Moving to a new country brings in a fair share of getting-used-to moments. Even if the language is not an issue, smaller everyday things—like brands, stores and weather—will change the way you live there compared to back home. So, to make your moving process easier, and to get into the spring cleaning mood, this month we bring you the best natural and sustainable cleaning products for your new home abroad.
By Life Lovers Magazine Editorial Team
Cleaning products can be harmful to the environment due to their ingredients, such as phthalates and single-use plastic containers, and sometimes it may be difficult to discern the best natural cleaning products from marketing claims and chemical definitions, especially if we’re in a new country with new laws and possibly even another language.
But, as we’re blossoming with the spring and very much into our decluttering phase, we want to make sure our new sacred space we call home is ravishing. And of course, we all want to do it in the most eco-friendly way possible, right?
Well, lucky for you, we are very into DIY and making our own cleaning products out of vinegar, baking soda, alcohol, dish soap, and essential oils. Because who needs convenience when you can spend hours mixing chemicals together in your kitchen?
Let’s go!
6 of our favourite and most multipurpose cleaning DIY products you can create anywhere in the world.
Before cleaning, it’s important to determine what your floor or surface is made of and what cleaning agents are safe to use. Avoid using abrasive brushes on soft materials like cork, too much water on wood floors, or too much vinegar on sensitive materials like marble and granite.
Additionally, it’s recommended to perform a spot test in an inconspicuous area to avoid any damage or discolouration. It’s a good idea to sweep or vacuum your floors before applying any liquid cleaner to ensure that any solid debris is removed, for example.
Now, on to the cocktail-mixing—I mean, cleaning products-creating! Here are our 6 favourite and most multipurpose cleaning DIY products you can create anywhere in the world.
1. Water + Vinegar
When it comes to the joy of scrubbing floors, we have a magical solution that will change your life forever. White vinegar! Yes, you heard that right – the same stuff that makes your eyes water when you open the bottle can actually make your floors sparkle. Just mix half a cup of it with a gallon of water (or equal parts if you’re feeling frisky). We’d recommend adding a few drops of a colourless essential oil for a pleasant scent, and you’re good to go.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Vinegar? Really?” But trust me, it works like a charm. Your floors will look so clean, that you’ll think you’re walking on clouds.
2. Water + Vinegar + Vegetable Oil
If you have a wooden floor that needs cleaning, you can try making a mixture of half a cup of white vinegar and one teaspoon of vegetable oil in a cup of water. Mix the components well and use a cleaning rag to rub the solution onto the floor, either covering the entire surface or just cleaning up specific spots. If you need to clean up particular spots, you can also prepare the mixture in a spray bottle for easy use. To avoid creating slippery areas, use a different clean rag to go over the surface afterwards.
3. Water + Vinegar + Dish Soap + Rubbing Alcohol
Now we’re getting a bit more complicated and start mixing products as if we’re making a mojito. Well, let me tell you about a specific mix that has all the magical ingredients that make it work wonders on a variety of flooring materials: Water + Vinegar + Dish Soap + Rubbing Alcohol.
Who would have thought that alcohol would be the key to avoiding floor streaks, disinfecting, and degreasing all at once? And, if you thought dish soap’s only job was to clean, think again! It can also dissolve the bond between dirt and floor while degreasing.
But wait, there’s more! You have to be very specific about the type of dish soap you use. No moisturisers or antibacterial ingredients, please. We don’t want to confuse the poor dish soap with multiple responsibilities, do we?
The ratio of this miracle mixture is two cups of warm water, half a cup of vinegar, a quarter cup of isopropyl alcohol, and just an eighth teaspoon of liquid dish soap. It even cuts the acidity of vinegar so that it won’t damage sensitive floors.
4. Water + Vinegar + Washing Soda
Washing soda is a useful additive to floor cleaning solutions. Although it is commonly used for laundry purposes, it can also be used to fight grease and stains on floors. We recommend a mixture of 3.7 litres of hot water, two tablespoons of white vinegar, two tablespoons of washing soda, and one and a half teaspoons of liquid dish soap. The water should be hot to ensure proper dissolution of the washing soda. It is best to mix the solution in a bucket and use it for mopping.
5. Water + Vinegar + Olive Oil
Here’s an extra shine cleaning tip: Adding olive oil to your cleaning mixture can help give your floors a shine that lasts even after the mixture dries. To make the mixture, combine three-quarters of a cup of olive oil and half a cup of lemon juice with approximately 3.7 litres of hot water. Mix everything, then apply the mixture to your surfaces using a well-wrung-out mop.
6. Water + Vinegar + Baking Soda
Ah, the good ol’ science fair volcanoes! Who knew that baking soda and vinegar could come in handy for something other than making a mess in the kitchen? If you’re tired of staring at the pesky tile-line grime on your floor, fear not! Just mix equal parts baking soda and warm water, slather the paste on your grout, and generously spray it with vinegar. Let the science experiment unfold for 15 minutes, and then get ready to scrub away with an old toothbrush.
It’s the perfect way to relive your childhood science fair days while getting your floors sparkling clean.
And remember, it’s not just about grabbing any old cleaning product and going to town. Oh no, each flooring material has its own unique preference, so you better make sure you’re not offending your floor in any way.
Happy spring-cleaning!
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May/June 2024 | Life Lovers Magazine.
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