Do you have lemons and hate chemicals and artificial fragrances? If that describes you then it’s time to start making your own non-toxic household cleaning spray. The beauty of the cleaning spray recipe in this article is that it only contains two ingredients: lemons and distilled white vinegar. If you don’t have lemons but have an abundance of limes or oranges, feel free to use them instead. Any citrus fruit will do!

Citrus season runs from late fall to late winter, so you may have a lot of oranges, lemons, tangerines, limes, or grapefruits on hand. This is especially true if you have citrus trees in your yard or neighborhood. Do you have friendly neighbors who leave boxes of wonderful citrus fruits outside their house for the neighborhood to take? Those are the best people! The point we are trying to make is that you will most likely have a lot of citrus scraps if you have a lot of citrus. Instead of throwing them in the trash or compost (more ideal than the trash), save them and make your own cleaning spray. 

Vinegar For Cleaning

It is important to note that vinegar is not a powerful disinfectant. It has some disinfectant properties, but it is nowhere near as effective as bleach or other commercial disinfectant products. This is why it is important to decide if you want to clean or disinfect. If you want to disinfect surfaces (kill most bacteria), you may want to use a classic disinfectant spray or cleanser that specifically kills germs. 

Distilled white vinegar can be an effective household cleaner on certain surfaces. It is an inexpensive, easy-to-obtain product that is about 5% acetic acid, which works to break down the structure of certain stains, oils, films, or bacteria. That same acidic quality can harm certain surfaces, such as hard wood floors, aluminum, cast iron, waxed wood, or natural stone. Vinegar can be a highly effective cleaner for glass, refrigerator shelves/drawers, or removing water stains from showers. Just make sure to do the research on whether the surface you want to clean will or won’t be harmed by vinegar. 

Gather Your Lemon Rinds

In order to make the cleaning spray in this article, you have to gather lemon rinds (or other citrus rinds) in a large glass container. Ideally, you should use a half-gallon mason jar, but a small pitcher or a few smaller jars will also work. A great time to make this cleaning spray is after you make freshly-squeezed lemonade, pesto, or similar recipe involving lots of citrus. If it is going to take you more than a week to collect all your rinds, add a little white vinegar to the jar by day six or seven. Pour enough to submerge the citrus rinds in order to prevent molding. 

Once you have a good amount of citrus rinds in the jar (doesn’t have to be completely full), pour the white vinegar into the container to submerge the rinds completely. You can add some fresh herbs for increased aromatherapy, if you so desire. Let the rinds soak for at least one week, and up to three weeks. You can let the container sit out at room temperature, but make sure to give it a shake every few days to mix things up. 

Lemon Vinegar Cleaning Spray

Equipment:

• Large glass jar (or other container for steeping)
• Spray bottle
• Fine mesh strainer/cheesecloth

Ingredients:

• Lemon rinds or citrus rinds (enough to fill the jar)
• Distilled white vinegar 
• Optional: fresh aromatic herbs (such as lavender, rosemary, or thyme)

Instructions:

• Collect your lemon or citrus rinds and stow them inside a large glass container. If you cannot collect all the rinds at one time, store the jar in the fridge as you continue to collect them. Should you need longer than a week, freeze the jar. 
• Once your jar is nearly full of citrus rinds, pour distilled white vinegar into the jar to completely submerge the rinds. Feel free to add a handful of fresh herbs at this time before you screw on the lid. 
• Allow the citrus rinds to soak in the jar of vinegar at room temperature for at least one week, and up to three weeks. Give the jar a shake every few days.
• Strain the citrus rinds after the soaking period, removing as many rind chunks as possible to avoid clogging the spray bottle. 
• Pour the strained liquid into a spray bottle and use when ready. It’s great for laminate kitchen counters, stainless steel appliances, showers, sinks, inside the fridge, or other durable surfaces.

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From descaling coffee makers to getting rid of grime and water stains, vinegar is an excellent cleaning agent. Distilled white vinegar is a versatile cleaner in the non-toxic cleaning world, but multi-purpose does not mean it is all-purpose. When it comes to cleaning with vinegar, there are household items that can easily damage if you clean them with vinegar. Additionally, if you mix vinegar with other cleaning agents, especially bleach, the acid in vinegar can create dangerous chemical reactions.

