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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When you say that you have an all-natural cleaner, you are typically referring to some concoction that contains vinegar. Although vinegar is an effective cleaning agent for various surfaces in the home, it can make your house smell a certain way, especially if you don’t scent it. If you don’t want your house to smell like pickle brine, the all-purpose cleaner in this recipe is for you. 

The major cleaning agent in this homemade cleaner is 70% isopropyl alcohol. That means that 70% is isopropyl alcohol and the other 40% is purified water by volume. 70% isopropyl alcohol kills organisms by denaturing and dissolving their lipids. Studies suggest that this type of alcohol is effective against most bacteria, many viruses, and fungi, but it is not effective against bacterial spores.

There is a good reason you see rubbing alcohol in most first aid kits. It exhibits antiseptic qualities, making it a great natural bactericidal treatment. One evidence review found that the time to 50% relief of postoperative nausea symptoms was faster when smelling rubbing alcohol than traditional anti-nausea medications. Alcohol is also an excellent surface disinfectant, so you can use it for thermometers, scissors, and other surfaces. Read on to learn more about this homemade alcohol cleaner. 

70% Isopropyl Alcohol

The higher the concentration of alcohol, the less effective it is at killing germs. You may think that 99% isopropyl alcohol is better at cleaning or sanitizing, but this is not the case. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that using 99% isopropyl alcohol to clean will cause immediate coagulation on the surface or cell wall proteins. That prevents the passage of alcohol into the cell itself, meaning that the alcohol cannot penetrate the virus or bacteria and kill it. The higher concentration almost creates a shield that protects bacteria, which is why the lower concentration is better for cleaning. 

Liquid Castile Soap

From floors to ceilings to your body and beyond, Castile soap is an excellent cleaner for almost anything and everything. Traditionally made from 100% pure olive oil, water, and lye, Castile soap is believed to have originated in the Castile region of Spain. It is an eco-friendly soap that contains powerful disinfecting essential oils, including tea tree and eucalyptus. You can use it on countertops, tile, tubs, toilets, and more! It’s important to note that you do not use Castile soap on waxed wood floors because it will break down the wax. If you have product build-up on your floors, consider using a vinegar and hot water solution first. 

All-Purpose Cleaner Without Using Vinegar

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup 70% isopropyl alcohol
• 3 drops liquid Castile soap
• Water
• 16-ounce glass spray bottle

Instructions:

• Pour rubbing alcohol into the glass spray bottle and then add the liquid Castile soap.
• An optional step is to add a few drops of your favorite essential oils. 
• Fill the rest of the bottle with water and screw on the top. Give your bottle a quick shake to combine the ingredients. 
• Spray mixture on your surfaces, wipe, and clean.

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Whether you look under the kitchen sink or in the hall closet in the average home, you will most likely see an assortment of cleaning products. People have their preferences for brands and scents, but there are sprays or scrubs for different needs. One product cleans the countertops, while another one makes wood furniture shiny. And then you have products that clean showers, toilets, the floors, and so on. 

Building this collection of cleaners can be expensive, not to mention damaging to your health. According to a 2018 study from the University of Bergen in Norway, people exposed to cleaning products for 20 years have the same lung function as people who smoke 20 cigarettes per day. They also experience a 40% greater risk of developing asthma. There’s a reason why you cough or find it difficult to breathe when you use oven cleaner. In fact, many of these products have warnings that you should wear protective gloves or masks while using them!

Making the switch to natural products can seem challenging or overwhelming, but it’s an easy transition to make. You just need to master a few simple cleaning hacks with ingredients you may already have in your home. There are many harmless ingredients that prove to be excellent non-toxic cleaners. Continue reading to learn more about seven natural cleaning hacks. 

Load Up On Vinegar

Whether you need to clean tubs, windows, tile, or other surfaces, distilled white vinegar is right for the job. Although it isn’t a proper disinfectant, it does work great as a natural cleaner. It works to clean and mildly sanitize many surfaces, especially bathtubs, shower doors, and metal faucets. The downside to vinegar is the smell, but you can mix it with essential oils to counteract the intensity. Click here to learn more about scented vinegar cleaners. 

