A complete natural cleaning guide that includes a natural cleaning checklist, various cleaning recipes, tips for cleaning without chemicals and a room by room guide. Find out how you can save money by cleaning naturally and avoiding harmful chemicals. More tips at http://wellnessmama.com

1. Wellness Mama’s Guide
NATURAL
CLEANING
WELLNESSMAMA.COM

2. CLEANING YOUR WHOLE HOUSE
NATURALLY FOR UNDER $10 A MONTH
There are many difficult parts of switching to a
healthier and more natural way of living, and
fortunately, switching to natural cleaners isn’t one of
them. Natural cleaners are easy to make, work just as
well and often cost much less than their conventional
alternatives. This guide gives you the tools to keep
your house clean on a budget without the chemicals.

3. • the Basics •
Basic List
1. White Vinegar
2. Baking Soda
3. Hydrogen Peroxide
4. Borax
5. Washing Soda
6. Liquid Castille Soap
7. Essential Oils
8. Microfiber Cloths
Why Clean Naturally?
The eight natural products on the shopping list children. A recent study found that many babies
on the left side of this page will clean your entire are born with over 200 chemicals in their
house if you know how to use them. No bleach, umbilical cord blood. We’re constantly
ammonia or chemical detergents necessary! bombarded by chemicals and toxins in daily life,
Conventional cleaners are full of harsh but switching to natural cleaners is a relatively
detergents, harmful chemicals, artificial scents easy way to reduce exposure to the worst
and colors, and even hormone disruptors that offenders and save some money in the process!
can disturb the endocrine system, especially in
2

4. • Mold Remover- One part borax mixed with four parts white
The Many vinegar in a spray bottle does wonders for mold. Just spray it on,
wait about an hour, and wipe up. The mold wipes right off.
Uses of • Hardwood floors- 1/3 to 2/3 cup of white vinegar in a gallon of
warm water cleans hardwoods very quickly and easily.
White • Toilet Cleaning- Pouring a few shakes of baking soda in a drain and
Vinegar then adding a cup or so of vinegar will create a bubbly reaction
that, when scrubbed, leaves the toilet shining.
• Cleaning cabinets- If you have food spots, oil buildup or stains on
your cabinets, mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts water and scrub with
The product I use the most in my natural lifestyle and that you
a rag or sponge. The vinegar will cut any grease, leaving the
probably already have in the house is distilled white vinegar. The
cabinets clean and shiny.
smell fades when it dries and can be easily masked with a few
drops of essential oil. Here are some of the things I use vinegar for
• All Purpose Cleaning- For everything else, I have two bottles of
in my own natural cleaning:
homemade spray cleaner in the kitchen and all bathrooms. One of
these is 1 part white vinegar, 4 parts water, 10-20 drops of essential
• Stains- The most effective treatment for most stains I have found
oil (optional), and 1 tsp of organic dish soap. This does wonders on
so far is pouring undiluted vinegar onto the stain and washing as
counter tops, high chair trays, baseboards, walls, appliances,
normal. This also works great for wine, tomato sauce, or other
floors, and everywhere else things can be dumped, spilled or
spills on carpet. Immediately pour vinegar on the area, wait a few
tracked.
minutes, and wipe up with a damp cloth.
Vinegar could practically clean your entire house on it’s own, but
• Window cleaner- Vinegar is by far more effective than Windex or
there are a few other natural cleaning recipes that can add to your
other window cleaners at cleaning windows and mirrors with a
regimen...
spot free shine. I mix 1 part vinegar to three parts water and add a
few drops of my favorite essential oil (lemongrass) or a 1/2 tsp or
so of my organic dishwashing liquid.
3

