Four Natural Stain Removers and Cleaners
ShareIf you are an environmentally conscious homeowner who does not want to use artificial chemicals to clean up messes, there are a number of natural alternatives that you can choose. Natural foods and substances often possess cleaning properties that can be used to remove stains and grime from surfaces in your household.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is highly acidic, which means that it will eat away at built-up food and organic grime. This makes it ideal for cleaning tabletops and countertops where food may have built up over time. Additionally, lemon juice can be used to remove rust marks from a wide variety of materials. However, lemon juice possesses bleaching qualities, which means that it can cause brightly colored surfaces to fade, especially if they are absorbent.
Baking Soda
Baking soda acts as a natural deodorizer that can be used to remove unpleasant smells around your home. Additionally, it can be mixed with water into a paste that is lightly abrasive, which can make it easier to scrub away stains and built-up debris on hard surfaces. This makes it ideal for use on tiles and stone surfaces, which can be damaged by more acidic cleaners. However, care should be taken when using baking soda as a cleaner, as prolonged exposure to bare skin can lead to irritation and rashes, so wearing rubber gloves while cleaning is recommended.
Vinegar
Vinegar is a stronger acid than lemon juice, and can be used in a similar manner to cut through grease and remove stains from hard surfaces. Additionally, vinegar is acidic enough to be used to kill mold and mildew throughout your home. Simply mix a solution of half vinegar and half warm water and apply it to the affected area to kill the mold and remove it from the surface. The main issue with using vinegar is the smell – if not properly rinsed and disposed of, the strong acidic odor can linger in the room.
Salt
Salt is an absorbent and abrasive natural mineral that can remove hardened food and debris from hard surfaces. This makes it ideal for cleaning dishes and countertops, or other areas where food has become embedded. It should be noted that salt cannot be used as a cleaning solution on its own, and must be mixed into an already existing solution. However, it should be noted that salt can rust metal that it is exposed to, so care should be taken when mixing salt into a cleaning solution. For assistance, talk to a cleaning service.