5 DIY Natural Cleaning Solutions

It can be easy to prepare safe, natural and inexpensive cleaning solutions with products you already have at home. 

Cleaning your house with safe and natural solutions might seem expensive and inconvenient. But that doesn’t have to be true. In fact, you probably already have the ingredients for these solutions in your pantry or medicine cabinet. Check out these simple tips — they might change how you approach cleaning.

Natural Microwave Cleaner
It’s a pain to open your microwave and find the splatter of last night’s leftovers everywhere. Instead of breaking out the harsh chemical cleaners, look no further than your fruit bowl. All you need to return your microwave back to its pristine condition is a lemon and some water. Grab a microwave-safe bowl and pour in 1/2 cup water and the juice of half a lemon. Microwave on high for 3 minutes, then let the mixture sit for 5 minutes. The steam from the lemon water will help break down all the stuck-on food and give the microwave a fresh scent. Then use a Scotch-Brite® Microfiber Dish Cloth to wipe the interior and the door. When you’re done, your microwave will look as fresh as the day you bought it, no chemicals needed.

Natural Floor Cleaner
Floors are tough to keep clean. With the constant commotion of your family and friends, keeping high-traffic areas spotless can be an uphill battle. Luckily, you don’t need to spend a fortune on expensive chemical floor cleaners to get the job done safely and naturally. Combine 1 gallon warm water, 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/3 cup rubbing alcohol and a few drops of dish soap in a bucket. Pour the mixture into a large spray bottle and you have a natural floor cleaner that will work perfectly with a Scotch-Brite™ Microfiber Hardwood Floor Mop. Just spritz, mop and repeat until your floor sparkles.

Natural Window Cleaner
Keeping your windows smudge- and dirt-free doesn’t require a mysterious blue liquid. Clear and chemical-free results are as close as two or three basic ingredients. In a medium bowl combine 1 cup distilled white vinegar, 1 cup warm water and 1 to 2 drops lemon essential oil. Pour the ingredients into a spray bottle and spray directly onto your windows or glass. Wait a few seconds, then wipe with a Scotch-Brite® Streak-Free Mirror Cloth. Once you try this, you’ll never go back to blue.

Natural Drain Cleaner
Drains get clogged; that’s just the way it is. But you can keep your drains flowing freely without harsh chemical drain cleaners. Pour 1 cup baking soda down your clogged drain, followed by 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar. Cover the drain with a plug and leave for about 30 minutes while the mixture works its magic completely. When the time is up, run hot water down the drain for 2 to 3 minutes. This trick should get your drain back to its pre-clogged state. For particularly tough clogs, repeat the process until the water drains properly.

Natural Fridge Cleaner
The fresh foods in your kitchen deserve an equally fresh refrigerator, one preferably cleaned without harsh chemicals. Luckily, combining equal parts warm water and distilled white vinegar gives you a food-safe alternative to harsh cleaners that will do the same job. Mix ingredients in a spray bottle and use as needed on smudges, stains and other fridge-related messes. Your food, and your family, will thank you.

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