Looking for the best ways to clean your home with baking soda (aka bicarbonate of soda)? If so, this blog is for you!

Below, I share my favorite baking soda cleaning hacks. All 19! From cleaning toilets and the oven to deodorizing the fridge and removing crayon marks, I’ll show you how to use this simple ingredient to clean every room in your home.

Key Takeaways

• All Natural – Baking soda is a natural and safe product used for baking (a leavening agent, which causes baked goods to rise) and cleaning!
• Incredible Cleaning Power – Baking soda easily dissolves dirt and grease, lifts tough stains (even crayon and permanent marker), and freshens smelly fabrics.
• Avoid Toxic Chemicals – With baking soda you’ll avoid harsh chemicals without compromising your standard of clean! 
• Make DIY Cleaners & Body Products – Baking soda can be added to some homemade cleaners to boost cleaning and deodorizing properties, or used on its own. It can also be used as a skincare product to make a face/body scrub or deodorant. 

How to Use Baking Soda For Cleaning Video Guide

5 Reader-Favorite Baking Soda Uses

• Make deodorant
• Make a facial exfoliant
• Clean your toilet bowl
• Clean sinks and tubs
• Clean the bathroom with an all-purpose spray

How to Clean Your Home With Baking Soda (19 Ways!)

1. Clean the Kitchen Sink and Remove Food/Grease Build-Up

• Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the sink.
• Use a scrub brush or sponge to gently scrub the surface with the baking soda in a circular motion. Watch the grease and dirt/food build-up magically disappear.
• Rinse the surface with clean water.
• If you’d like to add a fresh lemon scent, mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with the baking soda, and then follow the steps above.

I’ve done this with ceramic (white) and stainless steel sinks. For an extra dirty sink, add a squirt of dish soap and scrub the soap and baking soda over the surface.

Learn how to clean the sink with baking soda and other natural ingredients. 

2. Clean the Bathroom Tub and Sink

• Sprinkle baking soda over the surface of a bathtub and sink.
• Use a scrub brush, sponge, or damp cloth to gently scrub the surface with the baking soda in a circular motion. As you scrub, build-up will lift away, leaving behind a sparkly tub and sink.
• If you’d like to add a fresh lemon scent, mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with the baking soda.

Or, make a baking soda paste in a small bowl by combining baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and castile soap.  

3. Deodorize and Freshen Carpets and Rugs

Between pets and kids, our carpets and rugs are subjected to all sorts of fun activities. Here’s how to keep I carpets and rugs fresh and odor-free…

• Sprinkle rugs and carpets with baking soda (optional: whisk with a few drops of a favorite essential oil, like lavender essential oil). 
• Wait at least 30 minutes. 
• Vacuum the area. 

4. Deodorize and Freshen Bed Mattresses

• Lightly sprinkle baking soda onto an exposed mattress (no sheets). 
• Wait 30 minutes. 
• Use a hose attachment to vacuum the surface.

7. Deodorize and Freshen Toilets

• Generously sprinkle baking soda into the toilet bowl. 
• Wait 10 minutes. 
• Use a toilet brush to scrub away stains and odors.
• If you’d like to add a fresh lemon scent, mix a few drops of lemon essential oil with the baking soda, and then follow the steps above.

Alternatively, make a homemade toilet bowl cleaner with castile soap, water, and baking soda. 

8. Deodorize and Freshen Garbage Cans

• Sprinkle baking soda on the bottom of a trash bin to keep odors away. 
• Discard and refresh the baking soda every few weeks. 
• If you don’t want to sprinkle baking soda in your trash can, sprinkle the powder in a short cardboard box first, then place the box at the bottom of your trash can.

9. Deodorize and Freshen Sneakers

• Sprinkle baking soda in stinky sneakers.
• Let the baking soda rest all night in the shoes.
• In the morning, shake out the shoes to remove the baking soda.
• The odor-neutralizing powder will naturally get rid of the stinky odor in smelly shoes.

10. Clean and Remove Crayon Marks from Walls

Thankfully, we’re past the scribbling-on-the-wall stage of parenting. In the past, when crayon marks were accidentally added to the wall decor, I used baking soda to remove the unwanted drawings. Here’s how to do that…

• Sprinkle a clean wet cloth (or wet sponge) with baking soda. 
• Gently wipe the wall with the cloth until the crayon marks disappears. 
• Repeat as needed until the crayon disappears from the surface. 

14. Make Your Own Laundry Soap 

Make your own laundry soap powder by combining: 

• 1 5-ounce castile soap bar (shredded)
• 1 cup washing soda
• 1 cup baking soda
• 1 cup kosher salt
• 30-40 drops essential oil (optional)

Here’s how to make this easy laundry soap recipe. 

15. Bathroom All Purpose Cleaner

Make an all-purpose bathroom cleaner for toilets, sinks and tubs, tile and grout, and all other bathroom surfaces (except glass surfaces-you’ll want to make this glass cleaner instead). Combine…

• 2 cups warm distilled water
• 1 tablespoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoon liquid castile soap
• 30 drops tea tree essential oil
• 20 drops sweet orange essential oil

Here’s how to make bathroom all-purpose cleaner.

16. Clean Produce

To clean fresh produce, make a vinegar bath or use baking soda. To use baking soda…

• In a large bowl or sink, combine 1 teaspoon baking soda with 2 cups of water (increase amounts depending on how much produce you have). 
• Add fruit to the solution and soak for 10 minutes. 
• Remove the produce and rinse under clean water.

17. Remove Stubborn Stickers and Sticker Residue From Surfaces

• Combine olive oil and baking soda in a small bowl to make a paste.
• Apply the paste to a surface with a stubborn sticker or sticker residue.
• Let the paste rest on the surface, then give the area a good scrub.
• Repeat until the sticker residue disappears. 

Recipe from Natural Cleaning Made Easy. 

