Joel Callen
Home & Garden

Chemical-free cleaning: keep your home spic and span without the nasties

If you’re trying to cut back on the number or chemicals you’re exposed to on a daily basis, your home and more specifically your cleaning products are a great place to start the cull. If you’ve ever looked at the label on the back of your bathroom or kitchen cleanser, the number of unpronounceable ingredients can be a bit of a shock. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to cut back on the chemicals while keeping your home spic and span. And the added the bonus? You’ll save some cash while you’re at it!

The Bathroom
When it comes to keeping the house clean, the bathroom is usually one of the places we hit with the harshest chemicals possible. Bleach, surface spray, bottles and tubes of things with heavy levels of blue dye, our weekly cleaning session exposes us to a significant level of nasties.

To keep things clean and chemical free try mixing:
One cup of white vinegar with one cup of water and five to 10 drops of essential oil (tea tree or citrus based blends work well). Pour into a spray bottle and use to clean surfaces. For the toilet, try half a cup baking soda, one-quarter of a cup white vinegar and 10 drops of tea-tree or peppermint oil. Mix and while it fizzes, apply to the bowl and scrub thoroughly.

Related link: 20 ingenious uses for wipes

The Kitchen
Food preparation surfaces need to be kept clean and clear and usually require multiple daily cleanses.

To clean benches mix:
Half a cup vinegar with half a cup water and decent squeeze of lemon juice. Spritz over the bench and wipe down with chux or paper towel.

To clean and disinfect chopping boards:
Rub the surface with half a cut lemon before rinsing in hot water.

If you need some serious bleaching power for any room, try mixing two cups of water, two tablespoons of liquid soap (castile or pure versions work the best) and 20 drops of tea-tree oil.

The Laundry

Amazingly, it is possible to go non-toxic and still ensure clean, fresh clothes! If you don’t want to go down the DIY route, you can switch to an eco laundry powder/softener that will be free from nasties like sulphates and bleaches. If you want to go DIY though, try soap nuts. These completely natural cleansers actually grow on trees! They are naturally rich in saponins (the compound found in soap) and when added to your washing machine, free dirt, grime and oil from fabric. All without the need for any chemicals!

Fabric softener may make clothes smell delicious but it’s pretty much a cocktail of artifice. For a snuggly soft load, try making your own by mixing up a batch of white vinegar with 20 to 30 drops of essential oil. Add one-third of a cup to your load each time.

Related links:

5 surprisingly dirty things in your house

10 amazing cleaning tips everyone should know

How to make homemade laundry powder

Tags:
lifestyle, home, cleaning, tips, natural, healthy