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How to Clean a Kitchen Naturally: Cleaning Without Chemicals

open half of a cut lime on a table

With so many harsh chemicals on the market, many of us are looking for ways to clean a kitchen naturally. Nothing beats coming home to a sparkling kitchen. But, when it costs a fortune to afford chemical kitchen cleaners, natural cleaners can offer the same results with many products already found in your cupboards!

DIY, homemade cleaning products can tackle even the dirtiest of kitchens, without the need for highly abrasive kitchen cleaners.

What Natural Ingredients are Used for Cleaning?

DIY cleaners are cheaper and more eco-friendly alternatives to most household cleaners. As we become more conscious of the chemicals we’re putting into our body, it only makes sense that we’re paying more attention to our eating areas also.

It may seem that those pesky stains on the stovetop will never move without the use of heavy-duty chemicals. Your oven, long in need of a deep clean, might not ever look the same. Believe it or not, there are many natural alternatives that can make your kitchen sparkle like new once again.

Natural Cleaning with Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of the most effective DIY cleaners for tough stains on surfaces, and even for pots and pans. Mixing baking soda and water, make a paste. This will create a frothy formula that can tackle tough dirt and stains.

Apply the solution to the most affected areas. and let it sit for approximately 10 – 15 minutes. If available, use an old toothbrush to scrub the baking soda deep into the dirt. Once the froth has settled, wipe away with warm water and a damp cloth to reveal a stainless surface.

Natural Cleaning with Vinegar

Whilst you may have white vinegar in your cupboards already, there are dedicated kinds of cleaning vinegar available on the market. The difference is minimal, with white vinegar maintaining a 5% acidity level, compared to 6% in cleaning vinegar.

Using white vinegar as a cleaner can be as effective as chemical cleaners when used correctly. Mixing vinegar with warm and dish soap can tackle most stains on a work surface. For the most effective results, mix the solution into a spray bottle. This way you can even apply the natural cleaning formula evenly across dirty surfaces. Even applying vinegar to just a wet sponge or piece of kitchen towel can do the job, too.

It’s not just countertops that will reap the benefits of white vinegar cleaning, either. Kitchen floors, clogged pipes, and even stainless steel pans can all be cleaned with white vinegar. With such a cheap and effective way to help clean your kitchen, why wouldn’t you opt for this natural cleaner?

Natural Cleaning with Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is an effective alternative to natural cleaning. Mixing a solution of lemon juice, hot water, and essential oil in a spray bottle can work wonders in a dirty kitchen. Whether you’re looking to clean your countertops or want to deep clean your grimy appliances, lemon juice solutions are an efficient and natural way to keep your home smelling, and looking, bright and fresh.

With antibacterial and antiseptic properties, lemon juice is the perfect natural cleaner for your kitchen.

How to Clean a Kitchen Without Chemicals

Now we’ve established what natural cleaning products we can use in our kitchens, it’s important we understand how to use them for our appliances. Whether you have a stainless steel fridge, ceramic stovetop, or super-stained microwave, there’s nothing these natural cleaning remedies can’t handle!

1. Kettles

Kettles are prone to accumulating masses of limescale and dirt. If your water supply is sourced from hard water, then you will notice that your kettle will become dirty quite fast. However, using white vinegar, you can bring your kettle back to its tip-top form in no time.

  1. Pour all excess water from the kettle, removing as much limescale as possible in the process.
  2. Fill half of the kettle with white vinegar, and the other half with hot water.
  3. Let it sit for approximately an hour.
  4. Remove any remaining limescale with an old toothbrush.
  5. Boil the kettle and empty the water.
  6. Fill your kettle to the brim with clean water and boil before emptying.
  7. Repeat the previous step!
  8. Now your kettle will be limescale-free, and good to make the perfect cuppa again.

2. Oven

Nobody wants the job of cleaning a dirty oven. It’s extremely hard work, tiring, but brings an immense amount of satisfaction if done correctly. Chemical oven cleaners can be expensive and thoroughly abrasive.