5. Floors:
Depending on your type of floors, the type of cleaning will vary, but
any floor can be cleaned naturally. For laminate, ceramic, etc, a
mixture of 1 cup vinegar in a gallon of water on a wet mop will
clean really well. You can use my all-purpose cleaner to pre-treat
tough stains. There are also other options for carpet and hardwood.
For tile and grout, I sprinkle with baking soda and then spray with
hydrogen peroxide and leave for a few minutes before scrubbing
Cabinets: and then wiping off. This is the only way I’ve found to keep grout
At my house, cabinets get food, fingerprints and wall art (mainly the white.
lower ones) from my four little aspiring Picassos, and these can be a
pain to clean. Lately, I’m hooked on microfiber to clean these with I’ve switched to microfiber on this and LOVE my microfiber mop!
just water, but another great solution is a natural all-purpose cleaner
and a clean rag (I use cut up old t-shirts and towels). Dishwashing
Counters and Table: For natural dish soap, I use Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Castille or the
My All-Purpose Cleaner (on page 8) works great on countertops and Dishwashing Liquid from Tropical Traditions. I’ve tried many
tables. I’ve used it on granite and formica and it doesn’t leave natural variations of homemade dishwasher detergent, but usually
residue. I would not recommend specific granite cleaning sprays, as default to Tropical Traditions Dishwasher Soap since it is the best
these are some of the worst offenders in the chemical department. natural option I’ve found.
Do not use vinegar/lemon or anything acidic on granite as this can
erode the finish and wear down the stone. You can also use a To clean the dishwasher itself, I put a bowl or two on the top shelf
homemade alcohol based cleaner for tough messes and great shine, of the dishwasher right side up and fill it with undiluted white
but I wouldn’t use it everyday. vinegar. I then just run the dishwasher as usual (no other dishes in
it) and this removes soap scum and makes the dishwasher run
more efficiently. This is on my once-a-month to do list.
4

6. Oven Cleaning: Paper Products:
I have a self-cleaning oven but don’t like to use that feature, unless it We’ve finally transitioned to paper free in our kitchen, and I won’t
is an especially cold day in winter as it heats the house up a lot. The ever go back. We actually bought several hundred cloth napkins for
easiest way I’ve found besides using the self-clean is to spray water our wedding years ago, and we still use those, though if I ever replace
over the bottom of the oven and dump on a lot of baking soda (about them, I’ll replace them with a darker color to hide the stains they have
1/4-1/2 inch thick) and then spray with more water to make a paste. now. A couple dozen cloth napkins will last a family between washes
Then, I leave it overnight. In the morning, I scrape out all the baking and will save a lot of money and waste in the long run.
soda mixture (which is brown by this point) and then use a wire brush We also use extra dish towels instead of paper towels and just replace
to scrub any tough spots. After all the baking soda has been wiped off, them every six months to a year, which is still cheaper than buying
a vinegar and water rinse will leave a spot free shine. paper towels.
Garbage Disposal: Produce Washing:
I use my garbage disposal a lot and sometimes it gets that not-so- The way I wash produce largely depends on where it came from and
lovely odor. To combat this, there are a couple of options: what it is. For stuff from our garden, it gets a light wash in water
• cut a lemon in half, shove in garbage disposal and grind (with water before use. For store bought produce with tough skin, I soak in
running) for 10 seconds. vinegar for about 10 minutes, and then lightly scrub with my hands
• Freeze lemon and orange peels in ice cube trays with vinegar or after I’ve dipped them in baking soda. I do this before placing in the
water and throw these in and grind for 10 seconds refrigerator so that the chemicals don’t transfer to the fridge and so
• pour 1/2 cup of baking soda in and then 1 cup of distilled white the kids can get their own fruits and vegetables for snacks. I’ve also
vinegar and let sit for 10 minutes before running the water and and tried a hydrogen peroxide and water spray, and this seems to work for
the disposal softer skin fruits and veggies like peaches or grapes or berries (1/2 cup
hydrogen peroxide in 2 cups of water- stored in a dark bottle!).
Cast Iron:
This won’t be in everyone’s kitchen, but we use cast iron a lot (haven’t What is Under My Sink
had trouble with anemia during pregnancy since we started that). I try I keep it simple with kitchen cleaning. I have bottles of white vinegar,
not to use soap on cast iron since it ruins the seasoning that takes so hydrogen peroxide, Dr. Bronners, baking soda, my homemade
long to accomplish. Instead I use a steel scouring pad and some cleaner, microfiber cloths and assorted cloths and scrubbing brushes.
regular salt and scrub. This usually gets them clean without any I’m yet to find a mess I can’t tackle with this regimen. I keep
trouble. everything under the sink in a plastic shoe tray so that I can remove
them all at once to clean under the sink.
5

