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natural household cleaning items

The Best Natural Household Products to Use on the Homestead

Home » The Best Natural Household Products to Use on the Homestead

July 6, 2020 (Updated: January 5, 2026)

You can clean every room in your house and still be exposing your family to chemicals you don’t want anywhere near your skin, lungs, food, or pets.

Most store-bought cleaners contain synthetic fragrances, preservatives, and harsh ingredients that are quietly absorbed into your body while you’re just trying to wipe down your counters.

If you’ve been wanting to switch to DIY natural cleaners, this guide is your sign to finally do it — without making things complicated or expensive.

These are simple, affordable, non-toxic cleaning recipes you can mix up at home with ingredients you probably already have.


Why So Many Families Are Switching to Natural Cleaners

Natural cleaners aren’t just a trend — they’re a safer, smarter way to clean.

✔️ Better for kids & pets
✔️ No harsh chemical fumes
✔️ Easier on allergies & sensitive skin
✔️ Way cheaper than store-bought “green” cleaners
✔️ You know exactly what’s in them

The best part?
Most homemade cleaners are made with baking soda, vinegar, Castile soap, salt, and essential oils.

bi-weekly savings duy cleaning items

The Core Ingredients You Need (That Do Almost Everything)

Baking Soda

Natural deodorizer and stain lifter.

Use it for:

  • Sinks
  • Bathtubs
  • Ovens
  • Mattresses
  • Fridge odors
  • Carpet freshening

White Vinegar

Cuts grease, removes odors, kills mold, and even helps repel ants.

Use it for:

  • Windows & mirrors
  • Garbage disposal cleaning
  • Coffee & tea stains
  • Mold spots
  • Hard water buildup
  • Window frames (ants hate it!)

I buy vinegar & baking soda in bulk at BJ’s or Costco to keep costs low.


Castile Soap

A plant-based soap made from olive oil — gentle but powerful.

Use it for:

  • Countertops
  • Floors
  • Dishes
  • Laundry
  • Bathroom cleaning

It’s especially great for families dealing with allergies or sensitive skin.


Salt

Yes — plain salt is a natural cleaner!

Use it for:

  • Scrubbing stuck-on messes
  • Absorbing carpet spills
  • Deodorizing drains

Essential Oils

Add cleaning power and a natural scent.

Popular choices:

  • Lemon (grease cutting)
  • Pine (fresh, disinfecting)
  • Lavender (calming, antibacterial)
  • Tea Tree (mold & mildew)

👉 I shared my favorite affordable essential oils here (keep your internal link).


5 Easy DIY Natural Cleaner Recipes

These are my favorites — quick, cheap, and effective:


All-Purpose Cleaner

Use on counters, tables, and appliances

  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • 15 drops lemon or lavender essential oil

Shake in a glass spray bottle.


Soft Scrub Paste

Great for tubs, sinks, and stoves

  • ½ cup baking soda
  • 2 tbsp Castile soap
  • 10 drops tea tree oil

Mix into a paste.


Floor Cleaner

  • 1 gallon warm water
  • ¼ cup Castile soap
  • 10 drops pine or lemon oil

Glass & Mirror Cleaner

  • 1 cup vinegar
  • 1 cup water
  • 5 drops lemon oil

Carpet Deodorizer

  • 1 cup baking soda
  • 10 drops lavender oil

Sprinkle, let sit 15 minutes, vacuum.


What to Look For If You Still Buy Natural Cleaners

If you buy pre-made cleaners, choose products that:

✔️ Have recognizable plant-based ingredients
✔️ Say biodegradable
✔️ Avoid synthetic fragrance
✔️ Are non-flammable & non-abrasive

Real natural cleaners should list ingredients you recognize from nature.


My Favorite Natural Cleaners (Amazon List Below)

If you want grab-and-go options, I’ve rounded up my favorite non-toxic household cleaners below — all gentle, effective, and family-safe.

Bon Ami Powder Cleanser for Kitchens & Bathrooms – All Types of Surfaces, Cleans Grime & Dirt, Polishes Surfaces, Absorbs Odors- $9 on Amazon

Meliora Cleaning Products Gentle Home Cleaning Scrub – Scouring Cleanser for Kitchen, Tube, and Tile, 12 oz. (Peppermint Tea Tree) $14 Amazon

Better Life Natural All-Purpose Cleaner, Safe Around Kids & Pets, Clary Sage & Citrus, 32 Fl Oz (Pack of 1), $7 Amazon

Dr. Bronner’s – Sal Suds Biodegradable Cleaner (32 Ounce) – All-Purpose Cleaner, Pine Cleaner for Floors, Laundry and Dishes, Concentrated, Cuts Grease and Dirt, Powerful Cleaner, Gentle on Skin $20 Amazon

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Basil Scent Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner 3 pk. $9.99 at BJs or Amazon deal.

Krud Kutter 316492 Original Concentrated Cleaner Degreaser 32 oz $17 Amazon

JAWS Hardwood Floor Cleaner Bottle with 2 Refill Pods. Non-Toxic and Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products. Refill and Reuse. $7 Amazon

Ecover Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Pine Fresh, 25 Ounce $5 Amazon

To mix up your own cleaners and add essential oils these glass spray bottles work awesome. $20 Amazon

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natural household cleaning items
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About Tasia

Welcome! I have desired my own backyard farm since I was a girl. I started a frugal crazy couponing lifestyle that allowed us to pay off our debt, create an online business and purchase our farmhouse and land. Join me as I share everything we are learning with you to encourage and inspire your dreams.

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