Lemons, toothpaste, table salt, and vinegar! You most likely have all these items in your home although for different reasons than what I am about to share. Did you know that they can also be used as a healthier alternative for very effective cleaning?
Take a look at the substances that are in the household cleaners you are currently using. Many of them contain toxic chemicals. Here’s a rule I follow: If you can’t pronounce it or recognize it, you probably don’t want to breathe it in! These chemicals are also very toxic to our water supply and the environment. Make the switch today, and combat dirt, stains, and grease naturally! Another added bonus… using natural ingredients is more affordable!
Who knew these household staples were so multi-talented?! Read on and share!
Lemons
Lemons can clean many different things. Plus, they smell wonderful!
Neutralize any odor (like onion, garlic, or fish): Simply rub your hands with lemon juice.
Brighten whites : Add ½ cup of lemon juice to the rinse cycle!
Cut grease: Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to your dishwashing detergent.
Remove tough food stains from light wood and plastic cutting boards: Slice a lemon in half and squeeze the juice onto the soiled surface. Rub and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.
Clean your countertops: Rub a halved lemon dipped in baking soda on the surface. Wipe with a wet sponge and dry. (Don’t use on marble, or stainless steel because it may discolor).
Tooth Paste
It shines your teeth and your silverware!
(Note: Use plain standard paste, not gel).
Shine tarnished silverware: Put a dab of toothpaste on a soft cloth, rub it onto the tarnish, and then rinse with water and dry with a clean cloth.
Remove scratches off of acrylic accessories: Squeeze toothpaste onto a toothbrush and work it into the scratches until they diminish! Wipe residue off with a cloth.
Polish faucets and other chrome fixtures: Smear a dime-size amount of toothpaste onto the fixture and buff with a soft cloth until it shines.
Table Salt
It’s granular texture makes it perfect for scrubbing!
Remove stubborn stains from your glassware: Add salt for extra abrasion and scrub with a sponge. Unlike a scouring pad, it will not scratch the glass.
Absorb excess grease on cookware: Pour salt on the greasy cookware and let sit. Dump out the salt before washing as usual.
Remove stains from teacups and coffee mugs: Sprinkle salt on the outside of a lemon peel and rub the affected area until clean.
Clean oven spills: Pour salt over the spill to soak it up. Wipe with a damp sponge.
Vinegar
Use distilled white vinegar to wipe out bacteria!
Disinfect the interior of your dishwasher: Pour ½ cup vinegar into the reservoir and run an empty cycle. Another option, run an empty cycle with a small bowl filled with vinegar on the bottom rack.
Clean clogged drains and pipes: Pour vinegar down the drain. After 30 minutes, flush with cold water.
Clean your floors (excluding marble or wood floors, because it can damage them): Add ¼ cup vinegar to a bucket of warm water and mop.
Make glasses spotless: Add 1 cup vinegar to the rinse water.
Clean windows without any streaks: Mix equal parts of vinegar and warm water. Dry with a soft cloth.
Clean moldy bathroom walls: Spray vinegar on walls, and let sit for 15 minutes. Rinse and let dry thoroughly.
Are there any natural cleaning solutions that you swear by?
Great post! I know I don’t use enough of those…:) ela
I love natural cleaning tips! I use baking soda a lot to clean dishes with food stuck on them. It is also good to clean a grimey oven.
Hi Laura, thanks for the tips… will have to try it on oven grime!
Love using natural cleaning products, thanks for sharing a great list
I really like the idea of avoiding chemicals. How great that there are natural alternatives! I’ll have to try this out!
Great tips and reminders. I just used a cup of vinegar to clean my dishwasher yesterday. And I love using lemons to wipe my kitchen sink and run down the disposal. I find baking soda and vinegar can solve a lot of things, too. : )
That’s a skillful answer to a diiucfflt question
I’m all about natural cleaning products! Why ‘clean’ messes with chemicals that are damaging to your health? Seems like making a mess out of another one. I think they’re often cheaper alternatives, too. Great post
These are some great tips!! I’m always looking for new ways to clean naturally.
Lemon juice is the perfect ingredient for homemade cleaners – it is a natural disinfectant and stain remover. To quickly disinfect any surface, cut a lemon in half, rub the cut side on anything from cutting boards to copper pots, and thoroughly rinse with hot water. To tackle stubborn stains, baking soda with just enough baking soda to create a paste that can be used to dissolve soap scum, hard water deposits, and even mold. For maximum efficiency, let the past sit for 10 minutes before wiping away with a damp cloth.