7. Counters, Tile, Shower, Tub:
If you have it, you can use microfiber for all of these. I’ve even found it
to be effective on soap scum in the shower.
If not, there are other natural options that work great too:
• A 50/50 vinegar/water solution will clean tile, counters, cabinet
fronts and soap scum in the shower
• A baking soda and water paste will clean stuck on gunk in the shower
and tub (use vinegar instead of water for really tough stains).
• For grout, I sprinkle baking soda on the floor and spray with
undiluted hydrogen peroxide and scrub with a gentle toothbrush.
Other than the kitchen, the bathroom takes the most amount of • For stained tubs and really, really tough messes, homemade scouring
time and work to clean since it has so many different types of powder works great, though it isn’t needed for regular cleaning.
surfaces and because, by its nature, it is a place that needs to be • For wall tile, painted door frames, spots on the doors, outside of
cleaned pretty often. toilet, etc, my homemade all purpose cleaner will clean and disinfect
If you are like me and have boys, it is probably also one of your least Toilets:
favorite places to clean. Luckily, a checklist and some natural About once a week, I sprinkle some baking soda around the inside of
cleaners can make quick work of cleaning the bathroom! the toilet to coat, then dump a cup of undiluted white vinegar into the
water. I use a reusable toilet brush to scrub and the chemical reaction
Mirrors: of the baking soda and vinegar removes stains and any lingering smell.
Just like windows, mirrors can be cleaned with a 50/50 Vinegar and This also works externally (I use on the bottom of the toilet and the
Water mix in a spray bottle and wiped with old rags from cut-up t- floor) to remove that “boy” smell from bathrooms.
shirts or newspaper (paper towels leave a lot of residue with this I’ve also found that the urine smell that can linger (especially with
method). potty-training boys) is often hiding in the hinges of the toilet seat and
under the bolt caps on the side of the toilet. At our house, these get
The easiest way, if you have them, is to use microfiber cloths (1 removed every 2 weeks or so and thoroughly cleaned.
regular one wet, and one polishing one dry or just one regular wet I finish up toilet cleaning with a spray and wipe down with undiluted
one and one regular dry) to clean without the need for chemicals at hydrogen peroxide.
all.
6

8. • Natural Cleaner Recipes •
R ecipes for:
1. Wood Floor Cleaner
2. All Purpose Floor
Cleaner
3. Carpet Cleaner
4. All Purpose Cleaner
5. Oven Cleaner
6. Window Cleaner
7. Disinfectant Spray
8. Heavy-duty
scouring powder
Natural Cleaning Recipes
Using the ingredients listed in “The Basics” you Though these cleaners are much safer than
can make a variety of natural cleaners to be used chemical versions, you should still exercise care
in different ways around your home. As I’ve said, about keeping them away from pets and small
I use microfiber almost exclusively now, but if children as they can still be harmful in large
you don’t like microfiber or don’t want to change, amounts. They are, however, safe to use on areas
these natural options are a great alternative to that babies and children will come into contact
store bought versions. with.
7

9. Homemade Wood Floor Cleaner: All Purpose Cleaner:
Combine 1/2 cup white vinegar and 1 teaspoon vegetable oil (finally This cleaner will clean anything from counters, to floors and
a good use for it!) Mix well and rub lightly into floors to bring back everything in between. It smells great and cleans without the
shine and clean spots. Add a few drops of essential oil of choice for typical vinegar odor.
nice scent. (make sure to wipe off completely to avoid slippery
floors!). Can also just use diluted white vinegar. In a spray bottle mix:
•
1 tsp borax
All Purpose Floor Cleaner:
•
1/2 tsp washing soda
Mix equal parts of vinegar and water and damp mop. For really
•
1 tsp liquid castille soap
tough stains, pre-treat with 2 Tbsp washing soda dissolved in 16
•
essential oils as preferred- I use 4 drops lemon, 4 drops
ounces of water. Mop well and damp mop with pure water to rinse. lavender and 10 drops orange
Carpet Stain Remover: Add 2 cups of warm water. Distilled is best, but any water that has
Mix equal parts of vinegar and water. Spray on stains, let sit for 5 been boiled will work. Cover bottle and shake well. Use as needed.
minutes and scrub with soft brush. Add 1-2 drops of dishwashing I use as bathroom cleaner, floor pre-treater, kitchen cleaner and on
liquid for tough stains. toys to disinfect.
For tough grease stains, pour cornstarch liberally on the stain and
let sit until dry. Vacuum up and then use method above.
For heavy duty stains that won’t come out, mix 1/4 cup each of salt,
borax and vinegar and rub into the stain. Let dry and vacuum up.
8

