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A Naturally Clean Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home. With ten ingredients or less you can keep your kitchen clean, warm, inviting, and best of all, chemical-free!
Basic ingredients:
- White vinegar
- Liquid castile soap
- Baking soda
- Borax
- Washing soda
- Grapefruit seed extract
- Essential oils like lime, lemon, lavender, and tea tree
Equipment:
- Plastic spray bottles (or glass, if preferred)
- Mason jars
- Shaker jars
Recipes
Dishwashing Liquid:
- 2-3 c. diluted castile soap
- 10 drops tea tree oil
- 10 drops lemon oil
- 10 drops grapefruit seed extract (optional)
Combine liquid castile soap with water in whatever ratio you prefer (60-75% soap works well, depending on the mineral content of the water). Add tea tree oil and lemon oil. If desired, add grapefruit seed extract for increased disinfecting properties.
Automatic Dishwashing Powder:
- 1 c. washing soda
- 1/2 c. borax (see our Borax: Friend or Foe? article for pertinent safety information)
- 1/2 c. baking soda
Combine ingredients and store in mason jar under the sink. Use 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons for each dishwasher load, depending on mineral content of water. Use 1/2 cup white vinegar as a rinsing agent.
Automatic Dishwashing Liquid:
- 1/2 c. liquid castile soap (using regular soap can result in too many suds)
- 1/2 c. water
- 1/4 c. white vinegar
- 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
- Several drops tea tree oil or grapefruit seed extract
Combine ingredients in mason jar and shake. Use 2 tablespoons for each dishwasher load. Can be stored in a squeeze bottle.
Spicy Scrubber:
- 1 c. baking soda
- 3 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 3 drops orange essential oil
Put ingredients into shaker jar. Mix thoroughly. Sprinkle onto sinks and wipe. Follow with a vinegar spray for added benefit.
General Cleaning:
Keep spray bottles of white vinegar (diluted, if desired) with added essential oil on hand for wiping counters and appliances. Lime makes a great addition to vinegar.
Keep cotton cloths in a jar of diluted castile soap to have on hand for spills or wiping. Add any essential oil of your choice for enhanced scent.
For granite countertops, a solution of liquid castile soap and water is recommended. Because of its acidic nature, white vinegar can cause etching (dulling) of the granite. The cleaning cloths soaked in diluted castile soap work nicely for this.
For stainless steel appliances, combine 3 tbsp. baking soda with enough water to make a nice paste. Rub mixture over the surface with a sponge or damp cloth. Rinse with water, or spray and wipe with white vinegar. To polish, rub olive oil over surface. If the surface is too shiny, wipe with a paper towel or dry cloth.
Interested in learning more?
Additional recipes can be found in these two books:
- Better Basics for the Home by Annie Berthold-Bond
- The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier