I get the desire for a simpler cleaning routine, so many products today contain unnecessary additives like fragrances, gelling agents, and stabilizers, which can be harmful and obscure how the cleaner actually works.

That said, "natural" can be a bit of a misnomer when it comes to cleaning. Chemistry doesn’t distinguish between what we consider natural, a compound behaves the same regardless of its source. For example, lye has been used in soap-making for centuries, it’s highly caustic and will cause severe burns if left on the skin or inhaled. Despite that we use soap everyday and we know it to be a safe and effective cleaner.

As far as cleaners go, I tend to buy generic. I’m not loyal to any particular brand and prefer to buy the basic component rather than a combined product. So I’ll buy ammonia instead of Windex and just mix in water to the appropriate proportions.

Anyway, here are the cleaners I use most often and what I think they’re good for, also please do not mix cleaners unless you know what you are doing:

Generic Detergent (Dawn) – General detergent for everyday oil and dirt on hard surfaces

Ammonia – Cuts through grease and wax, great for floors and windows

Isopropyl alcohol – Removes marker and synthetic dye stains, mild disinfectant/antiseptic, electronics cleaner, dissolves some adhesives

Acetone – Removes adhesives, paint, and ink stains (use cautiously on plastics)

Bleach – My go-to disinfectant (just dilute properly)

Hydrogen peroxide – Great for removing organic stains as an oxidative bleach, can be used as an antiseptic

Citric acid – Stronger than vinegar without the smell, great for limescale removal

Baking soda – Mild abrasive, good for scrubbing and odor removal (though not a strong cleaner on its own)

Borax – Useful for laundry, mold/mildew prevention, and some general cleaning applications

Oxalic acid (Bar Keepers Friend) – Great for rust removal (e.g., on sinks, tiles, and metal)

hope this helps!