10. Natural Glass Cleaner
Sometimes the best things in life are free… or really really cheap,
like this home recipe for natural glass cleaner. It has a somewhat
strong smell that completely evaporates once dried.
In a 16 oz or bigger spray bottle mix:
•
1 quart water
Natural Oven Cleaner:
•
2 tablespoons vinegar
•
10-15 drops essential oil (optional, but helps the
Though it seems like a simple fix, baking soda is really effective and vinegar smell)
makes the daunting task of oven cleaning a little easier. All you have
to do to get a shining oven is spray the whole oven down with a Shake bottle and spray on windows. Use crumpled newspaper or
water bottle so that it is damp, and pour on a thick layer or baking cotton cloth to wipe off. If you have always used commercial
soda, especially on the bottom, until there is about 1/4 inch layer of window cleaner in the past, mix a couple drops of liquid castille
baking soda paste on the bottom. If any of the baking soda is still soap or liquid dish soap in some of this mixture the first time you
dry, mist it with a water bottle. clean the windows to remove detergent residue.
Then, walk away, and leave the baking soda there for a few hours
(with the oven off, unless you want to see some amateur special
effects… I don’t recommend this!) After a few hours I simply wipe up
the paste with a cloth and all the grime comes with it. For really
baked on grime, this may take a couple applications, but it always
works and it is 100% natural!
9

11. Does it work? You be the judge...
The right side of my tub has been cleaned with this mix,
the left side hasn’t.
All-Natural Scouring Powder:
Ingredients
•
2 parts baking soda
•
1 part salt
•
1 part borax powder
To make:
1.
Pour ingredients into jar or bowl.
2.
Mix or stir until well mixed.
3.
If you want to make a shaker, put in a pint or quart mason
jar and poke some holes in the top (carefully) with a sharp serrated
knife.
To Use:
1.
Lightly wet surface with water or undiluted white vinegar
(for really bad messes)
2.
Sprinkle powder on and let sit 5 minutes
3.
Scrub with sturdy brush until clean
4.
Rinse with water or vinegar (for really bad messes)
10

12. • Natural Laundry Solutions •
Laundry
Recipes:
1. Homemade Liquid
Laundry Soap
2. Homemade Powdered
Laundry Soap
3. Homemade
OxyClean
4. Natural Stain
Treatment Reference
Sheet
Homemade Laundry Solutions
Homemade laundry soap and stain treatments With a little basic chemistry and some simple
also save a lot of money over store bought ingredients you can keep your clothes as clean or
versions and you avoid the chemical detergents, cleaner than you can by using commercial
artificial scents and colors, and skin-irritating versions.
properties.
11

13. 4.
In a medium sized sauce pan, heat 2 quarts of water until
simmering.
5.
Pour grated soap in slowly until dissolved
6.
Pour hot soap mixture into the five gallon bucket and stir
well.
7.
Add optional ingredients if you plan to and stir well.
8.
Put lid on tightly and keep in corner overnight.
9.
The next day, remove lid and stir again.
10.
Pour into empty gallon jars or bottles and store by washer.
Ingredients for Homemade Natural Liquid Laundry Soap:
11.
Use 1/2 to 1 cup per load, depending on how dirty the
•
1 cup Borax (sodium borate) found as 20 Mule Team clothes are.
Borax on laundry aisle of most grocery stores
•
1 cup Washing Soda (sodium carbonate or soda ash) is Important Note: I have heard people express some concern with
available on the laundry aisle of most grocery stores the use of Borax. Borax is an ingredient in most natural and eco-
•
A bar of natural and organic bar soap like Dr. Bronners, or friendly cleaners, including Seventh Generation and Biokleen, so it is
homemade soap difficult to find any product without it. Though it can be toxic in high
doses, especially if ingested, in the dilution used in this recipe, it
Optional Ingredients: appears to have little or no health risks. If you are concerned with the
•
Sal Suds (new product from Dr. Bronners- a good grease use of Borax and prefer not to use it, use an extra 1/2 cup of washing
cutter) soda or 1 cup of baking soda in its place. You could also substitute 1
•
Liquid Castille soap for extra cleaning power and scent cup of Liquid Castille soap.
•
Essential Oils for scent
Steps to make Homemade Natural Liquid Laundry
Detergent
1.
Ask your local bakery, Sam’s Club/Costco or grocery store
for any leftover five gallon buckets with lids. They will give these to
you for free.
2.
Grate the bar soap with a cheese grater or food processor.
3.
Put 4-4.5 gallons of warm or hot water into a five gallon
bucket
12

