Tried Best Home Remedies for House Cleaning – Here’s What Worked

When I moved into my first home, I thought cleaning would be easy. But then I saw the number of cleaning products in the market – and the prices! Some bottles were so costly, and many had strong chemical smells that gave me a headache.

That’s when I thought, why not try home remedies for house cleaning? Things like vinegar, baking soda, lemon – stuff we already have in the kitchen.

So, I tried different natural cleaning ideas. Some worked really well, and some didn’t do much. I also began using Busy Bucket’s advice at that time, which was incredibly helpful in determining what was safe and effective for everyday cleaning.

Why Try Home Remedies for House Cleaning?

There’s a reason why our parents and grandparents always trusted simple, homemade cleaning solutions. They are easy to make, budget-friendly, and safe to use around the house.

Here’s why home remedies for house cleaning are a smart choice:

1. Saves Money

Most cleaning products in the market are expensive. But with home remedies, you can use things you already have—like lemon, baking soda, vinegar, or salt. No need to buy 10 different sprays.

2. Safe and Natural

Many store-bought cleaners have strong chemicals. These may result in breathing problems, allergies, or skin conditions. Homemade cleaners are much gentler and better for your health.

3. Eco-Friendly

Home remedies don’t harm the environment. They create less waste and use natural ingredients, so they’re better for nature and your surroundings.

4. Easy to Use

You don’t need to be an expert. Most home cleaning remedies are simple to mix and apply. No fancy tools or machines needed!

5. Tried and Tested Over Time

These methods have been used in Indian households for generations. If they worked for our nani-dadi (grandmothers), they’re worth trying today too.

Using home remedies for house cleaning is not just smart – it’s practical, safe, and rooted in our own traditions. Give them a try, and you might never go back to chemical cleaners again!

1. Baking Soda + Vinegar = My Cleaning Power Couple

What I cleaned: Kitchen sink, bathroom drain, dirty grout (the gaps between wall or floor tiles).

This classic combo is a favourite for a reason. When you pour vinegar over baking soda, it fizzes like a science fair volcano—and lifts grime right off.

How I used it:

1. Sprinkle baking soda over the dirty surface.
2. Pour white vinegar over it slowly.
3. Let it bubble for a few minutes.
4. Use a sponge or brush to scrub, and then rinse with warm water.

What worked:

• Perfect for unclogging my bathroom sink.
• Great at cutting grease from my stovetop.

What didn’t:

• Not strong enough alone for deep mold stains (I had to repeat it 2–3 times).

2. Lemon for Hard Water & Limescale

What I cleaned: Bathroom taps, showerheads, kettle

Lemons are nature’s cleaning MVPs. Their acid breaks down limescale and hard water stains like magic.

How I used it:

• Cut a lemon and gently rub it over the stained spot for natural cleaning.
• For stubborn spots, leave lemon juice on for 10-15 minutes before scrubbing.

What worked:

• My metal bathroom fixtures looked shiny again.
• Removed calcium buildup in my kettle when I boiled lemon slices in water.

What didn’t:

• Didn’t fully clean soap scum in the tub-it needed more scrubbing.

3. DIY All-Purpose Cleaner with Vinegar + Essential Oils

What I cleaned: Countertops, tiles, fridge shelves

This one smell way better than your typical vinegar cleaner.

How to make it:

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• Add 10 drops of essential oil (I chose lemon and lavender).
• Mix in a spray bottle and shake

What worked:

• Great daily spray for kitchen counters and bathroom tiles.
• Left a fresh scent-finally, no more sour vinegar smell!

What didn’t:

• Vinegar shouldn’t be used on granite or marble (important to know!).

4. Cornstarch Window Cleaner = Streak-Free Glass

What I cleaned: Mirrors, windows, glass table

This one surprised me. Who knew cornstarch could make windows shine?

DIY Glass Cleaner Recipe:

• 2 cups water
• ¼ cup vinegar
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• Before using, Give the spray bottle a good shake before using the mixture.

How I used it:

• Sprayed onto glass, wiped with a microfiber cloth

What worked:

• No streaks at all. The daylight test was eventually passed by my bathroom mirror.