Lemon Essential Oil For A Clean Microwave

Need to clean your microwave and make it smell great at the same time? Combine 15 drops of lemon essential oil and one and a half cups of water in a heat-safe bowl. Microwave for five to 10 minutes, allowing the steam to condense inside the microwave. Once complete, remove the bowl safely and wipe the grime away with a damp sponge. 

Degrease Your Stove With Baking Soda

Stovetop cleaners and degreasers are some of the harshest cleaning products to inhale. They emit very unpleasant odors and it can be difficult to breathe when you use them. Instead, pour baking soda on your stove, sprinkle with a little water, allow it to sit for one hour, and then wipe away. Your stove will look shiny and clean as ever!

Baking Soda Removes Carpet Smells

Because it’s such a great natural cleaner, let’s stick with baking soda for a moment. If you want to get rid of carpet odors, baking soda is right for the job. Next time you vacuum your carpet, sprinkle some baking soda on it first. Vacuum the carpet and you’ll be left with an odor-free carpet. This is great if you have pets that love to get their stank on carpets. 

Remove Pet Hair With Rubber Gloves

This isn’t so much a natural cleaning hack as much as it is a useful pearl of wisdom. Pet hair can be very difficult to vacuum off carpets or furniture, especially if your pet sheds a lot. When your standard vacuum can’t get the job done, slide on the rubber gloves and rub any areas that need extra cleaning. You’ll find that pet hair clings to your rubber gloves, and it will only unstick when you wash it away. 

Dust With Coffee Filters

Need to dust your electronics, which you probably neglect to clean for most of the year? Grab a coffee filter or two to help clear dust from tv screens, computer monitors, and any other electronics you have in the home. The great thing about dusting with coffee filters is that they don’t leave behind any fibers. 

Buff Surfaces With Olive Oil

You may be familiar with the health benefits of olive oil, but do you know that it can help you clean the house? Olive oil can help buff stainless steel, pots and pans, and other appliances. Drizzle some olive oil on a soft cloth and apply it in a circular motion to buff out any dirty spots. You may need to give the surface a wipe with a clean rag to reduce oil residue on the surface you buff.

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Embarking on a cleansing experience means eliminating a plethora of unhealthy foods from your diet. As many people who use the Full Body Cleanse know, the goal is to focus on fresh foods that aid the cleansing process and provide the body with various phytochemicals, antioxidants, and other vitamins & minerals. Diet, while it plays a crucial role in weight loss and achieving a healthier body, is merely one aspect of cleansing.

Cleansing Beyond The Diet

The chemicals in cleaning and beauty products can enter the body via skin absorption or inhalation. Because the average person is accustomed to using these products, he or she may not interpret the side effects of those harmful chemicals in the body as wrong or “out of the norm.” After you cleanse the body, you may notice skin irritation, coughing, or sinus irritations when using commercial cleaning or beauty products. This is why you may want to consider using all-natural alternatives.

Common household cleaners make your living space look clean, but they simultaneously fill the area with chemicals that have caused asthma in children and skin irritations in adults. Indoor air pollution, which ranks high on the list of environmental dangers, is primarily caused by cleaning products. After cleaning with such products post cleanse, you may notice eye irritation, sore throat, runny nose, or headaches. A lot of this has to do with how the government regulates cleaning products.

Cleaning with natural cleaning products may be unfamiliar or different, but so is the thought of completing a Full Body Cleanse. We aren’t saying that you need to trash all of your cleaning and beauty products, but we are suggesting that keeping the body clean and healthy requires a multifaceted approach. Your skin rash or chronic cough may be attributed to your favorite lotion or countertop cleaner. In an effort to expose you to more natural options, here are some of our favorite skin care and cleaning products to incorporate into your new, healthier lifestyle. 

