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As homesteaders, we strive to live a self-sufficient and sustainable lifestyle. Much of this is rooted in many of our core beliefs which relate to repurposing and reusing whatever material we can, being less wasteful, living simply and being environmentally friendly. In many ways – and I have said this before in my blog – but in many ways, homesteaders and farmers are actually better at being environmentally friendly than those that shout it from the rooftops.
One way to achieve some of our need to be self-sufficient and sustainable is by incorporating natural cleaning methods into our daily routines. Not only is it better for the environment, but it also benefits our health, our household, the health of our animals and the general ecology of our property.
Where we live, we are only connected to town electricity. We have an on-site septic system and collect and use water from water tanks. In fact, in rural Australia, this is very much the norm and water tanks storing water has been around since forever.
As a result of having to maintain the septic and grey water tanks ourselves and having to ensure that they are filled with good bacteria to get rid of the waste, it is important not to use chemicals that will kill these good bacteria. Biodegradable and eco-friendly products safe for septic and grey water tanks is what you need to be mindful of when purchasing any cleaning products for use on rural properties.
In the spirit of all that is homesteading, why not just switch to natural cleaning products?
Why you should switch to natural cleaning products
If you’ve already moved to the semi or permanent off-grid property out in the sticks, or you’re new to homesteading, some of these ideas may be difficult to get your head around. I know whenever we have our family visit from interstate – especially the mums – they want to clean and do things the way they do in suburbia, and that just doesn’t cut it for a property that needs consideration like ours.
The reason to switch to natural cleaning products is simple and quite basic to be honest – firstly, they’ve been around for years firstly, and secondly it’s the way generations before us did things. It was not only safer for the family and the farm, but relatively cheap to use these cleaning products as much of it may have been what you had at the property.
Sure, these fancy cleaning chemicals and products do clean – but they also strip ALL organisms away, good and bad. Conventional cleaning products can cause respiratory problems or sinus irritation in certain individuals. Common allergens and irritants can emerge from the following items found most commonly in chemical products:
- Perfumes
- Synthetic fragrances
- Sulfates
- Ammonia
- Gluten
- Caustics
- Formaldehyde
- Phosphates
- Chlorine
- Bleach
- Dyes
After needing to be gluten free for about 8-years due to a newly developed gluten intolerance, I was able to rid myself of the intolerance by eating gluten over a year and now am not gluten-free. And this is important because after much research, I actually believe I am allergic to chemicals, and not gluten. I have a post series being developed about this now and will be released soon.
Myth: clean means sterile
There is a huge misconception that to be clean, your home needs to smell and feel like a hospital. And that isn’t true. Even in super sterile environments, superbugs can develop and they seem to be increasing. Superbugs are those immune to cleaning ingredients and chemicals used to sterilise places like hospitals.
Cleaning should not be defined by how the air smells after you’ve finished cleaning or the natural oils you’ve stripped away. I’ve found the same questions asked in my soap business, where the misconception is you need a lot of bubbles to be clean, or your soap needs to have a scent for you to be cleaned. This is all untrue and factually incorrect.
If I haven’t convinced you yet about making the transition to natural cleaning products maybe this post will help. Here are some reasons why you should start natural cleaning on your homestead.
1. Environmental Benefits
Many conventional cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can harm the environment. When we use these products, they can end up in our waterways and harm aquatic life. This is because the chemicals in these cleaning products are not biodegradable, and they can persist in the environment for a long time. Moreover, these chemicals can also contribute to air pollution when they are released into the air during use.
On the other hand, natural cleaning products are made from biodegradable ingredients that break down easily in the environment. For example, vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that is made from acetic acid, which is a weak acid that is safe for the environment. When vinegar is used as a cleaning agent, it breaks down into water and carbon dioxide, which are harmless to the environment.
Similarly, baking soda is a natural cleaning agent that is made from sodium bicarbonate, which is also safe for the environment. When baking soda is used as a cleaning agent, it breaks down into water, carbon dioxide, and sodium ions, which are all harmless to the environment.
Therefore, by using natural cleaning products, we can reduce our impact on the environment and keep our homesteads clean without harming the planet.
2. Health Benefits
Harsh chemicals in conventional cleaning products can be harmful to our health. When we use these products, we breathe in the fumes and absorb the chemicals through our skin. This can lead to respiratory problems, skin irritation, and other health issues.
For example, some conventional cleaning products contain chlorine bleach, which is a strong oxidizing agent that can cause respiratory problems when inhaled. Similarly, some conventional cleaning products contain ammonia, which is a strong irritant that can cause skin and eye irritation.
