Simple Life Practice #05 – DIY Natural Home Cleaning: Purify Your Space, Respect the Earth

Blog Series: Simple Life Practices #05

---

🌱 Introduction: Clean Doesn’t Have to Mean Chemical

The average American home contains over 60 toxic cleaning products, many of which contribute to indoor air pollution, skin irritation, and long-term environmental harm.
But what if you could clean your home just as effectively — using ingredients from your kitchen?

Welcome to natural home cleaning — a core tenet of the Simple Life.
It’s not just about going “green.” It’s about living consciously — for your health, your family, and the planet.

---

📊 The Case for Natural Cleaning

• 🧴 The EPA reports indoor air is 2–5x more polluted than outdoor air — largely due to chemical cleaners

• 🌿 68% of U.S. households in 2025 now use at least one DIY natural cleaner

• 💵 Average monthly savings: $15–30 by switching from store-bought brands to homemade solutions

---

🌼 Top 5 Ingredients for Natural Cleaning (and Why They Work)

Ingredient	Power	Usage
White vinegar	Disinfectant, degreaser	All-purpose spray, glass cleaner
Baking soda	Odor neutralizer, scrubber	Sinks, tubs, carpets
Lemon juice	Natural bleach, fragrance	Cutting boards, microwave, countertops
Castile soap	Gentle cleanser	Floors, dishes, laundry
Essential oils (e.g. tea tree, lavender)	Antibacterial, aromatic	Toilet cleaner, mood booster

---

🧪 Simple DIY Recipes (Beginner-Friendly)

🧼 1. All-Purpose Cleaner

• 1 cup water

• 1 cup white vinegar

• 10 drops lemon essential oil
  → Spray on counters, doorknobs, stovetops.

🪟 2. Streak-Free Glass Cleaner

• 1½ cups water

• 1½ tablespoons vinegar

• 1 tablespoon rubbing alcohol
  → Wipe with microfiber for crystal-clear shine.

🛁 3. Bathtub Scrub Paste

• ½ cup baking soda

• A few tablespoons water
  → Scrub with a sponge, rinse thoroughly.

🧽 4. Toilet Bombs

• 1 cup baking soda

• ¼ cup citric acid

• 2 tablespoons castile soap
  → Drop one in toilet bowl weekly.

---

🧠 Why This Matters: Cleaning as a Mindful Ritual

“I used to rush through chores. Now, I slow down, breathe in the lavender, and feel good about the surfaces my kids touch.”
– Jasmine K., Simple Life mother of three, Colorado

Natural cleaning transforms a chore into a ritual of care — for your body, your home, and the earth.
You’re no longer just removing dirt — you’re creating harmony.

---

🚫 What to Avoid

• ❌ Commercial “greenwashed” products with synthetic fragrances

• ❌ Bleach or ammonia-based cleaners

• ❌ Mixing vinegar with hydrogen peroxide (can form toxic gases)

---

🧘 Bonus: The “Clean Less” Philosophy

In the Simple Life, the goal isn’t to clean obsessively — it’s to design a home that stays clean:

• Keep only what you use and love → less to clean

• Use entryway shoe racks and air purifiers → cleaner air

• Wipe down surfaces daily for just 2–3 minutes

Clean less. Live more.

---

🔖 Coming Next:

Simple Life Practice #06 – Gratitude Journaling: Training the Mind to See What Matters
– Learn how five minutes of writing a day can reshape your mood, focus, and relationships.

---

🌿 Hashtags

#SimpleLife #NaturalCleaning #GreenHome #DIYCleaners
#ZeroWasteLiving #EcoFriendlyLiving #MindfulChores
#SustainableHome #SlowLiving #CleanWithoutChemicals

---