People like vinegar because it is both inexpensive and non-toxic. Even though it is readily available, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution for every cleaning obstacle you face. You don’t want to ruin wood finish or damage your stone countertop. For these reasons, we’ve highlighted seven things that you should never clean with vinegar.

Grout

If you have unsealed or damaged grout, do not clean it with vinegar. Over time, vinegar can wear grout away and cause it to deteriorate. If you have sealed grout, however, you can clean it with vinegar, but you should still use non-acidic cleaners to avoid ruining your grout. 

Cast Iron

Don’t let any cast iron lovers ever see you soak your cast iron pans in vinegar. There is a specific set of rules to follow when it comes to seasoning and cleaning your cast iron pans. The seasoning process slowly builds up a coat of oil that helps keep cast iron non-stick. The reason that you should not use vinegar to clean your cast iron is because it cuts through that film, in addition to reacting with cast iron and causing it to rust.

Hardwood Floors

Tile floors can take a beating, but hardwood floors are a little more sensitive. People have mixed feelings about completely avoiding vinegar on hardwood floors or using a diluted vinegar solution to clean them. Most flooring manufacturers recommend that you do not clean floors with vinegar because the strong acid can eat away at the finish, causing it to dull over time. 

Rubber Gaskets And Hoses

If you repeatedly expose rubber gaskets and hoses to vinegar, they will disintegrate over time. Make sure that you check the manufacturer’s instructions before you clean household appliances with vinegar. Dishwashers, washing machines, and refrigerators may contain rubber that can easily disintegrate when exposed to vinegar. 

Pet Messes

If you have a pet, especially a new one, they will most likely pee or poop in the house. Vinegar is not an ideal cleaning agent for surfaces like mattresses, upholstered furniture, or carpeting. The Humane Society of the United States does not recommend the use of vinegar on pet messes. The reason for this is because the strong chemical odors may encourage your pet to reinforce the urine scent mark in that area. Ideally, use an enzyme-based cleaning agent for pet messes. 

Your Phone Or Tablet

Maybe you are following a recipe and dirty the screen of your phone or tablet. Whatever you do, don’t clean the screen with vinegar. Additionally, if you are making dressing or something that calls for vinegar, avoid splashing vinegar on the screen. The screen has a fingerprint-resistant coating that vinegar can damage. Should you need to clean your screen, use a microfiber cloth dampened with water. 

Natural Stone Surfaces

Marble, granite, and other natural stone surfaces, such as slate, should not be cleaned with vinegar. That means don’t use vinegar on home furnishes like countertops, floors, or shower walls, or household goods like tabletops or serving pieces. The acid in vinegar can etch stone or cause pitting that you cannot undo.

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Do you love to clean? No, nobody loves to clean, but cleaning is a necessary part of life. Cleaning helps get rid of germs, keeping you and anyone else who lives in your house safe. That said, many people clean with chemical cleaning products that contain toxic ingredients, many of which can damage endocrine function. 

Instead of polluting the home with chemicals while you clean, use a homemade, vinegar-based cleaner that is 100% safe. Vinegar is frequently recommended as a household cleaner and can be very effective on certain surfaces. We are, of course, referring to distilled white vinegar, not apple cider vinegar or wine vinegar. It is important to note that vinegar is a cleaner and not a disinfectant like bleach or commercial cleaners. Because of that, it is not as effective at killing certain germs when compared to disinfectant sprays. 

Why Should You Clean With Vinegar?

Vinegar is about 5% acetic acid, which works to break down the structure of some oils, dirt, films, bacteria, and stains. That same acetic acid can also harm certain surfaces, which is why vinegar cleaners aren’t meant to clean every inch of your home. Do not use vinegar on natural stone, cast iron, aluminum, or waxed wood. The “set time,” or the time a cleaner has to set on a surface in order to work, varies with a vinegar cleaner. Experts suggest that the set time for vinegar can be up to 30 minutes, especially if you use it to clean stained pots and pans. 

How Does Vinegar Work?

