Is there a better feeling than finally sitting down after the housework is done, or climbing into freshly washed sheets at the end of the night?
Actually, probably. Being outside on a crisp morning, breathing in fresh air and not thinking about housework at all. That’s pretty hard to beat.
But there’s a reason we love both.
Fresh air smells good. A clean home feels good. Yet many of the cleaning products we use to create that feeling are packed with harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances that don’t smell much like nature at all.
The good news? You can get that same fresh, clean feeling using simple ingredients you probably already have at home.
Here are five cleaning products you can stop buying, along with the natural alternatives we use instead.
All-purpose spray
Arguably the hardest-working product in the cleaning cupboard. It’s great for wiping up spills, freshening kitchen surfaces and tackling everyday messes.
But what if we told you it can be made using just a few simple ingredients like water, vinegar and dishwash liquid? Add a little citrus and you’ve got a fresh-smelling cleaner without the overpowering fragrance.
Even better, our homemade version costs just 33 cents for an entire bottle.
Laundry powder
That fresh-sheet feeling is one of life’s simple pleasures.
Considering most of us spend around a third of our lives in bed, our sheets and clothes are in constant contact with our skin. Using gentler ingredients can be a simple way to reduce unnecessary chemicals in your daily routine.
Our homemade laundry powder is easy to make, effective, and gentle on skin.
Cream cleaner
Perfect for scrubbing sinks, stovetops and bathroom surfaces.
Many commercial cream cleaners do a great job, but they can also come with strong chemical smells that linger long after the cleaning is finished.
Our homemade version works just as well for everyday cleaning and uses only three ingredients, one of which is water.
Air freshener
If the goal is making your home smell fresh, it seems strange that so many air fresheners smell nothing like fresh air.
Our homemade air freshener uses just three ingredients, including water, and can be customised with natural scents you actually enjoy. It’s a simple way to freshen a room without relying on aerosol sprays or heavy artificial fragrances.
Household mould remover
For smaller jobs on surfaces such as tiles and glass, our homemade mould remover is a simple, effective (and scientifically proven) alternative that’s easy to make at home.
For those big jobs, we recommend getting the professionals in.
Whether you’re looking to save money, reduce harsh chemicals in your home, or simply learn a few new tricks, natural cleaning can be a lot simpler than people expect.
If you’d like to learn how to make all of the products above, join us for our Natural Cleaning: A Low Waste Living Workshop on Tuesday 16 June from 6–8pm at the Wānaka Community Hub.
We’ll share the recipes, cost comparisons and practical tips to help you make effective cleaning products using simple ingredients you probably already have at home.
Because a clean home should feel fresh for all the right reasons.
