Home is supposed to be a safe space. Whether or not a home is living up to its fullest potential is dependent upon the homeowners themselves. Although you may not be able to convince a gas station owner or library employee that they need to make the switch to organic cleaning products, you can ensure that your home is clean and chemical-free. Here, I’ll be explaining some organic cleaning hacks that you can use to make sure your household is both happy and healthy.

1. Vinegar

Vinegar is one of the most popular natural cleaning agents. It’s powerful, inexpensive, and can be applied in a wide variety of situations. It’s an acid that works best undiluted. Unfortunately, it does have a strong aroma, but the smell of vinegar can be masked with essential oils such as lemon and citrus extracts. In some cases, the strong vinegar smell can help cover up unpleasant odors including musty mold smells. For those of you wondering “what does mold smell like”, click the link to find out more. Vinegar does an excellent job of eliminating mold, but some mold is past the point where home remedies can help.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide has the perfect composition for removing stains. Use hydrogen peroxide on blood stains before washing clothes to make clothes look brand new. Combine organic dish soap with hydrogen peroxide to remove chocolate, grass, and pit stains. Allow the hydrogen peroxide mixture to soak in before rinsing out, and the stain and hydrogen peroxide should both wash out together. Hydrogen peroxide also serves as an excellent alternative to bleach and can help eliminate the musty towel smell from your favorite beach towels.

3. Wool Dryer Balls

Wool dryer balls are chemical free alternatives to dryer sheets that do more than just eliminate static. Wool dryer balls are reusable and can save you money normally spent on single-use dryer sheets as well as reduce waste. Wool is a renewable resource. Additionally, wool dryer balls don’t affect absorbency, but dryer sheets do. Overall, wool dryer balls are a much better alternative.

4. Olive Oil

Olive oil has some surprising properties. It can be used on stainless steel to both gently strip grease and improve shine. Olive oil can also restore life to older leathers as well as work as a wood furniture polish substitute. Combine olive oil with lemon extract for a delightful scent in your home. Use olive oil on metal for a protective coating.

6. Basil

Grow basil in your windowsill as both a savory herb and as a natural fly repellent.

7. Lemon

Lemon has high acidity, making it a powerful natural cleaner. Use it on most surfaces and appliances, but make sure and spot check. Lemon can be more abrasive than you would anticipate.

8. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar cuts through grease and can be used on a wide variety of surfaces. It has a pleasant aroma and is somewhat gentler than other types of vinegar.

9. Tea Tree Oil

One of my favorite essential oils, tea tree oil has a wide variety of medicinal as well as practical uses. Due to its antibacterial properties, tea tree oil holds an important place in any organic home. It seems to be effective against fungus, bacteria, and infections. Add tea tree oil to organic detergent to prevent laundry from picking up a musty smell in the wash. Mix water and tea tree oil in a spray bottle to create a natural disinfectant. Essentially, it’s best used against anything that’s growing when you don’t want it to.

Whether you’re at the beginning of your organic home switch or an expert, all of these options are important to incorporate into your all-natural home cleaning routine. Not only will they ensure that your home is safe, but most of them smell fantastic (an added bonus). Chemicals and brand name products are unappealing once you start using their pleasant, natural alternatives.