Keeping your home clean and germ-free can feel like a full-time job. But it doesn’t require a cupboard full of expensive chemical-laden cleaning products. Many everyday pantry staples can serve as powerful, natural alternatives all on their own or when combined with other natural ingredients. And the best part? You probably already have a number of these inexpensive items on hand.

Here’s how you can use items like baking soda, white vinegar, lemon juice, and more to clean and disinfect your home.

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a versatile cleaning powerhouse. Its gentle abrasiveness makes it ideal for scrubbing surfaces without scratching them. You can use baking soda to clean sinks, countertops, and stovetops. Sprinkle baking soda on the surface, scrub with a damp sponge, and rinse thoroughly. For tougher stains, create a paste with baking soda and water, apply it, let it sit, and then scrub off.

2. White Vinegar

White vinegar is a natural disinfectant and deodorizer due to its acidity, which can kill many types of bacteria and mold. Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to create an all-purpose cleaner. This solution is perfect for cleaning glass, countertops, and bathroom surfaces.

3. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice, with its natural acidity, is excellent for cutting through grease and acting as a disinfectant, especially in the kitchen. Clean cutting boards by sprinkling salt on the board and scrubbing with a halved lemon. Lemon juice also freshens up your garbage disposal: pour a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda down the drain, let it fizz, and rinse with hot water.

4. Salt

Salt acts as a natural abrasive, enhancing the cleaning power of other ingredients. It’s especially effective for scrubbing grime from surfaces. Use salt with vinegar or lemon juice to tackle tough spots. Clean cast iron pans by sprinkling salt, scrubbing with a damp cloth, and rinsing – avoiding soap to preserve the pan’s seasoning.

5. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a potent disinfectant that can kill bacteria, viruses, and mold. Use it to disinfect cutting boards, countertops, and bathroom surfaces. Simply pour hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle, spray on the surfaces, let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe clean. For grout and tile cleaning, mix hydrogen peroxide with baking soda to form a paste, apply it, and scrub.

6. Olive Oil

Olive oil isn’t just for cooking; it’s great for polishing wood and stainless steel surfaces. For wood furniture, mix two parts olive oil with one part lemon juice. Apply with a cloth to clean and polish. To shine stainless steel appliances, apply a small amount of olive oil to a cloth and buff away smudges and fingerprints.

7. Cornstarch

Cornstarch is useful for cleaning windows and polishing furniture. To make a window cleaner, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a quart of warm water, spray on windows, and wipe clean. For furniture polish, mix equal parts cornstarch and water to form a paste, apply, let it dry, and buff with a soft cloth.

Using these and other pantry staples for cleaning and disinfecting not only saves money but also reduces exposure to harsh chemicals. Yet often times, cleaning isn’t enough. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air can be up to 5 times more contaminated than the air outdoors. That’s why C&D offers a variety of indoor air quality solutions. From air purification systems to humidity control, C&D can help you breathe a whole lot easier. Contact us today to learn more.