There are hundreds, if not thousands of different commercial cleaning products, many of which you have no idea what’s actually inside. With a global pandemic sweeping the world, people are now looking for more natural ways to keep their home clean without the use of harsh chemicals. DIY natural home cleaning is easy, and you’ll often find you have all the ingredients to create your own cleaning products in the cupboards.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be looking at natural cleaning methods for different rooms in the house – looking at some of the more difficult items to clean, starting with the Natural Home Cleaning for your Kitchen.
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Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet Faces
Wipe the cabinet faces with a slightly damp, soapy cloth to remove any general dirt and dust from the surface. If you find grease spots persist use a cloth soaked in a mixture of white vinegar and warm water – This should remove any grease spots with a little scrub.
Above Cabinets
Dust the tops of cabinets using a dry cloth or duster before wiping down the surfaces using a cloth soaked in white vinegar and warm water – This should be enough to cut through grease and grime, leaving your cupboard spotless.
Inside Cabinets
Empty out your cabinets and wipe down all surfaces using a damp, soapy cloth to remove any general dirt and grime. If you find small spots of grease and dirt are persisting, create a solution of white vinegar and warm water and apply it to the tough spots. Let it sit for a few minutes before wiping clean.
Dishwasher
Filter
Remove the filter from your dishwasher and wash it in a solution of warm water and baking soda in order to remove any bacteria, dirt and grime before replacing it.
Drainage
Remove any build-up within the dishwasher before washing with a mixture of baking soda and warm water – You can also add a drop or two of essential oils to give your dishwasher a fresh smell.
Interior
Take a dishwasher safe container and fill it (partly) with white vinegar before running this through a full hot wash cycle. Once again, feel free to add a few drops of essential oil for a fresher smell.
Oven & Hob
Oven
Empty your oven, removing all shelving and trays that may be inside. Now, mix ½ cup of baking soda with warm water until you have a paste-like solution. Spread this over tough to clean areas and allow to sit for a few hours. Wipe everything down with a cloth soaked in a white vinegar and water solution.
Glass Front
Create a solution of water and vinegar, as well as one or two drops of essential oil of your choice. Wipe down all glass surfaces thoroughly using a microfiber cloth soaked in this solution.
Hob Grates
Remove any debris from around the grates, before removing the grates and allowing them to soak in a mixture of warm water and soap. If stubborn stains remain, use a solution of white vinegar and warm water instead.
Hob Burners
Remove any debris from around the burners, before removing them from their spots and placing them in a mixture of warm soapy water to soak for a few hours. If persistent stains remain, use a paste-like mixture of baking soda and water, apply this to the tougher areas and allow to sit for a few hours before wiping clean.
Fridge Freezer
Freezer Interior
If you have a build-up of ice within your freezer that’s become too thick (over 1 inch), allow it to defrost by leaving your freezer door open and laying a towel by the door to soak up water. If you find your freezer has any tough marks or food spots, use a solution of white vinegar and warm water to clean these.
Fridge Interior
Empty the contents of your fridge including shelving and wash these in warm soapy water. Wipe down the interior of your fridge using a damp cloth soaked in soapy water. If you find tough spots within your fridge, use a mixture of white vinegar and warm water, with a drop of essential oil for a fresher smell.
Coils
Move your fridge freezer in order to gain access to the coils on the backside of it. Using a vacuum, remove any dust and debris that’s been allowed to build up behind your fridge before wiping it down using a damp cloth soaked in soapy water.
Stainless Steel Pots & Pans
Stainless Steel
Fill any stubborn stainless steel pots and pans with 2-3 inches of warm water, along with ¼ cup of baking soda (and ¼ cup of vinegar for super stubborn marks). Allow this to boil and simmer for 15 minutes before gently and carefully scrubbing the pot/pan. If tough stains persist, create a paste solution of baking soda and water and apply to the stains, allow to sit for a few hours before rinsing and wiping down.
Coffee Maker
Coffee Machine
Empty your coffee maker before filling the coffee maker’s water chamber with a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar. Run this solution through the coffee maker on a brew cycle, pausing it halfway through for an hour to let any debris settle before resuming the brew cycle. Ensure you run fresh water through the machine before using it again.
Microwave
Microwave
Wipe down the interior of your microwave using a damp soapy cloth in order to remove light stains and marks. If stains and marks persist, fill a microwaveable container with water and a chopped-up lemon, lime or orange and put this into the microwave for 5 minutes, allowing steam to build up. Once done, wipe everything down with a clean cloth.
Extraction Fan
Filter
Remove the filter from your extraction fan, and place it in a boiling solution of baking soda and water for 15 minutes. Remove and dry before reinstalling.
Surface
Wipe down the surfaces of your extraction fan using a solution of white vinegar and warm water to cut through the dust and grease build-up that will often occur on your extractor fan.
Kettle
Exterior
Wipe down the exterior of your kettle using a damp cloth soaked in white vinegar and warm water.
Interior
Fill your kettle (partly) with equal parts vinegar and water, and allow this to soak for a while. Afterwards, boil the kettle before rinsing out with warm freshwater.
Toaster
Exterior
Wipe the exterior of your toaster using a damp cloth, soaked in warm water and vinegar to remove any scuffs and marks.
Interior
Remove the crumb tray from your toaster and dispose of any excess crumbs. Shake out any loose crumbs before washing the tray in warm soapy water.
