Natural cleaning products usually are less toxic and often don't release chemical fumes or leave residues that can harm people or pets. Choosing natural cleaning ingredients allows you to keep a few multipurpose products on hand instead of filling your cabinets with specialty products. This saves you money and can make cleaning easier. Natural does not always mean non-toxic, so you should keep all cleaning products, even natural ones, out of the reach of children and pets.
Baking Soda
Baking soda deodorizes and its mildly abrasive qualities allow you to scrub away soap scum in bathrooms or grease in the kitchen without scratching porcelain or stainless steel surfaces. Baking soda also removes stains on countertops or dishes. Make a paste of baking soda and water and coat the stain. Leave until the baking soda dries, then brush off the residue.
Vinegar
Use vinegar, a mild acid, to clean windows, countertops or floors. Vinegar dissolves soap scum and lime buildup. Spray vinegar onto surfaces and allow it to sit for a few minutes, then wipe clean with a damp cloth. You can also use vinegar in the laundry in place of fabric softener. Mix 1/4 cup vinegar with 1 qt. water for a glass cleaner.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice removes stains on surfaces and laundry. Put lemon juice on the stain and allow to sit for a few minutes, then rinse clean. Only use this stain removal method on white cotton fabric. Use lemon juice and salt to polish copper pots. Avoid getting lemon juice into cuts or sores, as it will sting.
Salt
Use salt instead of scouring powder to clean cast iron cookware or scrub stains from pots and pans. Salt can scratch so don't use on delicate porcelain or glassware.
Borax
Borax, or sodium borate, is a naturally occurring mineral mined from the earth. Borax disinfects and deodorizes. Use borax instead of scouring powder for cleaning countertops or tile floors or to scrub the toilet. Add borax to the laundry as a stain remover and detergent booster. Borax can be harmful if inhaled or swallowed, so take care not to breathe in the powder and keep out of the reach of children or pets.
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