14. How To make Powdered Laundry Soap:
1.
Grate the bar soap or mix in food processor until finely
ground. Use the soap of your choice. I personally use Dr. Bronner’s
Pure Castille Bar Soap because of its exceptional quality, and because
it is available in several different natural scents like lavender, tea tree,
peppermint, almond and others.
2.
In a large bowl, mix 2 parts washing soda, 2 parts Borax
and 1 part grated soap. (Add a few teaspoons of baking soda if
desired).
3.
Store in closed container. I keep mine in quart or half Of all the stain removers out there, Oxy Clean is the most natural
gallon mason jars. If you are using a big enough container, you can option that I’ve found… but it is also one of the most expensive
skip step 2 and just put all ingredients in storage container or jar and options.
shake. The natural version seems to work as well as the store bought and
4.
Use 1/8 to 1/4 cup per load of laundry. it’s also really easy and cheap to make!
Save Money? Homemade OxyClean Ingredients:
These recipes are also a great way to save money on laundry. By my
•
2 parts water
calculations, I am saving over half on my laundry bill by switching:
•
1 part hydrogen peroxide
On the powdered recipe, I spent (in 2011) :
•
1 part washing soda
I use 1 cup water, 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 cup baking
•
One 55 ounce box Washing Soda- $3.49 (at local store) soda. This is a liquid recipe and also reminds me somewhat of Shout
•
One 76 ounce box of Borax – $4.99 (at local store) spray.
•
One Bar Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castille Bar Soap- $2.99 How To Make:
1.
For best results, combine all ingredients right before
With the amount of this mixture I use (1/4 cup) per load of laundry, using. I keep them all in my laundry room and combine in a quart
this recipe works out to $0.09 cents per load of laundry. This saves size mason jar right before using.
me almost $0.15 per load over using Arm and Hammer or Tide. With
2.
Add one batch per load for extra cleaning/brightening, or
the liquid recipe, the saving are even more. A Five-Gallon batch costs mix a smaller amount as a pre-treat spray for laundry.
$4.30 and washes at least 80 loads, costing about $0.05 per load!
13

15. This is the stain reference sheet I keep by my washing
machine for easy reference when treating stains. Feel free to
print it out and use it to help treat your stains naturally!
14

16. • Microfiber Cleaning •
M y Favo r i t e
Microfiber
1. Regular microfiber
cloth with silver for
antibacterial action
2. Smoother polishing
cloth for windows
and silver
3. Microfiber Mop Set
for easy floor
cleaning
4. Double sided
Bathroom Mitt for
bathroom cleaning
5. Dust mitt for
allergy free dusting
6. Microfiber body
Truly Green Cleaning
cloth for body When a reader approached me about trying cleaning possible (even more natural than the
cleaning and make- microfiber for cleaning, I reluctantly agreed. I’d recipes earlier in this book)
up removal
seen friends fall in love with them and never use
cleaning products again, but was still convinced My favorite brand is Norwex after testing several
that it was marketing hype... until I tried them! brands and I especially like that they have
Now, I’m a microfiber convert myself and highly antibacterial silver fibers wound into the fabric.
recommend them if you want the most natural They also have a money-back guarantee and a 2
year warranty!
15

