To maintain the cleanliness and shine of the floors in homes, it has become common to use expensive and chemical-rich floor cleaners available in the market. These chemical cleaners, which claim to kill 99.9% of germs in advertisements, contain heavy amounts of hydrochloric acid, bleach, ammonia and synthetic perfumes. These chemicals not only gradually fade the natural shine of the floor, but also prove to be extremely harmful for the skin and respiratory system of small children and pets crawling on the floor. These toxic chemicals spread in the air after mopping can cause respiratory allergies and eye irritation. The most economical, safe and 100% natural solution to this problem is available in your own kitchen. Simple ingredients like white vinegar, baking soda, lemon peel, neem leaves, rock salt and camphor used in Indian kitchens are rich in cleaning and disinfecting properties. Homemade floor cleaner prepared from these ingredients not only removes stubborn stains, oil and fungus from the floor, but also infuses the entire house with a fresh and natural fragrance. 4 Most Effective Ways to Make Floor Cleaner from Kitchen Ingredients Excellent floor cleaner can be prepared at home in just a few minutes according to different needs and type of floor: Lemon and Vinegar Citrus Shine Cleaner (for tiles and ceramic floors): Fill a large glass jar with used lemon or orange peels and pour white vinegar on top. Keep it in a dark place for 10 to 12 days. After this, filter the vinegar and fill it in a spray bottle. While mopping, mix half a cup of this citrus vinegar and a teaspoon of mild dishwash liquid in a bucket of lukewarm water. The acetic acid in vinegar quickly cuts through grime and salt water stains on floors, while the essential oils of lemon give floors a mirror-like shine. Neem and camphor anti-bacterial cleaner (to ward off insects): Add two handfuls of fresh neem leaves in one liter of water and boil until the water reduces to half. Cool the water and filter it. Now add 4 to 5 finely ground camphor tablets and two spoons of rock salt and mix it well. Fill this mixture in a bottle and keep it. While mopping daily, pour this liquid into a bucket with two lids. The anti-microbial properties of Neem destroy all the bacteria on the floor, while the smell of camphor drives away flies, mosquitoes, ants and cockroaches from the house. Deep-clean formula of baking soda and essential oil: If there are greasy oil stains on the kitchen tiles or blackened bathroom floor grouting (cracks between the tiles), baking soda is a panacea. Dissolve two teaspoons of baking soda, one teaspoon of liquid soap, and 10 drops of lemongrass or eucalyptus essential oil in a bucket of lukewarm water. Baking soda acts as a gentle natural scrubber, completely removing grease without scratching the floor surface. Alum and Rock Salt Purification Cleaner: In ancient Indian tradition, mopping with salt and alum is considered very auspicious and scientific. Mix one spoon of ground alum and two spoons of rock salt in a bucket of water. Alum kills water bacteria and destroys microscopic fungus on the floor, while salt helps the floor dry faster and remove stickiness. Be careful according to the type of floor: Important rules for marble and granite Although household cleaners are completely safe, it is important to choose them correctly according to the floor stone in the house: Marble and granite floors: Marble is a natural limestone (calcium carbonate). Vinegar or lemon should never be used directly on it, because the acid dissolves the top polish of the marble, leaving white blurry spots on it. For marble, use only a mixture of neem water, camphor, baking soda and mild shampoo. Vitrified and ceramic tiles: A mixture of vinegar, lemon, baking soda and salt is completely safe to use on modern tiles and will keep the tiles shining like new. Wooden/Laminated floor: Never use too much water on wooden floors. Make a mixture of light vinegar, water and tea tree oil in a spray bottle and mop dry with a microfiber mop. Multifaceted benefits of homemade floor cleaner: Big savings in both health and budget Using homemade natural floor cleaners offers many direct and indirect benefits: Zero chemicals and child safety: Young children play on the floor, drop toys and put fingers in their mouths. There is no toxic chemical residue left on floors cleaned with natural cleaners, which reduces the risk of stomach and skin infections to zero. Natural protection from flies, mosquitoes and ants: The natural scent of Neem, Camphor and Lemongrass acts as a natural repellent for insects, thus preventing insects from entering the house without any chemical spray. Safety of environment and ground water: Draining chemical water into drains pollutes the water sources, whereas organic cleaner water is completely biodegradable and does not cause any harm to the environment. Saving thousands of rupees annually: Branded floor cleaners in the market cost ₹ 300 to ₹ 500 every month. By making cleaner from kitchen leftovers (like lemon peels), this expense reduces to nominal (₹ 20 to ₹ 30). Easy tips to store the cleaner for a longer period and smell better, keep a few things in mind to keep your homemade cleaner fresh and effective for 2 to 3 months. Always store the cleaner in an airtight bottle made of glass or good quality plastic and keep it in a cool and shady place. While making citrus cleaner, sift the peels thoroughly so that the pulp does not rot and create a foul smell. To maintain the fragrance in the house for a long time throughout the day, 8 to 10 drops of lavender, peppermint, rosemary or sandalwood essential oil can be added to the cleaner solution. Turn on the fan immediately after mopping so that the floor dries quickly and there are no shoe marks on it. By adopting a floor cleaner made from these magical kitchen ingredients, you can not only make your home clean, shiny and fragrant, but also move towards a healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle by keeping your family free from the side effects of harmful chemicals.
