# 12 Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Solutions for Your Home - Link: https://stayathomemum.com.au/lifestyle/home/12-environmentally-friendly-cleaning-solutions-for-your-home/ - Published: 2023-02-28T08:00:00+11:00 - Author: Clare Whitfield #### _**Cleaning your home doesn’t have to be a burden for the environment.**_ Most people use cleaning products bought in the market that are usually not environment- friendly. However, there are tons of cleaning solutions that effectively clean your home that doesn’t hurt the environment. We, at SAHM, love everything frugal and environmentally friendly, so we made a list of cleaning ingredients that you can use to make your own [homemade cleaning products](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/) so your homes are kept squeaky clean without leaving a mess on our environment. **_More Reading:_** * [15 Best Stick Vacuum Cleaners in Australia](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/best-stick-vacuum-cleaners/) * [List of Bulk Cleaning Supplies You Can Buy Online](https://stayathomemum.com.au/bulk-buy/list-of-bulk-cleaning-supplies-you-can-buy-online/) * [The 5 Most Effective Homemade Carpet Cleaning Methods](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/household-tips/the-most-effective-homemade-carpet-cleaning-methods/) * [12 Cleaning Items You Should Stop Buying at the Supermarket](https://stayathomemum.com.au/my-money/savings-stories/12-cleaning-items-you-should-stop-buying-at-the-supermarket/) * [How to Clean the Entire House For Under $3 Worth of Cleaning Products](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/under-3-worth-of-cleaning-products/) * [5 Tips For Cleaning with Lavender Oil](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/cleaning-tips/cleaning-with-lavender-oil/) * [This Cleaning Hack Will Change The Way You Clean Your Shoes Forever](https://stayathomemum.com.au/my-lifestyle/this-cleaning-hack-will-change-the-way-you-clean-your-shoes-forever/) * [Daily Home Cleaning Schedule](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/cleaning-tips/daily-cleaning-schedule/) [⌊Oven rack cleaning using gloves and cloth for a spotless kitchen⌉⌊Oven rack cleaning using gloves and cloth for a spotless kitchen⌉[ ## **1. 󠀁[Soapnuts](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/soapnut-recipes/)󠁿** For us, here at SAHM, soapnuts are heaven-sent! There’s just so much you can do with soapnuts. Out of it, you can make the following: Click on the links for the recipes! * [Liquid solution](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/soapnut-recipes/) * [Laundry detergent](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/soapnut-recipes/) * [Laundry handwash](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/soapnut-recipes/2/) * [Household cleaner](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/soapnut-recipes/2/) * [Window and mirror cleaner](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/soapnut-recipes/2/) * [Dishwasher detergent](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/soapnut-recipes/2/) If you haven’t heard of it before, well, [soapnuts are not actually nuts](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/soapnuts/soapnuts-faq/)? and they are not even related to nuts! They are a type of berry the size of a macadamia nut that is cracked open and dried in the sun, producing a dark golden ‘shell’. These shells are what are known as ‘soapnuts’. They are composed of saponin which is a surfactant that takes out dirt and oils from clothing when mixed with water. [Buy Soapnuts at Amazon](https://amzn.to/41vnzEK) ## **2. 󠀁[White Vinegar](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/cleaning-tips/vinegar-in-the-bathroom/)󠁿** White vinegar is easily the handiest cleaning solution for your stain removal problems. Perhaps almost all homemade cleaning products contain vinegar as one of their cleaning ingredient. To clean your bathroom, click on this recipe. You can use it to[ clean your bathroom](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/cleaning-tips/vinegar-in-the-bathroom/) and are easy [cleaning solutions for your laundry](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/laundry/10-uses-for-vinegar-in-the-laundry/3/). ## **3. 󠀁[Cornflour](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/12-amazing-uses-cornflour/)󠁿** Yep. Cornflour is not only great for cooking, you can also use it to clean your home. While it is used as a binding agent for puddings, as a thickener for soups, or as breading in Italian cuisine, it can also effectively clean your home. You can use it to [remove blood stains and clean your windows.](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/12-amazing-uses-cornflour/) ## **4. 󠀁[Lemons](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/cleaning-with-lemons-2/)󠁿** The taste and smell of lemons never fail to refresh our senses, but did you know that it also never fails to clean our homes? You can clean your chopping boards, windows and mirrors, microwave, or tile grout. You can also remove mildew from clothes and stubborn stains from your bathtub. Degrease your BBQ in no time and make an all-purpose cleaner for your everyday cleaning. [Check out the recipes here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/cleaning-with-lemons-2/) You can also get some [here](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/how-to-clean-the-entire-house-for-under-3-worth-of-cleaning-products/2/)! ## **5. 