18. Remove Armpit Stains and Body Odor

This solution is best used on white clothing to remove yellowing arm pit stains and body odor. For colors, do not use hydrogen peroxide due to the bleaching reaction. In a small bowl, combine…

• 2 tablespoons baking soda
• 2 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide 
• 1 tablespoon Sal Suds (Liquid castile soap or dish soap will also work) 
• 1 tablespoon kosher or sea salt 
• 15 drops lemon essential oil

Using a spoon, apply the paste to armpit stains on white clothes. Scrub the solution into the stain with a scrub brush or old toothbrush. Let the solution rest for a couple of hours (or more for stubborn armpit stains). Wash the paste away and wash the clothing with soap.

Recipe from Natural Cleaning Made Easy. 

19. Clean Grout Lines

• Make a paste by combining water and baking soda in a bowl.
• Use an old toothbrush or scrub brush to scrub the paste on the grout.
• Let the paste rest for a few minutes, then use a wet sponge or cloth to wash away the paste.
• Repeat as needed. 

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DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients)

Simple Homemade Fabric Softener (4 Ways)

14 Best Natural and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents

Simple DIY Homemade Candles for Beginners

19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda

The post 19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda appeared first on Live Simply.

15 Best Cleaning Recipes For Your House

Stock your cleaning caddy with a 32-ounce bottle of liquid castile soap to make these 15 DIY household cleaning products. Unscented soap is the best option, as you can make a variety of products and use essential oils to add your own scent (optional).

Nearly all the recipes listed here use liquid soap with the exception of the laundry soap powder which uses soap in bar form.

1. DIY All-Purpose Cleaning Spray

This all-purpose spray makes cleaning up a breeze! I just don’t use this as a window cleaner as it can sometimes streak, but it’s great on counters, appliances, tables, and more.

If you have hard water you might see white deposits left over on the surface. There are two ways to avoid this: use distilled water instead of tap water to make this cleaner or wipe up the spray with a damp cloth after cleaning.

DIY All Purpose Cleaner Recipe

Add 2 tablespoons of castile soap to 2 cups of distilled water in a spray bottle and go! You can also add essential oils to your cleaner. I like peppermint or orange essential oil, or use about 15 drops of your favorite essential oil.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

2. Reusable Cleaning Wipes

I love the reusable cleaning wipes recipe from Lisa Bronner’s blog. Mix together 1 1/2 cups distilled water and 1 tablespoon of castile soap and 20 drops tea tree oil. Add a cut up shirt (for DIY rags) or small cleaning towels to a jar, add the castile soap solution, and add a lid. Pull a wipe at a time from the jar and wipe counters, floors, and other surfaces.

3. Toilet Bowl Cleaner 

No one really likes scrubbing toilets, but it has to be done. To really get at tough stains, make your own toilet bowl cleaner with baking soda and castile soap. Baking soda deodorizes and removes tough stains while the castile soap removes dirt and bacteria from the surface of the toilet bowl.

DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipe

Equal parts baking soda and castile soap are diluted in a cup of water and a bit of essential oils. Use this toilet bowl cleaner to lift stains, deodorize, and remove bacteria and dirt.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

4. Hand Soap

I love making my own liquid hand soap. It’s super easy to make: equal parts water (distilled is best) and castile soap. Add to a soap dispenser bottle and it’s ready to use: add soap to wet hands and create suds as you rub your hands together. Use a foaming soap bottle for the best lather.

Castile soap is highly concentrated and intended to be diluted, making it the best natural hand soap that’s budget-friendly, too.

DIY Foaming Hand Soap Recipe

Make your own foaming hand soap with just two ingredients: equal parts concentrated castile soap and water.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

5. Tub and Sink Cleaner (Scouring Scrub)

This is my favorite way to use castile soap for cleaning!

This scrubbing cleaner is great in the bathroom and also in the kitchen sink. Think of this as a homemade soft scrub natural alternative. You can even use this cleaner on dirty kitchen or bathroom grout: dip an old toothbrush in the mixture, then scrub and watch the brightening and cleaning magic!

Homemade Scouring Scrub Recipe

1 cup of baking soda is mixed with ¼ cup of castile soap to make a thick paste that brightens, deodorizes, and lifts dirt, grease, and bacteria from surfaces. Simply take out a little scoop and scrub it into your sink, tub, or tile grout, then rinse with water.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

6. Floor Cleaner

If you aren’t a fan of vinegar for cleaning hard floors, castile soap to the rescue! This floor cleaner takes seconds to make: just hot water and castile soap. The soap helps lift dirt and bacteria from hard floor surfaces. Dip your mop in the solution and watch your floors sparkle without toxins.

Floor Cleaner Recipe

You only need 2 tablespoons of castile soap in a 2 gallon bucket of warm water. I like to add pine essential oil for nostalgia purposes, or use a few drops of essential oil of choice.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

7. Dusting Spray

One of the best ways to avoid toxic chemicals and synthetic ingredients is to make your own dusting spray. I like to spray this on a dusting cloth and not directly on surfaces to ensure I’m not using too much. A little goes a long way.

Dusting Spray Recipe

Just a touch of castile soap (2 teaspoons), 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and 1 cup of water is all you need to make this DIY recipe. Add a few drops of lemon essential oil, if desired.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

8. Stain Remover

My kids aren’t the only ones who get food and grass stains on their clothes…oops! I’ve tried so called “natural stain removers” from the store and none of them have truly wowed me. So I created a stain remover spray that truly removes stains and costs just pennies to make.

Homemade Stain Remover Recipe

Castile soap does the hard work of loosening stains and then hydrogen peroxide comes in and brightens fabric back up. A great way to pre-treat stains before washing. Simply spray on a stain, scrub, let rest, then wash.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

9. Bathroom Cleaner

You can certainly use the all-purpose spray mentioned above, but I like to add a little bit more to my bathroom spray for an extra boost of cleaning power. To do this, combine baking soda, water, and castile soap for a deodorizing, germ-fighting blend.

