Non-toxic cleaning with natural ingredients - simple recipes

Getting started with non-toxic eco-cleaning at home doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

Many of us might think we need 20 different products at home for various special purposes, but really we need very few that can be used for many different tasks. And a bonus is that we avoid allergenic and hormone-disrupting chemicals like synthetic fragrances.

In short, you need something basic to remove ingrained dirt and grease, something acidic to remove limescale and soften hard, lime-rich water, and some form of surfactant that effectively dissolves grease and dirt.

Base, acid, and surfactant

Basic agents include sodium bicarbonate, which is the mildest. Sodium carbonate and sodium percarbonate are stronger bases and can be used when bicarbonate isn’t quite enough. You can read Morotsliv’s comprehensive carbonate guide about their uses.

Acidic agents include vinegar, lemon, and citric acid. These are effective for removing limescale in coffee makers, kettles, or around faucets. Such deposits come from hard water. Vinegar has many cleaning uses. However, vinegar can corrode grout and natural stone. Be careful where you use vinegar.

Then we have the fat-soluble surfactants and saponins. These include dish soap, soaps, washing nuts, and similar.

DIY recipes

Here are some simple recipes that are easy to mix yourself.

All-purpose cleaner

• 5 dl water
• 1 tbsp soap or Castile soap

1. Mix everything in a bottle.
2. Attach the nozzle.
3. Spray on the surface and wipe clean.

Window cleaner

• 2.5 dl water
• 2.5 dl vinegar
• 1 tsp natural dish soap

This is an old housekeeping tip my grandmother taught me. Mix all the ingredients in a bottle and wash the windows.

1. Mix everything in a bottle.
2. Attach the nozzle.
3. Spray on the windows.
4. Wipe with a damp microfiber cloth.
5. Dry thoroughly with newspaper or a dry microfiber cloth.

I usually use a damp microfiber towel and a dry one. When I wipe with the dry one, I dry every other vertical stroke and every other horizontal stroke until it’s bone dry, meaning it becomes rough and hard to wipe. Then the windows are clean.

I usually alternate between right and left hand. Good for the brain, motor skills, and muscles.

Remember it needs to be cloudy and above freezing outside when you wash the windows!

Floor cleaner

• 5 liters of lukewarm water
• 0.5-1 dl soap or Castile soap

Mix in a bucket and mop the floor with a microfiber mop. If the floor isn’t very dirty, it’s enough to dampen the mop or even use it dry.

Drain cleaning

• Sodium carbonate
• Vinegar

If the drain is clogged, try pouring about 1 dl sodium carbonate followed by 2 dl vinegar. It will fizz for a while. Let it work for a few hours or overnight. Then pour a kettle of hot water and run the tap on the hottest setting for a while. Repeat if needed.

Remove limescale deposits

Soak a cloth in vinegar and place it around the faucet where limescale has built up. Wait an hour and then wipe clean.

In the kettle, pour 1 dl vinegar and fill with water. Let it sit for an hour, then boil and pour out. Repeat if needed and let it work longer.

Be careful not to inhale the fumes!

Greasy stains

Greasy stains from oil, butter, or makeup disappear if you sprinkle plenty of absorbent clay and let it sit for about 3 hours. Rub gently and then vacuum away the clay dust.

Detergent

Did you know you can wash clothes with the horse chestnuts that fall on the ground in autumn? Here you can read how to do it.

But if you don’t have horse chestnuts where you live, you can also wash clothes with other products.

For one load, you can use:

• 4-6 soap nuts
• soap flakes
• soap flakes
• Castile soap
• eco-friendly detergent from Sonett or Mulieres

If you’re washing whites, you can add 0.5 dl sodium percarbonate instead of laundry powder. It keeps whites bright.

Instead of fabric softener, you can use a couple of tablespoons of vinegar, which both neutralizes bad odors and keeps clothes soft and comfortable. If you want a scent, you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oil.

Dishwasher detergent

Today I can finally share a recipe for homemade dishwasher detergent for sparkling clean dishes – free from borax! It’s super easy, cheap, and fun to make.

Ingredients:

• 2 dl washing soda
• 2 dl sodium sesquicarbonate
• 1 dl sea salt
• 1 dl citric acid

You can also use baking soda instead of washing soda, but it’s less grease-cutting and not as effective.

• Liquid dish soap
• ½-1 dl vinegar or gel vinegar

Make homemade dishwasher detergent like this:

1. Mix all the ingredients well.
2. Store in an airtight glass jar.
3. Put on a nice label so you remember what’s in the jar.

When you’re doing the dishes

1. Fill the dishwasher door compartment with dishwasher detergent.
2. Add 5-10 drops of liquid dish soap, depending on how greasy the dishes are. (Don’t add more than that, or it might bubble over!)
3. Pour ½-1 dl vinegar or gel vinegar into the bottom of the dishwasher.
4. Start the program.

Good luck!

P.S. If you want to clean naturally but don’t have time to make your own cleaning products, there are ready-made natural cleaners available!