What didn’t:

• Needs a good shake before each use, or the cornstarch clumps.

5. Salt + Lemon for Cutting Boards and Sinks

What I cleaned: Wooden cutting board, kitchen sink stains

This combo acts like a natural scrub. It’s satisfying and smells amazing.

How to use:

• Sprinkle salt on the surface.
• Rub half a lemon over it in circles.
• Rinse and dry.

What worked:

• Got rid of the weird garlic smell from my wooden board.
• Made my stainless-steel sink sparkle.

What didn’t:

• Needed extra elbow grease for deeper stains (but it still helped a lot).

6. Essential Oil Deodorizer Spray

What I freshened: Couch, curtains, closet

Sometimes, your space doesn’t need a full clean – it just needs to stop smelling like last night’s takeout.

How to make it:

• ½ cup water
• ½ cup rubbing alcohol or witch hazel
• 15–20 drops essential oil (try eucalyptus or lavender)

Apply fabric spray (test first!), let the air out, and there you are! The room will smell fresh right away.

What worked:

• Made my room smell like a spa.
• Got rid of musty smell in closet.

What didn’t:

• Temporary solution – not a deep clean for fabrics.

Our elders used to clean, and we at Busy Bucket think it should be easy, safe, and economical.

What Didn’t Work So Well (And why)

Not all home remedies are perfect. Some sound great on YouTube or Instagram, but when you actually try them – they don’t do much. I also made a few mistakes while testing these ideas, so here’s what didn’t work for me and why:

1. Just Vinegar for Everything

Vinegar is a great cleaner, but it’s not a magic solution for everything. I tried using it on my granite kitchen countertop – and it left dull marks. Later I learned, vinegar should never be used on stone surfaces like marble or granite. It can damage them.

Lesson: Stick to using vinegar on glass, tiles, or plastic—avoid surfaces like stone.

2. Too Much Baking Soda

Baking soda works well as a scrub. But when I used too much of it in my bathroom and didn’t rinse properly, it left behind a white powdery layer. The tiles looked worse than before!

Lesson: Don’t overuse baking soda, and make sure to rinse thoroughly to avoid residue.

3. Homemade Toilet Bombs

I saw this hack online – mix baking soda, lemon juice, and vinegar into balls and drop them in the toilet. They fizz and look fun, but honestly, they didn’t clean much. Just made bubbles. Looking for a DIY toilet solution that actually works? Check out our full guide on how to make natural toilet cleaner at home.

Lesson: These are fun to watch, but not strong enough for proper toilet cleaning.

Busy Bucket Tips for Using Home Remedies for House Cleaning

To help you avoid my rookie mistakes, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Label your DIY sprays – Trust me, you’ll forget what’s what.
• Don’t mix vinegar + bleach – It’s dangerous. Stick to safe combos.
• Use microfiber cloths – They trap dirt better than paper towels or rags.
• Store your DIY cleaners properly – Most don’t last more than a month.

Final Thoughts: Are Home Remedies for House Cleaning Worth It?

Yes – home remedies for house cleaning are definitely worth trying, especially if you want to save money and avoid strong chemical products.

In India, we’ve been using natural cleaning methods for years. Our parents and grandparents cleaned their homes with things like lemon, vinegar, baking soda, salt, and neem leaves – and many of those tips still work today!

Want to take it a step further? Try these homemade pest control solutions to keep your home clean and bug-free—without harsh chemicals.

If you’re a young adult or new homeowner who wants to:

• Save money
• Cut down on chemicals
• Use stuff you already have

Then home remedies for house cleaning are a great way to start. You won’t replace every single product in your cleaning closet, but you can replace most of them.

What I still use today:

• Vinegar + baking soda for drains
• Lemon + salt for cutting boards
• Essential oil spray for fabric freshness
• Cornstarch window spray (seriously, try it!)

What I don’t use anymore:

• Vinegar on stone
• Homemade toilet bombs
• Anything that takes more than 10 minutes to prep (because life is busy)

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