Summertime is a season of sunshine, warmth, and outdoor activities, but it can also come with a host of cleaning challenges. DIY Eco-Friendly Cleaning Hacks is the best way to help stay in tune with the freshness of summer, whether it’s sand from beach trips, dirt tracked in from garden adventures, or general household messes, keeping your home and clothes clean is a must to keep the summer vibes! Our DIY eco-friendly tips and tricks, you can keep your house spotless without harming the environment. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you get started!

1. Essential DIY Eco-Friendly Cleaning Ingredients

Before diving into specific hacks, it’s essential to understand the basic ingredients that will form the foundation of your eco-friendly cleaning arsenal:

  • White Vinegar: A natural disinfectant and deodorizer.
  • Baking Soda: Excellent for scrubbing and deodorizing.
  • Lemon: Naturally antibacterial and leaves a fresh scent.
  • Castile Soap: Versatile and biodegradable soap.
  • Essential Oils: Add fragrance and enhance antibacterial properties (e.g., tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus).

2. Natural All-Purpose Cleaner

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 10 drops of essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Pour water and vinegar into a spray bottle.
  2. Add essential oil for a pleasant scent and additional antibacterial properties.
  3. Shake well before each use.

Use this versatile cleaner on countertops, sinks, and other surfaces. It’s safe for most surfaces, but avoid using on stone counters like granite or marble since vinegar can etch the stone.

3. DIY Eco-Friendly Glass Cleaner

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well.
  2. Spray on glass surfaces and wipe clean with a lint-free cloth or newspaper for a streak-free shine.

The cornstarch helps cut through grime and leaves windows and mirrors sparkling clean.

4. Baking Soda Scrub for Stubborn Stains

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • Enough water to create a paste

Instructions:

  1. Mix baking soda with enough water to make a thick paste.
  2. Apply the paste to stained surfaces, such as sinks or bathtubs.
  3. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then scrub with a sponge or brush.
  4. Rinse thoroughly with water.

This scrub works wonders on tough stains, soap scum, and grime without scratching surfaces.

5. Lemon Fresh Garbage Disposal Cleaner

Ingredients:

  • Lemon peels
  • Vinegar

Instructions:

  1. Place lemon peels in an ice cube tray.
  2. Fill the tray with vinegar and freeze.
  3. Once frozen, pop a couple of vinegar-lemon ice cubes into the garbage disposal and run it.

The ice helps sharpen the disposal blades, while the lemon and vinegar clean and deodorize.

6. Natural Air Fresheners

Ingredients:

  • A pot of water
  • Slices of citrus fruits (lemon, orange, lime)
  • Fresh herbs (like rosemary or mint)

Instructions:

  1. Fill a pot with water and bring it to a boil.
  2. Add slices of citrus fruits and fresh herbs.
  3. Reduce heat and let it simmer to release natural fragrances throughout your home.

You can also mix water with a few drops of your favorite essential oils in a spray bottle for a quick, natural air freshener.

7. Eco-Friendly Laundry

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup baking soda
  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1/2 cup lemon juice
  • 10 drops of essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Add baking soda to your laundry detergent for an extra boost of cleaning power.
  2. Use vinegar as a natural fabric softener.
  3. Lemon juice can act as a natural bleach alternative for whites.
  4. Add a few drops of essential oil to a cloth and toss it in the dryer for a natural fragrance.

Alternatively, consider making your own laundry detergent with soap flakes, washing soda, and borax for a more cost-effective and eco-friendly option.

8. Homemade Wood Polish

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • A few drops of lemon essential oil

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle or small bowl.
  2. Apply a small amount to a cloth and rub onto wooden surfaces.
  3. Buff with a dry cloth for a beautiful shine.

This polish nourishes and protects wood without the use of harsh chemicals.

9. Eco-Friendly Floor Cleaner

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 gallon warm water
  • A few drops of essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Mix vinegar and water in a bucket.
  2. Add a few drops of essential oil for fragrance.
  3. Mop your floors as usual, ensuring they are left clean and with a delightful scent.

This solution works well on most floor types, including tile, laminate, and vinyl. However, avoid using vinegar on natural stone floors as it can cause damage.

10. Citrus Infused All-Natural Dishwasher Detergent

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup washing soda
  • 1 cup borax
  • 1/2 cup citric acid (or lemon juice powder)
  • 1/2 cup salt

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.
  2. Transfer the mixture into an airtight container.
  3. Use 1 tablespoon per dishwasher load.

This natural detergent will leave your dishes sparkling clean without the environmental impact of commercial dishwasher detergents.

11. Upcycled Cleaning Tools

Instructions:

  1. Old T-shirts and Towels as Cleaning Rags: Before discarding old clothes or towels, cut them into smaller pieces to use as cleaning cloths. They are perfect for dusting, wiping surfaces, and polishing.

  2. Toothbrushes for Small Crevices: Use old toothbrushes to clean hard-to-reach areas like tile grout, faucet bases, and other tight spaces.

  3. Socks as Dusting Gloves: Put an old sock over your hand, spray it with your homemade all-purpose cleaner, and use it to easily dust blinds, fans, and small items.

