Old fashioned cleaning products work as well as newer ones for less.

You want a clean house. What don’t you want? The harmful chemicals found in many common cleansers. Make these natural bathroom cleaners instead.

Whether you have young children at home, have health issues, or simply want to choose a greener option for your cleaning needs, creating your own natural bathroom cleaners is becoming increasingly popular with environmentally conscious consumers.

Better yet? Eco-friendly cleaners can sanitize and clean just as effectively as other options and may save you money in the process.

Tile, counters and everything in between

Many commercial cleaners serve only one purpose. So they force you to buy and stock several products. Instead, save money and storage space by concocting a natural multipurpose cleanser that cleans nearly everything! You’ll need:

• 2 cups warm water
• 1 teaspoon liquid Castile soap
• 1 teaspoon borax
• ½ teaspoon washing soda
• Essential oil for scent (such as citrus or lavender)

Combine the first four ingredients in a glass spray bottle, topping it off with 10-12 drops of the essential oil of your choice. You can spray this multipurpose cleaner on any bathroom surface including ceramic tile, granite countertops, the exterior of the toilet and as a floor pre-treatment.

Scrub your tub naturally

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Stubborn bathtub rings?

A natural cleaning solution will do the trick. Blend your own scouring powder from ingredients you most likely already have in your home.

Combine 1 cup of baking soda, ½ cup of salt and ½ cup of washing soda, adding a few drops of essential oil for scent if you like.

Wet the tub surface with water and sprinkle it with powder. Let it sit for five minutes — then scrub with a cleaning brush until the stains disappear.

You can also remove bathtub rings or rust and polish fixtures with grapefruit and coarse salt. Halve the grapefruit and sprinkle salt on the cut surface and around the wet bathtub. Scrub your tub with the grapefruit itself, and rinse!

Editor’s note: Salt can be abrasive, so if you’re concerned about scratching a surface (such as a fiberglass tub), test a small area first. I see no point in using two kinds of soda. A mixture of soda and borax might work better. Borax is antifungal and kills mold or mildew.

Use vinegar to sanitize mirrors and windows

Vinegar trumps popular glass cleaners. Non-toxic and antibacterial, vinegar leaves windows and mirrors clear and streak-free, killing germs and breaking down the grime that builds on glass surfaces.

Combine one part vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle, spray it on your windows or mirrors and wipe. Dry your glass surfaces with microfiber cloths or old T-shirts instead of paper towels to avoid leftover residue and wasted paper.

Eliminate odors with natural air fresheners

Common household air fresheners often contain loads of chemicals and can overwhelm a small bathroom space. Make your own air freshener and you’ll avoid harsh chemicals while creating a customized scent.

Add 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil scent to ½ cup of white vinegar and 1½ cups of water to a spray bottle.

Or combine  ½ cup of baking soda with 8-12 drops of essential oil in a vented mason jar and leave it on the counter to freshen the air throughout the day.

Creating your own cleansers may require a little extra time and effort, but they offer a range of benefits. They help protect the environment, your health (and your family’s health), and save you money. Invest the effort and reap the reward of a sparkling bathroom you feel good about showing off.

Author bio: Erica Garland is Content Marketing Manager at Modern Bathroom and has 15 years of experience in the bathroom renovation industry. Modern Bathroom sells a variety of products you would need for any bathroom renovation project. With such a large selection of vanities, faucets, sinks, toilets and showers, Modern Bathroom is sure to have the perfect piece to give your bathroom an updated look. 

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The ultimate guide to using washing soda and baking soda: 88 helpful hints
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