Many commercial cleaning products contain chemicals that can irritate your skin, eyes, lungs and mucous membranes. Chemicals that damage health can also harm plants and wildlife when they're released into the air and groundwater. Natural alternatives to commercial household cleaning products can be healthier for your family and the planet, and much less expensive.
Baking Soda
Baking soda, or bicarbonate of soda, is an inexpensive deodorizer. Sprinkle it on your carpet or furniture before vacuuming to remove odors, or use it to scour sinks and bathtubs. Leave an open box of baking soda in the fridge to absorb odors, or place small bowls of it around your house instead of using aerosol room sprays with artificial fragrances. Keep your drains clear by pouring 3/4 cup baking soda and a splash of hot water into your drains once a week and letting it sit overnight.
Vinegar
White distilled vinegar also acts as a deodorizer, and can cut through grease and remove hard water deposits. Like baking soda, you can use it in small bowls around your home to keep rooms fresh. Soak clogged shower heads in undiluted vinegar overnight. Pour vinegar into your toilet bowl and let it sit for 15 minutes to an hour before scrubbing it with a brush. Make an all-purpose surface spray for counters and tabletops by mixing 1/2 cup vinegar with 1/4 cup baking soda in a gallon of water. The scent of the vinegar will disappear when it dries, or you can add a few drops off an essential oil of your choice. Vinegar is also an effective fabric softener because it can remove excess detergent and hard water minerals from clothing. Use it in the rinse cycle of the wash and rinse as usual.
Essential Oils
Essential oils such as tea tree, lavender, thyme, clove and cinnamon all have disinfecting properties that kill germs without leaving harmful residues behind. They can be expensive, but you don't need to use very much for them to be effective. Essential oils also leave a pleasant, lingering scent behind. Add a few drops of oil or blend of oils to your washer's rinse cycle to add scent to your clothes, or add essential oils to your homemade household cleaners for a fresh scent.
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