Little Bitty City Pretty

When thinking about deep cleaning your home, do you envision a cleaning caddy with lots of fancy cleaning products filled to the brim? What if I told you that you could save a lot of time, money, and fume induced headaches by ditching the chemical filled cleaning products and using all natural ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen?

I know in the past I’ve had to take breaks from cleaning and step out of the room to catch my breath from the fumes of the cleaning products I had been using. I didn’t think much of it, as I just assumed that it was all part of the process of cleaning my home . Well, it’s definitely not.

All those fumes are very bad for us, our families, and our pets! The air inside of most of our homes is more toxic than the air outside because of the chemicals we buy to “clean”. The smells left over from cleaning with these products make us think our house is clean, but that is far from the case.

So, what can we do to remedy this situation? Well, first let’s start off by throwing those harsh chemicals away and replacing them with natural ingredients that are most likely already in your kitchen cupboards.

Common all natural cleaning ingredients include white vinegar, baking soda, castile soap, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, essential oils, washing soda, borax, and olive oil.  These ingredients are effective, non toxic alternatives to conventional cleaners.

White Vinegar Contains acetic acid, which dissolves mineral deposits, cuts grease, and acts as a natural disinfectant and deodorizer. It is versatile for glass, counters, and drains but should be avoided on natural stone (granite, marble) and waxed wood. 

Baking Soda A mild alkali that serves as a gentle abrasive for scrubbing, a deodorizer, and a stain remover. It is safe for most surfaces and can be combined with vinegar for unclogging drains or scrubbing ovens. 

Castile Soap A plant-based soap (often olive oil derived) that lifts dirt and grease. It is biodegradable and non toxic, suitable for all purpose cleaning, laundry, and even personal care. 

Lemon Juice Provides natural acidity similar to vinegar, making it effective for disinfecting, whitening, and removing hard water stains. It also adds a fresh scent to cleaning solutions. 

Hydrogen Peroxide A gentle alternative to bleach that kills mold, mildew, and germs. It breaks down into water and oxygen, making it an environmentally friendly disinfectant for surfaces and stains. 

Essential Oils Plant extracts like tea tree, lavender, lemon, and eucalyptus add fragrance and possess antibacterial or antifungal properties. They should be used with caution, especially around pets, as some (like tea tree and peppermint) can be toxic to animals.

Washing Soda Sodium carbonate is a stronger alkali than baking soda, used primarily in laundry to soften water and boost cleaning power. It can irritate skin and lungs, so gloves are recommended when handling it. 

Borax Sodium borate cleans, deodorizes, and disinfects. It is often used in homemade laundry detergents and drain cleaners but should be kept out of reach of children and pets. 

Olive Oil Used sparingly to polish wood and stainless steel, lifting dirt and adding shine without leaving a greasy residue when combined with vinegar or lemon juice. 

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With these ingredients you’ll be able to clean most everything in your home without the harsh fumes and ingredients that come with the store bought cleaners.