When it comes to keeping our homes spotless, sometimes the best solutions are the simplest. From vinegar to lemon juice, some of the best cleaning agents that could save you money and reduce your chemical use, are hiding in the kitchen cupboard.
So how can we use these all-natural pantry staples to clean our homes effectively?
Keen to find out, the experts at London rubbish removal company Clear it Waste compiled a list of all-natural ingredients that can be used to clean your home.
5 kitchen staples that are effective natural cleaning agents
1. Vinegar
One of the best all-purpose cleaners is completely natural and may already be sitting in your cupboard: vinegar. With its antimicrobial properties and ability to dissolve mineral deposits, grease, and grime due to the high acidity contents, vinegar is a cheap and effective solution for many cleaning tasks in the home.
A mix of equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle can be effectively used in place of traditional multipurpose sprays to clean windows, doors, countertops, cupboards, and more.
Undiluted vinegar is also excellent at breaking down build up in showers, baths, and toilets: simply spray the vinegar and let it sit for several minutes and then wash away.
The best choice for the type of vinegar is white distilled, as it doesn’t contain any colours that could potentially stain surfaces.
2. Lemon
Another kitchen cupboard ingredient that makes a fantastic cleaner due to its acidity is lemon, especially when it comes to getting rid of stains.
Rubbing the cut side of half a lemon or some pre-squeezed lemon juice over chopping boards and butcher’s blocks can get rid of tough food stains and smells, and salt can be sprinkled over any particularly stubborn stains for extra scrubbing power.
This lemon juice and salt combination can also be used to remove stains from fabrics, such as clothes or bed sheets: let the mixture sit on the stains for approximately half an hour before rinsing thoroughly.
It isn’t just the juice from lemons that can be useful for freshening up your home: fresh lemon peels can be placed in the fridge or in the bottom of bins to naturally neutralise odours.
3. Bicarbonate of soda
Bicarbonate of soda is an old favourite when it comes to natural cleaners due to its mild abrasive properties.
When combined with some water to make a thick paste, bicarbonate of soda is perfect for scrubbing tricky stains. Not only can it be used on dishes and pans, but a bicarbonate of soda paste is also perfect for bigger jobs like cleaning the oven door or scrubbing a BBQ grill.
4. Olive oil
Although olive oil isn’t a good replacement for classic cleaning sprays and pastes, it is a perfect natural solution for jobs that require conditioning and polishing.
One of the best uses of olive oil in the home is on stainless steel surfaces and appliances. Using a dab of olive oil on a microfibre cloth and buffing it into the steel can remove fingerprints, brighten shine, and reduce the appearance of any scratches.
Other materials in the home that may benefit from some olive oil TLC are leather, such as sofas and chairs that are looking a little worn, and wood, such as dried out chopping boards and wooden spoons.
5. Cornstarch
Another pantry staple that has excellent uses in cleaning is cornstarch. Not only can it be used for its mildly abrasive properties similarly to bicarbonate of soda, but its absorbency also allows it soak up moisture and lift stains, making it extremely useful in the home
For grease stains on clothing and other fabrics, simply spread a scoop of cornstarch over the stain and let it sit for approximately 12 hours before washing the garment.
Stains and smells in carpets and rugs can also be addressed with cornstarch: sprinkle some on the affected area, let it sit for 20-30 minutes and then vacuum it up.
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