Today, you’ll find a variety of bathroom cleaners on the market, which guarantee to clean up stubborn stains and dirt while leaving your bathroom in a sparkling clean state. While chemical cleaners can work well, their strong chemical odors can be a drawback for some, especially those who need to clean on the regular.
If you struggle with using chemical cleaners, looking into natural DIY cleaning products may be of interest. The good news is that there are a ton of unique, helpful DIY solutions for everyday cleaning needs.
To get started, you just need to know where to look. The guide below describes green cleaners made with a few simple, non-toxic, and biodegradable ingredients designed to keep your bathroom clean and fresh.
There are a ton of benefits to using natural cleaning solutions. Making your bathroom “naturally” cleaner is not only safer for your family, but also better for the environment. How so? Read on to find out.
Why are Natural Bathroom Cleaners Better than Commercial Ones?
The primary benefit of a natural cleaner is safety. Did you know that some store-bought cleaners can be harmful if they are touched or inhaled, poisonous if consumed, and also contribute to indoor air pollution?
Many people are unaware of the toxicity of some chemicals that make up common cleaning products. Let’s take a look at some of the most common household cleaning ingredients to gain a better understanding:
Ammonium Chloride
Ammonium chloride can cause damage to your reproductive health and can be worse for people suffering from asthma.
Silicon Compounds
Silicon is not inherently harmful, but when it breaks down and is used as a cleaning product it’s a different story. The silicon compounds are said to have a high impact on endocrine, developmental, and reproductive systems. It’s recommended to wear a face mask whenever you’re being exposed to such substances.
Hydrochloric Acid
Although it’s not as toxic as the above two, it does affect the respiratory system. Additionally, there are some concerns about its effect on vital organs as well as on skin.
Butoxydiglycol
You may not have come across this term before but be warned, direct exposure is ill advised. This compound affects the pulmonary function—the system that enables you to breathe. Like the other chemicals mentioned in this list, a face mask should be used when applying any cleaner with this ingredient.
Other than the ingredients above, fragrance can also be a problem for people who cannot tolerate the strong smell that comes with these commercial cleaners.
The quantities and inclusion of these ingredients will differ from product to product and brand to brand, but even the presence of these offensive ingredients can take a toll on your health as well as on the environment.
This is why it’s best to opt for natural bathroom cleaners. You can buy natural products in-store these days, but they’re also easy to make at home.
Are you ready to take a tour of our easy DIY recipes?
The following natural cleaners are made using simple and easily available ingredients. They’ll perform just like those commercial cleaners you’ve been purchasing but without a negative impact on your health or on the environment.
How to Make a Natural Bathroom Cleaner
Living healthy is not just limited to the kitchen. With 10 amazing DIY recipes, these natural bathroom cleaners are sure to leave your bathroom in a sparkling state.
Spray and Wipe DIY Cleaner
The best part of this DIY cleaner is that you can use it everywhere, from the bathroom to any hard surfaces of your home. It’s very easy to make and above all, much cheaper than commercial cleaners loaded with chemicals.
Tip:
Use a transparent glass bottle to store this cleaner.
Ingredients
- A 500ml glass spray bottle (that’s the quantity you’ll make)
- A teaspoon of borax
- Half teaspoon of soda crystals (natural washing soda)
- A teaspoon of liquid castile soap
- 20 drops of essential oil
- 500ml warm filtered water
Directions
- Sterilize your spray bottle properly
- Next, put all the above-mentioned ingredients in the spray bottle one-by-one
- Shake the bottle and use it as required.
- When not in use, store in a cool, dark place for up to three months.
DIY Scum Scrub Cleaner
Scum can be annoying as it sits in those parts of the bathroom that can’t be reached or cleaned easily, like the bottom of a basin or in the cracks of your bathroom tiles.
Scum itself is made up of various elements like mineral deposits, mildew, and limescale from hard water, which means you’re going to have a tough time removing it.
If you’re tired of this, try this DIY recipe and use it weekly to clean your bathroom. Start by testing it on a small area to ensure that it works for your bathroom.
Ingredients
For a 500g scum scrub cleaner, you’ll need:
- 250g soda bicarbonate
- 125g soda crystals (natural washing soda)
- 125g non-iodized salt
- 4 to 6 drops of orange oil
- A glass jar with a lid to store it
Directions
- Mix all the ingredients.
- After you’ve mixed it thoroughly, transfer the mixture to a jar, and shake well.
- Wet the scum area and sprinkle this mixture generously with the help of a spoon over it.
- Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Scrub with a brush. If the scum is in the tile grout, consider using a toothbrush.
- Rinse the area thoroughly.
- Store this scum scrub in a cool, dry, and dark place and use it within three months.
Toilet Bliss Bombs
Are you a fan of those fluorescent sticky toilet bowl tabs you get in the supermarket? They may seem nice, but imagine those chemicals ending up in your nearest waterway with every flush.
Not so nice, right? While this is a good way to keep your toilet fresh and clean, using these chemical bowl tabs can pose some risk.
How about giving this DIY recipe a try? These bliss bombs will not only keep your toilet clean but will also prevent the risk of those toxic chemicals getting into waterways.
Ingredients
For 12-14 chemical-free tabs, you’ll need:
- A spray bottle
- A glass jar for storing the tabs
- 250g soda bicarbonate
- 80g citric acid
- 5 drops of lemon oil
- 10 drops of lavender oil
- 10 drops of rose oil
- Rubber gloves
- A cotton face mask
- A silicone ice-cube tray (preferably an old one)
Directions
- As citric acid is strong, it can make you cough. It’s best to put on a face mask and gloves before making these DIY tabs.
