6 natural products to give your kitchen a deep clean
It’s true, keeping your kitchen clean is a regular thing — but every once in a while, it takes a little extra to give it taht deep clean. If you want to give your kitchen a good scrub-down without inviting harsh chemicals into your home, DIY these all-natural cleaning products instead. They’ll still get the job done, just sans the toxic stuff.
- All-purpose cleaner. Chances are you already have most of the things you need to whip up an all-purpose cleaner. The most basic recipe consists of ½ cup white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and 10 drops of lemon, lavender, or tea tree essential oils, all of which fight bacteria. Mix, spritz, and wipe down like you would with any other all-purpose cleaner.
- DIY dish soap. Again, the majority of the components of this DIY dish soap probably already resides in your kitchen cabinets. Start with ½ cup of warm distilled water and add 2 teaspoons of kosher salt; mix until it dissolves. Then blend ½ cup of white vinegar with a half-cup of nontoxic Dr. Bronner’s Sal Suds, plus one teaspoon of lemon juice. Combine the two mixtures and stir until it begins to thicken up. Incorporate a few drops of lemon essential oil for a fresh scent.
- Homemade disinfectant wipes. Maybe you typically opt for single-use wipes instead of disinfectant spray, just for the sake of ease. These DIY wipes offer the same convenience, but they’re much better for both you and the planet. Cut an old t-shirt or dish towels into 15 or 20 squares and stick them inside of an empty container, preferably an empty baby wipe container or something similar. In a bowl, whisk together a cup of water, ¼ cup of vinegar, and 8 drops each of tea tree, eucalyptus, and lemon essential oils.
- Tile grout cleaner. If your backsplash is made of tile, then you know how easy it is for the nooks and crannies to accumulate gunk. The good news is that it’s equally easy to get rid of it. Combine 1 part water with 3 parts baking soda (any amounts will work, depending on how much tile you have to cover, as long as the ratio is correct). Smother the grout with the stuff and let it soak in for a bit, then scrub the grout with a toothbrush and wipe it clean with a wet sponge.
- Cookware scrub. You might be under the impression that only a potent chemical product can slice through baked-on grease, but that’s far from the truth. Mother Nature makes an acid powerful enough to do the job with just a little help. Blend acidic lemon juice with some sea salt or coarse salt and use this mixture to scrub away grime. You can also use a paste created from baking soda and some water. Exact measurements aren’t super important here, just create a texture that works for your cookware.
- Kitchen drain cleaner. When the kitchen drain starts to back up, you might be tempted to break out the Drano, but resist the urge. The toxic product isn’t just bad for the environment, it can also splash back and get in your eyes, causing serious injury. Instead, make your own drain cleaner the same way you once made science class volcanos: a half-cup of baking soda plus a half-cup of vinegar. After the combination fizzes its way down the drain, wait about 15 minutes and follow it up with boiling water to eliminate any lingering residue.
Non-Toxic Home Cleaning [Eartheasy]
4 Natural Cleaning Recipes [Wellness Mama]
The Ultimate Guide to Homemade All-Natural Cleaning Recipes [Wellness Mama]