Making your own cleaning products is a step towards sustainable living. You minimize packaging waste, limit the flow of pollutants into waterways, and reduce your family’s exposure to harmful chemicals.

These natural cleaning materials are also pocket-friendlier than most commercial options. Plus, they take little effort to produce! You can even customize their scent with your favorite essential oils and make your house smell like a spa.

Ready to embrace a greener lifestyle and have a cleaner home? Follow these recipes to whip up natural products in a flash.

This gentle disinfectant is perfect for tackling odorous or sticky areas like bathroom walls, kitchen counters, tables, and trash cans. Plus, it’s safe to use on your child’s play areas, cribs, strollers, and toys.

What you need: 1 part vinegar, 1 part water, and drops of essential oils

Procedure: Combine in a spray bottle. Shake well before using. For an added citrusy scent, infuse lemon or orange rinds in the water before adding the vinegar.

Tip: Cut up old rags into small squares and soak them in the solution to make natural, reusable disinfecting wipes.

Natural alternatives are effective for general cleaning, but some may struggle to eliminate microorganisms like salmonella and E. coli. For a simple yet potent solution, turn to a pantry staple.

What you need: Vinegar

Procedure: Heat vinegar in the microwave until it reaches 130°F. Make just enough for immediate use, as it loses its potency over time. Spray the hot vinegar onto surfaces like sinks, chopping boards, or kitchen counters, especially after handling raw meat.

Tip: Enhance your cleaning solution by adding essential oils like lavender or peppermint. The scent will repel bugs and keep your kitchen insect-free.

Keep windows, mirrors, and screens spotless with a three-ingredient natural solution. Adding alcohol to your glass cleaner helps prevent those pesky water streaks and spots from forming.

What you need: 2 cups water, ¼ cup alcohol (70% concentration), and ½ cup white vinegar

Procedure: Mix in a spray bottle. Shake well before using.

Tip: Avoid cleaning windows in extreme heat or direct sunlight because the solution may dry too quickly and leave more streaks.

Disinfect, remove odor, and restore the shine of stainless-steel sinks and appliances with another pantry staple. Besides being an essential ingredient in pastries, baking soda is one of the most powerful natural cleaning materials for the kitchen.

What you need: 1 liter warm water and 4 tablespoons baking soda

Procedure: Mix water and baking soda to form a concentrated paste. Apply this mixture to the area and let it sit for a few minutes. Scrub with a damp cloth in the direction of the metal’s grain.

Tip: Mix this solution just before use. The warm water helps melt solidified oils and dried bits of food.

Dealing with rust on your tools, gadgets, and appliances? Consider using borax or sodium borate. This powdery white substance, often found in laundry detergent, is like baking soda but can be more potent. However, the material is unsafe to ingest, so store it in a clearly labeled jar and keep it out of reach of children and pets.

What you need: 2 parts borax and 1 part lemon juice

Procedure: Combine borax and lemon juice to form a paste. Apply the mixture to the rusty area and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. If the solution hardens, spritz it with some water. Wipe off the rust with a sponge or a damp cloth.

Tip: Avoid using the paste on cast iron cookware because the lemon may cause a chemical reaction. Instead, opt for a mixture of one part borax and one part salt for a rust remover that won’t strip off the cast iron seasoning.

Mold and mildew are types of fungi that can lead to illness if not managed promptly. Mold often appears as fuzzy or slimy circles colored black or green. Meanwhile, mildew spreads on moist surfaces as small, flat gray or black spots, sometimes with a powdery texture. If you notice these signs around your house, prep this natural solution ASAP.

What you need: ½ cup borax and ½ cup vinegar

Procedure: Combine borax and vinegar in a spray bottle, then dilute with hot water. Use a more concentrated solution for tough mold and mildew. For regular cleaning, add more water.

Spray the solution onto affected surfaces like the shower, bathroom floor, or tiles. Let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub and rinse well before using additional cleaning products.

You can polish wooden furniture, condition leather sofas, and clean brass decor with coconut oil. Yes, it’s not just for cooking or DIY beauty treatments!

What you need: coconut oil

Procedure: Just wipe off the dust, then apply the oil with a soft rag.

Follow these additional tips to ensure the effectiveness of your cleaners.

• Make small batches. Natural products are best used within a few days since they lose their disinfecting capabilities over time.
• Label your bottles immediately. Write the name and the date you made the mixture.
• Do a surface test. Don’t use acidic cleaners on granite and stainless-steel appliances. Similarly, avoid vinegar-based solutions on hardwood floors. When in doubt, test the product in an inconspicuous area first.
• Check before mixing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Never combine bleach with rubbing alcohol, vinegar, lemon juice, or ammonia. Avoid mixing hydrogen peroxide with vinegar. The combination of these chemicals can produce toxic fumes and irritate the skin. (That’s also why you shouldn’t mix bleach with other commercial cleaning materials.)
• Avoid combining vinegar and baking soda. Although the mixture isn’t harmful, the two chemicals neutralize each other, diminishing their cleaning effectiveness.

Check around your house for the ingredients for these natural cleaning products. You likely have some of them already. If you need additional materials, consider purchasing them from trusted online stores.

Take your eco-friendly choices a step further and explore sustainable clothing. Then, use your Globe Rewards points to top up your Lazada or Shopee wallet through the GlobeOne app, which you can easily download on your mobile phone. Make sure you have a reliable internet connection, like a GFiber Plan or GFiber Prepaid WiFi, for a hassle-free experience. For extra convenience and security, go cashless with GCash at checkout and earn points to plant trees through GForest. Now you’re ready to kick-start your journey to an eco-friendlier home and life!