There’s no denying: Bleach definitely seems like it does a good job of getting things clean. But, on the other hand, who wants to breathe in all of those harsh fumes? And what’s ‘clean’ about that? The good news is Mama Nature is here to help. Who needs bleach when you can use these five great all-natural cleaners instead?
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1. Vinegar
My favorite all-purpose cleaner is vinegar, which is also a mild disinfectant. It leaves countertops, highchair trays, and walls (as well as windows and mirrors) clean and shiny. For a bit of added cleaning power, you can add a drop or two of liquid soap to a spray bottle of water and vinegar — a 50/50 mix of vinegar to water is just about perfect.
2. Lemon Juice
For cleaning and disinfecting cutting boards, drains, and garbage disposals, lemon and lemon juice are perfect. Slice a lemon in half and rub it all over a cutting board, then simply wash as usual. Toss a halved lemon into the garbage disposal and run it to freshen and disinfect. You can also simply pour lemon juice down your drains to freshen them up.
3. Castile Soap
Castile soap is a natural, vegetable-based soap that is a gentle yet effective cleaner. You can add castile soap to your homemade cleaners to give them a little extra cleaning power, or you can simply add a few drops of liquid castile soap to some hot water to wash down your countertops, stove, floors, or any other grimy area.
4. Borax
Borax is a common item in the laundry aisle. Often, people use Borax to give their laundry detergent a bit more cleaning power, but Borax is also an effective disinfectant all by itself. Consider using Borax to clean your sinks or toilets in place of powdered cleansers. You can even make your own version of “soft scrub” type cleaners by making a paste of Borax, warm water, and castile soap.
5. Tea Tree Oil
You know those popular “pine” scented cleaners? The scent of those cleaners is actually from tea tree oil, which is a great general-purpose cleaner and disinfectant. You can buy tea tree oil wherever you purchase essential oils. Simply add a few drops to warm water in a spray bottle for an all-purpose cleaner and disinfectant, or add some to one of our recipes for all-natural floor cleaners for a bit of added disinfecting.
Read More on Organic Authority
6 Fast Ways to Detox After Chemical Exposure
10 Household Cleaners To Avoid At All Costs
5 Homemade Cleaners For a Naturally Sparkling Chemical-Free Bathroom
10 Best Store-Bought Bathroom Cleaners
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