All-In-One Bathroom Cleaner Recipe

Add 2 tablespoons of castile soap to 2 cups of distilled water and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. I also increase the essential oils here as tea tree oil can have antibacterial properties that are perfect in this room.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

10. Clean Cutting Boards

Cutting boards are the workhorses of the kitchen. I use a quick squirt of castile soap to help scrub away any visible stains and lift bacteria on my cutting boards. And castile soap is really safe to use on eating and food preparation surfaces.

11. Dishes

There are a lot of blogs and articles out there that mention using castile soap as a dish soap. It’s perfectly fine if you want to use it, and it will work to get dishes clean. To do this, fill the sink with water and add a few squirts of castile soap.

However, in my own experience, I just don’t find that it cuts grease well. I prefer to reach for Sal’s Suds (castile soap’s big brother) when I make my own dish soap. It’s safe and non-toxic, but the chemical makeup means it is a detergent rather than a soap, which is why it works to cut grease on dishes.

12. Liquid Laundry Soap Detergent

Combine borax, washing soda, and liquid castile soap with water to make a money-saving laundry detergent replacement. Add to a load of dirty laundry and watch the soap lift dirt, stains, and stinky odors.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap Detergent Recipe

Brightens, lifts dirt and fresh stains, and deodorizes. Combine castile soap, washing soda, borax, and water to make this liquid laundry soap. Use between 2 tablespoons and 1/4 cup of soap per load of laundry.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

13. Laundry Soap Powder

If you prefer a powder laundry soap, shred two bars of castile soap (using a cheese grater or food processor) and combine with washing soda to make an effective laundry detergent that’s best used in warm water. If you don’t want to use borax, make a borax-free laundry soap powder with castile soap and salt.

Homemade Powder Laundry Soap Recipe

Made in just five minutes! Shred two bars of castile soap in a food processor or with a cheese grater, then add borax and washing soda.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

14. Produce Wash

Use castile soap to clean vegetables!  Add 1 tablespoon castile soap to 1 gallon of cold water. Add the veggies and fruit, then swish them around in the mixture. Allow to rest for a few minutes in the soapy mixture, then rinse with fresh water and dry.

15. Makeup Brush Cleaner

Breaking out lately? It could be due to dirty makeup brushes that spread dirt and oils on the face. Give your makeup brushes a natural clean with a homemade makeup brush cleaner.

DIY Makeup Brush Cleaner Tutorial

Add a couple drops of soap to a bowl, along with water and witch hazel. Place makeup brushes in the solution and soak for a few minutes. Rinse with water and dry.

MAKE THIS RECIPE

Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

When cleaning with castile soap it’s important to avoid mistakes that are commonly promoted online and on Pinterest.

1. Never Mix Castile Soap and Acidic Ingredients: Things like vinegar and lemon juice (acidic ingredients) don’t mix with castile soap (a base ingredient). I shared the science behind this in 4 Cleaning Ingredients to Avoid Combining. This is such a popular combination online that leaves behind an oily mess!

2. Castile Soap and Hard Water Warning: If you use a mixture of castile soap and hard water, it will leave behind a white residue on surfaces. This residue can easily be rinsed off with water or a vinegar spray. The easiest way to avoid this is to use distilled water (found in the water section of the store) in castile soap cleaning recipes.

Need more ideas? Learn how to use this soap beyond cleaning with 24 Brilliant Castile Soap Uses for Home and Body. A few of my favorite uses: makeup remover wipes, plant spray, shaving cream, and honey face wash.

More Cleaning Recipes

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DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients)

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Simple DIY Homemade Candles for Beginners

19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda

The post Cleaning With Castile Soap (15 How to Use Recipes & Tips) 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.

Before we start, I created the Natural Cleaning Challenge to help you easily ditch toxic cleaners and start using natural cleaning products in just 5 days. This challenge is completely free and packed full of helpful information. Over 5 days, via email, I’ll walk you through what to avoid in cleaning products (even the “natural” and “green” ones can have icky ingredients so I’ll give you the tools to see through the marketing gimmicks), how to stock a natural cleaning caddy, and a few essential DIY cleaning recipes.

11 Natural Cleaning Product Swaps Anyone Can Make Today

The 11 swaps on today’s list are designed to serve as a guide for everyone making the switch to natural cleaning products, whether you’re just starting out or have already made some swaps. Why focus on making these natural product swaps? Most of the products on this list are products that many people use the home on a regular basis. Since they’re a “regular” product, this means they’re being sprayed, poured, and burned (like candles) on a daily or weekly basis.

Swap 1: Air Fresheners

Add essential oils to homemade cleaning products, add an essential oil or blend of different essential oils to an essential oil diffuser (this is my favorite), create a simmer pot on the stove-top using rosemary, cinnamon sticks, orange peels and water then simmer the mixture on a low simmer (do not leave unattended). If you’re new to essential oils, check out this podcast episode on essential oils 101.

Swap 2: Scented Candles

Make beeswax or soy candles (use this slow-cooker method, make candles on the stove-top, or make super easy taper candles) or buy 100% beeswax or soy candles that are unscented or use essential oils for a scent.

Swap 3: Fragranced Laundry Detergents

Use fragrance-free laundry soap, choose a brand that uses essential oils for scent and fully discloses ingredients (my favorite non-toxic laundry soap brands), or make your own laundry soap (try this liquid laundry soap recipe or this powder soap recipe).

Swap 4: Bleach

Use a homemade bleach alternative for whitening garments, for surfaces use an all purpose cleaner spray (I love this vinegar all purpose cleaner or this no-vinegar all purpose cleaner), and for the toilet use this homemade toilet bowl cleaner.

