Stop. Put down that high-priced, unsafe chemical cleaning product. Go home, find some empty spray bottles, and try something different. Homemade cleaning products can protect the environment while leaving your house clean and aromatic.

The first thing many people think of in relation to DIY cleaning products is vinegar, and there’s a reason for that: Vinegar is just short of magic.

Creating Homemade Cleaning Products Using Vinegar

Vinegar. It’s not just for salad dressing anymore. Vinegar is one of those amazing products that you can’t do without. They’re always coming up with new ways to use it, and cleaning is at the top of the list.

Vinegar can be used to clean:

• Household windows
• Automobile windshields
• Coffee dispensers
• Some kitchen floors
• Kitchen countertops
• Dishes and glasses
• Bathtubs, shower doors, and showerheads
• Window blinds

You can also take it outdoors to stop the growth of weeds and other unwanted vegetation.

The solution you should create is different depending on what products you are planning to clean. See related posts on the Keeper of the Home, The Pioneer Woman, and Today websites for specifics about how to create the solutions.

Generally, however, the basic solution is a combination of warm water and vinegar for easy cleaning projects. If you need the solution to contain antibacterial properties, consider adding essential oils to the mix, which will leave your home smelling as fresh as it is clean. If your chore requires scrubbing, such as when you’re trying to clear those kitchen grout lines, tossing some baking soda onto the object before using the solution will do the trick. Alternatively, you can mix the baking soda with the vinegar before spraying it onto the object.

Other All-Natural Products Used for Cleaning

Vinegar is everyone’s favorite for a lot of reasons, including its fresh scent, its inexpensive cost, and its versatility. However, you likely have many other natural products in your home that are ideal for cleaning as well, especially when they are safely and strategically combined together.

In addition to vinegar and the all-purpose cleaning baking soda, foods and other products that can help you keep your home clean, fresh, and even shiny include:

• Lemons: Tossing remnants and peels into your garbage disposal will help clean it and freshen the room.
• Salt: Salt, especially when used with water or olive oil depending on the object, can be effective in cleaning items like coffee pots and cutting boards.
• Olive or other cooking oil: Oil can help protect wood and block dust while giving the object a nice shine.
• Vodka: Vodka can be used to polish objects like chrome and porcelain.

Just make sure you read owners’ manuals and test small areas of the objects you want to clean before fully using any of these homemade cleaning products to ensure you don’t damage any of your furniture or other items in your home.

(Peruse our JK Cabinets website and our blog page for additional inspiration regarding kitchen organization and design.)