May 13, 2016
Three Kitchen Cleaners to Stop Buying and Start Making
Despite what commercials, advertisements and media may tell consumers, cleaners don’t need to contain toxic chemicals, unnatural scents or bright colors in order to clean well. In fact, the ideal cleaners can contain as few as three to five ingredients to be effective on just about any surface or for any need.
Kitchen cleaners can easily clutter your under the sink storage as well as bring some harsh and unnecessary chemicals in to your home. Today I am sharing three effective, cost efficient kitchen cleaners that are not only safe and incredibly affordable, but will also give their commercial brand competitors a run for their money. Still on the fence as to whether DIY cleaners are really all that they are hyped up to be? I challenge you to choose one of these cleaners and try it out for yourself. I think you will pleased with just how effective these natural kitchen cleaners are.
Nightly Sink Scrub
I love using this sink scrub in the evening after the dishes are done and the sink is emptied. Works beautifully to shine up the sink as well as remove surface stains.
- 2 cups baking soda
- 10 drops lemon essential oil
- 10 drops clove essential oil
- castile soap (or dish soap) – This is not added to the baking soda until it’s used – keep reading!
- container with a lid or a shaker top (I like a mason jar, this one specifically :)) – I’ve previously used a shaker top but have switched to a lid – either way works!
- sink safe scrub brush – I use this one and keep it under my sink in a vintage mason jar. I can toss the head in the dishwasher to sanitize it as needed.
To Use:
- Put baking soda in your container
- Add essential oils to the top of the baking soda
- Stir and combine with a kitchen knife
- Wet your sink
- Sprinkle liberally in your sink
- Add a squirt or two of dish or castile soap
- Scrub with a sink-safe scrubber
- Rinse thoroughly
Marble and Granite Spray
I am amazed by how wonderfully this stone cleaner works at a fraction of the price. One of my favorites!
- 3 tablespoons rubbing alcohol
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon castile or dish soap (if you want your spray to smell like your dish soap, use that)
TOOLS:
- measuring cup
- measuring spoon
- funnel – this just makes it easier to pour liquid ingredients into a spray bottle
- spray bottle
Combine ingredients, close spray bottle, shake, and CLEAN!
All-Purpose Spray
This cleaner works perfectly on just about any surface you can dream up (except for marble, granite, and stone because of the acidity/pH level). Even better, it’s kid friendly.
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 10 drops of your favorite essential oil (lemon and clove is my favorite blend)
Ready to simplify your cleaning while keeping it safe and cost efficient? Try one or all three of these kitchen cleaners out today!
Check out this post for 3 BATHROOM cleaners you should stop buying and start making.
Doris Says
I have Quartz in my kitchen. Is the all purpose spray with vinegar safe to use? I was under the impression quartz was not a natural stone, but was man made, but now I am confused.
Becky Says
Post authorNo, vinegar is not safe on quartz. Quartz falls under the ‘stone’ umbrella – never use vinegar on any stone surface as the acid in the vinegar will etch the surface over time.
Doris Says
Thank you so much!
Tika Says
OMG NO!
FYI – sales people will unknowingly tell you all sorts of things … it is not indestructible.
Use the alcohol cleaner occasionally like you would on granite if you must.
A wet sponge, light on soap is the best.
NEVER Vinegar!
Vinegar is a mild acid so be very careful spraying mirrors & bath fixtures above/around granite, quartzite, quartz & marble counter tops.
Becky Says
Post authorTika – I state that vinegar isn’t safe on stone surfaces in the post 🙂 And the rubbing alcohol is perfectly safe on stone surfaces. I love using soap and water too!
Doris Says
What about on onyx that bathroom sinks are made of? Isn’t there some recipe that I can use as an all purpose cleaner that will be safe on my Quartz, onyx and be an all around general cleaner. It appears that one needs to mix up something different for each surface.
Betsy Says
Hi Doris! You could use the stone spray as an all purpose spray. In fact, when I was growing up my mom only used rubbing alcohol to clean everything in the bathroom. I like the mix because just rubbing alcohol smells too strong!
Maryanne Says
From where can I buy the transparent Labels please . This information is great tks.
Becky Says
Post authorIn my shop:
http://clean-mama-home.myshopify.com/collections/spray-bottles-1
Cordelia Says
Becky, I am new to essential oils. I looked in your shop and didn’t notice that you sell them. Would you please tell me where you purchase yours. I am aware there are different name brands….would you tell me how you came to use the kind you do? I really would like to try the two you mentioned – lemon and clove. Thanks.
Trudi Says
Do you use glass spray bottle due to the EO? If so where do you find them
Becky Says
Post authorYes – I sell them too:
http://clean-mama-home.myshopify.com/collections/spray-bottles-1
Dora Crompton Says
I’m a home cleaner by trade and have been using baking soda to clean kitchen sinks for a long time, but never did I think about mixing it with essential oils. Though I often use fresh lemons to polish stainless steel faucets and the like. I will try your lemon and clove combination. Sounds delightful.
Linda B. Smith Says
Very useful for a housewife like me. Thank you so much Becky, you help me save some money this month.
Dawn Cooper Says
Thanks so much for all the recipes! I have quartz countertops throughout my kitchen and bathrooms. Can I use the granite cleaner?
Becky Says
Post authorYes!
Kerri Says
Curious where you got your white soap tray in your kitchen. My soap dispenser recently broke and I’m looking at something more simple and clean. I got a hint of a look at it in one of your pictures.
Becky Says
Post authorIt’s from Crate & Barrel – it’s a small baking dish.