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Three reasons to make your own household surface cleaners
I was never quite sure which cleaning products to use on which surfaces at home. This was because I used to have a collection of products under sinks in the bathroom and the kitchen, most of which had the same shape and similar brand colours. I occasionally ruined shiny surfaces by choosing a cleaner with harsh materials. Sometimes I had to clean twice because I had polished when I should have been cleaning.
Apart from the feeling of control and the simplicity of making your own cleaning ingredients, here are three more reasons to use homemade natural surface cleaners in the home.
#1 Fewer decisions
AuDHD can cause problems with decision-making. Before I was diagnosed later in life, I would go shopping daily for lunch. About half the time, I would walk into the food store and wander the ailes before walking out without buying lunch. I used to think that I was just a picky eater, but I later learned that the behaviour is a common symptom of AuDHD, called variously ‘choice paralysis’, ‘analysis paralysis’ or ‘task paralysis’, when too many options start to have a negative impact on the ability to make decisions. Making my own surface cleaners means less decision-making when shopping and fewer trips to the store because I buy the ingredients in bulk packaging.
#2 Save, save, save
You can contribute to reducing harm to the natural environment by making your own healthy surface cleaners at home. Buying products in bulk reduces waste from packaging and also saves time and money with fewer trips to the store and fewer online deliveries. Reusing and repurposing containers is a creative way to reduce environmental waste from discarded bottles, jars, and tubs. Reusing and repurposing also saves space in cupboards, since you will not be tempted to buy more products to serve a single purpose.
#3 A job well done
Cleaning with your own homemade products gives a feeling of accomplishment to the ND brain that store-bought products don’t provide. I feel like I have won before I start cleaning because there are fewer mental stages involved. If I think of cleaning windows, I know immediately what product to use and where I will find it.
It might sound like a small thing, but when I have to try to remember if I have a window-cleaning product at home, and where it is, the colour of the bottle, the need to read the instructions, and to remember if it has an unpleasant smell, I am unlikely to clean any windows anytime soon.
Natural household surface cleaning products you can make at home
- Carpet Spot Cleaner
- Wooden Floor Cleaner
- Laminate Floor Cleaner
- Wall Cleaner
- Window Cleaner
- Furniture Polish
Note that some of these cleaners do not require exact measurements, as they are often used as powders or liquids.
1. Make your own natural carpet spot cleaner
Ingredients
- White Vinegar
- Water
Method
- Before you begin, check if the spot is still wet and use a paper napkin or a clean dry cloth to soak up any excess liquid on the carpet.
- If the stain is dry and you believe there is residue that might be activated by spraying, try to remove as much dry residue as possible using a vacuum cleaner.
- Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Choose quantities to suit the size of the spot or stain.
- Use paper napkins or a clean, dry absorbent cloth to blot on the spot or stain to remove it from the carpet.
Key Benefit
- The acidic properties of the vinegar will help to remove carpet spots or stains without leaving any residues or unwanted odours.
- If possible, open a door or window to allow air to flow through the room to aid the natural drying of the carpet.
2. Make your own natural wooden floor cleaner
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) of Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) of Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed)
- 3.8 litres (1 gallon ) of Hot (not boiling) Water
Method
- Combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, and 1 gallon of hot water carefully in a bucket. Stir the mixture well to ensure that the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Dip a mop or a soft cloth into the mixture, wring out any excess liquid, and mop the floor. Ensure that the mop or cloth is damp, not soaking wet, to avoid saturation of the wood, which can cause damage.
- After mopping, use a dry, clean cloth or a dry mop to go over the floor and remove any remaining moisture. This step helps to prevent water damage and ensures that the floor is left with a nice shine from the olive oil.
Key Benefit
- This natural wooden floor recipe cleans the wooden floors while nourishing the wood and leaving a natural sheen. The olive oil conditions and adds a subtle shine, and the lemon juice helps to cut through any grime and provides a fresh scent.