In reality, cleaning your oven naturally is pretty straightforward. Using household items you can bring your oven back to its cleaner, former glory.

  1. Preheat your oven to 121.1°C or 250°F.
  2. Cut 2 lemons or oranges in half, and squeeze the citrus plentifully onto a baking tray.
  3. Fill the tray halfway with water, and place the remaining fruit in.
  4. Place the tray in the oven for 30 minutes, or 45 if it is a little extra dirty.
  5. Turn off the oven and remove the tray from the oven with heat-proof gloves.
  6. When cooled, scrub the oven with a scourer. You will find that the dirt is now loosened and will wipe away with ease!
  7. Using the rest of the water from the tray, wipe down the sides of the oven. Job done!

Floor

One of the most effective homemade cleaners is for your kitchen floor. Making your own floor cleaner is a simple and cost-effective way to keep on top of your kitchen maintenance.

For this solution, you won’t need much at all! You can probably find most of these ingredients in your cupboards at home. This DIY floor cleaner is perfect for anybody looking to save money on their cleaning habits or reduce the amount of chemicals they use in their day-to-day lives.

  • Half a litre of warm water
  • 5 – 10 drops of essential oil, or tea tree oil
  • A couple of squirts of washing up liquid
  • About 50ml of rubbing alcohol (but not necessary)
  • And 250ml of white vinegar

After mixing the ingredients in a bucket, go to town with your new floor cleaner with a wet mop!

Sink

Once again we see that baking soda is one of the best homemade cleaners for the kitchen. When cleaning your sink, baking soda can be used for many reasons!

Whether you are cleaning the sink from dirt and stains or wanting to unclog your pipes quickly and easily, baking soda is the perfect solution.

To clean your sink, mix a paste of baking soda and warm water. Remove any dishes and food waste from the sink, then wipe down with hot water and soap. Wipe the solution over the sink, apply vinegar from a spray bottle and watch it froth! Leave to dry. Splash some olive oil onto a piece of kitchen roll, and wipe away the solution.

Fridge

Your fridge is one of the most essential appliances of your kitchen, and keeping it clean could not be more imperative. Designed to extend the life of your fresh foods, keeping your fridge free from bacteria couldn’t be easier with homemade remedies.

Thankfully there are several methods to clean the inside of your fridge with essential oils, white vinegar, and hot water!

  1. Remove all food and trays from the refrigerator.
  2. Leave trays to soak in hot water and soap.
  3. Mix a solution of 1 part white vinegar, 2 parts hot water, and 1 tablespoon of any essential oils into a spray bottle.
  4. Spray the inside of your fridge evenly, ensuring that you coat every surface substantially.
  5. Scrub the inside of your fridge with a damp cloth, and rinse with warm water.
  6. Replace clean trays.

Microwave

Learning that you can clean your microwave with just a bowl of water sounds completely unreal. But, with a dash of citrus and half a lemon, this is entirely true! If you are trying to remove any oil and spills from the inside of your microwave, you do not need any chemical cleaners at all.

Fill a bowl with clean water. Squeeze half a lemon into the water, and then leave the lemon in the bowl. Place in the microwave and set on full heat for a minute or two. This time can be adjusted depending on how dirty your microwave is. Once finished, remove the bowl of water. The dirt inside your microwave will now be loosened enough to scrub away with a damp cloth.

Pans

Put down the scourer! Those tough-to-remove stains have never been easier to remove. Place your stained pans on the stove. Add 2 tbsp of essential oil, olive oil, and 3 tbsp of salt. Bring the water to the boil for 15 minutes. When the pan has cooled, wipe clean with a paper towel, scrubbing until stains are completely removed!

If you are looking to cut down on the amount of chemicals in your life, then there are plenty of ways you can replace them in the kitchen. From cupboard ingredients like baking soda and vinegar to lemons and essential oils, there are plenty of alternatives to keep your kitchen clean and fresh.

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