Keeping your kitchen clean is a lifelong journey—it can feel like you’re always in the process of scrubbing and wiping and tidying, which means buying a whole lot of cleaning products that are usually full of chemicals you’re not too familiar with. Enter DIY cleaning solutions: cheaper for you, easy to whip up, and usually far more natural than what you can buy at the store.
1. Baking Soda for Cleaning Cookware
- What it’s for: Baking soda is a home cleaner’s best friend. It’s particularly great when you’re tackling grease and burnt bits caked onto your cookware and stove.
- What to make: Make a simple paste with about a 1/2 cup of baking soda and a few tablespoons of water.
- How to use it: Start scrubbing! Or make a diluted solution with just a dash of baking soda and plenty of hot water to soak pots, pans, cookie sheets, and dishes. Baking soda is also great for getting smells and stains out of your microwave.
2. Tea Bags for Cleaning Hardwood Floors
- What it’s for: Black tea works great to clean dark and medium hardwood floors while
giving the surface an extra shine. - What to make: Mix 16 ounces of warm water with black tea bags, steep for 10 minutes,
remove the tea bags, and then let the solution cool before pouring it into a
bottle. - How to use it: Spray away and watch your
floors start shining!
3. Lemon Juice for Cleaning Stains
- What it’s for: Lemons are a natural
disinfectant and stain remover thanks to their acidity. Plus they have the
bonus of making your house smell pleasant. - What to make: Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle
salt on the cut half. - How to use it: Rub the salt-topped lemon on
your cutting board to remove stains and kill any
lingering germs. Don’t know what to do with the other half of a lemon? Try juicing it and making a lemonade sparkler to celebrate a job well
done.
4. Vinegar Cleaning Solution for Your Kitchen
- What it’s for: Vinegar loosens up stains and
clears grime like a champ. - What to make: Mix a solution of half water and
half white vinegar in a spray bottle to keep on hand. - How to use it: Squeeze a few squirts and wipe
down your fridge and freezer, or clean your cutting boards—this way, you don’t
have to worry about chemicals seeping into your food. You can even add
essential oils (like grapefruit or tea tree oil) for a nice scent. This vinegar
mixture is also perfect for cleaning your kitchen sink and stainless steel appliances.
5. Cooking Oil for Seasoning Cast Iron
- What it’s for: Olive oil, vegetable oil,
canola oil and other cooking oils are great for tackling cast-iron grossness
(because soaking cast-iron in soapy water is a no-no!). - What to make: Coat the pan with oil (about a
half teaspoon’s worth) after rinsing out any excess water. - How to use it: Place the oil-coated skillet
over a burner on high heat. Rub around the oil with a paper towel. Continue
heating the pan until it just starts to smoke then rub off any excess oil, let
it cool, and you’re done!
Ready to get cleaning? Check out our best tips for cleaning your bathroom, living room, bedroom, and kids rooms.