- Mix soda bicarbonate with citric acid in a glass bowl.
- Fill the spray bottle with water and start pouring it gradually into the bowl. Keep mixing it simultaneously.
- Add water in, just enough to make the ingredients to stick together.
- Now, add the essential oils and mix them thoroughly.
- Once done, take the ice-cube tray and press small amounts of mixture into it.
- Let it dry overnight.
- The next morning, remove these tabs carefully and transfer them to a glass or any airtight jar container.
- Drop one tab in the toilet when you want to use it. Leave it until it gets dissolved. Flush after you use it.
- Make sure not to use more than once a day.
All-in-One Bathroom Cleaner
This all-in-one bathroom cleaner is very easy to make and is effective for all types of bathrooms. It even works great as a stain remover for rugs and carpets.
Tip:
If you use water with any product without adding preservatives, there’s a risk of bacterial development. It is, therefore, best to use water-based products quickly.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of warm water (use tap water for short-term use and distilled water for long-term use)
- 1 tablespoon of baking soda
- 2 tablespoons of castile soap
- 30 drops of tea tree essential oil
- 20 drops of sweet orange essential oil
- A 16oz glass spray bottle
Directions
- Add warm water to the spray bottle.
- Add baking soda.
- Combine both ingredients by shaking the bottle.
- Next, add the essential oils and castile soap.
- Shake the bottle gently in a way that everything gets mixed thoroughly.
- Spray the surface that you wish to clean.
- Let the cleaner sit for a minute.
- Wipe with a damp cloth.
- Last, rinse the cloth as required.
DIY Tub and Tile Cleaner
Special tub and tile cleaners can not only be expensive, but they also invite unnecessary exposure to chemicals. This homemade version of a tub and tile cleaner will avoid both these things. Give it a try and experience it for yourself!
Ingredients
- Glass jar
- 1.5 cups of baking soda
- Half cup of warm water
- Half cup of liquid soap
- 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or white distilled vinegar, whichever is available
Directions
- Fill up the jar with all the ingredients one by one.
- Shake it well till everything gets combined properly.
- Add a little lemon juice if you wish to give an acid-like effect to the mixture. However, this is optional and should be done if you want to remove grime or wish to leave a fresh lemon scent.
- Store it in a jar, not a spray bottle.
- Shake the mixture thoroughly before you begin using it every time.
DIY Grout Cleaner
If you want to avoid the awful smell of grout whiteners and cleaners, consider making your own! Grout cleaners can be made with the simplest ingredients:
Ingredients
- White distilled vinegar
- Dawn dish soap
Directions
- Take equal parts of white distilled vinegar and Dawn dish soap.
- Heat the vinegar over the stove till it gets hot.
- Blend this hot vinegar with Dawn dish soap in a bucket or spray bottle—whatever is available at your home. You may even consider blending it directly in the tub.
- Scrub it to remove the mold or shower scum from the grout on your bathroom floor or the tiled shower.
DIY Toilet Cleaner
This DIY toilet cleaner is simple, can keep both your bowl and pipes clean, and doesn’t even need scrubbing! Follow the instructions to make this homemade toilet cleaner.
Ingredients
- A can of Cola or any other brown soda pop
- A cup of baking soda
- A cup of white distilled vinegar
Directions
- Empty the Cola can into the toilet and allow it to sit for ten minutes.
- Flush it off.
- Next, add baking soda and white distilled vinegar. Don’t stir or scrub till the bubbling settles.
- You can now scrub if there’s a need to (in case you have tough stains to remove).
- Flush again.
DIY Wall and Basin Cleaner
This is one of the simplest recipes to try at home if you want a chemical-free cleaner. You can use this combination of water and borax on fixtures, painted wood, wallpaper, porcelain, tile grout, and even on the plastic shower curtain. It has the potential to clean and disinfect everything that you see around in your bathroom, except the mirror.
Ingredients
- A cup of hot water
- Half cup of borax
Directions
- Mix hot water and borax directly in the sink.
- Scrub it for a while.
- Rinse it.
DIY Mirror Cleaner
Sometimes, we forget about cleaning bathroom mirrors. However, an uncleaned, stained mirror can impact the entire clean look of your bathroom.
You don’t need to get the expensive stuff for its maintenance. Just follow these steps to make an easy DIY mirror cleaner.
Ingredients
- Newspaper or non-lint towels
- 2 tablespoons of white distilled vinegar
- 3 cups of warm water
Directions
- Take a spray bottle. Mix water and vinegar in it.
- Spray this mixture on your mirror.
- Wipe it down with a non-lint towel or a newspaper.
DIY Drain Cleaner
Clogged drains in the bathroom is one of the most common issues facing households. Instead of getting those harmful commercial drain cleaners, how about creating one easily at home? All you need is the following:
Ingredients
- A cup of baking soda
- Half cup of vinegar
Directions
- Dump the baking soda into your drain.
- Now, add vinegar to it. You’ll see fizz being created.
- Use a plate to cover your drain.
- Let this mixture sit for around 30 minutes to one hour.
- Remove the plate and rinse the drain with hot water.
In Conclusion
There you have it: aren’t these DIY cleaning products worth a try? Say goodbye to chemical-based commercial products and say welcome to these easy and efficient natural bathroom cleaners in your home.
Do you have any other trusty DIY bathroom cleaner recipes or tips? Share with us in the comments.