Natural Cleaners & Stain Removers You Already Own

Natural Cleaners & Stain Removers You Already Own

Nothing makes your home sparkle like a good cleaning! Whether you’re in the mood to give your rooms a thorough scrubbing or simply need to tackle a single stain, you want a cleaning solution that’s up to the job. If you’re hoping to avoid harsh and chemical-laden products that often leave you coughing as you’re cleaning, you’re in luck. There are plenty of natural, DIY cleaners just waiting for you in your pantry, and possibly even your fridge. If you have kids, pets, or are prone to asthma, using natural solutions offers you peace of mind while you’re disinfecting your spaces.

Ready to make your surfaces shine? Check out the following ingredients that you probably already own.

Lemons

If you’ve got a cutting board you’d like to clean without contaminating it with chemicals, grab a lemon and some coarse salt and you’re good to go. Simply sprinkle your board with coarse salt, then scrub it with half a lemon, cut side down, allowing the juices to release as you work. Then, let it sit for five minutes before scraping and rinsing it.

Lemons can also help you clean your microwave without requiring too much elbow grease. Simply cut up a lemon and place the slices in a bowl of water at the center of your microwave and cook it on high for five minutes. Once that timer beeps, allow it to rest for another two minutes before removing it (while wearing oven mitts, of course). Then, watch as those food particles encrusted to the walls wipe away effortlessly.

Salt

We know that pairing salt with lemon works in the kitchen, but it’s also a dynamo in the laundry room, where it’s strong enough to battle notoriously tough stains like blood and red wine. When it comes to a fresh blood stain, cover it with salt and then blot it with cold water. Continue until your stain disappears.

Similarly, when you’re faced with removing red wine, use enough salt to cover the area and allow it to soak up the spilled liquid. Then, launder the item as you normally would.

Distilled white vinegar

This clear liquid is the ultimate multi-tasker. Add two cups of it to a dishwasher-safe cup or bowl and place it in the top rack of your dishwasher. Without any dishes or silverware inside, run your dishwasher on the hot cycle and say good-bye to that funky odor your appliance sometimes emits.

Running equal parts distilled white vinegar and water through your coffee maker is a great way to keep this beloved item fresh while removing any hard water deposits that collect inside.

Baking soda

If you want to clean your carpet without the often-overpowering fragrance of a traditional product, try sprinkling baking soda across the rug and let it sit for several hours before vacuuming your way to freshness.

Plastic containers and Tupperware frequently hold stains from previous meals. If you’d like to restore your containers to their original look, simply add some baking soda to a sponge and scrub away those discolored spots.

A damp sponge and some baking soda will work wonders on mildew in the bathroom. You can also add a teaspoon to your laundry to get your whites their brightest.

To remove hard water stains in your toilet, add a cup of baking soda to the bowl and follow it up with one to two cups of vinegar. Stand back and watch as it fizzes up to tackle this tough job. After letting the mixture sit for 10 minutes, swish it around with your toilet brush and you’ll marvel at how those stains vanish.

Vodka

Look in your liquor cabinet for this natural remedy! If you have a pet who’s recently had an accident on your carpet, you know how challenging it can be to get that smell out. Vodka to the rescue! Simply spritz the area with vodka and the odor will disappear as the alcohol evaporates.

Ketchup

This condiment isn’t just a barbecue staple. Ketchup can shine up tarnished silver and brass and even stainless steel. Simply coat or submerge your item in ketchup for 10 minutes and then rub it back to its original luster.

So, if you’re ready to clean your home but want to do it the natural way, look no further than your cupboards. You probably already own plenty of products that will help your rooms, appliances, and other household items look, smell, and feel fresh again.