Natural Cleaning Products for Your Kitchen

It has always been difficult for me to keep my kitchen tidy. Since being diagnosed AuDHD, I have figured out a mix of different approaches to help me stay on task. One of the key steps was taking control of which products I use for washing up and cleaning in the kitchen.

Caleb Newman30 May 2024

Female Audio

Male Audio

Table of Contents

Three reasons to make your own kitchen products

There are many reasons why NDs should make our own cleaning products for the home, and these are three of my favourite motivational reasons:

#1 Fun

Making my own cleaning products using natural ingredients ticks many of my ND boxes! It is a respectable rabbit hole to fall into, so I avoid the usual negative self-talk whenever I find a new interest. Who would complain about you researching methods to improve your home environment while reducing packaging waste and saving money?

#2 Creativity

I get to re-use and repurpose bottles and jars I already have at home to store the products I make. I love making labels for them or drawing designs with permanent markers. If it’s a dry product, I like to use wide masking tape and draw and write on it. When the product runs out, I can reuse the container for another product.

Image showing a man wearing yellow glasses and t-shirt with a blue jean jacket. He is pointing at the words 'You get to choose' in white letters on a yellow organic shape. The 'You' is underlined.

#3 It’s Personal

Do you like using aromatherapy oils and natural scents? Or are you a non-scented bunny with a refined nose who loves only the scent of fresh air? When you make your own products at home, you get to choose exactly which scents and ingredients you will use to make your own natural cleaners.

I love to mix aromatherapy oils to create scents for different rooms and areas at home, and my current kitchen favourites are mandarin and citronella. I’m not sure many of you would be keen on that combination of scents, but that’s the joy of and making your own products using natural ingredients: you get to choose!

Image showing a desk with a laptop and a pair of hands holding a colourful to-do-list on a clipboard. The list is title 'Naturally Better - Cleaning Recipes for Your ND Space', with the following list of items: Distilled white vinegar, Cornstarch, Lemon Juice, Coconut oil, Rubbing Alcohol.

Seven natural kitchen cleaning products you can make at home

  1. Glassware Cleaner
  2. Metal Sink Cleaner
  3. Ceramic Sink Brightener
  4. Plastic Surface Cleaner
  5. Microwave Cleaner
  6. Fridge Deodoriser
  7. Oven Cleaner

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 glassware cleaner

Ingredients

  1. Distilled white vinegar
  2. Water

Method

  • Mix 1 part vinegar with 4 parts water in a spray bottle. Clean with lint-free cotton fabric or any suitable fabric you have at home.

Key Benefit

  • This simple mix of two basic household items will leave your glassware streak-free and sparkling.

2. Make your own natural metal sink cleaner

Ingredients

  1. 1 part Cream of Tartar
  2. 1 part 3% Hydrogen Peroxide

Method

  • Mix together equal parts of cream of tartar and hydrogen peroxide until it forms a paste. The 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide is the standard household strength and is safe for this type of use.
  • For example, you can mix 1/4 cup of cream of tartar with 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide.
  • Remember to test a small, hidden area first to ensure the mixture doesn’t discolour your metal.
  • Apply the paste to the sink, let it sit for 10 minutes or so, then scrub and rinse thoroughly. Always use gloves when handling hydrogen peroxide.

Key Benefit

  • This natural cleaner for metal sinks polishes and removes oxidation without scratching.

3. Make your own natural ceramic sink brightener

Ingredients

  1. 120ml (1/2 cup) of Baking Soda
  2. Enough Lemon Juice to make a paste (typically around 60ml (1/4 cup))

Method

  • Start by adding the lemon juice slowly to the baking while stirring until you achieve a paste-like consistency. If the mixture is too runny, add more baking soda. If it’s too thick, add more lemon juice.
  • Remember, always test a small, hidden area first to ensure the mixture doesn’t discolor or damage your ceramic.
  • Apply the paste to the sink, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, scrub gently with a soft cloth or sponge, then rinse thoroughly.

Key Benefit

  • This easy cleaner will bleach stains gently without harsh chemicals that other cleaners might contain.

4. Make your own natural plastic surface cleaner

Ingredients

  1. 120ml (1/2 cup) of Baking Soda
  2. Water (typically around 60ml (1/4 cup))

Method

  • Add water to baking soda slowly to form a paste. Scrub the plastic surface gently with a clean piece of cotton fabric or a sponge then rinse.

Key Benefit

  • This is another simple recipe you can use to clean your plastic items without scratching their delicate surfaces.

5. Make your own natural microwave cleaner

Ingredients

  1. 240ml ) 1 cup) of water
  2. 2 Lemon slices

Method

  • Place water in a microwave dish and add the two lemon slices to the water.
  • Heat the dish with water and two lemon s;ices in the microwave for five minutes.
  • The water will be very hot, so protect your hands before removing the dish.
  • Carefully remove the dish from the microwave after five minutes.
  • Use a soft and clean cloth to wipe down the inside of the microwave, being careful to avoid touching any hot areas directly. Rinse the cloth and wipe again if necessary to completely clean the inside of the microwave.

Key Benefit

  • Steam from the water helps to loosen any food debris remaining in the microwave, while the natural scent from the lemons helps to neutralises odours.

6. Make your own natural fridge deodoriser

Ingredients

  1. 120ml (1/2 cup) of Activated Charcoal

Method

  • Place in a breathable fabric bag inside the fridge on a shelf with enough room around the bag for air to reach it freely.
  • Activated charcoal is a fine black powder which can get onto other food products, so care must be taken when placing it in the fridge. You might find it easier to use this method when the refrigerator is empty.
  • If you have a respiratory illness or sensitivity, do not use this recipe since the activated charcoal powder might increase your symptoms.

Key Benefit

  • The activated charcoal is an odourless, black powder that absorbs odours naturally without using scents.
  • Activated charcoal begins absorbing odours immediately after placement. However, it may take few hours to few days to notice a significant reduction in odour, depending on the severity of the smell.
  • For best results, it is recommended to leave the activated charcoal in the fridge for at least 24 hours.
  • Remember to replace it every two to three months to maintain its effectiveness.

7. Make your own natural oven cleaner

Ingredients

  1. 120ml (1/2 cup) of Baking Soda
  2. Water (typically around 60ml (1/4 cup))

Method

  • Add water to baking soda slowly to create a thick paste.
  • Apply the paste to the oven surfaces and leave overnight.
  • Clean with a suitable material and clean off. Repeat until all the paste has been removed.

Key Benefit

  • This simple yet effective method allows you to clean your oven while avoiding harsh chemicals, with no unpleasant fumes during cleaning.

Share your ND experiences and insights

Do you have a favourite homemade natural cleaning recipe for your kitchen? Have you tried any of these recipes or ingredients? Leave a comment and share natural cleaning recipes that have worked for you in the kitchen.

Leave the first comment