6 Steps To a Naturally Clean Home {Plus 48 recipes}

By Jami Leigh, Contributing Writer

When I first began my natural living journey, it all started with food. I was concerned with eating healthy and what I put into my body. But it wasn’t long before I realized that the chemicals, lotions, and cleaners that I used everyday can actually seep into our skin and affect us as much or more than the food we eat.

I began doing research and it didn’t take long for me to land on The Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning. I knew I had to change my cleaning lifestyle and I wanted to jump in with both feet and throw away all my commercial cleaners and toxins – but I knew I had to take it slow.

For the past several years, I’ve been taking baby steps toward making my home toxic-free by using natural cleaners. I want to share with you some easy steps you can take to naturally clean your home.

6 Steps to a Naturally Clean Home

Commercial cleaners are packed full of allergens, toxins, and irritants. According to the EWG, asthma, cancer, reproductive and developmental problems can be direct results from using and inhaling these commercial cleaners.

1) Start Small

When you first start out on this natural living journey, it can be easy to feel like you want to chuck out everything you own in favor of natural alternatives. But this can be an overwhelming task and can potentially cost a lot of money!

You may not know where to start. Instead of turning over your entire life, start small. Pick one area in your home, or just one cleaner to replace. Get in the groove of using or making that one natural cleaner and once you have that down, move on to the next thing. After a while you will notice that your home is transforming into a natural environment.

2) Don’t Buy Expensive “Natural” Cleaners

If you head into a health store or search the “natural” section at your local grocery store, you will probably start to cry at the price of all the natural cleaners. When you first look at those prices, it seems daunting to switch over.

But the good news is most homemade natural cleaners are far less expensive than conventional store bought products.

3) Make “All-Purpose” Cleaners

With conventional store bought cleaners, marketers make sure you know that you need a different cleaner for each area and item in your house. You have to get counter cleaners, toilet bowl cleaner, shower cleaner, bath tub cleaner, window cleaner, oven cleaner, table cleaner, etc., etc., etc.

But with just a couple good natural cleaners, you will discover that you can clean virtually every surface in your home. No more need for 30 bottles of poison under your kitchen sink.

4) Experiment

The natural cleaners that work perfect for my house and family may not work for you. Experiment with different cleaners and give yourself permission to not like a certain recipe. Experiment and find what is right for you and your family.

5) Give It Time

If you are completely new to natural cleaners, it can take some time adjusting to using them. But slowly, over time, you will get the hang of it. It will become second nature to reach for certain essential oils to add to your cleaner or mix up a batch of homemade laundry detergent.

It can seem like a lot all at once, but do your research, try once recipe at a time and before you know it, it will all become second nature.

6) It’s OK to Buy Store-Bought

Wait. Didn’t I just say above not to go out and buy a bunch of expensive natural cleaners? Yes. Don’t feel like you have to rush out and spend a couple hundred bucks just to get some natural cleaners. There are frugal and easy homemade cleaning recipes out there that really work.

I also know that some times in our lives (when we have a new baby, are working full time, etc.) when we simply don’t have the time to make homemade cleaners. When we moved into our first house earlier this year, I was so overwhelmed with all that I had to do, that I purchased some natural cleaners to help clean our old apartment and our new house. They worked great and I didn’t spend too much money. Do what you need to for your family!

Transforming your house into a naturally clean environment doesn’t take a lot of time or money but it does take commitment and a lot of baby steps. To make it easier for you, I’ve complied this list of 48 natural, easy to make homemade cleaners for you! Pick one and try it out!

Crock Pot Cleaner by Stacy Makes Cents

How to Naturally Clean and Deodorize a Stainless Steel Sink by Domestic Serenity

Homemade Liquid Dish Soap by The Humbled Homemaker

Deep Clean Your Oven Without Harsh Chemicals by Creative Green Living

Homemade Produce Cleaner by Live Renewed

Dishwasher

The Best Homemade Dish Washer Detergent by Authentic Simplicity

Homemade Borax Free Dishwasher Detergent Recipe by Ecokaren

Laundry Room

Homemade Powdered Laundry Detergent by Simply Foody

Homemade Dryer Sheets by Live Renewed

Soap Nuts – A Natural, Frugal Laundry Detergent by Stacy Makes Cents

Homemade Castile Liquid Laundry Soap by Stacy Makes Cents

How to Clean your Washing Machine by Keeper of the Home

Homemade Laundry Detergent by Purposeful Homemaking

Using Wool Dryer Balls by The Humbled Homemaker

Why I Don’t Make My Own Laundry Detergent by Whole New Mom

5 Ways to Detox Your Laundry Room by Keeper of the Home

How to Do Laundry from Start to Finish Without Any Nasty Chemicals by Red and Honey

7 Fresh, Natural Laundry Room Recipes by Little House on the Valley

Carpets

All Natural, Simple Carpet Freshener by Smithspirations

All Natural Carpet Stain Remover by The Humbled Homemaker

Homemade, Non-Toxic Carpet Cleaner by Modern Alternative Mama

Natural Homemade Carpet Freshener by Keeper of the Home

Making the House Smell Nice

DIY Natural Air Freshener: Lemon and Rosemary Simmering Pot by Domestic Serenity

DIY Natural Room Scents by The Yummy Life

5 Natural Aroma Simmering Pot Recipes by Little House on the Valley

4 Natural Fresh Scent Bathroom Solutions by Little House on the Valley

Resources for learning more

The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier – This is a small book with a powerful message. Karyn gives you the research and practical recipes to transform your home into a natural environment.
The EWGs Guide to Healthy Cleaning
The EWG’s Household Cleaner Ratings and Ingredients
The EWG’s Guide to Cleaning Supplies and Your Health

2 Comments

Julie says:

April 16, 2014 at 7:32 AM

It’s amazing how much can be cleaned with baking soda or vinegar (or both if it’s really bad, yay science!).

ecokaren says:

April 17, 2014 at 4:55 AM

This is an amazing list! Thank you for including my Borax Free Dishwasher Detergent recipe!

6 Steps To a Naturally Clean Home {Plus 48 recipes}