The acidity, as mentioned previously, makes vinegar a great cleaning agent. It can help dissolve soap scum, brines left behind by hard water, and even the glue from stickers. If you want to clean your windows or mirrors, mix vinegar with water and wipe with newspaper (not a paper towel) to avoid streaks. You can also use vinegar to get rid of stubborn stains, for example, from sweaty armpits or grass. Most of these types of stains are slightly acidic, meaning they will dissolve away in the presence of another acid, like vinegar. A paste made with vinegar and baking soda can help dissolve red wine stains. You can even use vinegar to get dog or cat urine out of carpets or clothes!

When To Not Use Vinegar

Because vinegar is highly concentrated, it can stain delicate fabrics and harm other surfaces. It will scratch natural stone like marble or granite. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), vinegar is not approved to disinfect surfaces. Unfortunately, there is no supporting evidence that shows that vinegar can get rid of harmful pathogens, like salmonella, that lurk on surfaces. Additionally, using vinegar on hardwood floors can eat away at the finish and make it look dull over time. 

Orange Basil Vinegar Cleaner

Not only does this recipe help clean certain surfaces, but it also leaves your home smelling floral and zesty. Instead of tossing orange peels into the trash, use the peels to provide that citrus scent to your vinegar cleaner. The peels from four oranges and four to five sprigs of basil will do the job!

Ingredients:

• 1 (16-ounce) wide-mouthed mason jar
• Peels from 4 oranges
• 4-5 sprigs of basil
• Distilled white vinegar

Instructions:

• Add the orange peels and sprigs of basil to the wide-mouthed mason jar and fill it to the top with vinegar. Tighten the lid and let it set for a minimum of 10 days. 
• After this infusion time, prepare a spray bottle and fill it halfway with the vinegar mixture (only the liquid, not the peels or sprigs). Add water to the spray bottle to fill it up. Shake well and use when ready. 
• Once you finish this solution, you can use the rest of the vinegar to create more. You shouldn’t keep your vinegar solution longer than one month, as you don’t want it to spoil.

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Mold is a fungus that can quickly become a problem in your home, especially in moist or humid areas like the bathroom. It is unsightly and poses several risks to your overall health. If mold gets really bad, it can even cause structural damage to the house. How and why does mold grow and what can you do to get rid of it? The DIY anti-mold spray in this article should help you defeat the problem!

Why Does Mold Grow In The Bathroom?

Moisture and heat are the two ingredients that create a humid environment, which is ideal for mold growth. Mold spores start to grow in a humid habitat, which you create every time you take a shower or bath. Even if you wash your face or hands with warm water in the sink, you increase humidity in that area. The microscopic organisms that exist in the air or dust can feed mold spores and cause it to rapidly reproduce and spread. It is your responsibility to address the problem as soon as you see any mold. 

Now, there are numerous ways to help prevent mold growth in humid environments like the bathroom. If you see mold, just be careful because scrubbing it can cause it to release more mold spores, which can worsen the problem. If you just start to notice it in small patches, the natural ingredients in the anti-mold spray in this article should help you get rid of it. 

Vinegar

Vinegar exhibits antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it an affordable and natural treatment for many types of mold. Distilled white vinegar contains about 5-8% acetic acid, which is moderately strong and has a pH of 2.5. This acidity can disrupt the growth of several types of fungi and microorganisms. According to some research, vinegar is effective at preventing mold growth on fruit and at removing common household molds. However, it isn’t effective at killing every type of mold. Vinegar tends to be safe on a variety of surfaces, but you may need to check to see if it is safe to use on the surface where you see mold growth. 

Lemon Essential Oil

Lemon essential oil is quite versatile and commonly used in aromatherapy practices. Similar to other citrus oils, lemon essential oil can break down mold spores at a molecular level. Researchers attribute this ability to the strong anti-fungal properties. Not only does lemon essential oil give off a pleasant and inviting aroma, but it also works to prevent mold from forming on surfaces like shower grout and bathtub caulking. 

Tea Tree Oil

As a powerful fungicide, tea tree oil is best known for its antifungal properties in regards to skin care. Tea tree oil is effective against bacteria and fungus, but can it kill indoor mold? There are mixed views about this because an ingredient that can tackle fungus on the body may not work great on mold. According to some research, tea tree oil may help to clean moldy areas, but it cannot do it on its own. Combining it with lemon essential oil and vinegar, though, is the right way to solve the problem. 

