Cut to the chase
Key Takeaways
- Tried and true Amish cleaning secrets.
- Amish DIY cleaning solutions for every purpose.
Cleaning products are not something you want to spend too much money on, no matter how much you value hygiene.
The Amish have an unusual way of living (unusual to most modern societies). They appear to have perfected the art of off-grid survival and are a plethora of other things we may learn from the Amish and apply to our daily lives.
Most of you are probably aware that the Amish lifestyle stresses the use of organic and natural materials for regular home activities such as cleaning. So adopting some Amish cleaning tips is smart, efficient and cost-effective.
Commercial cleaning chemicals, on the other hand, are expensive and unhealthy. Ever since I’ve heard about the natural cleaning products of the Amish, I’ve been leaning toward this alternative way of cleaning. The cleaning products not only work well, but they are better for the environment, and they are less harsh on the surfaces that you are trying to clean.
You’ll be ecstatic to learn how these simple cleaning tips from the Amish communities can help you keep your home clean in a healthy and less expensive way.
While researching the Amish way of life, I discovered that they had excellent housekeeping practices. Let’s take a closer look at a few of them.
*This post contains affiliate links. Full disclosure here.
Cleaning Like the Amish
The Amish are well-known for their basic, inexpensive way of life. With the objective of self-sufficiency and creating as little trash as possible, we may all learn a thing or two from their way of life.
Here is a basic breakdown of the Amish cleaning hacks that the Amish community lives by:
- Make cleaning products from natural materials.
- Vinegar is an essential cleaning and disinfecting product.
- Baking Soda is key for cleaning and deodorizing.
- Lemons are very popular for disinfectants and making your home smell fresh.
- Clothes are hung to dry on laundry days.
- Food is grown at home and is pesticide-free, so it doesn’t need as deep cleaning as grocery store foods.
- Buying staple items in bulk is a common practice.
- Repairing items instead of tossing them away is a priority.
- They don’t use electricity, so there are no steam mops and vacuums to clean the floors. It is pretty strictly hands and knees with a bucket and sponge.
You and your family may experience the simplicity of Amish living without making huge changes or commitments by pulling inspiration from some of the greatest Amish health, cleanliness, and living secrets.
Applying some of these simple tips could make your life easier and more effective while also fostering greater thankfulness and happiness along the way.
Popular Cleaners Amish Make
Amish All-Purpose Cleaner
The Amish all-purpose cleaner is a stain remover that works wonders. Simply combine four cups of hot water and four teaspoons of borax. Fill a spray bottle with the solution and use it to clean worktops, floors, furniture, and any other surface you see fit. It is both cheap and effective.
Vinegar as a Disinfectant
Our toilet seats are infested with far more germs than we can imagine! Allow me to introduce you to a one-of-a-kind and highly effective disinfectant buried among the items you have on hand.
Fill a spray bottle halfway with water and vinegar, then top with a thyme stem cutting. All of these substances, when combined, may be used to disinfect toilet seats and other surfaces.
No Wash Amish Degreaser
Use a medium-strength salt solution to remove grease stains from most textiles. Spread the cloth out on a level surface and generously apply the salt solution to the oily section. Then, using a soft, dry towel, gently massage the affected area. If required, repeat the steps.
Cleaning With Olive Oil
Olive oil is an unexpected cleaning ingredient, but trust me, it works! Aside from its culinary use, olive oil may also be used for normal floor cleaning! Who knew?
In a bucket, combine vinegar, lemon juice, and olive oil. Now you can wipe the dirty floors with this cleaning solution using a mop or cotton pad.
Cleaning Floors
When warm water, vinegar, lemon juice, and grated soap are combined, they form an excellent floor cleaner. This cleaning wonder can be used to clean even the most stubborn stains on your kitchen, living room, and even bathroom floor.
Unclogging the Showerhead
Every showerhead is filled with grime from time to time. The problem comes in when the showerhead is completely blocked, and you are not able to take that much-needed shower to wake you up in the morning. Well, fear not because I’ve found a wonderful Amish hack that works amazingly in these situations.
