Being a busy homesteader, I want to clean in ways that are safe for my family (and our animals). That’s why I love using homemade cleaning recipes like this natural cleaning paste. It’s great for those stuck-on or hard-to-clean messes, it’s simple to make, inexpensive and safe for everyone. Made with just baking soda and soap, it couldn’t be easier to make and use.
Why I Love Cleaning Paste
There are times, as a homesteader, when I’m doing big preservation days or cooking up large meals for my family that certain areas of the kitchen get pretty messy. Most often, especially if I’m canning up our favorite plum jelly, that mess can take more than a simple sponge or cleaning rag to get clean.
That’s when I pull out my homemade cleaning paste. You can use it to polish metals, clean porcelain and even glass surfaces. It’s gentle enough not to scratch or scuff yet tough enough to get the toughest messes off. It’s my go-to for cleaning surfaces without using harmful chemicals.
Check out my other blog posts for the all-purpose cleaning spray and the disinfectant spray recipes.
What is a Cleaning Paste?
A cleaning paste is thick and easy to spread. It’s made from safe, natural items that are tough on sticky, baked-on or hard-to-remove messes. You can easily make up a batch right when you need it because it takes just a couple of seconds to mix up.
Since it uses two ingredients you probably already have on hand (and can get at a great price in bulk from Azure Standard), it’s good for the wallet, the Earth, and your home.
If you’ve never tried shopping from Azure Standard, I highly encourage you to find a drop location near you and give them a try! They have fantastic bulk items, and I stand behind how they source their products 100%. If you’re a first-time Azure customer, you can use coupon code “HOMESTEADINGFAMILY15” for 15% off your first order of $100 or more.
Benefits of Homemade Cleaners
Homemade cleaners are a better choice than store-bought. Not only can you be sure of the ingredients used to make them, but you don’t have to worry about small amounts of chemicals sneaking in without your knowledge.
Not to mention, they cost less, and you can even add essential oils to make them smell good.
I love our homemade glass cleaner, our homemade all-purpose cleaner and even our homemade disinfectant spray. All made in just a matter of minutes with just a few ingredients you probably already have on hand.
Use this guide to understand the difference between cleaning and disinfecting and which method to use for your home’s applications.
Hazardous Ingredients in Commercial Cleaners
Many common cleaners have chemicals that are not good for you or the earth. Dioxane, quaternary ammonium compounds, chlorine, and fake scents (fragrance) are among the worst. They can harm your lungs, cause asthma, mess with your hormones, and some may even cause cancer.
It’s best to make your own from scratch, or at least look for cleaners with safe, natural ingredients that you can read and pronounce!
Health and Environmental Risks
Cleaners with chemicals are bad for us and the world. Breathing in these chemicals can make you sick over time. They also hurt the earth when we buy them and throw them away. So, picking natural cleaners helps keep your home and the planet safe.
How to Make Cleaning Paste
Creating a good homemade cleaning paste is easy. Just two simple ingredients get the job done!
Supplies Needed
- Bowl & Spoon – All you need is a simple small bowl and spoon to mix your cleaning paste together. I don’t recommend mixing up large batches at a time, just as much as you’ll use to get the job done!
- Soft Cloth – To “buff” the cleaning paste into the surface, a simple washcloth or other soft cleaning cloth will do. For extra scrubbing power, you could use a scrubby sponge.
Ingredients Needed
- Baking Soda – Baking soda is great for many cleaning jobs. It’s cheap and natural. You can use it to clean, scrub tough stains, and even get rid of smells. Learn all the ways we use baking soda around the house here.
- Dish Soap – The best part about this recipe is you can use whatever dish soap you already have on hand. Whether it’s scented or plain, it doesn’t matter! Learn all the ways we use dish soap around the house here.
- Essential Oils – Essential oils make homemade cleaners even better. They smell good and some have grease-fighting power (like many of the citrus scents).
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add the baking soda to a bowl and add enough dish soap to make a thick paste.
- You can either spread the cleaning paste onto the soiled surface or dip your damp cleaning cloth into the cleaning paste and scrub away!
- Wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth to remove any residue.
Uses for Your Cleaning Paste
This homemade cleaning paste works great on so many surfaces. It fights tough grease and grime well, with no harsh chemicals needed.
| Kitchen Counters | This DIY paste is great for kitchen counters. It’s safe and works well to keep things clean and shiny. |
| Bathroom Surfaces | Use the paste in the bathroom too. It cleans counters, fixtures, bathtubs and shower walls with ease. |
| Sinks | The sink may be one of my favorite uses for this cleaning paste. It removes that stuck-on grime around the drain with ease. |
| Appliance Surfaces | Nothing works as well on our stainless steel stovetop than this cleaning paste. I also love it for those sticky door handles to the refrigerator! |
| Oven | This cleaning paste works great on stuck-on spills in the oven. I like to spread it on and leave it for a few minutes to start softening the mess before I start scrubbing. |
| Dishes, Pots & Pans | Do you ever have baking dishes or pots and pans that get stuck on grime after using them for a while? This cleaning paste works wonders on them, too! |
More Posts You May Enjoy
- Unexpected Dish Soap Uses – Tips & Tricks!
- Hydrogen Peroxide Uses: Clever Cleaning Tips
- Baking Soda Uses: Cleaning Tips & Household Hacks
- Versatile Uses for Borax Around Your Home
- Washing Soda Uses: My Top Tips for Clean Living
- DIY Fruit Fly Trap: Easy Homemade Solution
- Laundry Strategies (How to Keep Up)
Homemade Cleaning Paste
Equipment
- small bowl
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- dish soap enough to make a paste
Instructions
- Add the baking soda to a bowl and add enough dish soap to make a thick paste.
- You can either spread the cleaning paste onto the soiled surface or dip your damp cleaning cloth into the cleaning paste and scrub away!
- Wipe the surface clean with a damp cloth to remove any residue.
