As more and more sustainable lifestyle ideas continue to rapidly come to the fore, many people are thinking about the small steps they can take in the home. From buying recycled kitchen roll to moving over to traditional milk bottles, there are plenty of different things to try. One consideration that keeps coming up is cleaning products. Whether you are concerned with limiting your environmental footprint, or it’s more about protecting little ones from chemicals, natural products are fast growing in popularity. With that in mind, we’ve put together this list of natural cleaning tips for your wetroom or bathroom.
Homemade Mould Cleaner
There are a few natural ingredients known to fight mould that you’re likely to have at home already. These are vinegar, tea tree oil, and baking soda. Clean mould in the bathroom by following these steps:
- Add distilled vinegar and tea tree oil to a spray bottle (preferably a glass one to improve the longevity of the solution).
- Shake the bottle and spray directly onto the mould. Leave for 30 minutes.
- Take another spray bottle (again, glass if possible), and add warm water and two teaspoons of baking soda.
- Shake the bottle until the baking soda has dissolved, and spray onto the mould. Leave for another 30 minutes.
- After waiting the sufficient time, use a toothbrush to scrub the surface. Both solutions combined should help the mould come away easily.
Homemade Grout Cleaner
An effective way to clean bathroom grout naturally is with a solution of baking soda, borax (soda crystals), liquid castile soap and either washing powder or hand soap. Mix all four ingredients together and use a toothbrush to apply it to the grout, and scrub the affected area.
A nice addition to this natural grout cleaner could be the essential oil of your choice. This could simply be to add your preferred scent, however some essential oils have cleaning properties as well. Cinnamon, clove, and rosemary oils all have anti-bacterial properties, and lemongrass, eucalyptus, and peppermint are naturally anti-fungal.
Homemade Limescale Cleaner
Limescale is notoriously difficult to remove, and requires a high concentration of acid to penetrate it. Fortunately, some of the most effective ingredients for removing it are indeed natural. Whether there is limescale in your shower head, around the toilet bowl, taps or other bathroom fittings, it should be possible to remove it with these ingredients:
- Lemon – among the properties in lemon is citric acid, which is effective in breaking down limescale. Simply cut a lemon in half and rub it on the limescale, then leave it for at least 30 minutes before wiping down and rinsing.
- Vinegar – containing at least 4% acetic acid, vinegar is great for breaking down limescale – especially when combined with this next ingredient.
- Bicarbonate of soda – this abrasive substance works wonders when combined with vinegar, and the fizzing reaction can cut through limescale.
- Cola – another household favourite, cola contains phosphoric acid – a substance often used for removing rust that can also tackle limescale.
Homemade Drain Cleaner
There are a few homemade natural recipes to try for cleaning drains. If it’s clogged with greasy products, such as coconut oil-based hair products, use a solution of boiling water and washing up liquid. The water will melt the grease and the washing up liquid will work to move it. Another option is to combine borax (soda crystals) with salt and vinegar (the ratio of these should be 1:1:2). Pour the solution into the drain and let it sit for around an hour before rinsing away.
You could also use a combination of baking soda (500ml), cream of tartar (two tablespoons) and salt (125ml). Mix these dry ingredients together and pour them into the drain, then poor down 500ml of boiling water. Leave it all to sit for at least an hour before rinsing. Leave the solution overnight if the drain is severely clogged.
Homemade Window Cleaner
The simplest way to clean windows – and many would argue, the most effective method ever – is to use vinegar, water and a newspaper. Make a solution with one part white vinegar and one part tap water, and transfer it into a spray bottle. Then simply spray this onto your windows and wipe with scrunched up newspapers to leave your windows clean, shiny, and streak-free.
Homemade Shower Cleaner
A great all-rounder cleaning solution for a wetroom or bathroom is the combination of white vinegar, washing-up liquid, and a few essential oils. Vinegar is a hugely effective natural cleaner known to cut through most types of grime, and leave a clean polished look. As well as containing soap, washing up liquid allows you to create a lathering effect and really work into the areas that need cleaning. As mentioned above, as well as giving a pleasant aroma, many essential oils possess properties that aid in cleaning. Tea tree, eucalyptus, peppermint, and cinnamon are some of the most effective.
A bathroom or wetroom can, for many people, be the last room they feel like cleaning. However, armed with these simple and easy-to-use cleaning ideas, hopefully this will become less of a chore. Read more advice on how to clean a wetroom to make sure you are making the most of your luxurious household addition and keeping it sparkling clean.