17. Of course, cleaning is much easier with more than just one
cloth, and these are the products I use in my home:
Antibacterial Microfiber Cloth:
I use on: Hard surfaces, counters, cabinets, floors, stainless
steel appliances, windows, shower walls, and any other hard
What is Microfiber? surfaces. It also takes out stains in clothes when used
immediately.
Essentially, microfiber cloths have extremely fine fibers that when dry,
create a static action that picks up dust and dirt, and when wet, easily
removes dirt, food, bacteria and other residue.
Since no chemicals are needed to clean with microfiber, it is the most
healthy and environmentally friendly option I’ve found. Though a
small investment up front, there is no residual cost and microfiber
cloths pay for themselves within a few months.
The average family spends several hundred dollars a year on cleaning A polishing cloth accomplishes the same thing as a regular microfiber
products and is exposed to hundreds of chemicals through these cloth but shorter fibers leave an even shinier finish.
products. Microfiber can reduce this cost by over 90% and keep the
house cleaner. I use on: Windows, stainless steel appliances, mirrors and glass and
silverware. I start with a slightly damp regular microfiber cloth and then
A Basic Microfiber Cloth polish with a polishing cloth.
This is my personal favorite microfiber cloth, as it has silver fibers
embedded in the cloth which give it naturally antibacterial properties.
It is so effective that a person could literally keep an entire house clean
with one high-quality microfiber cloth ($15) that would last several
years.
16

18. A good mop set is my favorite microfiber product aside from the multi- A regular microfiber cloth will clean a bathroom, but a specific
use regular cloth. I despise mopping and this helps me spend as little bathroom mitt makes the tougher messes a little easier. This one
time on it as possible, plus I know that the dirt, grime and bacteria is has a scrubbing cloth on one side and a regular cloth on the other
being picked up so my little one isn’t crawling around in it. to get soap scum, spots and stuck-on dirt. There is an absorbent
sponge layer underneath so it can absorb more and then easily
A good microfiber mop comes with both a wet and dry attachment. hang to dry.
Wet for actual mopping and cleaning, and dry for dust removal. I was
shocked to find that I could mop floors with just a spray bottle of water A quick wipe down with the mitt every few days will keep the
and a microfiber mop, and the floors also dry much more quickly. bathroom soap scum free.
How I use: Microfiber is so much easier of a way to mop that I just How I use: I keep hanging on a suction cup in the shower and once
mop most of the house each night in under ten minutes (and we have or twice a week just wipe down the shower with it. Once a week, I
all wood floors). A damp mop will spot clean the whole house pretty wash it and use it to clean the whole bathroom from top to
easily and we have no more dirty socks from walking on the floors bottom.
since I’ve started doing this.
The other advantage is that my kids can use this to clean the
The microfiber mop pads velcro on and can be laundered with regular bathroom with relatively little intervention.
microfiber cloths for easy clean up and re-use.
17

19. Though a regular microfiber cloth is sufficient for dusting, a dust With the recent information about how the ingredients in soap,
mitt will hold slightly more dust and doesn’t have to be shaken out even natural soap, can cause premature aging, I’ve switched to
as often. I’m glad I decided to get a dust mitt too as it has been well using microfiber for face and body cleaning as well.
worth it for one task in particular: cleaning fans.
The same properties that make it great for cleaning surfaces also
In the past, when I’d cleaned fans, it involved wet paper towels, makes it great for removing make-up, excess oils, dirt and food (if
dust falling everywhere, and me sneezing profusely. The dust mitt you have small children.
actually grabs all the dust on the fan and keeps it from getting
everywhere else, and minimized my allergies. I use microfiber face cloths daily to wash my face and remove
make-up and use them on the kids after meals to remove food. I
also use them on the kids on nights that they don’t need a full bath
but I still want to make sure they are clean. The naturally
antibacterial fibers in certain types of microfiber make them great
for naturally cleaning the skin and removing make-up without
soap. I wash mine once to twice a week as needed.
18