DIY Whipped Body Butter

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup each: Shea butter, cocoa butter, virgin coconut oil, and sweet almond oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

• In a double boiler or sauce pain over medium-low heat, combine all of the ingredients, except the essential oils. Stir this mixture until it becomes liquid.
• Remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool and set. Make sure it is set before completing the next step.
• Add the essential oils and whip with a stand or hand mixer, whipping until you get fluffy peaks. The mixture will not whip if you don’t let it set.
• Spoon this into a glass jar and store in a cool dry place, or in the fridge. Use on dry or cracked skin.

Chemical Free Moisturizer

Ingredients:

• ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup castor oil
• small soft washcloth
• small container for storing oil mixture

Instructions:

• It is recommended that you only apply this mixture once a day before bed to allow the oils to nurture your skin overnight.
• Mix the oils together in a glass jar.
• Pour about one teaspoon of the oil mixture in your hands, rub them together, and apply the mixture all over your face.
• Take the washcloth and run it under hot water. Place this over your face and leave it on until it becomes cool.
• Using the washcloth, wipe your face and then rinse the washcloth off.
• If you feel that your skin is dry, apply a couple drops of olive oil on your skin.
• Store the mixture in a cool, dry place.

Exfoliating Sugar Scrub

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon dried green tea leaves (can be taken from 2-4 tea bags)
• 1 cup organic brown sugar
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons raw honey
• 10 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

• Mix all of the ingredients in a medium bowl. Scoop this mixture into an airtight container and then store it in a cool dry place.
• When you want to use this exfoliator, apply about 1 tablespoon to your hands and massage it onto the face/body for 30 seconds. Rinse this from your skin with warm water and pat dry.

Appliance Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 part distilled white vinegar
• 1 part water

Instructions:

• In a spray bottle, mix one part distilled white vinegar and 1 part water. Spray on your appliances and wipe away with a microfiber cloth.

Citrusy Dish Soap

Ingredients:

• 4 teaspoons baking soda
• 5 cups boiling water
• 5 tablespoons liquid castile soap
• 10 drops lemon essential oil
• 10 drops grapefruit essential oil
• 10 drops tea tree essential oil

Instructions:

• Dissolve the baking soda in the boiling water. Add the liquid castile soap and stir until everything is dissolved. Let this cool.
• When the mixture is cooled, stir in the essential oils and pour it into a bottle. It is important to shake well before you use it.

DIY Disinfectant Spray

Ingredients:

• Enough lemon peels to fill up a quart-size mason jar
• Enough distilled white vinegar to fill that mason jar
• A spray bottle

Instructions:

• Fill a quart-size mason jar with lemon peels.
• Fill the jar almost to the brim with distilled white vinegar. Seal the jar and allow it to sit for about one day in a cool dry place.
• Strain the vinegar through fine mesh strainer into another jar or bowl.
• Pour the strained vinegar into a spray bottle, screw the top on, and spray away and start cleaning!

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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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People are under the impression that they need to purchase chemical products to clean or unclog drains. The harsh chemicals in these products are so caustic that they can burn the skin. They leave a chemical coating on the sink when they are attempting to unclog the drain. Contrarily, a non-toxic drain cleaner may be an effective, safe way to unclog a drain. If neither the chemical cleaner or the non-toxic cleaner are going to work, though, it’s best to use the non-toxic option, right? Right.

You may be interested to learn that Feng Shui masters say that clogged drains deplete your health, travel, finances, and aspirations. They may even lead to clogged sinuses! Whether or not that’s true remains to be seen, but a clogged drain is annoying and costly, especially if you have to involve a plumber. You don’t always need the chemical strength of a drain cleaner. You can often use a simple solution of a few natural ingredients, specifically vinegar and baking soda. 

How Do Baking Soda And Vinegar Unclog Drains?

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a natural base, while vinegar is an acid. Combining an acid and a base creates an exchange of molecules that releases carbon dioxide. This bubbles through whatever is clogging the drain, attempting to loosen it and break it up into smaller material. It’s similar to the classic elementary school volcano science project that resulted in fizzy white “lava” that cascaded down the paper mache volcano. 