DIY Anti-Mold Spray 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 20 drops lemon essential oil
• 40 drops tea tree essential oil
• 8-ounce spray bottle

Instructions:

• Pour all of the ingredients into a spray bottle, screw on the top and shake well to combine. 
• Make sure to shake well before each use. Because mold is toxic, you should always wear a face mask and gloves when cleaning mold and mildew. 
• Spray the anti-mold solution on the surface you want to clean and let it sit for about an hour. Using a microfiber cloth and scrub brush, remove any surface mold and then spray again.
• Allow to air dry. Use again when needed.

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Cleaning your produce before you eat it is a lot easier than you think. Not to mention, it’s a healthy step that may protect you from food borne illnesses. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that rinsing produce under water can prevent you from norovirus infection, which is the country’s leading cause of outbreaks in contaminated food. What if there is a more effective way to clean your produce than using water and a cloth? 

When To Wash Your Produce?

Washing your produce is an excellent way to remove grime, pebbles, insects, and other debris that lingers on the outside of the produce. To put it lightly, produce items pass through a lot of hands before you bring it home. The general bacteria and debris that exist on the produce may seem harmless, but eating unwashed produce increases the risk of listeria, E.coli, and salmonella. 

The general rule of thumb is that if your produce is out in the open, i.e. not in a sealed plastic wrap, you should wash it. Some produce items have “ready to eat” or “washed” labels on them, and they are often sold in sealed bags. Washing those items can actually put you at risk of consuming contaminants that exist in your kitchen. On another note, some produce should remain unwashed until you are ready to consume it. Berries, for example, develop mold quickly if you wash them before you are ready to eat them. When you wash other produce items, be sure to refrigerate them as soon as possible to reduce the likelihood of wilting or molding.

Vinegar For Your Produce

When you make your own produce wash, it is a good idea to include distilled white vinegar. Working to remove dirt and waxy residue from fresh produce, white vinegar leaves your produce fresh and clean. Vinegar is very effective at removing bacteria and fungi, helping to sanitize your produce. Now, you don’t soak the fruit in vinegar; rather, you spritz it with a vinegar solution that contains water and lemon juice. That way, you don’t have to worry about biting into an apple that tastes like an acidic overload. 

How To Properly Wash Produce

Water is a great option for washing produce, but when you use the vinegar produce wash in this article, there are a few things to keep in mind. If you want to ensure that your produce is properly washed, keep the following tips in mind:

• Remove any stickers to ensure that you clean all areas.
• Wash your hands thoroughly. 
• Make sure to cut away all bruised and damaged areas. 
• Rinse produce with cool water prior to using the produce wash. 
• Inspect the produce items to ensure that they are free of insects or visible dirt. 
• Dry produce with a clean paper towel and then either use right away or refrigerate for later use. 

DIY Natural Produce Wash

Ingredients:

• 2 cups filtered water
• 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 glass spray bottle

Instructions:

• Pour all of the ingredients into a large bowl and whisk to combine. 
• Using a funnel, pour the ingredients from the bowl into a glass bottle. Screw on the top of the bottle and store in the fridge until ready to use. 
• To use the spray, spray on the produce and then wash it away with cold water

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What are some of the best scents of the holiday season? Some people side with pumpkin spice while others have an affinity for cinnamon. Both of these spices, however, can be quite pungent and overwhelming when incorporated into homemade cleaning products. Plus, you may not want your home to smell like a coffee shop or packet of cinnamon gum. 

Lucky for you, pine happens to be a wonderful holiday scent. If you have a Christmas tree in your home, you can get a little extra out of it by using some of the branches to make a natural cleaning spray. It’s the perfect scent to make your home smell like the wilderness, and the best part is that you don’t have to venture into the cold mountains to smell that crisp aroma. A simple pine-infused vinegar spray will accomplish that!

Scenting Vinegar

There are people who won’t ever clean with vinegar, not even if you pay them. The odor can be intense, but that’s where scenting vinegar comes into play. It’s very easy to make scented vinegar that is natural, effective, and less offensive to your respiratory system. All you have to do is add the pine needles and branches to a jar of vinegar. Screw on the lid and allow the infusion to take place. You can steep the mixture in a cool, dark place anywhere from six weeks to six months. 

