8 powerful cleaning hacks using lemons, vinegar and baking soda
For many of us, cleaning the house is not a chore to look forward to, especially if you can’t find good products that will help to keep the house sparkling - without costing an arm and a leg. Some cleaning products contain chemicals that can irritate your skin, eyes, or nose, but the truth is you don’t need to buy harsh cleaning products. That’s because everything you need is right there in your pantry.
Lemon juice, white vinegar, and baking soda are the best natural cleaning products you’ll ever need to make cleaning safe and maybe even a little enjoyable. Here, we bring you eight powerful cleaning hacks using this wonder trio of eco-friendly cleaning products.
1. Microwave cleaner
Place three to four slices of lemon in a microwaveable bowl with water and set it on high for two to three minutes. The steam from the water combined with the lemon juice will loosen any grease and food crumbs stuck on your microwave’s internal surfaces. Then just use a damp cloth to wipe it clean, and that’s it. Your microwave will look and smell like new again in no time.
2. Glass cleaner
You can make a simple and environmentally-friendly glass spray by mixing 10ml of lemon juice and 20ml of white vinegar in a 500ml spray bottle, then topping up with water. Shake it before spraying on to any glass areas such as windows, tables and mirrors. You can also use this versatile cleaner on metals.
3. Washing machine cleaner and laundry whitener
Keep your washing machine smelling fresh by running a quick cycle with vinegar and water at least once a week. This should keep mould from building up, and of course, it neutralises odours.
On the other hand, baking soda is excellent to keep your white clothes as pure as can be. Pop a spoonful of baking soda with your liquid detergent and wash your whites as usual. Much cheaper than supermarket products such as Vanish, but you’ll still get stunning results.
4. Bathroom cleaner
You can do heaps of things to clean your bathroom with any of our superstar natural cleaning products. Here are our top tips:
- Spritz some white vinegar onto any mouldy areas, and leave for about 30 minutes. Then rinse with clean water, and the mould should be gone. You shouldn’t need to do anything else, but for really stubborn areas, give them a quick scrub
- Rub your faucets with lemon juice. Leave overnight and rinse
- Clean grout with a paste made from lemon juice and baking soda (it should have the consistency of toothpaste). Use a toothbrush to apply it to the areas that need it most. Wait until the stains are gone before rinsing
5. Dishwasher cleaner
Make a cleaning solution with 20% lemon juice, 50% white vinegar, and 30% water, and use it to rinse your dishwasher filter. Then run a rinse cycle but first place one cup of lemon juice into a dishwasher-safe container and place it on the bottom rack. The result – a sparkling clean and deodorised dishwasher!
6. Clogged drains
Clogged drains can be tricky, but before calling in a plumber, try this cleaning hack. Sprinkle some baking soda into the clogged drain, then pour some white vinegar into it. Cover the drain opening with a cloth to allow the baking soda and vinegar to react with each other and start to unclog the drain. Wait a few minutes, then pour hot water into the hole and you should see fast results. If this doesn’t work the first time, repeat the process.
7. The whole house
You really can clean your whole house with our three magic cleaners! Check these out:
- Baking soda is excellent for neutralising odours. Place an open box in your refrigerator, near a rubbish bin or laundry basket, or even beside your sneakers
- Sprinkle some baking soda on your carpet and upholstered furniture. Wait a few minutes, then vacuum for some instant deodorising
- Mix a cup of olive oil with the juice of half a lemon and wipe your wood furniture with it to keep it shiny and dust-free
- Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and add a few drops of lavender essential oil. Use the mixture to clean most areas of your home except those made with materials prone to discolouration
8. BBQ cleaner
The barbie can be a pain to keep clean but not when you have lemons in the house! Once you’ve finished using the BBQ, first give it a quick scrape and remove any residue, then cut a lemon in half and use these (cut sides down) to run over the BBQ plates while they’re still hot. The lemon juice will cut through the grease that’s still on your BBQ and leave it nice and clean for next time.
Power up your cleaning with natural products
So, you see, cleaning doesn’t really have to include harsh chemicals or be expensive. Use natural products for cleaning throughout the house and our precious environment will thank you for it. What’s more, you’ll be able to save money because natural cleaning products tend to be a lot cheaper than the brands you’ll find in the supermarket.
You could even use the money you save to buy yourself some new appliances or furniture. And if you want it now, we’re here to help. Just take a look at our cash loans from $1,000 to find out how quick and easy it is to get your hands on some extra funds. Once a loan is approved, the cash is usually in your bank account within a few hours – so you can buy whatever it is you’ve had your eye on now and put the money you save towards the repayments.