for juice!) like a pro. And while it may seem obvious to many people, after we made our lifestyle change, I didn’t know how to clean my cutting board.

Let me rephrase that.

After we made the switch to real food and then natural cleaners, I didn’t know how to clean my cutting board, naturally.

Growing up, my parents used plastic cutting mats, which were constantly being sprayed with a store-bought cleaning solution or bleach. I clearly remember the harsh bleach odor filling our kitchen at least once a week. When I started to think about cleaning with natural ingredients, I had to research how exactly to get my cutting board clean without using harsh spray cleaners and bleach. Friend, as it turns out, cleaning a cutting board naturally is an incredibly simple task.

On my natural cleaning journey, I’ve also learned that there are different ways to “clean” a cutting board, or mat, depending on how it’s used: actual cleaning, deodorizing, and disinfecting. Today is all about practical tips and application (really, when is it not all about practical around here ;)). We’re going to talk about how I care for my hard-working cutting board(s) and mat with simple, natural ingredients. No bleach allowed!

How to Clean a Cutting Board

What You’ll Need: Castile soap (any scent variety), Sal Suds, or a natural dish soap + Hot water

To a clean a cutting board, I simply use a small amount of castile soap or Sal Suds (dime-size, if it’s coming straight from the bottle), or a squirt of my homemade dish soap, a dishtowel or sponge, and hot water. That’s it! According to the USDA, clean a cutting board “with hot, soapy water after each use; then rinse with clear water and air dry or pat dry with clean paper towels.” I personally like to use a reusable, clean dish towel to dry my board. If I have a sink full of hot soapy water, then I’ll just use that water, as long as the water is clean. The key to cleaning the board is hot water and (natural) soap, so how exactly you go about using these ingredients is totally up to you. I clean my cutting board after each use.

Cleaning Caution: If you’re cleaning a wood cutting board, do not submerge the board in water (in a sink full of water), or put it in the dishwasher. This will eventually ruin the board and cause it to crack. If you’re using a silicone mat, submerging the mat in water and placing it in the dishwasher is just fine.

What’s castile soap? Castile soap is a concentrated vegetable-based soap made of ingredients you can actually pronounce. This soap is gentle on the skin and effective in the fight against dirt, grease, and unwanted germs. Dr. Bronner’s is a very a popular brand of castile soap. Castile soap can be used to clean just about anything and everything: your face, your laundry, your cutting board, and even your stinky dog!

How to Deodorize a Cutting Board

What You’ll Need: 1/3 cup coarse salt (or a mixture of salt and baking soda, if you’re not using a lemon) + 1/2 a lemon

Deodorizing is the process of removing or, at least, concealing an unpleasant odor. To deodorize my cutting board, I use two simple ingredients: salt and half a lemon. Baking soda would also work really well for deodorizing a cutting board, but since I love using a lemon, baking soda isn’t a good option (base + acid = no bueno).

To deodorize a cutting board, I simply massage 1/3 cup of coarse salt on my cutting board, and then let it sit for about 10 minutes (up to a few hours). After the resting time, I massage the salt with 1/2 a lemon, squeezing the lemon to release the juice. Finally, I rinse the board with a clean cloth and hot water. If you don’t want to use a lemon, you can try mixing baking soda and coarse salt together to equal 1/3 a cup. I deodorize my cutting board about once a month, just to keep it smelling fresh.

How to Disinfect a Cutting Board

What You’ll Need: 100% white vinegar + 100% (3%) hydrogen peroxide. Do not combine the two sprays into one solution!

This disinfecting method was developed in the ‘90s by Susan Sumner a food scientist at Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

Disinfecting is an activity that’s (generally) done after cleaning and, in my cleaning opinion, needs to be done much less often. “Disinfecting…refers to killing a high percentage of the germs on a surface or rendering them incapable of reproducing.” (source)

To disinfect a cutting board, first clean the board by combining hot water and liquid castile soap. Rinse the surface with water and dry it with a clean cloth. Now it’s time to disinfect. Spray the vinegar or hydrogen peroxide on the surface; the order doesn’t matter. Let the disinfectant rest for five minutes, then wipe the surface with a cloth. Spray the second disinfectant on the surface, let it rest for five minutes, then wipe the surface with a clean cloth. I usually rinse the board after disinfecting, just for good measure.

That’s it! Whether you need to clean, deodorize, or disinfect your cutting board, you can do it all naturally. Simple, right?!

Do you have a favorite method for cleaning, deodorizing, and/or disinfecting your cutting boards?

The post How to Naturally Clean, Deodorize, and Disinfect a Cutting Board appeared first on Live Simply.