DIY Spring Cleaning: Easy Natural Cleaning Recipes to Make at Home
Spring has arrived in Aotearoa, and with the longer days and brighter light, every dust bunny and smudge suddenly shows up. It is the perfect excuse for a good reset.
This year, why not make your own cleaners? Making them yourself means you choose the ingredients, the scent, and how many bottles end up under your sink. Here is where we would start.
Start with one multipurpose spray
When it comes to cleaning products, less is more. Instead of a separate bottle for every surface, one good all-purpose spray covers most jobs around the kitchen and bathroom.
Our Citrus Splash Cleaning Spray is a simple place to begin. Here is what each ingredient does:
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Citric Acid helps break down mineral marks like soap scum and water spots.
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Natural Solubiliser helps the essential oils blend evenly into the water.
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Microcare DB is a preservative. Any recipe made with water needs one, otherwise bacteria, mould and yeast can grow.
Good to know: acidic cleaners are not suited to natural stone such as marble or granite, so always test a small hidden spot first.
Bathroom and kitchen: a gentle cleaning paste
For marks around basins, tiles and the kitchen sink, try our Mandarin Cleaning Paste. It is a simple mix of sodium bicarbonate, liquid castile soap and mandarin essential oil. Bicarb is a mild abrasive, so it gives you a little gentle scrubbing power without anything harsh.
Test on a small hidden area first, and avoid surfaces that scratch easily.
Give your yoga mat a refresh
Mats pick up a lot between sessions. Our Yoga Mat Spray is a quick, lightly scented way to freshen yours up, made with essential oils and rose hydrosol.
Open the windows
It costs nothing: open the windows for 10 to 15 minutes a day. Fresh air makes a room feel lighter, and it is especially welcome while you are cleaning.
Laundry day, your way
Making your own laundry powder lets you choose exactly what goes in. Scent it with your favourite essential oils or fragrance oil, or leave it unscented if anyone in your home has sensitive skin.
Add a little fragrance
Once the cleaning is done, scent is a lovely finishing touch. A reed diffuser or a few drops of essential oil in an ultrasonic diffuser can make a room feel calm and fresh.
A few simple habits make diffusing more comfortable:
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Keep the room ventilated.
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Diffuse in short sessions rather than all day.
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Take extra care around pets, babies and anyone with asthma or sensitivities.
Not sure where to start? Our guide to the best essential oils for your diffuser is a good one.
Declutter as you go
Bring a box with you as you clean each room. If you spot something you never use, pop it in the box. If you still have not reached for it after a month, donate it to charity. It is the easiest way to lighten the whole house.
Safe DIY cleaning basics
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Label every bottle with what is in it and the date you made it.
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Never mix cleaning products together, and do not add homemade products to commercial ones.
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Wear gloves, and store everything out of reach of children and pets.
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Use clean, dry equipment, and a preservative in any recipe that contains water.
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Check with your local council about disposing of old cleaning products safely.
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If something is swallowed or splashed in the eyes, call the National Poisons Centre on 0800 764 766.
Ready to make?
Browse our home cleaning range, laundry supplies and multi-purpose supplies to get everything you need.
Resources
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National Poisons Centre for safe handling
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Humblebee & Me on preserving water-based products
Read more
Happy making!