12. Carpet Deodorizer

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup baking soda
  • 10 drops of essential oil (like lavender or eucalyptus)

Instructions:

  1. Mix baking soda and essential oil in a bowl.
  2. Sprinkle the mixture on the carpet and let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
  3. Vacuum thoroughly to remove the baking soda.

This will naturally deodorize and refresh your carpets, leaving a pleasant aroma.

13. Outdoor Furniture Cleaner

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 teaspoon castile soap

Instructions:

  1. Mix baking soda, warm water, and castile soap in a bucket.
  2. Use a sponge or cloth to clean outdoor furniture, then rinse with a hose or clean water.

This gentle cleaner will remove dirt and grime without damaging your outdoor furniture or harming your garden.

14. Natural Rust Remover

Ingredients:

  • White vinegar
  • Baking soda

Instructions:

  1. Soak rusted items in white vinegar for a few hours.
  2. After soaking, remove the items and sprinkle them with baking soda.
  3. Scrub the rust with a brush or sponge, then rinse thoroughly with water.

This combination effectively removes rust without toxic chemicals.

15. Grease Cutter for the Kitchen

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1/2 cup water
  • A few drops of lemon essential oil

Instructions:

  1. Mix baking soda and water to make a thick paste.
  2. Add a few drops of lemon essential oil.
  3. Apply the paste to greasy surfaces, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then scrub with a sponge.
  4. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

This powerful grease cutter is perfect for stovetops, oven doors, and countertops.

16. Showerhead Cleaner

Ingredients:

  • White vinegar
  • Plastic bag
  • Rubber band

Instructions:

  1. Fill the plastic bag with white vinegar.
  2. Place the bag over the showerhead so it’s submerged in vinegar.
  3. Secure the bag with a rubber band and leave it for a few hours or overnight.
  4. Remove the bag and run the shower to rinse.

This method removes mineral deposits and keeps your showerhead functioning optimally.

17. Natural Grout Cleaner

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup baking soda
  • 1/4 cup hydrogen peroxide
  • 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap

Instructions:

  1. Mix all ingredients to form a paste.
  2. Apply the paste to grout lines and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
  3. Scrub with a toothbrush or grout brush, then rinse with water.

This cleaner brightens grout without harsh chemicals.

18. Compostable Wipes

Ingredients:

  • Roll of paper towels or reusable cloth rags
  • 2 cups water
  • 1/2 cup white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
  • 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap
  • A few drops of essential oil

Instructions:

  1. Cut the paper towel roll in half and place it in a container (or use reusable cloth rags).
  2. Mix water, vinegar, rubbing alcohol, soap, and essential oil in a bowl.
  3. Pour the mixture over the paper towels or cloths.
  4. Seal the container and let it absorb for a few minutes.

These wipes are perfect for quick cleanups and can be disposed of in compost or reused if using cloth rags.

By adopting these DIY eco-friendly cleaning hacks, you’ll find joy in maintaining a clean, fresh home while also doing your part for the planet. Here are a few more tips to help you stay eco-friendly, especially during the scorching summer months!

Pro Tips for Maintaining an DIY Eco-Friendly Cleaning Routine

1. Reuse and Repurpose

  • Glass Jars and Containers: Use empty glass jars and containers to store your homemade cleaning solutions.
  • Old Clothes: Convert old t-shirts and towels into cleaning cloths.

2. Opt for Natural Fibers

  • Cleaning Brushes: Use cleaning brushes made from natural fibers and wood instead of plastic.
  • Cloths and Sponges: Choose microfiber cloths or sponges made from biodegradable materials.

3. Stay Consistent with Recycling

  • Compost Organic Waste: Compost organic waste and vegetable peels to reduce kitchen waste.
  • Recycle Bottles and Packaging: Always recycle the bottles and packaging from any store-bought cleaning products you use.

4. Energy-Efficient Practices

  • Dry Laundry Outside: Make use of the summer sun and dry clothes outside instead of using a dryer.
  • Use Cold Water: Whenever possible, use cold water for laundry to save energy.

5. Innovative Cleaning Methods

  • Steam Cleaning: Invest in a steam cleaner that uses only water to clean, eliminating the need for chemical cleaners.
  • Solar Power: If feasible, utilize solar-powered devices for vacuuming or cleaning purposes, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.

6. Stay Hydrated and Cool

  • While cleaning during the heat of summer, stay hydrated, take regular breaks, and perform heavy cleaning chores during cooler parts of the day, such as early morning or late evening.

7. Engage the Family

  • Make cleaning a family activity; this ensures that everyone contributes to maintaining a clean and eco-friendly environment.

In conclusion, these eco-friendly summer cleaning hacks are not only cost-effective but also promote a healthier home and a greener planet. By using natural, non-toxic ingredients and sustainable cleaning methods, you can minimize your environmental footprint and enjoy a cleaner, fresher home all summer long. So, unleash the power of these DIY hacks and embrace a sustainable lifestyle that benefits both you and the environment. Happy cleaning!