Skip buying the expensive chemical cleaners next time you’re shopping for apartment essentials. All you need is dish soap, distilled white vinegar, baking soda, sponges and microfiber cloths!
It might be surprising since there are so many cleaning products on the market, but one of the most-used products by professional cleaners is dish soap! Dish soap is one of the safest cleaning products you can use because of its gentle nature and neutral pH level. In addition, it’s a top choice due to its versatility. This cleaning agent is not only powerful on grease and grime, it is also environmentally friendly and does not contain strong chemical scents. Dish soap can be safely used on granite, marble, sealed wood, ceramic, linoleum, vinyl and stainless steel.
Dish soap and warm water can be used for cleaning the following:
- Microwave
- Fridge & freezer
- Stovetop & oven
- Sinks
- Kitchen & bathroom countertops
- Kitchen & bathroom cabinets
- Kitchen & bathroom floors
- Baseboards
- Doorknobs
- Light switches
- Windowsills
- Window blinds
- Mirrors
- Tub & shower
- Oil-based & grease-based stains on clothing
- Carpet stains
Distilled white vinegar is another excellent natural cleaning product. It’s tough enough to cut through bacteria, mildew, dirt, grime and melt hard water stains while being safe to use on various surfaces throughout your home. Like dish soap, vinegar is a versatile cleaner but due to its acidic nature there are some surfaces you should not use vinegar on because it could cause damage. Don’t use vinegar on marble, granite and natural stone surfaces, unsealed or damaged grout, stainless steel, hardwood floors, cast iron, brushed nickel faucets and fixtures, pet messes or electronic screens!
Distilled white vinegar and warm water can be used for cleaning the following:
- Microwave
- Fridge & freezer
- Sink drain & garbage disposal
- Cutting boards
- Pet food & water bowls
- Kitchen & bathroom countertops
- Toilet
- Mirrors
- Windows
- Tub & shower
- Showerhead
- Tile floor
- Wood furniture
- Dirty carpets
*Some of the above items benefit from mixing baking soda with vinegar
Cleaning with baking soda can be a great choice if you need to get rid of odor or loosen up stuck-on gunk and grime. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that can be used safely on most household surfaces, however, there are some surfaces baking soda can scratch. Avoid using on glass, mirrors, hardwood floors, wood furniture, marble or quartz countertops, and ceramic stovetop/oven. Baking soda on its own can be used for controlling odor and refreshing items like upholstery and carpets. Sprinkling some in your trash can or putting a box in the fridge can eliminate unpleasant smells!
Baking soda and dish soap can be used for cleaning the following:
- Tub & shower
- Kitchen sinks
Baking soda and warm water can be used for cleaning the following:
- Oven
- Painted surfaces (walls and furniture)
- Tile floors
Baking soda followed by a rinse of hot water can be used for cleaning the following:
- Shower curtains
- Bathroom drains
- Toilets
Baking soda and vinegar can be used to clean the following:
- Drip pans
- Kitchen drains & garbage disposal
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can be used for the following:
- Polishing kitchen appliances
- Removing water stains from utensils
- Removing grease from baking pans
- Cleaning tile grout