Switching to natural cleaning habits is a great way to protect your household and your local ecosystem from harmful chemicals. Our grandmothers had it right – simple, natural ingredients are often all we need to handle our day-to-day cleaning. They’re also usually a much cheaper way to clean our homes. 

If you’re just starting to build your own natural cleaning kit, we recommend starting with these five ingredients. They’re accessible, affordable and highly versatile.

Bicarb soda is great for removing stains, cleaning stovetops, removing rust and much more! 

 

1. Bicarb Soda / Bicarbonate of Soda / Baking Soda

Bicarb soda is a cheap, easy and effective way to clean the whole house. Yes, it’s the same alkaline powder you use in baking! It’s our number one recommendation for natural cleaning because it’s great at tackling all kinds of cleaning tasks, is easy to get your hands on and is safe and nontoxic for humans, pets and the local ecosystem.

Use bicarb soda for:

• Washing dishes by hand and in the dishwasher

• Removing stubborn stains

• Cleaning stovetops and ovens

• Removing limescale and hard water deposits

• Cleaning and deodorising drains

• Cleaning the toilet

• Removing rust on metal furniture and tools

• Washing clothes 

• Softening fabric

• Soaking cloth nappies and soiled clothing

Explore more:How to Use Bicarbonate of Soda for Household Cleaning, Gardening + More

 

White vinegar is great for cleaning stovetops, descaling kettles, softening fabrics and refreshing dishwashers.

2. White Vinegar

Another edible household staple that can also be used for all sorts of cleaning tasks.White vinegar is an acidic natural cleaner, powerful at dealing with grease, limescale and smelly drains. Since it’s acidic, avoid using vinegar on surfaces like marble, stone or wood. 

Use white vinegar for:

• Refreshing dishwashers and washing machines

• Deodorising drains, fridges and microwaves

• Rinsing fruit and veg

• Cleaning surfaces, including stovetops

• Descaling kettles and coffee makers

• Cleaning hard water marks in the bathroom

• Softening fabrics

• Cleaning windows and mirrors

Citric acid is a great toilet cleaner, and excellent at descaling and removing hard water marks.

3. Citric Acid

Citric acid is a weak acid naturally found in citrus fruit, including lemons. You canpurchase citric acid on its own – it comes in a white, odourless crystalline powder. 

Citric acid helps remove stains, is gently whitening and has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. It’s well known for being effective at descaling and removing soap scum. 

Beyond natural cleaning, it’s also used in cooking for its flavour and its preserving power – and is a common ingredient in DIY recipes like soap and bath bombs.

Use citric acid for:

• Cleaning your toilet and removing hard water stains

• Wiping down kitchen and bathroom surfaces (avoid for marble, stone, brass, aluminium and enamel)

• Cleaning glass, mirrors and windows

• Sanitising wooden chopping boards and utensils

• Descaling kettles, coffee machines, taps and showers etc.

• Removing soap scum in the bathroom

• Deep cleaning dishwashers, ovens and washing machines

• Deodorising the microwave

• Removing stains on ceramic and plastic containers

Find out more:How to Use Citric Acid for Cleaning

 

Sodium percarbonate aka oxygen bleach is excellent at whitening clothes, removing stains and cleaning grout and tiles.

4. Sodium Percarbonate / Oxygen Bleach

Sodium percarbonate (aka oxygen bleach) is a natural white, crystalline powder made from washing soda and hydrogen peroxide. 

It’s best known for its stain removal and whitening action, and is a powerful addition to your natural laundry kit. You can also use sodium percarbonate to tackle mould, sanitise kitchen utensils, freshening up smelly drains and so much more.

Sodium percarbonate is considered safe for humans and animals and is biodegradable, eventually breaking down into sodium, carbonate and peroxide. It is a great alternative to chlorine bleach products which are highly corrosive and release toxic byproducts which cause harm to our waterways and wildlife.

Use sodium percarbonate for:

• Whitening clothes

• Presoaking whites and stains before washing

• Removing stains

• Soaking reusable nappies

• Cleaning grout and tiles

• Removing mould from shower curtains

• Cleaning the toilet

• Removing tea and coffee stains

• Cleaning chopping boards and kitchen utensils

• Freshening up smelly drains

• Cleaning and deodorising the fridge

• Spot cleaning upholstery stains

 Further reading:What is Sodium Percarbonate? + How to Use It

Castile soap is highly versatile - use for body care, hair care, cleaning and garden purposes.

 

5. Castile Soap

Castile soap is a nontoxic vegetable-based soap traditionally made from olive oil. Modern castile soaps may be made from a combination of vegetable-based oils such as olive, coconut, castor and hemp. 

Made from natural ingredients and completely biodegradable, it’s a cleaner that’s gentle on the human body and the environment. You can findliquid castile soap andsolid castile soap, depending on your preferences and how you’re going to use it.

Castile soap has a multitude of uses for body care and household cleaning. It can be used as body soap, shampoo and shaving cream, and makes an effective spray for aphids and mites. 

For cleaning purposes, you can use castile soap for:

• Cleaning surfaces around the home

• Washing dishes (by hand and in the dishwasher)

• Washing fruit and veg

• Removing stains on clothing and upholstery

• Washing clothes

• Cleaning the toilet

• Mopping floors

• Cleaning makeup brushes

• Cleaning skirting boards and other wooden surfaces (avoid on waxed and oiled surfaces)

Discover more:What is Castile Soap? + 20 Ways to Use It

Find Natural Cleaning Ingredients in Perth

These five natural cleaning ingredients make the basis for a solid cleaning kit that will enable you to tackle all kinds of cleaning tasks. All while keeping your family safe and keeping toxic chemicals out of our waterways. 

Looking to cut down on your packaging waste? At Urban Revolution, we stock a range ofnatural cleaning ingredients in bulk. Simply bring your own container to store and get as much or as little as you need.

Explore our range ofnatural cleaning products made locally in Australia.