Blitz your bathroom before Christmas: Six natural ways to keep things squeaky clean

Christmas is just around the corner and that means more guests and more activity in the house. Everyone wants their house to be looking its best; however, cleaning the bathroom can a costly task if you buy the typical products from the shops.

Thankfully, there are some great homemade cleaning recipes out there… and we’ve found 6 of the best.

All you need to make these recipes are:

• Bicarb soda
• Borax
• Castile soap
• Distilled white vinegar
• Dishwashing liquid (the cheap stuff is fine)
• Essential oils (optional)
• Salt
• Water

Plus:

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Jars
• Spray bottles

Tub and tile cleaner

Take a jar or spray bottle and combine:

• 1 ½ cups of bicarb soda
• ½ cup of warm water
• ½ cup of liquid soap
• 2 tablespoons of white distilled vinegar

Shake it up before spraying and scrubbing the tub. You can also add a little lemon juice to the mixture to help to eat away grime.

Toilet cleaner

Put up the lid and seat and pour:

• 1/4 cup borax
• 1 cup vinegar

Let it sit for 15 minutes (or longer, if necessary), scrub and flush.

Grout cleaner

Grout cleaner has a strong chemical smell, not to mention it’s caustic and not always effective. Try this natural version: You’ll need:

• 7 cups water
• ½ cup bicarb soda
• ⅓ cup lemon juice
• ¼ cup vinegar

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl or bucket and use a toothbrush to apply to grout and scrub clean.

Drain cleaner

Forget expensive drain cleaners, you can make it with much less dangerous ingredients. Pour 1/2 cup bicarb soda into drain followed by 1 cup vinegar.

Let it sit and fizz for 15 minutes, then flush with hot water.

Shower cleaner

Tired of the strong, chemical odours of bathroom cleaners? This doesn’t smell toxic and is just as effective. Simply pour into a spray bottle:

• 1 part white distilled vinegar, heated until hot
• 1 part dish liquid

Scrub away at the mould or shower scum that is growing in the grout of your tiled shower or bathroom floor.

Mirror and chrome cleaner

Shine up the glass and metal in the bathroom with this super easy mix. You’ll need:

• Newspaper
• 2 tablespoons of white distilled vinegar
• 3 cups of warm water

Mix the vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then wipe the mirror down with the newspaper or the towel. Easy!