Some pine-scented cleaners used to be healthier, but now they are typically free of any natural pine substance. Pine oil used to be in PineSol, but it was eliminated from the ingredients in 2014. The manufacturer replaced it with artificial fragrance and it has a petrochemical base. For people who want to be on the safer, more natural side, cleaning with non-toxic products like the DIY recipe in this article is more beneficial. 

Cleaning With Vinegar

Although it’s not a disinfectant, distilled white vinegar is an excellent cleaner that’s made from acetic acid. It’s been known to dissolve mineral deposit, grease, dirt, and general grime. If you have a chrome shower head or faucet, you can soak it in white vinegar to get rid of water spots. Vinegar also helps to kill some bacteria, but you do have to be cautious about where you use vinegar, as it can damage certain surfaces. Make sure that you do not use vinegar to clean wood, granite, metal, or marble surfaces. 

When you clean with vinegar, you don’t need to use a lot. Since it’s such an affordable product, you’ll have one jug of vinegar for months, years even! And like we said, snap a couple branches off your Christmas tree for the pine infusion. If you don’t have a Christmas tree, there are many fallen pine branches lining the streets during the winter. Don’t be afraid to grab a handful!

Pine-Scented Vinegar Cleaner

Ingredients:

• Pine branches, or pine needles
• Distilled white vinegar
• Mason jar

Instructions:

• Place a generous handful of pine branches or needles into a clean glass Mason jar. If you have a jar that holds 750 milliliters, that would be best, but a smaller jar is perfectly acceptable. 
• Fill the jar with white vinegar. Screw the top on the jar and place the jar in a cool, dark place for six weeks to six months. The longer you allow it to infuse, the stronger the pine scent will be. 
• After completing the infusion process, strains the liquid into your spray bottle of choice and start cleaning.

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Everyone can agree that taking a soothing bath is the perfect way to step into tranquility. Soaking in the warm water helps you unwind, and the stress seems to wash away as the water goes down the drain. Everyone can also agree that a grimy bathtub with soap scum and mineral deposits is disgusting. How do you get rid of such grime without using harmful chemicals, though?

Nobody wants to clean their bathtub or shower. It’s an annoying chore that people typically neglect. Unfortunately, all of that neglect results in a gross bathtub that makes the thought of soaking in a bath horrifying. A bathtub or shower is a magnet for soap scum and even mildew. This often results in water stains or rust stains. 

What Is The Answer To Bathtub Scum?

Not everyone wants to use the bathtub cleaners because they are replete with toxic chemicals. If you have ever sprayed one of these cleaners in your bathtub, you know that that aroma is pungent and causes you to cough. In case you aren’t aware, that’s not a positive reaction. Additionally, you have to spray a lot and scrub hard in order for these solutions to be effective. 

Don’t fight the tub and don’t scrub until you inflict pain on your elbows and shoulders. Use simple ingredients to your advantage and allow them to fight through scum and stains with minimal effort on your part. The following two ingredients will help transform the look and cleanliness of your tub. 

Dish Soap

More often than not, dish soap will work to clean most showers and tubs. Some are more effective than others, as not all varieties can easily fight through built-up grime. If you only use dish soap and a little water, you can actually scrub with a broom and get the tub sparkly and clean. The purpose of dish soap is to break up oils and lift grease from flatware and utensils. It tackles the grease and soap scum that accumulates in your shower the same way. When you wash away the suds, you’ll be shocked to see how clean your tub is. 

White Vinegar

Depending on the type of tub you have, a gentle cleaner like white vinegar may be better for the surface. For example, porcelain bathtubs offer a signature, shiny, luxurious appearance. To keep them that way, you can avoid damage by using a gentle cleaner that combats aromas and grime. Vinegar’s high acidity level helps to loosen mineral deposits, including lime and rust. This same acidity makes it difficult for bacteria and other harmful organisms to exist in your tub. Ultimately, vinegar helps dissolve soap scum to make your tub as shiny and clean as possible. 

DIY Bathtub Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dish soap 
• 1 cup white vinegar
• spray bottle
• scrubber

Instructions:

• Warm the vinegar in a heat-safe glass measuring cup in a microwave until it is hot. Pour this into your spray bottle. 
• Pour the dish soap into the bottle after you pour in the vinegar. 
• Screw on the lid and shake gently to combine. 
• Spray liberally around your tub or shower and allow this mixture to sit for about 30 minutes to one hour. Because of the strong scent, make sure the bathroom is well-ventilated and that the fan is on. 
• Scrub gently and then rinse. You’ll be shocked when you see how clean your tub is!