Swap 5: Store-Bought All Purpose Cleaner

Make your own all purpose cleaner with either castile soap or vinegar. It’s one of the easiest DIY swaps you can make to clean a variety of surfaces.

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 for my top non-toxic all purpose cleaner suggestions.

Swap 6: Windex

Use a spray made with rubbing alcohol, vinegar, and distilled water to clean windows, mirrors, and even stainless surfaces. Make a glass and mirror 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.

Swap 7: Easy Off Oven Cleaner

Use a combo of castile soap and baking soda. Mix the ingredients together until they form a paste, then use a sponge to apply the mixture to the interior surface of the oven. Let the mixture rest for 30 minutes or a few hours, then use a wet cloth to rinse the surface and follow up by spraying the surface with vinegar and wiping clean until all residue has been removed.

Swap 8: Pledge or PineSol Floor Cleaner

Fill a bucket with water and castile soap or vinegar to wash hard floors. Here’s my favorite hard floor cleaner with vinegar and my favorite hard floor cleaner with castile soap.

Swap 9: Dawn Dish Soap

Make a Sal Suds dish soap or castile soap dish soap or use a non-toxic brand (such as Seventh Generation–> here’s a list of my favorite non-toxic dish soap and dishwasher options).

Swap 10: Cascade Dishwasher Detergent

Use a non-toxic brand (such as Ecover or Better Life–> here’s a list of my favorite non-toxic options) or make your own (I share a recipe in DIY Natural Cleaning).

Swap 11: Dryer Sheets

Use fragrance-free dryer sheets (Seventh Generation is a good option) or wool dryer balls (make dryer balls or buy dryer balls). If you have an issue with static, which is common with polyester clothing, add a safety pin to a wool dryer ball to reduce this static.

I know a lot of people also use fabric softener. Choose a fabric softener that’s fragrance free or go the homemade route by making laundry softener salts or use vinegar.

7 Cleaning Ingredients to Avoid

In the US, cleaning companies are not required to disclose all of their ingredients (only active ingredients or “ingredients of known concern”). And the US Government doesn’t test cleaning products and doesn’t mandate that companies test them either. This all leads to a lot of confusion about cleaning products. I’ve compiled a list of 7 main cleaning ingredients to avoid to help you make informed choices about cleaning products. Check out that post here: 7 Cleaning Product Ingredients to Avoid.

The post 11 Natural Cleaning Product Swaps Anyone Can Make appeared first on Live Simply.

When it comes to food, there are so many fun textures and colors to style and photograph, particularly when it comes to real food. But homemade floor cleaner? There are only so many ways to photograph a mop, bucket, and three simple ingredients. While the photos may not be as glamorous (hello white bucket and mop), I can guarantee you that today’s cleaning “recipe” is a keeper. A recipe that’s worth sharing despite the photography challenge.

At the end of last year, I shared a recipe for homemade floor cleaner, which I use frequently to clean our tile floor. If we take a look further back into the blog archives, I’ve also shared a floor cleaner made with similar ingredients in a make-ahead wipe form. Both recipes share a common ingredient: vinegar.

Vinegar has a reputation for being the “do it all” cleaner, and it’s for a good reason. Vinegar may be used to soften clothes in the washing machine and remove dingy odors. Vinegar may also be used to disinfectant toilet bowls and sinks, clean hard surfaces and windows, and wash floors. I think vinegar lives up to its “do it all” cleaning reputation pretty well.

While vinegar is an amazing cleaner, there are a couple of issues that arise when using vinegar to clean a home:

If you have a house with hard floors and you can’t use vinegar for cleaning, or you don’t want to use vinegar due to the odor issue, let me introduce you to vinegar’s competition: castile soap.

Castile soap and vinegar don’t get along, and they can’t be mixed to form one cleaner, but they can be used separately and are both amazing ingredients to add to a cleaning toolkit. Just like vinegar, castile soap also has many different uses: washing the dirty dog I referenced earlier, cleaning a human’s body (too), cleaning a hard surface, cleaning clothes via a homemade laundry soap (both dry and liquid soaps), dusting surfaces, and even washing hard floors.

What is this magical substance known as 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. Castile soap has a pH around 8.9, and 7 is considered neutral. This mean castile soap doesn’t have the acidic “harshness” of vinegar, making it ideal for more fragile surfaces.

Is castile soap the natural cleaning answer for all surfaces? To be honest, I’m hesitant to say that one ingredient or product will work for every surface (or person), but I will say that I believe castile soap is a good alternative if you don’t want to (or can’t) use vinegar on your hard floors.

I hope this floor cleaner recipe provides you with one more option to clean your home, naturally. For me, it’s wonderful to know that I have many different choices for what I can use to clean my home, using the same ingredients in my natural cleaning toolkit in different ways. Next week, we’re going add this recipe to a helpful list of natural and simple products that may be used to clean an entire home, from the bathroom to the floor to the kitchen.

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Homemade Floor Cleaner (No Vinegar)

An easy to make floor cleaner without vinegar. 

Course DIY

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Floor Cleaner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 2 gallons, one-time use

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 2 gallons hot water
• 2 tablespoons castile soap or 4 drops Sal Suds
• 5 drops pine essential oil or tea tree essential oil, or your preferred essential oil scent

Instructions

• Add the hot water to a bucket, then the liquid castile soap and essential oil.
• Gently stir the ingredients together (you don’t want a ton of bubbles).

To Use:

• Dip a mop into the solution, then mop the floor. Do not saturate the floor while mopping. Once the floor is clean, discard the dirty water and fill the bucket with 2 more gallons of hot water (no soap this time), wipe the floor with the mop and clean water.

