Keeping your home clean doesn’t mean you have to use harsh store-bought chemicals. Many natural alternatives exist that are just as effective and safer for your family and pets. Here are a few ways you can keep your home sparkling clean without dealing with dangerous chemicals.
How to clean house and keep it clean
Kitchen countertops
Countertops in kitchens hold a lot of bacteria. From making sandwiches to cutting up vegetables and meats, the countertop gets a lot of work and can easily hold onto bacteria if not cleaned correctly. To naturally clean your countertops, mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray down your countertops and wipe them down with a clean cloth. Just the same way you would as if you bought something from the store. Vinegar is a natural disinfectant that cuts through grease and kills bacteria without leaving any residue left behind that you also need to clean.
For difficult stains consider adding baking soda to the countertop first. Sprinkle it on then spray with the vinegar and water mixture. Let this sit for a minute or two and wipe away with a rag or towel. Once you finish using the vinegar and baking soda mixture use a water only wet rag to wipe down the area to get rid of any baking soda residue.
If you have marble countertops or granite, do not use vinegar-based products. Consider using basic dish soap like Dawn mixed with water, to get rid of any messes or stains. Vinegar mixed with baking soda will cause your stone to lose its natural luster causing it to dull over time.
Toilets
Toilets are naturally one of the dirtiest spots in the home. Cleaning toilets, however, is quite easy using natural ingredients. When cleaning your toilet pour about a half a cup of baking soda into the bowl, along with a cup of white vinegar. The mixture will begin to fizz up letting you know it is working. This chemical reaction will help get rid of any stains or build up within the toilet bowl. Let the mixture sit for 15 to 30 minutes then wipe out with a rag or microfiber towel.
To add a bit of extra cleanliness consider adding a few drops of tea tree oil to the mixture. Tea tree oil is loaded with antibacterial properties and will additionally help clean the toilet bowl. Lastly, rinse the bowl by flushing the toilet. If any residue is left over flush again or use a rag to wipe it down.
Showers
Showers easily accumulate soap scum and mildew. To get rid of these annoying issues, simply make a paste of baking soda and water. Using a small bowl add a couple of tablespoons of baking soda and mix with water until it forms a paste. Apply this paste to your shower walls, the floor of the shower and the fixtures like the waterspout and handle. Allow the mixture to sit for a minute or two then scrub with a sponge or brush. For areas that are heavy with soap residue, such as the drain, spray with white vinegar over the baking soda paste. This will cause a chemical reaction to help loosen the residue. Scrub again with the sponge and wipe away.
To get rid of built on mildew stains, especially on shower walls, consider using equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Apply the mixture by spraying down the walls of your shower and leave it to sit for about an hour. Then simply use your showerhead or a spray bottle with clean water to rinse down your walls and wipe away any leftover residue with a microfiber towel.
Carpets
Carpets and rugs naturally trap odor and allergens that can be difficult to clean. Luckily, there are natural ingredients you can use to freshen up these areas. Start by sprinkling baking soda evenly across the carpeted area or the rug you want to clean. Baking soda helps neutralize odors and will help lift dirt from the fibers. Let the soda sit for about 15 to 30 minutes. After this time use your vacuum and clean it up. This will help neutralize and get rid of stinky pet odors or lingering odors from spilled food and so on.
Stains in carpets are so difficult to get rid of. When you see a stain use equal parts water and white vinegar. Mix the two components in a bowl and use a rag to blot the stain with the mixture. Do not scrub. Blot the stain. Scrubbing may cause the stain to spread making it even more difficult to remove. After treating the stain with the vinegar and water, sprinkle baking soda over the area and let dry. The baking soda will soak into the area helping to remove the stain. Lastly, run your vacuum over the stain to get up all the baking soda and the stain should be gone. Continue this process if needed again to make sure you get out all the stain.
Using these natural cleaning alternatives will keep your home looking great and smelling fresh without the use of store-bought cleaning chemicals that can potentially be dangerous to children and pets. Creating a healthy, clean-living environment is essential for any homeowner. So, consider using these cleaning tips before the next time you reach for that bottle of chemicals at the grocery store.
Author:
Ryan Knoll is the owner of Tidy Casa in Phoenix and Tucson, AZ. Tidy Casa has been serving greater Phoenix and Tucson homeowners for nearly a decade, having helped more than 12,000 clients, and cleaning more than 600 homes per month.