Clean Green Cleaning: Single Ingredient Solutions

Homemade Cleaning Supplies

When it comes time to clean, my army of store-bought cleaners give me the sense that things just got real. These products make me feel more serious about the dirty jobs I’m about to tackle, but they also make me gag (the fumes!) and question whether these toxic chemicals are really necessary.  Surely our ancestors had clean homes without the help of 18 different sprays, foams, and wipes.

It didn’t take long for me to wonder if natural cleaning solutions could provide the same, or better, cleaning results. There’s an abundance of home tips on the internet—we have a great collection on this very blog—about creating your own cleaning supplies. They always seem simple enough, but my mind goes astray as soon as I see a recipe for homemade cleaners. Who wants to combine the chore of cleaning with another “meal” to cook? My solution: collect a list of cleaning solutions with only one ingredient.

A spot of tea – Tea removes grim from mirrors. After you’ve had your delightful beverage, brew the used teabags to create a cleaning solution. Bonus: you can use coffee filters to wipe the mirrors with extra effectiveness.

See the a-peel – The acid in the skin of an apple can help break down stains in your pots and pans. Bring apple peels in water to a boil in the dirty cookware and reduce heat to a simmer for 20-30 minutes.

Shine on – Olive oil can be used to shine stainless steel. Lightly apply in circular motions until your appliance begins to shine, using firm pressure as needed. It’s important to wipe away surface debris before adding the olive oil and to use a clean cloth.

Lemon Drops – Does your sink have soap scum? Squeeze fresh lemon juice on it and let it sit for a few minutes. Once the acidic lemon tackles the scum, it will be much easier to wipe away.

Tight Lips -You can remove lipstick stains from fabrics with non-gel toothpaste. After rubbing the stain, rinse the fabric in water before putting it in a machine-wash cold cycle. Note: you may need to repeat to fully remove this tricky stain!

A pinch of salt – soak a dirty sponge overnight in a solution of ¼ cup salt and 1 quart warm water. Okay, you’ve got me: there are two ingredients, but I’m going to assume your sponges are near a sink.

I hope these tips set you on the path of clean, green efficiency. You’ll probably save some dollars in the process. And if you time it right, you’ll be able to enjoy a fresh apple, some lemonade, and a relaxing cup of tea as reward for your hard work.

Do you have special trick to make your house sparkle? Let us know in the comments below.