󠀁[Salt](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/how-to-clean-the-entire-house-for-under-3-worth-of-cleaning-products/)󠁿** It can bring life to your food…and to your home as well as an effective cleaning agent. It serves as a [catalyst](https://www.google.com.ph/search?source=hp&ei=1WKoWorGGIWw0gSdu7JQ&q=salt+as+cleaning+agent&oq=salt+as+cleaning+agent&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0j0i22i30k1.10943.15710.0.15988.34.23.3.0.0.0.336.3286.0j13j2j2.17.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..14.20.3313.0..46j0i46k1j0i22i10i30k1j33i21k1j33i160k1.0.jmrcHkDZv48) for other ingredients to help clean and deodorise your home. If you add it to lemon, you can [clean chopping boards and remove mildew from clothes](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/how-to-clean-the-entire-house-for-under-3-worth-of-cleaning-products/2/). ## **6. Bicarbonate of soda** Baking soda. Sodium bicarbonate. Bicarb of Soda — however you call it, this white crystal stuff can work some magic in your home! Here are just some of the awesome things it does. Click on the links for the recipes! * It can clean your chopping boards, dishes, and remove stains from your kitchen top. * It can also clean saucepans, plastic containers, stainless steel sinks, coffee and tea stains, and even cleans your jewellery. * It can also be added to your laundry detergent, cleans tile grout and your toilet. * It cleans [baby bottles and stuffed toys and removes crayons on walls](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/kitchen/cleaning-with-bicarb-soda/4/). * It also cleans your drains. * It can [clean your oven too.](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/how-to-clean-the-entire-house-for-under-3-worth-of-cleaning-products/3/) ## **7. 󠀁[Orange Oil](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/cleaning-tips/cleaning-with-orange-oil/)󠁿** Derived from orange rinds, orange oil is one overall house cleaner you need. It’s a polisher, cleaner and degreaser all in one! [See the recipes here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/cleaning-tips/cleaning-with-orange-oil/) ## **9. 󠀁[Eucalyptus Oil](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/cleaning-the-natural-way-eucalyptus-oil/)󠁿** This wonder oil is commonly used for its [health benefits](https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-eucalyptus-essential-oil.html) being anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, antiseptic, and antibacterial, but it can do wonders for your home too. You can use eucalyptus oil to remove grease and grime in your kitchen, use it as a general spray cleaner and as an additive to your laundry. [Clink on the link for the recipes!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/diy-cleaning-products/cleaning-the-natural-way-eucalyptus-oil/) ## **10. 󠀁[Tea Tree Oil](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/cleaning-tips/8-home-cleaning-benefits-of-tea-tree-oil/)󠁿** Tea tree oil is a common ingredient for beauty and skincare products but its cleaning effects is remarkable as well. You can use it as a spray cleaner, add it to dirty laundry, use it as a mould and mildew remover, and washing machine cleaner. [Check out the recipes here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/cleaning-tips/8-home-cleaning-benefits-of-tea-tree-oil/2/) ## **11. 󠀁[Clove Oil](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/cleaning-tips/cleaning-with-clove-oil/)󠁿** Although a bit expensive, this amazing oil should still make it to this list for its lasting cleaning effects. Known for its health benefits, clove oil also is best for cleaning your homes. It can remove moulds from bathrooms or kitchens, patios, leather products, fabric lounges, carpets, pieces of wood furniture, and walls. It can also be an effective ant killer! [See the recipes here!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/cleaning-tips/cleaning-with-clove-oil/) ## **12. 󠀁[Lavender Oil](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/cleaning-tips/cleaning-with-lavender-oil/)󠁿** This fragrant oil offers more than just refreshing the body and spirit, it’s a great cleaning agent too! Use it as a bathroom cleaner or a dishwashing liquid, you can never go wrong with this incredible oil. [Click on the link for the recipes!](https://stayathomemum.com.au/houseandhome/cleaning-tips/cleaning-with-lavender-oil/) ## _**Do you know other environmentally friendly cleaning solutions for your home? Share it with us!**_ ![author avatar](https://i0.wp.com/stayathomemum.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/ 12/clare_whitfield_profile.webp?quality=80&ssl=1) Clare Whitfield Chief Editor Clare Whitfield is the Editor of Stay at Home Mum and a recognised voice in practical home management for Australian families. Based in the northern suburbs of Sydney, she balances editorial leadership with life as a stay at home mum to two school age children. Her background in home economics and more than a decade of experience in recipe development, family budgeting, and household systems inform her work. [See Full Bio](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/) [ ](https://stayathomemum.com.au/author/clare_whitfield/)