Notes

This solution may be safe for sealed wood floors and other common household surfaces (I use this on our tile) since the pH of castile soap is around 8.9 (a pH of 7 is neutral). Always spot test first (a couple of times) before applying any cleaning product to a full surface! I’ve also learned, from some major trial and error, that’s important to talk to a floor expert about the best way to clean a particular floor (what kind of ingredients/methods to avoid in particular), since there are so many different types of floor surfaces today.

Any castile soap variety will work. I just happen to have unscented castile soap on hand as I was photographing this post. I’ve made this floor cleaner with tea tree, peppermint, lavender, and orange castile soap. I prefer to use 2 tablespoons of castile soap to 2 gallons of hot water. If you feel this ratio is too soapy, then reduce the soap ratio to 1 tablespoon of castile soap to 2 gallons of hot water. If your test spot has a soapy residue, then you know you’ll want to tweak the ratio. 

If you’re still not happy with castile soap on your floor, then I recommend using Sal Suds, which is a heavy-duty (safe) detergent. You’ll only need about 4 drops of Sal Suds versus 2 tablespoons.

More DIY Castile Soap Cleaners

SEE ALL RECIPES

DIY Toilet Bowl Cleaner (Just 3 Ingredients!)

How to Make DIY Homemade All-Purpose Surface Cleaners 

DIY All Purpose Cleaner Without Vinegar

How to Make Your Own Foaming Hand Soap in 2 Easy Steps

7 Money-Saving Recipes Using Castile Soap

DIY Homemade Scrub Cleaner: Like Soft Scrub

The post Homemade Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner (No Vinegar) appeared first on Live Simply.

At Live Simply, we spend a lot of time talking about the basics of natural cleaning. We’ve talked about how to prepare for natural cleaning by stocking a natural cleaning ingredient and tool stash, and the basics of using essential oils in your cleaning routine. We also spent time creating two basic homemade cleaners: all-purpose spray (two ways) and glass and mirror cleaner. I hope these recipes inspire you to think about the cleaning products you’re currently using within your home. Making the switch from mystery cleaning products to more natural versions can feel like an overwhelming task, so remember the key is implementing small, practical changes over months and years! These changes are the building blocks to a long-term natural lifestyle.

How do you make a vinegar floor cleaner?

Vinegar is 5% acetic acid, which fights against bad bacteria and other yuckies. Vinegar has a pH level about 2.5, making it ideal for cleaning dirty surfaces. A small amount of dish soap or Sal Suds may also be combined with vinegar to help lift dirt and grime on floor surfaces. (Never combine castile soap with vinegar.) White distilled vinegar is best to use when making a floor cleaner. There’s no need to use expensive apple cider vinegar (save this for homemade salad dressing).

To make a DIY floor cleaner for hard floors…

• First, sweep or vacuum the floor to pick up debris.
• Next, in a large bucket, add a gallon of warm water (or up to a few gallons, depending on your cleaning needs and bucket size).
• Then, add white vinegar to the hot water. Vinegar to water ratio: 1/2 cup of white vinegar per 1-2 gallons of warm/hot water. 
• If you’re cleaning a kitchen floor, or any floor with grease, add a squirt of dish soap (natural dish soap) or Sal Suds. Soap dissolves grease.
• If you’d like a scent, add a few drops of essential oil(s) to the vinegar solution, like lemon, grapefruit, a germ-fighting blend, eucalyptus, or lavender. (How to use essential oils for cleaning.)
• Finally, dip a mop into the solution and start cleaning. A few tips as you clean: don’t soak the floor with mop solution and you don’t need to rinse the floors after using this vinegar cleaner.

A Tale About Testing and Knowing Your Floor

In our second home, we had an engineered hard wood floor. It was beautiful until I decided to go to Home Depot one day and purchase a “greener” floor mopping solution and a special mop. I was beyond excited to come home and clean the floors. I applied a coat of the cleaner throughout our home, mopped, and waited for the results. Thirty minutes later I was horrified to find the results were less than ideal. Our floors were covered in a white film and no matter how many times I tried to remove the film with water, the film remained. Talk about frustration and disappointment.

I share this story because when it comes to cleaning anything that’s special, like specialty floors or countertops, it’s important to know your floor, not just trust a friend’s recommendation or a cleaning product label. In order to avoid my disaster situation, whether with a homemade cleaner or a store-bought product, here are my testing recommendations:

1) Talk to a floor specialist. This recommendation is tricky since many floor specialists just want to sell a product or the recommendations can greatly vary depending on the specialist. Ask the specialist about the ingredients you shouldn’t use on your flooring: vinegar, lemon juice, alcohol, certain oils/waxes, too much water, etc. Google is also your friend. Keep in mind there are many varying opinions out there–some valid and some crazy suggestions. It may take some time to research your specific floor, but flooring is expensive to replace, so it’s important to learn how to care for your specific floor before trying any products.

2) Always spot test. With any cleaner that’s applied to a special surface always spot test. This applies to both store-bought cleaners and homemade solutions. There are many factors that can play into a floor cleaner working with or against your floor: 1) the products used on your floors in the past, which can leave a film that’s brought out by other products 2) your water (hard water can work against cleaning solutions, leaving mineral deposits behind) 3) the material your floor is made from or sealed with. Since there are many variables that may play into cleaning a surface effectively, I recommend spot testing in a small, inconspicuous area or grabbing a floor sample from the home improvement store for testing.

I know this may sound crazy, since I’m sharing a floor cleaner recipe with you, but I don’t believe using an ingredient other than hot water is necessary for cleaning the floor most of the time. Here’s my reasoning: My family lives in very sanitary, modern conditions. We use indoor toilets, remove our shoes at the door (most of the time), drive cars to most destinations, keep our bodies and clothes clean regularly, etc. Yes, there are many germs all around, but we don’t live in an environment that, most of the time, requires constant cleaning or disinfecting. This is a personal choice, and your belief may be different. That’s okay!

