By using natural, home-made cleaning products, we will reduce the amount of chemicals in the apartment and at the same time achieve effectiveness comparable to store-bought products. And most importantly, we can quickly prepare them with ingredients we already have at home.
Ingredients:
- half a glass of dishwashing liquid,
- half a glass of water,
- a glass of baking soda.
Preparation:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl or jar until you obtain a thick, creamy consistency. If you want, you can add a few drops of natural essential oil for fragrance (lemon, eucalyptus, etc.). Pour into a spray bottle or a container with a dispenser
Use:
- Spray (or apply) the milk on the dirty surface.
- Wait a while for better effect.
- Wipe gently with a sponge or cloth.
- Rinse with water and wipe dry.
Dishwashing liquid contains surfactants, i.e. compounds that lower the surface tension of water – thanks to this, dirt, grease and organic deposits detach from the surface much faster. Water acts as a carrier, distributing the ingredients evenly and allowing them to reach the micro-crevices where dirt accumulates. However, fine crystals of baking soda mechanically loosen dirt while reacting with acids present in the deposits.
Homemade milk made of baking soda, water and dishwashing liquid works especially well on surfaces that are resistant to light abrasion. You will get the best results on stainless steel, ceramics, enamel, bathroom tiles, tempered glass and laminate kitchen countertops. Thanks to its slightly alkaline reaction, baking soda effectively neutralizes limescale deposits that appear on taps, sinks and shower cabins, and surfactants from dishwashing liquid break down grease and organic dirt.
However, it is worth remembering a few exceptions. The milk is not suitable for very delicate surfaces, such as marble, travertine, some types of natural stone or induction hobs with a coating susceptible to micro-scratches. In such cases, it is better to use products with a neutral pH. It is also not recommended to use baking soda on aluminum because it may cause the metal to tarnish. If in doubt, test on an inconspicuous area – it’s a simple method that allows you to avoid damage and at the same time make sure that your homemade mixture works exactly as it should.
Natural cleaning products gain an advantage primarily because their action is based on simple physical and chemical reactions that do not burden the body or the environment. Quaternary ammonium compounds present in many detergents, they have a strong biocidal effect, but at the same time they can affect the skin microbiome, intensify allergic symptoms and increase the risk of irritation in people with asthma. Their vapors may even remain in the air in closed rooms a few hours after cleaning.
Baking soda and soap work differently: baking soda breaks down dirt thanks to its crystalline structure, and soap surrounds grease and dirt particles, allowing them to be easily rinsed. They do not leave chemically active residues that could react with surfaces or skin.
It is worth paying attention to their impact on the environment. Sodium bicarbonate undergoes natural decomposition processes, without creating lasting relationshipsthat could accumulate in groundwater. The production of baking soda is also less energy-intensive than the production of many synthetic detergents, which translates into a lower carbon footprint. In Polish conditions, with hard water rich in calcium and magnesium, baking soda works particularly well – its slightly alkaline reaction helps neutralize lime deposits that form on fittings, tiles and sinks.
