For a clean and organized kitchen, opt for natural cleaning products that do away with harmful chemicals. They will even make you save money in the long run because you can pluck out many of the ingredients from your own garden and backyard.
But like any cleaning product, be wary of what kind of surface or material each specific kind of DIY natural cleaning product can clean. If that natural liquid you created can only clean wood, let it be. Some other products can clean only stone or tile. Be careful about this. Let us introduce you to some DIY natural cleaning products you can create on your own:
Create homemade essential oils
These are concentrated liquids that are sourced from different botanical origins. Aside from being used as important ingredients in natural cleaning products, they are also components for aromatherapy wherein the fragrances of these different oils give a calming effect to their surroundings. They are also added to soaps and perfumes.
We are going to take up cleaners with citrus, lavender, and almond essential oils as their main ingredients. But if they’re not available, worthy alternatives (that are also natural) are rinds of lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruits. Or maybe, a few sprinkles of thyme, rosemary, or eucalyptus. Then, mix them in with the other ingredients and put them into the spray bottle, store them, until you need to use them. Again, be wary of what kind of surfaces you can use them on in the kitchen.
What materials do you need to create natural cleaning products?
- Mixing Utensils
- Reusable glass or plastic spray bottle
- Distilled water
- Measuring cups and spoons
- A Medium sized container
All purpose natural cleaner with citrus essential oil
This is an ideal essential oil and surface spray for all surfaces other than those made from wood or a porous material like marble.
You will need:
- 2 cups water
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 cup vinegar
- 5 drops or more of citrus essential oil
- Reusable spray bottle or a bowl with mixing spoon
- Measuring cups
With a container, mix the vinegar and the baking soda. Take care because the mixture may produce a gas that can affect your eyes.
Add in water and your citrus essential oils. Mix them well together in the container, then transfer into the spray bottle. You can spray this natural product you made DIY on any kitchen surface except marble and wood.
Homemade lavender essential oil stone cleaner
It will have a pleasant fragrance due to the lavender essential oil. After you have created this easy-to-do cleaner, it’s almost sure you won’t go back to buying your chemical-based supermarket cleaners.
Items you will need :
- Lavender essential oil
- Water
- 28 ounce reusable spray bottle
- 2 tablespoons mild dish soap
Pour the dish soap into the spray bottle. Put in at least 5 drops of the lavender essential oil and then top up with water. Screw the bottle lid back snugly and then gently shake. It’s now ready for use in the kitchen for anything made of stone.
DIY natural cleaner for wood made with almond essential oil
We always want our wooden floors and surfaces in the kitchen to be shiny and clean. With this natural cleaner, they don’t only become shiny, but they will smell good due to the pleasant smell of almond oil. The olive oil component also conditions the wooden floor and surfaces to be healthy and smooth.
You will need :
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- At least 5 drops of almond essential oil
Put in 5 drops (or more) of almond essential oil into the spray bottle. Then, mix in 2 cups of vinegar and 2 cups of water. Also, put in 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Spray some of this solution on a clean rag or on a wooden floor or surface directly to begin the cleaning process.
DIY lemon juice natural cleaner
This lemon juice-based cleaner is best for cleaning laminate countertops, cutting boards, copper, and Tupperware. It’s also a natural disinfectant, stain remover, and metal polisher.
For cleaning laminate countertops, cut in half a whole lemon, and squeeze the juice onto the counter. Using the lemon itself as the scrubber, work on the stains on the laminate countertop with the juices from the half lemon.
The juice should still be on the stains until they disappear. Then rinse with water and let dry. The citric acid should do the work of removing the stains.
For cleaning cutting boards, rub the lemon half on the stains until they disappear. The lemon also acts as a disinfectant for the cutting board.
For cleaning copper, sprinkle salt on the insides of a lemon half, then scrub it onto the brass, until the tarnish is buffed. When the salt wears off, add more salt.
Rinse the copper-bottomed pan well with water and let dry. This is because the pan functions well in redistributing heat according to how clean is its bottom.
For cleaning Tupperware, squeeze the lemon juice into the Tupperware container and add baking soda into it. The natural lemon juice acts as a cleaning agent, especially if the stains on the Tupperware container are really extensive. If this is the case, let the lemon juice stay in the container overnight before scrubbing the stains the next day.
DIY cleaner made from white vinegar
You will need only 1 cup white vinegar and 1 cup water.
Use this mixture on grout. White vinegar has no coloring, so it won’t stain the grout on your kitchen tile surface or floor.
Use it also on countertops. It also removes fingerprints and streaks from your stainless steel appliances.
Use it as an odor eliminator by putting it beside the stove when you cook fish. It absorbs the odors.
The life span of natural cleaning products
The DIY cleaners with essential oils last up to 3 months and still be effective. As a tip to not make you run out of these cleaners, when the spray bottle indicates that you have used up half of the cleaner, make a new mixture. Repeat this habit especially if you use these natural cleaners every day.
As for lemon and vinegar, they are as common as water. Have them always handy around the house because they are perfect for natural cleaning in the kitchen.
Make the permanent switch
For a non-toxic, clean, and organized kitchen, switch to DIY natural cleaning products. Your family will benefit from the absence of harmful chemical components and your health will thank you for it.
