Everyday, Eco-friendly Cleaning Solutions
- There Once Was A Girl Housekeeping
- Jan 24
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 27
Key Safety Points
Use mild, food‑grade ingredients (vinegar, baking soda, castile, or plant based unscented soaps).
Avoid mixing products (never mix vinegar with bleach or any commercial cleaner).
Choose a damp cloth to wipe up liquids, instead of sprays, to reduce what you inhale.
Ventilate, wear gloves if you have sensitive skin, and keep all cleaners (even “natural”) away from kids and pets,.
Mild soap and water cleaner (good for stone and most surfaces)
4 cups warm water
¼ cup liquid castile soap
Use: Put in a spray bottle, or bucket, and wipe the surfaces with a cloth; then follow with a damp microfiber cloth and dry with an additional cloth.
Optional Essential Oils: lavender, tea tree, or lemon have natural antibacterial properties; and your home will smell amazing! Or eucalyptus for respiratory antibacterial properties.
If you are dealing with especially stubborn grime or stains after using the all-purpose spray, you can follow up with:
Rinse the area with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
Apply 10 to 20 drops of essential oil (if the castile soap doesn’t contain any)
Scour the area with ¼ C. salt
Why it’s safer: Gentle soaps clean dirt and oils without harsh solvents, reducing the risks of respiratory irritation and skin reactions.
Grease and grime cleaner for tiles, sinks, and most counters.
1 cup distilled water
1 cup white vinegar
Optional: 5–10 drops of a mild essential oil, such as lavender.
Use: Lightly spray on tiles, counters, and sinks; then wipe with a cloth. Avoid natural stone (granite, marble), where acids can etch; there use a soap‑based cleaner instead.
Why it’s safer: Vinegar is a weak acid that cuts grease and some microbes without adding volatile organic compounds or strong irritant fumes typical of many conventional cleaners.
Baking soda scrub (for tubs, sinks, or stoves)
½–1 cup baking soda, or cream of tartar
Enough water to make a thick paste
Use: Spread on the area. Let sit a few minutes and scrub with a cloth or brush; then rinse well and dry.
Why it’s safer: Baking soda is a mild abrasive and deodorizer, with little, to no fumes and very low toxicity when used externally.
Glass and mirror cleaner (2-step, for hard water, deep cleans, etc.)
First Spray Bottle:
1½ cups water
½ cup white vinegar
Second Spray Bottle:
4 cups water
1 tablespoon of castile soap
Use: Lightly spray castile soap solution on glass or mirrors, then wipe with a microfiber cloth or squeegee. Next, lightly spray vinegar solution on glass or mirror, then wipe with a microfiber cloth or squeegee.
Why it’s safer: You avoid ammonia and other strong solvents commonly used in glass cleaners, which can irritate eyes and lungs.
Note: It's important the vinegar and castile soap are in separate bottles; they may cause a reaction, turning to a gloppy consistency, and lose cleaning power.
Health notes
Even “natural” or homemade products can still trigger asthma, allergies, or irritation in some people, especially with frequent use or strong scents.
Studies suggest green and homemade cleaners tend to pose fewer respiratory risks than conventional ones, but they are not completely risk‑free, and research is still developing.
Always patch‑test surfaces and skin if you have sensitivities, and use the minimum amount needed to get the job done.
Author´s Notes
Any statements made are my opinions. The solutions listed have been tested and used in my own cleansing routines. I do always include data to back up my opinions.
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