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Are your windows or mirrors dirty? It’s time to to wipe them clean and make them glimmer in the sunlight. You don’t even need to reach for that chemical glass cleaner that has the potential to leave streaks behind. Cleaning glass is easier than ever with the DIY all-natural glass cleaner in this article. Not only is it eco-friendly, but it’s effective and you won’t leave streaks behind. 

Why Choose A Natural Glass Cleaner?

There are many advantages to cleaning glass surfaces with a natural spray. Chemical formulas in most commercial window cleaning sprays pose various health hazards. It’s possible to experience respiratory struggles, skin rashes, watery eyes, or more chronic, long-term symptoms. Inhaling the chemicals in these sprays can damage the eyes, nose, throat, lungs, and mucus membranes in airways. Plus, if you have children in the home, you don’t want them to lick a window after cleaning it with a chemical spray. It happens, people…

Using a natural glass cleaner spray can help you clean windows worry-free. You won’t have to worry about harming the respiratory system when you use simple ingredients like vinegar, water, and essential oils. And the best part is that glass surfaces will look sparkly and streak-free after using a natural spray. 

Why Choose Vinegar?

Vinegar is as great on your salad as it is on your windows. Distilled white vinegar is an excellent cleaning agent. Since the smell is off-putting to some people, it’s important to mask the aroma by diluting it with water and adding a powerful essential oil. It’s very affordable and the acidic nature offers antibacterial properties that enhance cleaning efforts. It’s also non-toxic and completely safe for skin, pets, children, and all other living things. 

Use Distilled Water

You can dilute distilled white vinegar in any water, but it’s best to dilute it in distilled water. Believe it or not, cleaning with distilled water makes a big difference, especially when it comes to cleaning glass. Hard water, such as tap water, has a higher concentration of dissolved minerals, including magnesium and calcium. These minerals can leave streaky marks or excess residue on glass surfaces after you finish wiping them.

Note: Do not spray the following glass cleaners directly on glass surfaces. Spray on a cloth first to avoid drips coming in contact with a frame or silver backing. This can cause corrosion or potential discoloration. 

DIY Glass Cleaner Spray

Ingredients:

• 2 cups distilled water
• 2 tbsp distilled white vinegar
• 10 drops lemon essential oil

Instructions:

• Add all of the ingredients to a spray bottle and shake well to combine. 
• Use as need to clean windows and mirrors.

How To Use:

• For streak free windows, it’s best to spray a small amount of this spray on a microfiber or lint-free cloth. 
• Wipe the surface with cloth to remove dust, smudges, or debris. 
• Spray the cloth again and give the glass surface another wipe down. Repeat this process on all other glass surfaces that you wish to clean. 

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Is there anything worse than looking at a stainless steel appliance and seeing smudgy fingerprints all over it? The answer is “yes,” but we hope you thought “no” for the sake of this article. First world problems, are we right? Anyways, the goal is to keep stainless steel shiny and streak-free. As it turns out, you don’t need a chemical spray to make that happen.

Dishwashers, refrigerators, range hoods, faucets, and trashcans are common stainless steel items in a home. There are often manuals that detail information about these appliances, but rarely do the instructions tell you how to care for them. These high-touch appliances accumulate dirt, bacteria, fingerprints, and general grime. The last thing you want to do is scrub these appliances with an abrasive sponge. If you want to keep your stainless steel appliances looking shiny and new, you only need a few natural ingredients. 

Olive Oil

When it comes to polishing stainless steel appliances, or stainless steel in general, olive oil is one of the best ingredients for the job. Stainless steel smudges easily, especially with fingerprints. A handprint is easily visible on stainless steel or glass! Olive oil acts as a protective coating on the stainless steel. Olive oil helps to restore shine and reduce the chances of tarnishing. Just make sure to give the stainless steel a nice wipe down prior to using the olive oil. 