20. Still Not Convinced? Here are some other reasons I love
• Make-up removal is much faster with the body cloth, which even
microfiber:
removes my waterproof eye makeup without a problem.
• My kids love dusting now because the dusting mitt is so fun.
I love that one cloth can literally clean my entire kitchen from ceiling
• Since the cloths are different colors, I’ve designated one per room,
to floor without any chemicals. I found that microfiber cloths clean
so we won’t be using one that has been used in the bathroom in the
better than any other cleaning method I’d used before and since no
kitchen or vice versa. This also makes it really easy to spot clean the
cleaning products are needed, cleaning is much faster. Since I started
entire house.
using microfiber, these are the biggest changes I’ve noticed:
• Every night, my kitchen is completely spotless and it takes less than
The thing that convinced me the most? How much dirt they pick up! I
10 minutes to do it (dishes aside…). I clean the cabinets, counters,
didn’t even realize just how well they cleaned until the first time I
stainless steel appliances, and even mop the floor in that time!
washed them. I’d been carefully rinsing them out and drying them
• While the kids are in the bathtub each night, I clean the bathroom in
after each use but after about 4 days, decided I needed to wash them
about 5 minutes with the microfiber cloth I have hanging on the
all. I ran a mini-load of just 6 microfiber cloths that I had already
inside of the bathroom cabinet. Once or twice a week I still clean the
rinsed out in the sink. This is what happened:
toilet bowl with a regular toilet brush and some vinegar and baking
soda, but the mirror, counters, shower walls, tub and floor stay
clean each day.
• Our entire house has hardwood floors and the wet and dry mop
combination make sweeping and mopping much faster. The mop is
pretty wide, so I can use the dry attachment to quickly sweep and
the wet one to quickly mop. Since not much water is needed, it dries
in a couple of minutes and no chemicals are needed.
• I don’t feel like the house is clean unless the windows are clean, and
our backdoor is glass. The Envirocloth and the polishing cloth clean
the windows, so even though I have to do this daily to keep the dog
nose art and kids handprints off, it doesn’t take any time and I don’t
need vinegar anymore. So far, I’ve gotten crayon, coconut oil, apple
sauce, mashed banana, hairspray, butter and mud off the windows
with this combination!
19

21. • Under $10 a Month? •
Natural
Cleaning Costs
per 6 Months:
1. White Vinegar:
$2.50
2. Big Bag of Baking
Soda $8.00
3. Two large bottles of
Hydrogen Peroxide
$1.50
4. Box of Borax Powder
$5.00
5. Box of Washing
Soda $5.00
6. Dr. Bronners (32
ounce) $15.00 How to Save Money with Natural Cleaning
The numbers on the left are taken as an average this gives an estimate on the high end. I’d dare
of my grocery store price for each item and the say that a single bottle of Lysol or commercial
Total: $37.00 or
(higher) price to order online and I’ve rounded cleaner costs about that much, and even the
$6.17 per month each to the highest dollar amount. Obviously, you somewhat natural store-bought versions cost
could spend slightly more or less on these more than that! If you aren’t already, save some
products depending on where you live. Also, money and avoid some toxins by making your
some, like the Dr. Bronners and big bag of baking own cleaners!
soda will last much longer than 6-months, but
20

22. • Save Money with Microfiber •
Microfiber
Cleaning Costs:
1. Bathroom Mitt: $24
2. Complete Mop Set
$93
3. Regular Microfiber
+ Polishing Cloth
+Dust Mitt set $47
4. Pack of 3 body/
make-up remove
cloths that can be re-
used indefinitely:
$20
Total: $184 with a 2-
year warranty (they’ll
last longer) which
How to Save Money with Microfiber
comes out to a The costs on the left are the exact sets I’ve gotten chores around the house. Though it does take
maximum of $7.66 and been cleaning my entire house with. I more of an investment up front, I’ve found
per month for totally absolutely love the microfiber and it is even microfiber to be a great deal in the long run! If
chemical free cleaning!
easier than making my own cleaners, takes much you haven’t already, please look into these
less room to store, and is even more natural. natural options for cleaning your house!
They also have a kid’s set, which I’ve also
purchased and which allows my kids to be
actually helpful when they want to “help” do
21

