Did you know that many of your everyday household cleaning products are filled with harmful chemicals that are polluting the environment?

As effective as these cleaning products may be at removing dirt or grime from your home, they’re also responsible for contaminating the air and sources of drinking water, causing a wide range of health issues for people after prolonged exposure.

The chemicals responsible for this pollution are known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. When you use laundry detergent, toilet cleaning products, or dish soap that contain VOCs, these chemicals can enter water sources through household drains.

If you use aerosol sprays that contain VOCs, then the air can become saturated with the chemicals, leading to increased levels of smog in the ozone. Without proper ventilation, VOCs can even pollute the air inside your home and lead to a variety of health problems.

The best way to prevent the harmful effects of VOCs on both your health and the environment is to ditch them one cleaning product at a time. To get started, watch our video on how to make natural cleaning products at home that can combat dirt and grease, sans chemicals.

How to Make Natural Cleaning Products at Home

All Purpose Cleaner

Step 1: Add one part water and one part distilled white vinegar to a reusable spray bottle.

Step 2: Add a lemon rind or 8-10 drops of lemon essential oil to add strength — and a lovely scent — to your cleaning solution.

Step 3: Shake the bottle to mix the liquid inside and you’re ready to go! Just make sure to check the surface you’re cleaning, since the acidity from the white vinegar and lemon could damage it. Don’t use this solution on granite, marble, or certain types of tile.

Laundry Detergent

Step 1: In a large container, combine 25 ml of washing soda and 25 ml of baking soda.

Step 2: Add 8 cups of hot water, 25 ml of distilled white vinegar, and 37 ml of liquid Castile soap.

Note on conversions: To get 25ml, you can use 1 tablespoon and 2 teaspoons. To get 37ml, use 2 tablespoons and 1 teaspoon. 

Step 3: Mix the solution together until it reaches a smooth consistency, and your laundry detergent is ready!

Dish Soap

Step 1: In a medium-sized container, mix together 170ml of liquid Castile soap and 600ml of hot water. 

Step 2: Add 2 teaspoons of baking soda and a few drops of lemon essential oil to the soap mixture, and stir to combine. 

Step 3: Pour your dish soap into a reusable soap dispenser for ease and accessibility.

Making your own cleaning products is simple — and cost-effective — when you already have most of the ingredients in your pantry.

If you’re curious about how well natural cleaning solutions work, whip up a preliminary batch to test out in your home. You’ll likely find that these eco-friendly products are just as effective as the store-bought versions, even when they aren’t filled with health and environmental hazards.