A number of common household products—including vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and olive oil—that are found in your kitchen can be used to clean your home naturally without toxic chemicals or releasing harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air.

  • Sanitizer: White vinegar can be used to kill most germs, bacteria, and mold. Good for cleaning kitchen countertops and cutting boards. Wipe surfaces down with undiluted vinegar and allow it to remain until dry.
  • Window Cleaner: A 50/50 mix of vinegar in a spray bottle works great for cleaning windows.
  • Cleanser: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge to make a mildly abrasive paste for removing dirt and grime. For more stubborn stains, use baking soda with lemon juice, rather than water.
  • Furniture Polish: A mixture of two parts olive oil to one part lemon juice makes an effective furniture polish.
  • Carpet Cleaner: Sprinkle cornmeal on your carpet and vacuum it up for a natural carpet cleaner.

Read also: Homemade Window Cleaner

Watch the video above to find out more.

VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

Danny Lipford: OK, I’ve got some baking soda, vinegar, lemons, cornmeal and olive oil. Doesn’t sound very appetizing, does it? Well, don’t worry, the only recipe I’m working on is one to get rid of dirt and stains.

You’ve got some very natural cleaners right in your own kitchen cupboard. White vinegar kills most mold, germs and bacteria because of its acidic nature. Make a paste from water and baking soda for a mild scouring abrasive.

You can also scrub away dirt and stains with a combination of lemon juice and baking soda. Mix 1 cup of olive oil with a half cup lemon juice and you have a great furniture polish. And, cornmeal can be used as a dry carpet cleaner.

It’s really amazing what you’ll find these natural ingredients can do besides help make a meal. One other benefit you’ll find is that when compared with the cost of chemical cleaners, most of the time you’ll save money by cleaning the natural way.

Editorial Contributors
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Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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