BlogIf your cleaning cupboard is overflowing with half-used sprays, you’re not alone. Most homes end up with a different bottle for every room—bathroom cleaner, glass cleaner, kitchen degreaser, floor spray… and somehow nothing feels “right” when you need it.
Here’s a simpler approach: you can clean most of your home using just five natural ingredients—and still get results that look (and smell) genuinely fresh.
This guide covers what those five ingredients are, what each one does, the best ways to use them in every room, and a few safety notes that matter.
Internal link idea: If you’re moving toward eco cleaning but want to keep it affordable, read: How to Switch to Green Cleaning Without Breaking the Bank
The 5 Natural Ingredients You Need (And Why They Work)
1) White Vinegar
Best for: glass, deodorising, dissolving mineral build-up (kettles, taps, showerheads)
Why it works: vinegar is mildly acidic, which helps break down limescale and soap residue.
Avoid using on: marble, granite, natural stone, unsealed grout, some hardwood finishes.
2) Baking Soda
Best for: gentle scrubbing, deodorising, lifting grime
Why it works: baking soda is a mild abrasive and a great odour absorber.
Perfect for: sinks, tubs, oven splatters, fridge smells, bins.
3) Castile Soap (or a Mild Plant-Based Dish Soap)
Best for: everyday cleaning, grease, general washing
Why it works: soap cuts oils and lifts dirt so it can be rinsed away.
Use it for: bench tops, floors (depending on surface), walls, cabinet fronts.
4) Lemon
Best for: freshening, light degreasing, stain help, cutting smells
Why it works: lemon has natural acids and a clean scent that makes rooms feel instantly brighter.
Great for: chopping boards, microwave deodorising, stainless steel polishing (with care).
5) Hot Water
Best for: almost everything
Why it works: heat helps loosen grease, soften grime, and improve cleaning power—often reducing the need for extra product.
Tip: Give cleaners “dwell time.” Warmth + time beats harsh chemicals.
Your Natural Cleaning Starter Kit (What to Keep on Hand)
Alongside the five ingredients, these tools make the system work:
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Microfiber cloths (reusable, cuts down product use)
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A scrub brush or old toothbrush
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Two spray bottles (label them clearly)
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A small bowl for making baking soda paste
Internal link idea: Pair this post with: Eco-Friendly Cleaning Checklist (Kitchen + Bathroom)
3 Easy DIY Natural Cleaner Recipes (Using Only the 5 Ingredients)
Recipe A: Everyday All-Purpose Spray
Use for: kitchen surfaces, doors, skirting boards, tiles, light switches
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2 cups warm water
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1 teaspoon castile soap (or a small squirt of dish soap)
How to use: spray onto a cloth, wipe, then dry with a clean cloth for a streak-free finish.
Recipe B: Glass & Mirror Spray
Use for: mirrors, windows, glass tables
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2 cups water
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1/2 cup vinegar
How to use: spray lightly and wipe with a dry microfiber cloth.
Recipe C: Natural Scrub Paste
Use for: sinks, tubs, stovetops, grout touch-ups
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3 tablespoons baking soda
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enough lemon juice (or warm water) to make a paste
How to use: apply, scrub, let sit 5–10 minutes, then rinse.
Room-by-Room: What to Clean With Your 5 Ingredients
Kitchen (Grease + Food Splashes)
Benchtops & splashback: warm water + castile soap
Stovetop: baking soda paste + warm water wipe
Sink: baking soda scrub, then rinse and wipe dry
Microwave: heat a bowl of hot water + lemon slices for 2–3 minutes, then wipe inside
Chopping boards: rub lemon on the surface, then rinse and dry
Extra tip: let warm soapy spray sit for 2 minutes on greasy cabinet fronts before wiping.
Bathroom (Soap Scum + Limescale)
Shower screen: vinegar spray, wait 5 minutes, wipe dry
Taps & chrome: vinegar on a cloth (not sprayed everywhere), wipe and buff
Toilet exterior & seat: warm water + soap (use separate cloths)
Bath & vanity: baking soda paste for scrubbing, rinse well
For stubborn build-up: soak a cloth in vinegar and wrap it around the tap for 10 minutes, then wipe.
Internal link idea: Link to a deeper guide: Homemade Bathroom Cleaner That Works on Soap Scum
Living Areas (Dust + Marks)
Dusting: slightly damp microfiber cloth with warm water
Wall marks: small amount of soapy water on a cloth, wipe gently
Skirting boards: warm water + soap, then dry
Tip: don’t oversoak walls—moisture should be minimal.
Floors (Simple + Safe)
Tiles/vinyl: warm water + a tiny amount of castile soap
Avoid vinegar on: natural stone floors
Spot deodorise carpets: sprinkle baking soda, leave 15 minutes, vacuum
Laundry (Freshness Boost)
Deodorise washing machine: run a hot cycle with vinegar (occasionally)
Whiten whites (carefully): baking soda with warm water can help brighten dullness
Internal link idea: Related post: Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipes That Actually Work
Safety Notes That Matter (Please Don’t Skip)
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Never mix vinegar with bleach (dangerous fumes).
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Use vinegar carefully on delicate finishes (natural stone, some hardwood).
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Label spray bottles clearly.
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For disinfecting after illness, natural cleaning can remove dirt, but disinfecting may need extra steps depending on your situation.
If you want, you can add a separate post about safe disinfecting routines while keeping things low-tox.
Why This 5-Ingredient Method Saves Money (And Time)
When you reduce your cleaning system down to a handful of versatile ingredients:
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you buy fewer products,
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you waste less,
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you stop “panic shopping” when one bottle runs out,
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and you learn what actually works—so cleaning becomes faster.
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about making your routine simple enough that you’ll keep doing it.
FAQs
Can I really clean everything with just these five?
For most everyday cleaning, yes. For speciality needs (mould treatment, pest control, post-illness disinfection), you may need targeted products. But 80–90% of household cleaning can be handled with this system.
What’s the best ingredient for bad odours?
Baking soda for absorption, vinegar for neutralising, and lemon for freshening. Combine baking soda for “pulling” smells with lemon for a clean finish.
Is vinegar safe for every surface?
No—avoid natural stone and use caution on certain wood finishes. When unsure, test a small hidden area first.
