Getting Started With Homemade Cleaners

 Looking to start using natural cleaning products but you aren't sure where to begin? Here are a few tips to get you going:

There are a few must-have essentials to get you started. Throughout the coming year I'll share with you some of my favorite homemade cleaner recipes and scents, but this list here is where I started, and where you can start too.

Baking Soda

works best on proteins, greases, & animal messes; and because it's only slightly abrasive, it can scour surfaces without fear of scratching. It's also a natural deodorizer and less expensive than commercial scrubbing powders.

I used to use a cleaner specifically marketed for glass cooktops when I started my business, because that's what we used before I bought my share of the business. The product is great and does the job, but it comes in a small container and is kind of pricy. So I decided to switch to an Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Kitchen Cleaner and see what happened, and I was thrilled with the results. For more about this particular cleaner that I use for my client houses, check back for my product review next week.

Distilled White Vinegar

Works on alkaline substances by dissolving scale, inhibits mold, & cuts soap scum. A mild acid, it's terrific for removing stains like coffee, rust, and tea. A little trick if the scent is a problem for you - add a few drops of citrus essential oil, and all you'll smell is a lemon or orange scent.

I regularly use vinegar to deodorize garbage disposals, clean coffee stains from sinks, and for some of my clients, to mop the floors. Do keep in mind that vinegar can't be used on stone floors or surfaces - but there are other all natural products that work for those. For wood floors, however, vinegar is a mild cleansing agent that causes no damage and no chemical buildup like some other floor cleaners.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Water with an extra hydrogen molecule. It breaks down into harmless oxygen & water, so it's a much more eco-friendly alternative to chlorine bleach.

I personally still use a chlorine bleach based cleaning product for both cleaning toilet bowls and treating mold for my clients, just because there's a certain expectation when it comes to the level of disinfectant being used when they are paying someone to clean. At home, however, I do use Peroxide to clean toilets, and it works quite well. I'm hoping to convince at least the majority of my clients to switch to an all natural cleaning regimen by the end of the year. No, I'm not an environmental nut - but I do think anything we can do to protect our planet, even the small things, is a help. 

Borax

An alkali that's good for cutting grease, oil, and dirt.

I've actually never used Borax for anything at all, but it came recommended in my reading. Since I'm spending this year focusing on natural and environmentally friendly products, this is on my list for things to try out this year.  When I do, I'll be sure to share my likes, dislikes, and favorite Borax-based homemade cleaners with you.

If you've used Borax for anything before, let me know in the comments. Were you happy with the results? What did you dislike? Would you recommend it to your friends?

Castile Soap

Available in liquid or bar form & helps rinse dirt away. It's made with olive oil or a vegetable base, and is available scented or unscented.

This is another product I haven't tried out for myself yet. When I do, I'll include all the information here for you.

As above, if this is a product you already have experience with, I would love your input. What do you like best about it? Do you have any recommendations for unusual uses the average person wouldn't think of? Any scents that you prefer over others? I always love feedback, it's a great way to gain new insights.

Essential Oils

Tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon, lemongrass, and orange enhance a cleaner's scent.

Tea tree is also naturally antibacterial.

I've been using essential oils for a myriad of purposes for many years. I posted an article here last year about using essential oils to treat dogs for fleas and ticks. With regard to cleaning, the primary purpose of most essential oils is simply to enhance the scent of a cleaner - but if you're looking for a calming scent, use lavender. If you want something invigorating or energizing, use lemon or orange. If you want a healing scent, you can't go wrong with eucalyptus.

Some Notes

Store homemade products in clean, unused containers. Never use bottles that once held chemicals.

Label homemade cleaners when you make them.

Be sure you use the right product for the right application.

Before you spray a cleaner on any surface, test first in a hidden area to ensure you use the right cleaner and it won't damage or mar the material or surface.

Never use vinegar on stone surfaces such as granite or marble, cast iron, aluminum, or waxed surfaces. The acid in the vinegar can etch, pit, and/or strip finishes or otherwise damage these surfaces.