Cleaning is an endless job for a mom. I constantly find myself running around the house scrubbing and cleaning. Cleaning products can be expensive, and some of them can even contain harmful chemicals. In my household, I try to avoid any unnecessary expenses and definitely avoid things that could harm my family. I have compiled for you some of my favorite budget-friendly and effective DIY cleaning solutions that really work.
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Table of Contents
Natural Stain Remover
Use this solution to remove set-in stains on carpet or furniture. It even works on clothes. I have yet to find anything that this solution damages or bleaches. I have used it on several different types of carpet and even suede furniture.
Use Equal Parts Of
- Baking Soda Powder
- All Natural Dish Soap or Dawn Dish Soap if you prefer.
- Hydrogen Peroxide (If you still fear bleaching you can substitute with white vinegar. I have yet to have any adverse effects.)
Natural Armpit Stain Remover and White Freshener
Shirts that have been worn over and over again and sweated in sometimes leave unsightly stains. Simply spray the solution onto the shirt or clothing and scrub it in. Lemon juice can also freshen up whites if added to a wash cycle. This is an all natural cleaning solution that really does work!
1 Part – Lemon Juice
1 Part – Water
(Be sure your parts are equal, it works best.)
You can also get rid of armpit and perspiration stains with a salt water soak.
Pour 1/2 cup of salt into your washing machine, and allow cold water to fill up above your clothes in the wash. Let the clothes sit for about an hour.
Remove Old Milk Smell From Bottles or Remove Smell From Dishes
If you’re a mom then you know how awful the smell of spoiled or old milk is when it sits in a bottle for too long. Before I knew about this trick I would sometimes throw away old bottles that I thought had little to no hope of getting the smell out of them. Before you toss that bottle or dish out, try this. These are some cleaning solutions that work!
Pour 1/4 cup baking soda into a bowl and mix with enough water to make a thick paste. Dip a toothbrush or cleaning wand that fits down into the bottle in the paste. Scrub vigorously around in the bottle until the inside is thoroughly coated. Let it sit for up to an hour. Rinse with hot water, and your bottle should smell fresh. You can do an additional wash afterward for added freshness.
Baking soda has several additional uses as well.
- Put an open box of baking soda into your fridge to absorb odors.
- Use baking soda paste to scrub counter tops.
- Sprinkle baking soda into smelly shoes to absorb odor. Shake out afterwards.
Removing Smells and Germs From Bathroom and Surfaces
- Full-strength white vinegar put into a spray bottle can eliminate germs from your countertops and even your bathroom.
Other great uses for vinegar.
- Pour vinegar down drains to deodorize them. Let the vinegar sit for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Make vinegar ice cubes to put down a smelly garbage disposal.
- Unclog your drains by sprinkling baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar. (solution will fizz) Rinse down with boiling water.
- To remove room odors, place vinegar in a small bowl and let it sit overnight.
Cleaning Jewelry and Natural Shower Scum Remover
Another great cleaning solution that works, but is often overlooked…coconut oil!
Apply a little bit of coconut oil to a cloth and wipe down your jewelry or silverware. You can also scrub coconut oil on soap scum in your shower to remove it.
Other great coconut oil uses.
- Rub coconut oil on hard wood floors and wipe clean with a dry cloth. Let the floor completely dry before walking on it, as it will be slippery.
- Use coconut oil on worn-out leather furniture to restore it. Wipe the furniture down with a wet cloth then rub coconut oil onto the surface. Wipe it clean with a dry cloth.
Remove Red Wine Stains
Well, as strange as it may sound you can pour white wine onto a red wine stain to counteract it. Blot it up with a dry paper towel until the stain is completely removed.
Natural Glass Cleaner
Make your own natural glass cleaner without harmful ammonia and other harsh chemicals.
Take a spray bottle and fill it with 2 cups of distilled water, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, and any essential oil drops of your choice for a nice scent. I recommend a citrus scent like lemon. This will dull the vinegar smell.
Use a nice microfiber towel with this mixture to enhance your cleaning results.
More Natural Cleaning Solutions
Castile Soap
Castile soap is gentle yet effective for cleaning various surfaces and fabrics. Made from plant oils, it is gentle on skin and surfaces but tough on dirt. It’s versatile and can be used for everything from washing dishes to cleaning floors.
Essential Oils
Add fragrance and antimicrobial properties to homemade cleaners. Essential oils like tea tree, lavender, and peppermint not only leave surfaces smelling fresh but also have natural antimicrobial properties, making them great additions to DIY cleaning solutions.
Olive Oil
Polishes wood surfaces and conditions leather. Olive oil nourishes and moisturizes wood furniture, leaving it looking shiny and rejuvenated. It’s also perfect for conditioning leather furniture and accessories.
Salt
Salt is abrasive enough for scrubbing and absorbs grease. Its coarse texture makes it effective for scrubbing away tough stains on pots, pans, and countertops. Salt also absorbs grease and can be used to clean cast iron cookware.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch absorbs oils and can be used to clean windows and polish furniture. Its absorbent properties make it great for lifting grease stains from carpets and upholstery. It also works as a natural alternative to talcum powder for freshening carpets.
Hydrogen Peroxide
A natural disinfectant for surfaces and cuts through grime. Hydrogen peroxide’s bubbling action helps lift dirt and grime from surfaces, while its antimicrobial properties kill bacteria and viruses. It’s perfect for disinfecting countertops, cutting boards, and bathroom surfaces.