With this in mind, most of the time mopping with warm water is just fine on our tile floor. When I need something more than just water, a simple mopping solution works well: vinegar, water, essential oil (for scent mainly), and sometimes 3-4 drops of Sal Suds. The key to mopping is to apply a very light coverage to floors (no soaking!). I’ve found using a microfiber mop (with a washable pad) is the best cleaning tool to use for mopping.

If you’re more of a Swiffer kind of person, you can make homemade Swiffer wipes using a Swiffer and towels. This recipe uses vinegar, water, and rubbing alcohol to make a DIY Swiffer-like floor cleaner. That’s it!

What can you not clean with vinegar?

Vinegar is a good natural floor cleaner and one of the main ingredients to stock in a natural cleaning caddy. But there are surfaces on which you should not use vinegar, including some floors. And vinegar should always be diluted, never use vinegar on a hard floor without diluting first. What not to clean with vinegar…

• Stone tile floors: Avoid using acidic ingredients, like vinegar and lemon, on natural stone floors and tiles. Instead, try a mild soap and hot water and always consult your stone installer about best cleaning practices.
• Hardwood floors: Some folks swear by using vinegar to clean sealed hardwood floors (like myself) and others report damage overtime. This could be due to the type of sealer used (always consult the sealer instructions for how to clean surfaces). ALWAYS spot test before using any cleaning product on hard floors. This is one of the biggest investments in a home and cleaning floors is something you should always approach with lots of research.
• Stone countertops: Just like with stone floors and tiles, avoid using acidic ingredients on stone countertops, like granite and marble.

Without further ado, here’s my recipe for a simple mopping solution.

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My Homemade Floor Cleaner

Today, my goal is to share what I’ve learned about the often confusing topic of natural floor cleaning, and to share a simple vinegar floor cleaner. My homemade vinegar floor cleaner is a do-it-yourself cleaning solution that really works.

Course Homemade, natural cleaning

Cuisine Cleaning, floor cleaner, natural cleaning

Keyword Floor Cleaner, vinegar floor cleaner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 gallon

Author Kristin Marr

Equipment

• bucket at least 1-gallon size
• mop

Ingredients

Mopping Solution

• 1 gallon warm water
• 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
• 5 drops cleaning essential oil

Instructions

• Sweep the floor first before mopping. Add all the ingredients to a bucket. As you mop the floor, apply very light coverage of the mopping solution. If you're mopping a large area, you'll probably need to rinse the mop often with clean water (it helps to have a bucket or sink filled with clean water nearby to dip the mop into before mopping again if it gets very dirty). This is a one-time use solution.
  1 gallon warm water, 5 drops cleaning essential oil, 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
• For dirty or greasy jobs: Add 4 drops of Sal Suds or a natural dish soap (not castile soap due to the vinegar).

Video

Notes

Tile: I’ve used (or currently use) the above recipe on my tile floors when I need something more than just warm water. If you're more of a Swiffer kind of person, you can make homemade Swiffer wipes using a Swiffer and towels. 

Laminate Floors: Find a recipe with similar ingredients on Nature’s Nurture Blog. 

(Sealed) Wood Floors: According to Becky at Clean Mama, she uses a vinegar mop solution on her hardwood floors using a special hardwood cleaning technique.  If you’re looking for something to use on exposed or waxed wood, I recommend talking to a wood specialist. If your hardwood floors are sealed, it’s important to know how they are sealed before using any liquid cleaner (see notes above in the post for more info).

More natural cleaners you make with vinegar

• Explore all vinegar cleaning solutions on Live Simply
• How to Make Homemade All-Purpose Surface Cleaner
• Orange Peel Vinegar Cleaner
• DIY Dish Soap (3 Ingredients)
• DIY Floor Cleaner Wipes

The post How to Make Homemade Floor Cleaner (Vinegar-Based) appeared first on Live Simply.

Have you met Toby?

No?

There’s a good reason. Okay, more like twenty good reasons.

Meet Toby…

If you’ve ever seen the movie (or read the book) Marley and Me, you know all about Toby. Think of Toby as a miniature Marley. If you haven’t watched the movie, you really need to go rent it or Netflix it–whatever the correct word is for 2015. I’m starting to feel dated- yikes!

Anyway, back to Toby…

Toby is a twelve pound mix between a Jack Russell Terrier and a Dachshund. When the two breeds are mixed the new puppy is called a Jackshund. Sounds fancy, right? This fancy name simply means breeders can charge a pretty penny (or a few thousand) because the new puppy is a “designer” dog.

Toby was a super cute puppy and since we were intent on the “no kids for 10 years pledge” we decided a dog was the right answer. Toby was going to be our low maintenance “kid.”  Within the first week of bringing Toby home from the puppy store, we realized our cute puppy was everything but low maintenance. PS: We only lasted five years. Piper was born in 2010.

Like any good dog parents with a “problem kid” we immediately enrolled him in a doggy boot camp program. The promise of an obedient, going outside to use the bathroom, won’t eat your shoes dog was just six weeks away, according to the brochure.

Toby was the star student at doggy boot camp. He walked, barked on command, shook a paw, and apparently even listened when we said, “No!” Shortly after returning home each week something would click inside Toby. I seriously started to question the possibility of owning a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde dog. Maybe our dog needed a therapist not bootcamp?

Toby passed the doggy boot camp program with great praise, and ten years later I’m still wondering what he learned.

The good news? Toby is still super cute, and a member of our family.  The bad news? We’ve only been through 6 bed comforters, 2 floors (carpet and hardwood in two different homes), two couches, and about 8 different doggy sitters (vacation trips).

All this talk leads me to the DIY of the day. A DIY that’s 110% inspired by Toby.

