Getting started with non-toxic eco-cleaning at home doesn't need to be complicated or expensive.
Many of us may have gotten the impression that we need 20 different products at home for different specialized areas, but actually we need very few that we can use for many different purposes. And a bonus is that we simultaneously avoid allergy-inducing and hormone-disrupting chemicals such as synthetic fragrances.
In short, you need something alkaline that removes ingrained dirt and grease, something acidic that removes lime deposits and softens hard and lime-rich water, and some form of surfactant that effectively dissolves grease and dirt.
Base, acid and surfactant
Alkaline agents include, for example, sodium bicarbonate which is the mildest. Sodium carbonate and sodium percarbonate are stronger bases and can be used when bicarbonate isn't quite sufficient. You can read about their usage areas in comprehensive carbonate guides. Acidic agents include, for example, vinegar, lemon and citric acid. These are effective when you want to remove lime deposits in the coffee maker, kettle or around the faucet. These occur from hard water. Vinegar has many different uses for cleaning. However, vinegar can corrode lime joints and natural stone. Therefore be careful where you use vinegar. Then we have the fat-soluble surfactants and saponins. This includes dish soap, soaps, detergents, soap nuts and similar products.
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
Mix everything in a bottle.
Put on the nozzle.
Spray on the surface and wipe clean.
Window cleaning
2.5 dl water
2.5 dl vinegar
1 tsp natural dish soap
This is an old household tip that my grandmother taught me. Mix all ingredients in a bottle and wash the windows.
Mix everything in a bottle.
Put on the nozzle.
Spray on the windows.
Wipe with a damp microfiber cloth.
Dry completely with newspaper or a dry microfiber cloth.
I usually use one damp microfiber towel and one dry. When I dry with the dry one, I alternate between vertical strokes and horizontal strokes until it's completely dry, that is, until it becomes rough and sluggish to wipe. Then the windows are clean.
I usually alternate between right and left hand. Good for the brain, motor skills and muscles.
Remember that it needs to be cloudy and above freezing outside when you wash the windows!
Floor cleaning
5 liters lukewarm water
0.5-1 dl soap or Castile soap
Mix in a bucket and wipe 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, you can try pouring about 1 dl sodium carbonate and then 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 turn the faucet to the hottest setting to flush for a while. Repeat if necessary.
Remove lime deposits
Soak a cloth in vinegar and place it around the faucet where lime deposits have accumulated. Wait an hour and then wipe clean.
In the kettle, you can pour 1 dl vinegar and fill with water. Let it stand for an hour, then boil and pour out. Repeat if necessary and let it work for a longer time.
Be careful not to inhale the vapors!
Greasy stains
Greasy stains from oil, butter or makeup will disappear if you sprinkle generously with absorbent clay and let it work for about 3 hours. Rub gently and then vacuum away the clay dust.
Laundry detergent
Did you know that you can wash clothes with the horse chestnuts that lie on the ground in autumn? You can learn how to do this with natural ingredients.
But if you don't have horse chestnuts where you live, you can also wash clothes with other products. For one machine load you can use:
4-6 soap nuts
soap flakes
soap
Castile soap
environmentally friendly laundry detergent from Sonett or Mulieres
If you're washing white laundry, you can add 0.5 dl sodium percarbonate instead of laundry powder. It keeps the laundry white.
Instead of fabric softener, you can use a couple of tablespoons of vinegar which both neutralizes bad odors and keeps clothes soft and pleasant. If you want fragrance, you can add a few drops of essential oil that you like.
Dishwasher detergent
Today I can finally offer you a recipe for homemade dishwasher detergent for sparkling clean dishes – free from borax! It's super simple, 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 bicarbonate instead of washing soda, but then it becomes less grease-dissolving and not as effective.
Liquid dish soap
½-1 dl vinegar or white wine vinegar
Make homemade dishwasher detergent like this:
Mix all ingredients well together.
Store in an airtight glass jar.
Put on a nice label so you remember what you have in the jar.
When you're going to wash dishes
Fill the compartment in your dishwasher with the dishwasher detergent.
Add 5-10 drops of liquid dish soap, depending on how greasy the dishes are. (Don't add more than that, as it might bubble over!)
Pour ½-1 dl vinegar or white wine vinegar on the bottom of the dishwasher.
Start the program.
Good luck!
P.S. If you want to clean naturally but don't have time to make cleaning products yourself, there are ready-made natural cleaning products available!