Distilled White Vinegar

We’re not shy about our love for vinegar as a non-toxic cleaner. While it may not be a powerful disinfectant, it does have the ability to clean certain surfaces. Containing acetic acid, vinegar works to cut through grime and oils left by your hands on stainless steel. This means that instead of simply smearing old oils and grime around, vinegar actually removes all of that nastiness. It’s also inexpensive, non-abrasive, and free of harsh chemicals. That’s three wins for you and your stainless steel appliances!

A Quick Note

This non-toxic stainless steel polish is exactly that, a polish. That means that it helps stainless steel retain its shine between wipe downs. We recommend using a solution of soap and water and wiping down the stainless steel appliance with a microfiber towel. You don’t want to use an abrasive item like a sponge because it will scratch the appliance. Lastly, the essential oils in this recipe do contain some antibacterial properties, but they are mainly in this recipe to offer a lovely scent. That way, your house doesn’t smell like vinegar!

DIY Natural Stainless Steel Polish

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 10 drops sweet orange essential oil

Instructions:

• Pour all of the ingredients into a spray bottle. Shake well to combine.
• When you’re ready to use, shake up the bottle to mix. Spray on the already cleaned stainless steel appliance.
• Use a microfiber cloth, or any soft cloth, and wipe with the grain of the stainless steel. 

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Now more than ever, over-sanitation is too common in the household. We house an assortment of cleaning products beneath the sink, in either the kitchen or bathroom. People bleach the counters or high-touch surfaces, and they wipe the floors until they are shiny and spotless. The important thing to remember is that people do these things to keep themselves safe. As it turns out, they may do more harm than good for the body.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), upwards of 2,000 cleaning supplies on the American market contain chemicals that can lead to serious health problems. Fumes from some products lead to respiratory distress, while carcinogenic compounds in others increase cancer risk. Parents who over-sanitize the house can cause their children to grow up to develop serious respiratory problems like asthma. One study even found that inhaling chemicals from cleaning products has a similar damaging effect that cigarettes have on the lungs. Pregnant women who clean with chemical products may even increase the risk of birth defects. 

Are People Not Informed About These Risks?

Despite all of this information, cleaning products still make it onto U.S. shelves. Manufactures are not required to list all the ingredients in these cleaning products. Additionally, don’t assume that “green” cleaning products are 100% safe for you. They can still contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fragrances, and other irritants. That’s why it’s always best to do your research on the safest cleaning products for your health. The Environmental Protection Agency has a list of cleaning products that are safer and healthier for cleaning needs. 

Home Cleaning Products Study

The University of Bergen in Norway conducted a 20-year study on home cleaning products. The study monitored 6,230 participants between the ages of 20 and 44. Each participant had up to three lung tests during the duration of the study. The study divided the participants into three categories: people who cleaned at least once a week, people who didn’t clean, and people who cleaned as a profession. The results indicated that women who cleaned once a week experienced reduced lung function. They also experienced an increase in asthma. Women who cleaned as a profession saw a decline in lung function that mimicked the effects of smoking half a pack of cigarettes per day. Men in the study had similar effects. 

While the takeaway from that study seems like cleaning products only affect lung function, this is not the case. They contain chemicals that can disrupt the endocrine system, which contains the glands that regulate hormones. Disrupting this system can lead to hormonal imbalance that can affect the body’s natural messaging system. Additionally, the chemicals can block hormone function, or mimic hormone function. Either way, they disrupt hormones and cause distress, confusion, or even nutritional deficiencies in the body. Some other problems that household cleaners cause include:

• Birth defects
• Hypothyroidism
• Infertility
• Skin disorders
• Allergies
• Respiratory issues
• Diabetes
• Inflammation
• Nerve damage
• Increased cancer risk
• Eye irritation

Can You Avoid These Problems?

Chemical cleaning products are convenient. People know them because they regularly see them in the stores and in commercials. The best thing you can do to keep yourself protected is to read the labels and reports on the products before purchasing them. Opt for products that do not contain fragrances, flammable ingredients, irritants, or VOCs. Additionally, don’t buy air fresheners. 

A safe cleaning alternative to major household cleaning products is soap and warm water. This is great for cleaning the home. Lastly, baking soda is excellent for scrubbing away grime. You can also use distilled white vinegar and water to clean glass surfaces. When you clean, be it with natural or chemical cleaning products, make sure to keep the home well ventilated. Open the windows so that fresh air can come in and the chemicals can go out.

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