One of the mental oaths I took when we welcomed Toby into our family was: My house shall not smell like a dog. Despite the clear appearance that Toby lives here (Oh yea, that covered couch has a gigantic hole in the center. Watch out!), I’m determined to keep my house smelling fresh and inviting. As it turns out, keeping a fresh home is pretty easy with three natural ingredients.  Let’s take a look:

Baking Soda: This inexpensive ingredient can be used to raise my favorite banana bread and clean a toilet. Pretty amazing stuff! When used as a homemade cleaner baking soda absorbs and neutralizes odors. I use Bob’s Red Mill Baking Soda for baking, but go with the cheaper bulk bag of Arm & Hammer for cleaning.

Diatomaceous Earth: “Diatomaceous earth is made from the fossilized remains of tiny, aquatic organisms called diatoms. Their skeletons are made of a natural substance called silica. Over a long period of time, diatoms accumulated in the sediment of rivers, streams, lakes, and oceans. Today, silica deposits are mined from these areas…” Source 

DE is added to this recipe to fight against fleas and other unwanted insects. While DE may be skipped in this recipe, if you have pets, it’s a beneficial ingredient to add. There are two different types of DE products on the market: food-grade and pool-grade. Food-grade should be used in this recipe because it’s safe for humans and pets. Pool-grade is not a safe ingredient due to the processing and should not be inhaled.

A note on color: The DE pictured in this post is gray; however, most food-grade DE products are white. The DE I purchase from our feed store (I also use this in our chicken coop) is mixed with a small amount of bentonite clay which leaves behind a grayish color.

Lavender: Lavender not only smells wonderful in my home, but also helps to repel bugs. I add dried lavender to my carpet deodorizer with a few drops of essential oil.

With a simple combination of baking soda,diatomaceous earth, and lavender we can enjoy Toby’s presence (the non-destructive side) without our home smelling like a dog. I mean that in the most affectionate way. No hard feelings, Toby!

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Carpet Deodorizer with Lavender

Awesome carpet deodorizer with lavender.

Course DIY

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Carpet Deodorizer

Prep Time 1 minute minute

Total Time 1 minute minute

Servings 1 3/4 cups

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 1 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup diatomaceous earth food-grade
• 1/4 cup dried lavender
• 15 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions

• In a spice grinder, grind the dried lavender for 30-40 seconds. This step may be skipped if a spice grinder isn't available.
• In a large mason jar (8 ounces or quart-size), add the baking soda, diatomaceous earth, ground dried lavender, and lavender essential oil . Secure the lid and shake the ingredients together until combined. Store the sealed jar at room temperature until needed.

Recipe Variations: 

Option 1: If you don’t own a Toby or live in Florida (hey, bugs!) , substitute 1/2 cup of baking soda in place of the diatomaceous earth.

Option 2: If you don’t have any dried lavender available, this recipe also works great with just the essential oil. You may want to increase the essential oil to 30-40 drops.

More DIYs You May Like:

4-Ingredient DIY Citrus Air Freshener

 9 Cleaning Products to Stop Buying and Start Making

DIY Homemade Bug Spray

The post Easy DIY Carpet Deodorizer with Lavender appeared first on Live Simply.

When my family decided to make the switch from processed to real food, replacing household products with homemade versions was not a priority.

I was a self-proclaimed Tide-lovin’ woman. There was talk in Facebook groups about making laundry soap and even surface cleaners, but the thought of making products for my home usually brought about a scoffing giggle. “Why in world would I want to make products like laundry soap and surface cleaner? “

Shortly after making the food switch, Dustin and I noticed a dramatic improvement in our health and energy levels. It was at this time that my mind began spinning, “Hmmm…I wonder if making products at home with natural ingredients would also benefit my family?” 

That month I purchased my first ever jar of bentonite clay and whisked together a few natural ingredients creating my very first homemade product: foundation powder. The recipe was a success and a few weeks later I decided to give up the expensive foundation powder I’d been using for many years. I was intrigued, “What else can I make?”

In order to make this whole homemade product thing work for my family, I knew a few ground rules were necessary. I came up with two basic rules for all my DIY projects:

1. A homemade product must be just as effective as a store-bought product.

2. A homemade product must be simple to make.

Slowly I began replacing many of the products I was using in our home, from cleaners to body wash, with homemade alternatives. I’m living proof that a former Tide-lovin’ gal can make the switch from commercial to homemade.

Now, I get it. The whole process of making the switch to homemade products can be a bit overwhelming. The process doesn’t need to be complicated or exhausting. Simply start with the products you most often use in your home and start making one small change a month. Small, practical changes are the building blocks to a doable long-term natural lifestyle. Let’s take our lesson from the tortoise…slow and steady always wins the race.

9 Cleaning Products to Stop Buying and Start Making

DIY Cleaning Wipes (Reusable and Disinfecting): Homemade cleaning wipes are my reusable answer to the disposable cleaning wipes that once sat on my kitchen counter. These wipes are made with just a few basic ingredients (which you probably already own) and a handful of washcloths. I use these wipes to clean up juice spills, countertops, and even dirty little feet.

DIY Natural Floor Cleaner Wipes:  Similar to the cleaning wipes, these wipes are made with a few basic ingredients and a handful of washcloths. The washcloths soak in a natural floor cleaning solution before being put to work with the dirty job of cleaning our hard floors. The result is always shiny, clean floors without the expensive cost of commercial cleaners.

DIY Bandits Oil Disinfecting Kitchen Spray: I spend a lot of time in the kitchen. By the end of the day it’s not uncommon to find spills, loose spices, and mountains of dirty dishes decorating my 1960’s countertops. When I need extra cleaning power, I mix together this simple cleaner for tackling the dirty job.

DIY All-In-One Bathroom Cleaner: This homemade cleaner is especially formulated to clean, disinfect, and deodorize even the dirtiest of bathrooms (AKA: my bathroom).

DIY All-In-One Glass and Stainless Steel Cleaner: Windows and stainless steel appliances are my nemesis, but with this simple cleaner I’m able to enjoy squeaky clean, streak-free windows and appliances for just pennies compared to store-bought cleaner.

