Spring cleaning season is upon us, and what better way to refresh your home than with clever, all-natural ways of cleaning? From carpets to windows, there are safe and effective options for every surface in your home. Skip the harsh chemicals and try some DIY, homemade cleaning products with natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils. Not only are these green alternatives better for the environment, they’re also better for your health and wallet. In this article, eco-friendly professionals share some clever homemade cleaning product recipes and eco-friendly methods for a sparkling home this spring.
1. Green technology can save you money, repairs, and the environment
“Maintenance on your dryer machine’s vent once a year can reduce energy costs and bills every time you run your clothes in the dryer. It also reduces the possibility of fire hazards and it can save on appliance repairs overtime,” recommends ABC Home Services, a cleaning company specialized in green technology near Chula Vista, CA. ABC Home Services provides more eco-friendly cleaning tips:
“Cleaning HVAC unit’s ventilation does not only improve the system’s efficiency but also your indoor air quality whenever you run your indoor heating or cooling; not to mention lowering the costs of your energy bill.
Indoor air quality products made with green technology, such as U.V. light, can protect you from any contaminants flowing into your home’s indoor air. A high performance electrostatic air filter can capture small microorganisms from circulating into your HVAC system, thus purifying your indoor air quality as well.”
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2. Use eco-friendly cleaning products all around the house
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“We’re always happy to help our customers with eco-friendly cleaning options, and Simple Green is our go-to, all-natural cleaner choice – the lavender scent is simply lovely. It’s versatile enough to use in the kitchen, garage, on floors, and carpets, just remember to follow the dilution steps on the spray bottle for optimal results,” suggests Master Clean Bay Area.
3. Create your own homemade, DIY cleaning products
“No one likes their microwave to smell like soap or cleaning products, so my favorite go-to cleaning product is lemon for microwave cleaning,” says Anita Hodzic, Owner of BA House Cleaning in Oakland, CA. Here is her homemade recipe:
- One cup of water
- One cup of vinegar
- Two tablespoons of lemon juice
“Put all the ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Turn your microwave on high for two minutes until it’s filled with steam. Finally, wipe your microwave down with a damp cloth,” adds Anita.
OCLA Cleaning near Orange, CA, also follows this recipe, except OCLA Cleaners like to, “Simply add a few slices of lemon for a pleasant aroma and microwave on high for five minutes, this should make it easy to wipe the dirt off inside the microwave.”
4. DIY cleaning products for glass surfaces
“My favorite all-natural cleaning hack is simply using a mixture of distilled white vinegar and water to clean mirrors, windows, or glass surfaces for a streak-free finish,” notes Professional Eco Cleaning in Oakland. “Remember that the fragrance from cleaning supplies doesn’t necessarily mean the area is clean. It is important to receive professional cleaning services at least every six months.”
LUXE Cleaning Services in the Tampa Bay area adds an important detail, “For streak-free mirrors and glass surfaces make sure your spray is a 50/50 water-to-vinegar solution. We love this solution because it’s safe for our pros to use and extremely effective.”
5. Simple, all-purpose homemade cleaners can be found in your home
“All of our teams love to use something simple and sweet – just a mixture of hot water and vinegar. It’s something most people overlook when cleaning, but it really gets your home to that sparkling clean level without leaving a scent of any strong, chemical-filled odors,” adds Not Your Average Cleaners. “We want your home to smell, look, and feel clean – not have a ton of unnecessary chemicals that aren’t safe around your family and pets.”
“An all purpose ingredient for cleaning we always have available at our disposal is vinegar. We use equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle.” FIVE Cleaning Co emphasizes that you “use this solution for smelly and dirty areas by adding a few drops of essential oil, like a lemon essential oil.”
6. Mrs. Meyer’s with a little bit of baking soda
“We are always looking for a safe and effective way of cleaning bathrooms that have pesky stains, mold or mildew, especially without all the toxic chemicals that the stores are placing in front of us. I have the best hack for this problem that’s toxic free: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Tub and Tile, with some baking soda, will do the trick,” recommends Essential Cleaners. “We begin by sprinkling baking soda in the problem areas and spraying Mrs. Meyer’s spray over it (our favorite scent is Lavender). Let these products sit for 15 minutes and come back with a brush to scrub it off. All the stains in these problem areas will disappear. Not only will your bathroom look amazing and sparkly, but it will also smell amazing.”
7. How to make your home smell nice with natural remedies
“Chemical air fresheners can be harmful to the environment, as they contribute to air pollution and can contaminate water sources. Natural remedies are better for the environment because they are made from natural ingredients and do not have the same negative impact. Natural remedies can also be a cost-effective way to make your home smell nice,” suggests Cleanly Miami.
“There are many natural remedies that you can use to make your house smell nice. Here are some options:
- Essential Oils: Essential oils are a great way to naturally scent your home. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oils to a diffuser or a spray bottle filled with water, and use it to spritz around your home. Some popular essential oils for home fragrance include lavender, lemon, peppermint, and eucalyptus.
- Citrus Fruits: Citrus fruits like lemons and oranges are natural deodorizers and can help freshen up your home. Cut up some citrus fruits and leave them in a bowl on your kitchen counter or in your living room. You can also simmer some citrus peels in a pot of water on your stove to release their scent.
- Baking Soda: Baking soda is a great natural deodorizer that can help absorb odors in your home. Sprinkle some baking soda on your carpets, furniture, and even in your shoes, and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming it up.
- Fresh Herbs: Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and mint can add a natural fragrance to your home. You can place them in a vase or jar to create a natural air freshener or even hang them up to dry for a longer-lasting scent.
- Beeswax Candles: Beeswax candles are a natural alternative to conventional candles, which often contain synthetic fragrances. Beeswax candles have a subtle honey-like scent and can help purify the air in your home.
By using these natural remedies, you can make your house smell nice without relying on artificial fragrances that can be harmful to your health and the environment.”
8. Ditch single-use plastic bags
“One environmentally friendly tip we would recommend is to use reusable bags instead of single-use plastic bags when shopping,” says Cleanly Miami. “Not only does this help reduce plastic waste, but it can also save you money in the long run as you won’t have to constantly buy new bags. Plus, reusable bags come in a variety of fun designs and colors, making grocery shopping a little more enjoyable.”
9. How to get a natural sparkling sink
“One area in most homes that often goes overlooked is the kitchen sink, which is odd considering that the kitchen is often the nucleus of the home – where our family and friends tend to congregate. To remedy this, we always use Scrub Daddy paste on sinks in our clients’ homes,” suggests Alejandra Fortin, Founder & CEO of This is Home. “It’s organic, biodegradable, and non-toxic, making the kitchen sink perfectly spotless and clean, while also being great for the environment and your family.”
10. Cleaning faucet heads using saltwater solution
“The saltwater solution is a cheap and easy solution that our team likes to use for cleaning faucet heads. Mix a half cup sea salt with two cups of warm water, pour into a spray bottle, and shake well before using. Spray onto dirty areas until they’re covered in foam. Scrub each section of your faucet head and rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of soap and mineral deposits,” directs Tally Maids.
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11. Remove grease on your wood countertop, furniture, and floor using lemon juice
“An acid like lemon juice is effective at removing grease on your wood countertop, furniture, or floor,” says Tally Maids. “Citric acid, which is present in lemon juice, is stronger than acetic acid in vinegar. It’s so easy to prepare, just mix lemon juice with water (equal parts) and apply it with a cloth or sponge using a circular motion on the surface areas where there is grease. After 10 to 15 minutes of wiping the grease, check to see if the grease stain has diminished or disappeared entirely.”
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