White Vinegar and Baking Soda
Combined, vinegar and baking soda create a powerful foaming cleaner for drains and tough stains. When vinegar and baking soda are mixed, a chemical reaction produces carbon dioxide gas, which helps loosen dirt and grime. This foaming action makes them great for cleaning drains and removing stubborn stains.
Tea Tree Oil
Antimicrobial properties make it great for disinfecting. Tea tree oil’s natural antibacterial and antifungal properties make it an excellent choice for disinfecting surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms. It’s particularly effective at killing mold and mildew.
Citrus Peel
Infuse vinegar with citrus peels for a fragrant cleaning solution. Citrus peels contain natural oils that can help cut through grease and grime. Infusing them in vinegar creates a citrus-scented cleaner that’s perfect for degreasing countertops and appliances.
Club Soda
Lifts stains from carpets and upholstery. Club soda’s carbonation helps loosen dirt and stains from carpet fibers and upholstery. It’s perfect for spot-cleaning spills and refreshing fabric surfaces.
Coconut Oil
Polishes and conditions wood furniture. Coconut oil’s natural moisturizing properties make it great for conditioning and restoring wood furniture. It penetrates deep into the wood to nourish and protect, leaving it looking shiny and new.
Borax
A natural mineral that boosts the cleaning power of laundry detergent. Borax helps soften water and enhances the cleaning power of laundry detergent. It’s particularly effective at removing tough stains and odors from clothes.
Beeswax
Used to make homemade furniture polish. Beeswax creates a protective barrier on wood furniture, preventing moisture damage and enhancing its natural beauty. It’s easy to make homemade furniture polish using beeswax and other natural ingredients.
Distilled Water
Best for mixing with other cleaning ingredients to prevent mineral buildup. Distilled water has had impurities removed through a distillation process, making it ideal for mixing with other cleaning ingredients. It won’t leave behind mineral deposits that can dull surfaces or cause streaks.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a mild disinfectant and great for cleaning glass surfaces. Its mild antiseptic properties make it perfect for cleaning and disinfecting glass surfaces like windows and mirrors. It dries quickly and leaves behind a streak-free shine.
Vinegar and Olive Oil
Combine for a natural wood furniture polish. When mixed together, vinegar and olive oil create a nourishing wood polish that cleans, conditions and protects. It’s perfect for revitalizing dull or dried-out wood furniture.
Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil adds a fresh scent and has antimicrobial properties. Its invigorating scent makes it a popular choice for homemade cleaners. Its natural antimicrobial properties make it great for disinfecting surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms.
Aloe Vera
Cleans and soothes minor cuts and burns. Aloe vera’s natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make it an excellent choice for cleaning and treating minor wounds. It’s gentle on the skin and promotes healing.
Cinnamon
Naturally antibacterial and adds a pleasant scent to homemade cleaners. Cinnamon’s warm, spicy scent makes it a popular choice for homemade cleaners. It also has natural antibacterial properties, making it effective at killing germs and bacteria.
Peppermint Oil
Freshens the air and deters pests. Peppermint oil’s cooling, minty scent makes it perfect for freshening the air in your home. It also acts as a natural insect repellent, deterring ants, spiders, and other pests.
Lavender
Adds a calming aroma to homemade cleaners. Lavender’s sweet, floral scent is known for its calming and relaxing properties. Adding lavender essential oil to homemade cleaners can help create a soothing atmosphere while you clean.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Powerful antimicrobial agent for homemade cleaners. Grapefruit seed extract is a natural disinfectant with broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties. It’s effective at killing bacteria, viruses, and fungi, making it an excellent choice for homemade cleaners.
Oregano Oil
Strong antibacterial properties for cleaning surfaces. Oregano oil contains carvacrol, a natural compound with powerful antibacterial properties. It’s effective at killing germs and bacteria on surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms.
Rosemary
Infuse vinegar with rosemary for a fragrant all-purpose cleaner. Rosemary’s woody, herbal scent adds a refreshing aroma to homemade cleaners. Infusing rosemary in vinegar creates a versatile cleaner that’s perfect for tackling tough messes.
Thyme
Antimicrobial properties make it effective for cleaning surfaces. Thyme contains thymol, a natural compound with strong antimicrobial properties. It’s effective at killing germs and bacteria on surfaces, making it an excellent choice for homemade cleaners.
Clove Oil
Natural antiseptic and insect repellent. Clove oil contains eugenol, a natural compound with antiseptic and insecticidal properties. It’s effective at killing germs and repelling insects
Natural Air Freshener
If you want to freshen the air in your home with a lovely aroma, there are a few great methods you can try.
Aerosol spray cans contain harmful gasses that can impact our world negatively and increase our carbon footprint.
Try boiling water and adding a few drops of essential oils. Essential oils can have many positive effects on your body as well as freshen your home. Do take care because not all essential oils are appropriate for use around pets.
You can also brew fresh coffee or simply keep a bowl of coffee grounds around to eliminate odor. The coffee grounds can rid your home of strong smells, such as garlic.
Conclusion
These are some of the best DIY cleaning solutions that work. All of these ideas are budget-friendly as well. I hope you enjoyed this list and are able to make use of it. Stop spending money on harsh chemical cleaners and substitute them for these basic cleaners that really work.