That chemical reaction isn’t the only thing that works to fight drain clogs. You need one more ingredient besides baking soda and vinegar. That’s right, folks, this recipe requires boiling water. It’s a very rare substance, so we hope you can get your hands on it. All jokes aside, the boiling water creates added pressure to wash away any debris or goop out of the pipes. 

How To Prime The Drain

Before you pour the DIY drain cleaner down the clogged drain, you have to remove as much standing water as you can. If the sink or tub is full of backed-up water, use a bucket to scoop out as much as possible. A little water is fine, but the baking soda and vinegar solution needs to be able to directly enter the drain opening. Also, be sure to remove the sink pop-up stopper if you have one in your sink or tub. This gives you better access to the drain. 

DIY Drain Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup baking soda
• 1/2 cup vinegar

Instructions:

• After clearing out the tub or sink with excess water (if that’s the case), pour the boiling water down the drain. Be careful while you pour the boiling water because you don’t want it to splatter. 
• Pour the baking soda into the drain followed by the vinegar. 
• Cover the drain with a stopper because the baking soda and vinegar will fizz and bubble up. 
• When you cover the drain, you force the reaction downwards to target the clog. 
• Wait 10 minutes and then pour another cup of boiling water down the drain to wash away the built-up and grime. 
• Finally, flush the drain with hot water from the tap to remove remaining debris. 
• This may take a few tries, but it’s a very simple method that can be effective and safe. 

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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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Burning sage is a traditional practice in Native American culture. With metaphysical practices and new age energy theories in place, it’s hard to know if burning sage, or smudging, is beneficial or not. Some people consider smudging to be a trend, an alternative practice that has no history, science, or meaning behind it. To each his own, but there are many benefits of misting or burning sage in your home. 

Historical Use

Before your hippie aunt introduced you to burning sage, a practice she picked up in the 1960s, the Native Americans burned sage in Southwestern United States. Native American tribes typically burned white sage in purification rituals for centuries. In more recent years, sage has become the go-to plant for cleansing a space of negative energy. The theory is that it helps to expel bad vibes and create a more harmonious, calm space. 

Does Smudging Really Work? 

People belong to two camps when it comes to smudging: those who believe and those who don’t. Your belief is yours and we can’t take that away from you, but maybe we can shed some light on the benefits of smudging. According to a 2007 study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacol, burning sage helped reduce bacteria in the air. In addition to refreshing your energy and spirit, sage also helps to purify and cleanse the air. Additionally, sage is an effective antibacterial agent, so it works to reduce the effects of pollen, mold, or dust in the home. This is great for anyone who suffers from allergies. 

What Is Sage Spray?

This is obviously not the same thing as burning a bundle of dried sage. The recipe in this article is a more modern way of smudging, harnessing the cleansing powers of sage without leaving a trail of smoke throughout your home. Sage spray is excellent for people with respiratory problems, or those who are sensitive to smoke. Using sage leaves or sage essential oil, you spritz the sage spray around the home, or in a specific room, to cleanse the space. After you spray your home, you may find that you help to improve mental clarity and improve intention. 

When Should You Sage?

Is there a “best time” to sage your home? Some argue that there’s never a bad time to do it. The most common time for smudging is when you move into a new space, be it a home or office. The idea behind this is to clear the previous inhabitant’s energy from the space, allowing you to set your own intention for your new space. Sometimes people want to reset the energy in their homes, or they simply want to promote calm and relaxation. For these reasons, smudging can be done at any time. Lastly, it’s very beneficial to smudge a space after the loss of a loved one. 

DIY Sage Spray

Ingredients:

• 1 bunch fresh sage leaves
• 1 cup hot water
• 1 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 glass spray bottle (with a capacity of 2 cups)

Instructions:

• Break up the sage leaves to release their essential oils, and then add them to the glass spray bottle. 
• Pour the hot water (not boiling) into the glass bottle with the sage leaves. 
• Add the vinegar and salt to the bottle and store the bottle in a cool, dark place for at least 12 hours. 
• After this waiting/steeping period, the spray is ready to use. Spritz around your home as you please. 
• The sage leaves will turn brown after a day or so, but don’t worry because this is completely natural. It means the plant is breaking down in the vinegar. 

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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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