When my first child was about six months old, I became determined to find a natural and DIY floor cleaner recipe. With a curious baby who explored the world by tasting and licking everything, it was essential to use a cleaner that was both safe and effective!
At that time, we lived in a small one-bedroom apartment with different types of flooring. I needed a versatile cleaner that was easy to make using common household ingredients. I specifically looked for a recipe that included white vinegar, washing soda, and dish soap.
The great news is that creating natural cleaners is surprisingly simple. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to save money!
Why Opt for Natural DIY Floor Cleaner?
With everything a mom has to manage, why not just stick with conventional store-bought cleaners?
Have you ever checked the ingredient lists of regular floor cleaners, Swiffer mops, and other commercial cleaning products? Even something as seemingly benign as bleach contains harsh chemicals that can be harmful to breathe in. Here’s a glimpse of some toxic ingredients found in popular floor cleaning products:
- Dipropylene glycol
- Methylisothiazolinone
- Dialkyl dimethyl
- Ammonium chlorides
- Didecyldimethylammonium chloride
- Preservatives
- Artificial fragrances
Most of these substances are not natural and come with health and environmental risks. That’s not something I want my little one crawling around with!
Don’t Have Time to Make Your Own? That’s Alright!
Life has certainly evolved since my early days of experimenting with homemade natural cleaners. With a few more kids and balancing schooling and working from home, my schedule can get pretty hectic. In fact, people often ask how I manage it all!
The truth is, I don’t! Life moves through different phases, and I didn’t embrace a healthier lifestyle all at once. I’ve learned, tried new things, and made gradual changes over time. As much as I appreciate homemade solutions, the strong odor of vinegar and the controversies around borax have led me to rely more on store-bought options that I trust.
The good news is that many health-conscious companies and brands have emerged, thanks to consumer demand and support.
My Top Store-bought Floor Cleaners
While vinegar and water create a simple floor cleaner, there are times when a ready-made natural alternative is more convenient. Here are a few brands that offer effective solutions and can often be used for various cleaning tasks beyond just floors:
- Sal-Suds (My go-to for a range of cleaning needs, from floors to laundry)
- BioKleen Bac-Out Floor Cleaner
- Branch Basics Cleaning Concentrate (Versatile for nearly all cleaning needs)
Next, let’s revisit the DIY recipes that started my journey into natural floor cleaning!
Natural DIY Floor Cleaning Recipes
Over the years, I’ve perfected a few homemade floor cleaner recipes that are both effective and simple to make. With a bit of practice, creating these solutions becomes second nature. You can use them with a microfiber mop or a traditional mop bucket. Although I generally avoid microfiber cloths for home cleaning (here’s why), a cotton towel can be a suitable alternative.
Incorporating Essential Oils
Essential oils can enhance your floor cleaner with a pleasant fragrance while also providing antimicrobial benefits. However, excessive use on vinyl or linoleum floors might leave a residue. I enjoy using essential oils in my wood floor cleaner, but it might be best to avoid them for laminate or tile floors. Here are a few essential oils you might consider:
- Lemon essential oil
- Peppermint essential oil
- Tea tree essential oil
- Orange essential oil
- Fir needle essential oil
Natural Wood Floor Cleaner
Wood floors need special attention to maintain their finish. Some DIY floor cleaner recipes incorporate rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) as a disinfectant, though I haven’t found it necessary. This recipe effectively removes grime and adds a natural shine to hardwood floors. Ensure you wipe the floors thoroughly to prevent any slipperiness. I use this cleaner for the wood floors in my home.
- Combine 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 teaspoon of olive oil or another vegetable oil, and 1 cup of water in a spray bottle.
- Add a few drops of your preferred essential oil for a pleasant fragrance if desired.
- Shake well and spray the mixture onto a cleaning cloth.
- Gently rub the cloth on the floors to restore shine and clean any spots.
- You can substitute the vinegar with lemon juice if you prefer, but it should be used immediately. Some recommend using 1/4 cup of lemon juice in a gallon of water to avoid excessive acidity and effectively tackle greasy spots while protecting the wood finish.
Best Homemade Floor Cleaner for Hard Surfaces
This recipe is ideal for cleaning ceramic tile and laminate floors. It avoids leaving a greasy residue on vinyl or tile surfaces and is effective for natural cleaning. Some recipes for tile floor cleaners also incorporate liquid dish soap to enhance scrubbing power. If you choose to add soap, Sal Suds from Dr. Bronner’s is a good option, as it doesn’t have the negative interactions with vinegar that castile soap might.
Here’s how to create an all-purpose cleaner for hard floors:
- Combine equal parts white vinegar and water, then dampen the mop head with this mixture.
- Mop the floor thoroughly with hot water.
- Rinse by mopping with clean hot or warm water.
- For stubborn stains, pre-treat the area with a solution made from 2 tablespoons of washing soda (not baking soda) dissolved in 16 ounces of water.
Cleaning Grout
While we’ve discussed tile cleaning, grout requires special attention, particularly in high-moisture areas like bathrooms and showers. Over time, grout can become stained with grime, soap scum, and mildew. To effectively clean grout, create a paste using hydrogen peroxide and washing soda. Apply the paste to the grout lines, scrub the area with an old toothbrush, and then rinse it off with warm water.
Natural Carpet Stain Removal
With a bustling household of six kids and several pets, we’ve encountered our fair share of carpet stains. Here are some natural methods to tackle them:
- Combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Apply to stains, let it sit for 5 minutes, and then scrub with a soft brush. For more stubborn stains, add 1-2 drops of dish soap to the mixture.
- For greasy stains, sprinkle cornstarch generously over the stain and let it sit until it dries. Vacuum up the cornstarch, and then use the vinegar and water solution described above.
- For persistent stains, mix 1/4 cup each of salt, borax, and vinegar. Rub the mixture into the stain and let it dry. Vacuum up the residue, and reapply the vinegar and water solution if needed.
- Hydrogen peroxide can also be an effective natural stain remover. Just be sure to test it on a hidden area of the carpet first to ensure it doesn’t affect the color.