Many conventional cleaning products are packed with harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, and plastic packaging. They’re designed to make life “easier,” but often at the cost of our health and the environment.
The truth? You don’t need a cupboard full of sprays and wipes.
You just need a few simple ingredients, and the confidence to start.
Here’s how to build a low-waste, natural cleaning routine that’s gentle on your home and the planet.
Why go natural?
Conventional cleaners can:
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Contain skin and respiratory irritants
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Pollute waterways when rinsed down the drain
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Create unnecessary plastic waste
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Mask smells with synthetic fragrance instead of truly cleaning
Natural cleaning uses fewer, safer ingredients that work just as well, without the side effects.
The basics: What you really need
You only need a few pantry staples to clean most of your home:
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White vinegar – disinfects and cuts grease
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Baking soda – deodorizes, scrubs, and whitens
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Castile soap – gentle and multi-purpose
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Lemon – naturally antibacterial and smells fresh
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Essential oils (optional) – add scent + extra cleaning power (try tea tree, lavender, or lemon)
Simple DIY recipes
All-purpose cleaner
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1 part white vinegar
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1 part water
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Optional: 10 drops essential oil
Use on counters, sinks, glass, and bathroom surfaces
Scrub paste
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3 tbsp baking soda
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1 tbsp water or castile soap
Great for tubs, tiles, and stove tops
Deodorizing carpet powder
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1 cup baking soda
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10–15 drops essential oil
Sprinkle on carpet, let sit for 10 minutes, vacuum
Storage tips
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Reuse old spray bottles or jars
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Label your mixes with the name + date
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Store out of direct sunlight for longer shelf life
Start small: one cleaner, one change. Once you see how well it works, you’ll never go back.
Cleaning doesn’t have to involve chemicals or waste.
It can be simple, empowering, and a quiet act of care, for your home, your health, and the Earth.
Start with vinegar. Scrub with kindness. Rethink “clean.”