Fill a plastic zipper bag halfway with white vinegar and wrap it around the shower. Allow this arrangement to rest overnight, and you’ll wake up to an unfettered flow of water from your shower. Problem solved!
Unclogging the Sink
This Amish cleaning tip is very basic but so useful!
All of the delicious meals you cook contribute to the solid residue that accumulates in the drainage pipe. This might obstruct the flow of water out of the sink.
To remove the mess, simply remove the dirt and other debris that has collected in the drainage pipe with crochet hooks. Because the procedure is done manually, you can manage it any way you see fit.
Amish Countertop Disinfectants
Disinfect surfaces using a solution of white vinegar and baking soda. Simply add one teaspoon of baking soda to two cups of white vinegar. Now wipe the countertop with the cleaning solution using a dampened microfiber towel. Rinse away any baking soda residue with a clean damp cloth.
Amish Citrus Peel Solution
To make life, and cleaning, a little easier, you can make your own Amish citrus peel solution. To do this, bring one cup of water and one cup of vinegar to a boil. Add one cup of citrus peel, cover the pot, and let it soak overnight.
Now, pour the solution into a spray bottle and use it to disinfect counters, refrigerators, and microwaves. You can also use it to clean the pantry and glass food containers as well. This will offer a pleasant scent while creating a hostile habitat for most insects.
Spray along baseboards and at entryways where ants, cockroaches, and other insects or mice could enter. If you use the solution three or four times a week, you’ll have an insect-free house that smells fresh and clean every day of the week.
Clearing Bathroom Mildew
For this home-made cleaning product, you’ll need:
- 8 sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary (16 drops of thyme essential oil)
- 4 cups boiling water
- Borax (1/2 cup)
Bring water to a boil, then pour it over the thyme in a sealable container. Allow it to infuse for 35 minutes, then drain and dissolve the borax in the solution. Simply combine all of the components for the essential oil solution and shake until well-mixed.
To remove and prevent mildew, place in a spray bottle and use on shower curtains, worktops, and walls. And, there you have it, another Amish disinfectant.
Magic Fabric Softener
This is another Amish cleaning tip that involves vinegar. Who would have guessed that white vinegar could be so versatile?
To create your own fabric softener, add a half cup of white vinegar and a few drops of essential oils to your last rinse while washing laundry. This will soften your textiles while also leaving them smelling fantastic.
The Amish also use borax and washing soda for cleaning. Both of these products may be purchased in the laundry section of your local supermarket. Borax is a mineral that naturally cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, and repels cockroaches.
Clean Rugs
When it comes to cleaning, rugs are notoriously difficult. However, combining regular home products might make ordinary rugs softer and cleaner.
In a mixer, combine borax, bay leaves, baking soda, and cornstarch. Pour the white powder mix on the carpet and let it sit for at least two hours. Now, vacuum the rug as normal, then store the excess powder in a mason jar for later use.
Mothballs to Drive Away Mice
Place a few mothballs in the area where mice are hiding in your house to drive them out. Mice are repulsed by the pungent odor of mothballs.
Just remember to please keep mothballs out of the reach of little children and pets.
DIY Mothballs
Yes, it’s possible to create your own mothballs at home. To do this, you can use cotton balls and soak them in a solution containing almost equal parts of cinnamon oil and clove oil. You can now place the moth balls in a bag and then add them to your closet.
Natural Stovetop Cleaner
If you’re anything like me, you’ll get a little grease buildup on your stovetop every now and again. Luckily there’s an Amish cleaning tip that works well in these situations.
This cleaning hack involves dish soap, vinegar, and baking soda. These are basic cleaning remedies that may be found in every home across the globe. Here’s how to use them to get rid of even the most stubborn grease on your stovetop.
Fill a spray bottle halfway with vinegar. Allow it to rest for about five minutes after spraying it all over the cooktop. Then wipe away the oil with a soft, clean cloth.
Now comes the difficult burnt-on oil or food bits. Warm the vinegar and apply it to the afflicted regions. Then sprinkle with baking soda and set aside for 20 to 30 minutes. The particles will then be released, and you may proceed to clean the area with a little bit of dish soap. This will make your stovetop look as good as new!
