As spring enters full bloom, a time-honored tradition is occurring in many American homes—spring cleaning! A trip down the cleaning product aisle at a grocery store can be overwhelming. There are cleaning formulas for every surface and appliance that also come with a hefty price tag. Most household cleaning jobs, however, require only a handful of readily available and inexpensive green cleaning solutions.

Hot Water

First, the oldest cleaning product is still quite effective. Hot, boiling water kills most harmful germs on surfaces and can even unclog drains. In addition, hot water can:

• Remove tarnish from silver.
• Clear odors from the air.
• Unstick spatter from microwaves.
• Remove stains and descale kettles.

Exercise caution when using boiling water as a cleaning agent. Extremely hot water can be harmful to humans and pets.

Other Home Products

White Vinegar

Simple white vinegar is another time-honored way to clean chrome, cookware, and countertops. It also does a great job deodorizing and killing germs. Again, be careful since this household staple is an acid and may damage some materials such as acetate.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice is another acidic compound that adds a fresh scent to water-based cleaning jobs. Like vinegar, this staple is harmful to natural stone, some fabrics, and metals, including aluminum.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is an alkaline on the pH scale. This common baking ingredient can be used to deodorize carpets and form an abrasive putty for scrubbing. Note: Salt is also a useful abrasive paste.

Remembering middle school science projects, mixing peroxide and baking soda creates a formidable cleaning combination. For an alternative to harsh bleaches, hydrogen peroxide is mild enough not to be dangerous but powerful enough to bleach stubborn stains.

Acids like lemon juice and vinegar can be added to baking soda to create bubbles for removing gunk in hard-to-reach places such as drains. Boiling water can be poured down the offending drain to clean the mixture and clear loosened clogs. Avoid adding acid and baking soda in equal parts, which would neutralize both ingredients and take away their cleaning power. However, various unequal mixtures can clear hard water stains, freshen sinks, and remove mildew from clothes.

Drying Clothes

The oldest way to dry clothes is still among the best. A simple clothesline and sunshine are a great way to dry laundry. Plus, there is no unnecessary wear from tumbling in a dryer. A drying rack is another good option for those without access to a proper clothesline.

In closing, these are just a few ways to clean homes and laundry with natural solutions that are readily available.

References

• Abramson, Ashley. 2020. “7 Surprising Ways to (Carefully) Use Boiling Water Around the House.” https://www.thekitchn.com/boiling-water-cleaning-tips-23048375.
• Kish, Stacy. 2021. “Why are vinegar and baking soda so good for cleaning?” https://www.livescience.com/why-baking-soda-vinegar-clean.html.
• University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service. 2025. “Clean and Green Homemade Cleaners.” https://www.uaex.uada.edu/environment-nature/water/quality/clean-green-homemade-cleaners.aspx.