DIY Homemade Scrub Cleaner: Like Soft Scrub:  When the bathroom cleaning job calls for extra scrubbing power, I turn to a jar of homemade scrub cleaner. I also use this scrub cleaner in my white kitchen sink and even our old 1960’s countertops.

DIY Produce Wash:  Whether I purchase organic or conventional produce, I always spend a portion of my prep time washing fruits and veggies for the week ahead. My produce wash is made with a few simple and natural ingredients that pack a powerful punch when it comes to unwanted dirt and bugs.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap:  Ah yes, laundry soap. The one product I never thought would enter my arsenal of DIY cleaners. I’m happy to report that this laundry soap is super effective in its fight against stains, body odor, and dirt.

DIY Homemade Liquid Hand Soap:  If you’re looking for one homemade product to start making, hand soap is my top pick. Most of us (I hope) use hand soap every single day, making it the perfect product to start making versus buying. This homemade hand soap only requires three to four simple ingredients.

More Cleaning Recipes

SEE ALL

DIY Homemade Powder Laundry Detergent (3 Ingredients)

DIY Natural Laundry Scent Booster (Just 2 Ingredients)

Simple Homemade Fabric Softener (4 Ways)

14 Best Natural and Non-Toxic Laundry Detergents

Simple DIY Homemade Candles for Beginners

19 Frugal Natural Cleaning Hacks With Baking Soda

The post 9 Cleaning Products to Stop Buying and Start Making appeared first on Live Simply.

Crunchy (AKA “natural”)  light-bulbs. They’re all the rage these days, and with good reason.

First, they’re eco-friendly! And with all the confusion over which light-bulb is actually the right one to use, a crunchy light-bulb is a breath of fresh air, a reason to rejoice. The appearance of a crunchy light-bulb means very good things are about to happen.

Second, they empower! When a crunchy light-bulb lights up, get ready to spend some time with vinegar, beeswax, or essential oils. Power to the max.

Crunchy light-bulbs may not be an actual physical light-bulb you purchase from the store and plug into your favorite paisley lamp (sorry). But, they exist!

A crunchy light-bulb shines bright the moment you get a stirring idea, that just won’t leave you alone, also known as an “AHA moment”. The moment you realize you no longer need a long skinny tube of antibacterial and healing gel in your medicine cabinet, you can make your own! When the last drop of commercial laundry soap is poured into the washer and suddenly a crunchy light-bulb shines bright: “I can make my own laundry soap!”.  Now that’s empowering, friend.

That’s what a crunchy light-bulb is all about! Of course, all good crunchy light-bulb moments must be shared. So, today, I come to you with another light-bulb creation, one of my simplest, yet highly-effective natural remedies: DIY Natural Floor Cleaner Wipes.

DIY Natural Floor Cleaner Wipes are inspired by my simple DIY Cleaning Wipes. Stock a natural, simple-minded gal a handful of washcloths and a gallon of vinegar, and she just may try taking over the whole cleaning industry!

Both wipe recipes use washcloths making DIY cleaning wipes: reusable, easy to wash, and 100% natural.  Simply attach a DIY Natural Floor Cleaner Wipe to a Swiffer base and clean the floor like its never been cleaned before. Your wallet, floor, and husband will thank you!

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DIY Natural Floor Cleaner Wipes

DIY Natural Floor Cleaner Wipes are inspired by my simple DIY Cleaning Wipes. Stock a natural, simple-minded gal a handful of washcloths and a gallon of vinegar, and she just may try taking over the whole cleaning industry!

Course DIY, Homemade

Cuisine Cleaning

Keyword Floor Cleaner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 3 Cleaning Cloths

Author Kristin Marr

Ingredients

• 2 cups distilled water
• 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
• 2 TB rubbing/isopropyl alcohol helps with drying
• 10 drops sweet orange essential oil You can also substitute lemon or lavender and create your own combo
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions

• Roll the washcloths and place in a jar.
• In a small bowl combine the water, vinegar, rubbing alcohol and essential oils.
• Pour the vinegar mixture over the washcloths, pressing the washcloths down into the liquid. The washcloths should be wet. Depending on the size of your washcloths, you may need to add more vinegar/water as needed.
• Close the lid on the jar.
• Remove the washcloths from the jar as needed and attach to a Swiffer base. Wash the dirty cloths in the washer, and repeat the process. When you introduce water into a product without a preservative you always run the risk of introducing bacteria, so use water-based products quickly.

Tools I Use:

Swiffer

Note: To attach the wipe to the Swiffer base, simply secure the ends of the cloth in the holes on top of the base. You can also reverse the wipes mid-way through cleaning so you use both sides.

Laminate Floors: Find a recipe with the exact same ingredients, just equal measurements specifically for laminate, on Nature’s Nurture Blog.

(Sealed) Wood Floors: According to Becky at Clean Mama, she uses a vinegar mop solution on her hardwood floors using a special hardwood cleaning technique.  If you’re looking for something to use on exposed or waxed wood, I recommend talking to a wood specialist. These recipes don’t shine and the vinegar may dull some finishes, like wood sealers or waxes. If your hardwood floors are sealed, it’s important to know how they are sealed before using any liquid cleaner.

With any cleaner that’s applied to a special surface, always spot test. This applies to both store-bought cleaners and homemade solutions. There are many factors that can play into a floor cleaner working with or against your floor: 1/ the products used on your floors in the past, which can leave a film that’s brought out by other products 2/ your water (hard water can work against cleaning solutions). Since there are many variables that may play into cleaning a surface effectively, I recommend spot testing in a small, inconspicuous area or grabbing a floor sample from the home improvement store for testing.

The post DIY Natural Floor Cleaner Wipes appeared first on Live Simply.