Cleaning is one of my favourite things to do. Having a clean home makes me feel more comfortable, with less stress. Now I’m not talking those crazy kid messes where toys are everywhere. I’m talking dirt, bacteria and those gross kitchen and bathroom disasters.
For over the past year I have been diligently trying to reduce our chemical use in the home. What many people (including myself at one point) don’t realize is that many basic ingredients that are safe, can be combined to make one fantastic cleaner. Better than those chemical product!
I want to share my passion of reducing house hold chemicals with all of you, so here are my favourite DIY cleaners that get all the jobs done around the house. You can say thank you now!
BATHROOM: Dawn Dish Soap + Vinegar
I’m not one for chemicals, which I why I have been trying my very best to create my own cleaners. But this recipe is hands down the best shower and tub cleaner that doesn’t leave your bathroom smelling toxic. Simply spray, leave for on the surface for a few minutes, then wash clean. Another tip is to leave the solution in one of those kitchen cleaning sponges. So you just use the sponge without having to spray from a bottle.
The recipe is quite simple when it comes to the ingredients. It’s a 1:1 ratio when combining them. So if you use 1 cup of white vinegar, use 1 cup of Dawn Dish Soap. I highly recommend using Dawn. I have used other brands and honestly, they didn’t work as well compared to Dawn. The trick to help combine them is to microwave the Dawn Dish Soap for one minute before mixing them into your spray bottle of choice. It does help them mix together better.
ALL PURPOSE: Vinegar + Water + Essential Oil
My all time favourite cleaner. This recipe is versatile because you can decide on which essential oil you want to use. Many oils have different properties such as killing and preventing bacteria growth. This is a 1:1 ratio recipe as well. Example, 1 cup of white vinegar, 1 cup of water plus 20 drops of essential oil of choice. See my favourite oils below!
- Lavender: Basic, all surface cleaner
- Lemon: Bathroom + Kitchen
- On Guard / Tea Tree: the sink, around the sink or when I feel like the house needs a good clean if someone has been sick.
TOILET: Baking Soda + Vinegar
Toilets can be a big messy job and most toilet bowl cleaners contain bleach. If you’re wanting something on the safer side all you need is baking Soda, vinegar and essential oil of your choice. Simply add all the ingredients right into the bowl. I pre-mix my essential oil and baking Soda in sealable glass jar. The. You sprinkle the desired amount (about 1/4 cup) into the toilet, add 1/4 cup of white vinegar and let the fizzy action begin! I like to let it sit for about 20 minutes before I scrub it with a brush. The reaction between the vinegar and baking soda really brighten the smell of the essential oil you use. I love to use lemon!
CARPETS: Baking Soda Deodorizer
Living with two kids and two dogs, our floors can become quite the mess in a nano second. I started using a carpet deodorizer before vacuuming. To help freshen and kill bad scents. Simple add 1 cup of Baking Soda and 20-30 drops of your essential oil of choice. Mix together in a salt shaker. Shake onto carpet, leave for 20 minutes then vacuum.
*** Tips to Remember ***
Some essential oils will harm animals. I always make sure to close off the room after I have shaken the Baking Soda, and chose oils safe on animals. I also make sure not to do it often. Maybe once a week at the very most. Do your research if you have animals in your home.
HANDS: Foaming Hand Soap
With how much we all wash our hands in this house, I knew a while ago how important it was to use a product safe for us; no chemicals. I love this specific soap because it is also moisturizing, all because of the fractions coconut oil. You want fractioned because it is liquid at room temperature. Compared to traditional coconut oil. This allows all the ingredients to combine and not separate.
- Foaming Soap Dispenser
- 12 oz of Distilled Water
- 2 tbsp Castile Soap
- 1/2 tsp Fractioned Coconut Oil (you can use EVOO or avocado if you don’t have access to this kind. But you can find it on Amazon)
- 5-10 Drops of your Essential Oil of Choice
Add these all into the bottle and give it a really good shake till it’s all thoroughly mixed together.
My five favourite cleaners just for you! Be sure to tag your creations @thejaclynyvonne so I can see!
Thanks for reading,
Jaclyn Yvonne 
Excellent cleaning tips!!
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