Natural cleaning products are made from non-toxic ingredients, making them safer for us and our animals. For example, vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that is safe for humans and animals. It is non-toxic, non-corrosive, and non-flammable, making it a safe alternative to conventional cleaning products.
Similarly, baking soda is a natural cleaning agent that is also safe for humans and animals. It is non-toxic, non-corrosive, and non-flammable, making it a safe alternative to conventional cleaning products.
By using natural cleaning products, we can reduce our exposure to harmful chemicals and protect our health and the health of our animals.
3. Cost-Effective
Natural cleaning products can be made from ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. For example, vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice are all effective cleaning agents that are inexpensive and readily available. By making your own cleaning products, you can save money and reduce waste.
Moreover, natural cleaning products are also long-lasting and effective. Vinegar is a natural cleaning agent that can be used for a variety of cleaning tasks, such as cleaning windows, floors, and countertops. It is also a natural disinfectant that can kill bacteria and viruses. Similarly, baking soda is a natural cleaning agent that can be used to scrub sinks, tubs, and toilets. It is also a natural deodorizer that can absorb odors.
By using natural cleaning products, we can save money, reduce waste, and have effective cleaning agents that can be used for a variety of tasks.
4. Versatility
Natural cleaning products are versatile and can be used for a variety of cleaning tasks. You can make your own multi-purpose cleaner for use in the shower and bathroom and also for the kitchen benches.
One of the best natural cleaner recipes going around at the moment is the citrus cleaner. Add peeled citrus peels into an air-tight container of vinegar and leave for two weeks. After two weeks, strain the peels and dilute the vinegar with water in a spray bottle. Use as needed.
Natural cleaning products can also be used in combination with each other to enhance their cleaning power. For example, vinegar and baking soda can be used together to create a powerful cleaning agent that can be used to clean drains and remove tough stains. Similarly, lemon juice and baking soda can be used together to create a natural whitening agent that can be used to whiten clothes and remove stains.
By using natural cleaning products, we can simplify our cleaning routine and reduce the number of products we need to buy.
5. Peace of Mind
Using natural cleaning products can give you peace of mind knowing that you are not exposing yourself or your animals to harmful chemicals. You can feel good about the products you are using and the impact they have on the environment.
By using natural cleaning products, you can also teach your children and other family members about the importance of living a sustainable and healthy lifestyle. You can show them that it is possible to have a clean and healthy home without using harsh chemicals that harm the environment and our health.
By using natural cleaning products, we can have peace of mind knowing that we are doing our part to protect the planet and promote good health.
DIY Cleaner Basic Ingredients
If you’re starting a DIY green cleaners pantry or have been convinced by this post to change your perception on natural cleaning, the following are the top ingredients you’ll want to have around. Some combination of these ingredients will make you almost all of the recipes I will be adding to the blog in the coming weeks:
• Baking Soda
• White Vinegar
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Borax
• Essential oils, like tea tree oil, lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, or lemongrass oil
• Castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)
• Fresh herbs, citrus, or citrus peels
• Olive or vegetable oil
• Water
With a few simple recipes and ingredients, you can save money and get a greener cleaning routine. You may already have some of the ingredients and will only need to supplement with a few extras. A basic natural cleaning toolkit can be pulled together in a cost effective manner that will make you feel good about how you clean and maintain your property.
What’s next?
Now that you’ve chosen to use natural cleaning products, what’s next? It is never too late to resolve to making sustainable choices in our own homes, starting with opting for natural, eco-friendly cleaning products. And while this post was written for existing or new homesteaders in mind, you absolutely don’t need to be either to make these cheap and effective changes to your household.
As you refine the list of products you use and start simplifying your cleaning routine, here is a checklist for what to keep in mind as you do your research.
- If you are buying from a natural cleaning brand, make sure to utilise their refill pouches that allow you to save on repurchasing
- Buy or use biodegradable packaging that won’t create more plastic waste
- Use bottles, pumps, sprayers, and caps that are easily recyclable
- Buy form brands that clearly list their ingredients on the packaging, along with how and where it is made
- Use companies and brands that ethically source and manufacture their products that agree with your values
Since there is no set definition for “natural” when it comes to cleaning products, pay special attention to what a brand means when they make that claim.
Our brand Homestead Soapery makes artisan soap and natural skincare. We make our artisanal soaps using local raw ingredients from farmers and homesteaders where we can, but if not, our entire supply chain is Australian to the best of our knowledge. Our natural skincare items are made using no harsh chemicals or surfactants and many of our clients have given feedback that making the switch has helped them in their transition to going natural in their household.
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