3. Make your own natural laminate floor cleaner
Ingredients
- 60 ml( 1/4 cup) of White Vinegar
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) of Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol)
- 240 ml (1 cup) of Water
Method
- To mix the ingredients, combine the white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and water in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle well to ensure that the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
- To apply, lightly spray the mixture onto the laminate floor. It is best to work in small sections to avoid oversaturating the floor, which can cause damage to the laminate.
- To finish, use a microfiber cloth or a mop designed for laminate floors to wipe the sprayed area clean. Ensure that the cloth or mop is only slightly damp to avoid excess moisture.
- If needed, use a dry cloth or mop to remove any remaining moisture and to ensure the floor dries quickly.
Key Benefit
- This easy-to-make homemade mixture cleans laminate floors effectively without leaving streaks. The vinegar cuts through any grime, and rubbing alcohol helps with quick drying and disinfecting.
4. Make your own natural wall cleaner
Ingredients
- 3.8 litres (1 gallon) of Warm Water
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) of unscented Castile Soap
Method
- Combine the warm water and unscented Castile soap by mixing the ingredients in a large bucket. Stir gently to mix the soap into the water without creating too many bubbles.
- Dip a sponge or a soft cloth into the mixture, wring out any excess liquid to avoid dripping, and apply to gently scrub the walls. It is best to work in sections, starting from the bottom and working your way up to prevent streaking.
- If the walls are particularly soapy after cleaning, you can rinse them with another clean sponge or cloth dampened with plain warm water. Wipe down the walls to remove any soap residue.
- Use a dry cloth to wipe down the walls, ensuring that they are completely dry to prevent any water damage or streaks. If possible, open a door or external window to allow extra air flow to aid drying of the walls.
Key Benefit
- This natural wall cleaner is gentle yet effective, making it suitable for painted walls, wallpaper, and other wall surfaces without stripping paint or wallpaper.
5. Make your own natural window cleaner
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of Cornstarch
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) of White Vinegar
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) of Water
Method
- Mix the ingredients by combining the cornstarch, white vinegar, and water in a spray bottle. Shake the bottle well to ensure the cornstarch is fully dissolved and the ingredients are thoroughly mixed. You may need to shake the bottle periodically while using the cleaner to keep the cornstarch in suspension.
- Lightly spray the mixture onto the window surface. Be sure to cover the entire area you wish to clean.
- Use a microfiber cloth or a squeegee to wipe the window clean. Work in a circular motion to avoid streaks and ensure that all the dirt and residue are removed.
- For a streak-free finish, use a dry microfiber cloth or a piece of crumpled newspaper to buff the window after cleaning.
- Did you know? Print newspaper was traditionally used as a material for cleaning windows, leaving them streak-free!
Key Benefit
- This homemade window cleaner is an effective alternative to ammonia-based commercial window cleaners. It works by taking advantage of the cleaning properties of vinegar to cut through grime and the gentle abrasive action of cornstarch to help remove stubborn spots, leaving your windows clean and streak-free.
6. Make your own natural furniture polish
Ingredients
- 120 ml (1/2 cup) of Olive Oil
- 60 ml (1/4 cup) of White Vinegar
Method
- Mix the ingredients in a bowl or a spray bottle to combine the olive oil and white vinegar. Shake or stir the mixture well to ensure the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Using a soft cloth, apply a small amount of the mixture to the furniture. Rub it in gently, following the grain of the wood.
- After applying the mixture, use a clean, dry cloth to buff the surface, enhancing the shine and removing any excess polish.
Key Benefit
- This natural furniture polish helps to condition the wood and bring out its natural shine, while the vinegar works to clean and remove any grime. An extra bonus of using this homemade recipe is that it polishes and protects without the synthetic fragrances found in store bought furniture polish.
Share your ND experiences and insights
Have you tried any of these natural surface cleaners, or do you have your own traditional recipes that you prefer to use at home? Do you think about how even the simplest decisions we make are affected by being ND? How do you manage your cleaning tasks? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
