You love cooking elaborate meals at home. But lately, the cleanup process has got you thinking that maybe it’s time to switch to takeout.
Plus, you’re just not sold on using all of those chemical-filled cleaning solutions to keep your kitchen counters sparking.
The sad truth?
Sometimes, even cleaning solutions that are labeled as “organic” or “green” can often be anything but safe for your health. In today’s world, it can be tough to know what you’re truly buying.
Before you make a lifetime commitment to Seamless, hire professional cleaning services, or resolve to leave your kitchen dirty to avoid coming into contact with harsh chemicals?
Give a homemade natural kitchen cleaner a try.
In this post, we’ll tell you how to make the most effective natural kitchen cleaner possible, so that you never choose between “safe” and “clean” again.
Our Favorite Natural Kitchen Cleaner
We’ve tried out lots of natural cleaning solutions over the years, but there seems to be one secret ingredient that’s impossible to beat:
Good, old-fashioned, white vinegar.
So, it didn’t exactly come as a surprise that white vinegar featured prominently in our most effective natural kitchen cleaner recipe. This recipe is perfect for moms on-the-go, who don’t have the time to head to the store to buy fancy cleaning agents.
Here’s what you’ll need to make it happen:
- A few drops of the essential oil of your choice (we love rose or lavender)
- 1 cup of warm water
- 1.5 cups of white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of Castile soap
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
- 1 sponge
- 1 cloth
- 1 spray bottle (try a beauty supply store)
Start by cleaning the spray bottle with soap and warm water to get rid of any dirt or dust left inside of it. While you’re scrubbing, heat up your cup of water on the stove or in the microwave.
Once the water has heated up, transfer it to the spray bottle. Remember, avoid boiling the water at all costs, as this will cause your spray bottle to melt and become misshapen!
Then, slowly add in the vinegar, your Castile soap, your baking soda, and your drops of essential oil. Stir the mixture slowly and carefully after you add each ingredient.
Once everything is in the spray bottle, tightly screw on the cap and give it a serious shake. Just spray it on your countertops, appliances, and even soak in your sink to get things sparking!
Keep in mind that if you’re going to use this on fabric, it’s best to do a patch test first.
The Runner-Up
Another great natural kitchen cleaner?
If you’re dealing with mold and mildew (no judgment, it happens) it can be tough to find a natural cleaner that’s tough enough to handle the job.
The simple solution?
It also involves white vinegar.
This time, mix about 1 cup of white vinegar with about a tablespoon of tea tree oil. Spray it on your surfaces, let it sit for a couple of minutes, and wipe it down.
A word of caution, however. If you have pets or young children in your home, you might want to consider washing your surfaces down with a damp rag after using this solution to keep things safe for everyone.
Other Natural Cleaning Hacks
Now, let’s take a look at a few of our other most successful natural cleaning hacks.
While the two solutions above should be able to handle most spots, we understand that there are some stains that will require a little more attention.
To get out the tough spots?
Start by making a thick paste of two parts baking soda to one part water. Let the mixture of baking soda and water sit on the “problem spot” for five to ten minutes. Use a sponge to scrub it all away.
Dealing with a seriously stinky kitchen sink drain? We know it can be tough to stomach the scent of leftover food from three days ago.
Luckily, there’s a natural alternative. Start by pouring about three cups of boiling water slowly down the drain. You can run the disposal, or simply let it wash down on its own.
Then, slice up one lemon into tiny pieces. Slowly, one piece at a time, grind the lemons up in the disposal. Finish with another three cups of warm water, this time with about a tablespoon of baking soda mixed in.
Keep in mind that, especially if you’ve used lots of harsh chemicals and cleaning agents in the past, your cabinets and countertops may become discolored. Even a natural cleaning solution won’t be able to turn your countertops the right color again.
Visit the Specialized Refinishing website to learn how refinishing can make your kitchen look as good as new — or just give it an update.
Need More Cleaning Advice?
We hope that this post has convinced you that you don’t have to use harsh cleaning agents in order to keep your kitchen sparking.
Instead, you can easily rely on either one of the natural kitchen cleaner recipes that we’ve given you for a chemical-free, affordable clean. From sinks to counters to cabinets, you can scrub them all until they shine.
Of course, we know that a clean kitchen isn’t exactly the kind of thing that you spend all day dreaming about.
That’s why our website and blog also contains tips about the hottest new fashion trends, beauty advice, lifestyle tips, and much more. No matter what you’re interested in, we’re here to help you learn how to do it even better.
Make this the year you master cleaning, look your best, and feel more confident than ever — no matter where you’re going.