Amish Insect Repellant
Borax can be used to repel or kill insects. How? Simply combine equal amounts of borax and ordinary sugar and sprinkle under sinks, stoves, and refrigerators. Just ensure that dogs do not have access to these areas.
Butter may also be used in the same way as sugar, but keep it out of reach of your cat.
Spots Remover
Some spots are more stubborn than others, and it can be a nightmare to get rid of them. For example, glue stains on anything are a disaster. The Amish have developed a very simple way of washing it. They just apply white vinegar or peanut butter to these areas and then clean them in the blink of an eye. Try it out!
Revive Tarnished Silver
Silver and other rusted metal decorations lose their shine and get tarnished over time. You can’t just throw them out and replace them every time.
Another Amish hack comes to the rescue! On the affected area, apply baking soda and warm water. Allow it to sit for about 10 minutes before wiping it down with a moistened microfiber towel. That’s it. Now you can enjoy your sparkling silver jewelry once again!
Clean Leather
Having leather accessories is exciting, but they can lose their shine after a while. To treat your leather and bring it back to life, try this low-cost trick. To remove dullness and darkness, take milk and massage it into the leather with a microfiber cloth. It’s as easy as that!
Cleaning Pots and Pans
If you have any pots or pans with some old oil stains or burned food bits, I’ve got a wonderful Amish tip that can help you out. Simply sprinkle some washing soda over the affected regions and lightly spray with water. Allow it to sit for 20 minutes before scrubbing with a scouring pad. Now rinse and watch the magic happen.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol has a far broader range of applications than you would think. It can remove even the most stubborn stains like glue. Another prominent application for rubbing alcohol is the removal of hairspray and stains from your mirror. Simply remove them by applying rubbing alcohol straight to the spotted area and see the stain vanish right before your eyes.
Borax Drain Solution
One cup of borax and three cups of hot water will dissolve the sludge in your drains. Pour the borax down the drain, then the hot water, and let it sit for five minutes. The combination will disintegrate the muck and make it easier to wash out.
Simply turn on the pipe and let it run for a few minutes until everything is flushed out. The borax and hot water will destroy the bacteria while also disinfecting the drain.
Washing Soda-Amish De-Greaser
To a load of clothes, add roughly 1/2 cup of washing soda. It takes away odors, brightens clothing, and makes whites whiter. It may also be sprinkled over clothes to assist in removing stubborn stains; however, do not leave it on the garments for more than five minutes.
Cleaning Like the Amish FAQs
What Do the Amish Use to Clean Their Homes?
Doesn’t matter how disgusting the home is, the Amish’s baking soda and vinegar solution will help you clean your home in no time. Simply mix two cups of white vinegar and one teaspoon of baking soda to create the cleaning solution.
Wipe the solution onto counters, sinks, and other hard surfaces with a moist microfiber cloth (or sponge). If desired, you can cover the vinegar smell with a few drops of essential oils. I recommend using lemon or similar zesty oil.
How Do Amish People Wash Laundry?
Most Amish women wash their clothing in old-fashioned tub-style wringer washers. Some Old Order and Swartzentruber Amish still use a huge kettle of hot water to “swoosh” the clothing around until they are clean. Laundry day is normally set aside on a regular basis; for many Amish homes, this is Monday.
Cleaning Like The Amish Bottom Line
Amish people are people with a lot of knowledge about environmentally friendly cleaning solutions. They also know how to make do with what you have to create your own DIY cleaning solutions. I think that we can all learn a thing or two about cleaning and other skills from Amish-style living. With my easy-to-apply Amish cleaning tips, you can learn how to maintain a home like an Amish — even if you are not one.
If you’ve found this article interesting, please leave a comment or share it with your friends.
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Grainne Foley
Grainne Foley is a wife and mother of 2 great kids. During her 5 years of full time RV travel, Grainne learned to become very efficient at household chores, in order to make time for family adventures. Now, back in a house, she has continued to create tools and techniques to help others lighten the load of household organization and cleaning.
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