23. BONUS - Whole House Cleaning Checklist:
Living Areas Bedrooms
1. Pick up everything on floors and move to appropriate areas. 1. Pick up everything on floors and move to appropriate areas.
2. Open windows for some ventilation or turn on an air filter if 2. Open windows for some ventilation or turn on an air filter if
you have one. you have one.
3. Starting with the highest points (top of door and window 3. Starting with the highest points (top of door and window
frames) and moving down, dust furniture with a damp rag frames) and moving down, dust furniture with a damp rag
or microfiber cloth. Remember to dust lights and fan blades. or microfiber cloth. Remember to dust lights and fan blades.
4. Spot clean any spots on furniture using baking soda and 4. Spot clean any spots on furniture using baking soda and
water or liquid castille soap and a damp rag. water or liquid castille soap and a damp rag.
5. Wash any blankets or throw pillows if needed. 5. Wash any blankets or throw pillows if needed.
6. Clean lamps with microfiber cloths or a damp rag with all- 6. Remove clothes from drawers, wipe down drawers and
purpose cleaner. A hydrogen peroxide spray works to clean return clothes.
white lampshades. 7. Clean lamps with microfiber cloths or a damp rag with all-
7. Wash windows and windowsills with microfiber or 50/50 purpose cleaner. A hydrogen peroxide spray works to clean
Vinegar/Water solution. white lampshades.
8. Remove blinds and wash in bathtub with vinegar and water 8. Wash windows and windowsills with microfiber or 50/50
or use some old rags and straight white vinegar. Vinegar/Water solution.
9. Wipe down electronics and electronic screens with 9. Remove blinds and wash in bathtub with vinegar and water
microfiber or rags with just plain water. or use some old rags and straight white vinegar.
10. Use a damp rag or microfiber cloth to wipe down walls and 10. Wash sheets.
switch plates. 11. Hang pillows and mattress pads in the sun for 2-3 hours to
11. Wipe down doors and door handles (use hydrogen peroxide remove bacteria and air out.
if anyone has been sick. 12. Dust, sweep or mop under bed.
12. Mop floors with microfiber or with a cup of vinegar in a 13. Use a damp rag or microfiber cloth to wipe down walls and
gallon of water and a wet mop. switch plates.
14. Wipe down doors and door handles (use hydrogen peroxide
if anyone has been sick)
22

24. Bathrooms Kitchen
1. Open windows for some ventilation or turn on an air filter 1. Open windows for some ventilation or turn on an air filter
if you have one. if you have one.
2. Starting with the highest points (top of door and window 2. Starting with the highest points (top of door and window
frames) and moving down, dust furniture with a damp rag frames) and moving down, dust furniture with a damp rag
or microfiber cloth. or microfiber cloth. Don’t forget lighting fixtures and fans.
3. Take everything out of cabinets and closets and re-organize 3. Take everything out of cabinets and closets and re-organize
and refold. Wipe down shelves and inside with damp rag and refold. Wipe down shelves and inside with damp rag
and all-purpose cleaner. and all-purpose cleaner.
4. Scrub down and clean shower and tub. Vinegar and water 4. Wash cabinet doors and knobs with microfiber or all-
works well and homemade scouring powder will work on purpose cleaner.
tough scum and messes. 5. Wipe down appliances.
5. Clean outside of toilet with hydrogen peroxide and inside 6. Clean inside of oven with baking soda and water paste
with vinegar and baking soda and a brush. (more info here)
6. Shine mirror and windows with microfiber or with vinegar 7. Remove food from fridge and freezer and clean inside with
water (50/50) mix and a clean rag. a 50/50 vinegar and water solution or microfiber. Return
7. Wipe down counters and sink with all-purpose cleaner or food to proper places.
microfiber. 8. Pull out fridge and stove and clean underneath them with a
8. Clean floor and grout (use baking soda and hydrogen vinegar and water solution.
peroxide for stained grout). 9. Dust refrigerator coils and clean out grate at front of
refrigerator.
10. Remove everything from counter tops and wipe down
counters and backsplash. Wipe down each appliance and
counter item before returning it.
11. Clean dishwasher by running it empty with a bowl of
vinegar (more info here)
12. Clean sink and fixture with microfiber or undiluted vinegar
on a wet rag.
13. Sweep and mop flour and clean grout if needed.
23

25. Laundry Room/Area
1. Open windows for some ventilation or turn on an air filter
if you have one.
2. Starting with the highest points (top of door and window
frames) and moving down, dust furniture with a damp rag
or microfiber cloth. Don’t forget lighting fixtures and fans.
3. Take everything out of cabinets and shelves and re-
organize and refold. Wipe down shelves and inside with
damp rag and all-purpose cleaner.
4. Wash cabinet doors and knobs with microfiber or all-
purpose cleaner.
5. Wipe down washer and dryer with wet rag and all-purpose
cleaner.
6. Wash inside of washing machine, removing the inner part
and washing in the sink if you don’t have an HE washer.
7. Remove dryer lint trap and wash with dishwashing liquid
to remove film.
8. Wipe down all walls, baseboards and other flat surfaces to
remove dust.
9. Sweep and mop flour and clean grout if needed.
24