The Amish are known for their simple way of life, which is evident in various aspects of their lives including housekeeping and cleaning.  Seemingly, they have perfected ways of being self sufficient and using simple readily available ingredients to clean their homes.

Today, modern cleaning chemicals are costly and unhealthy. The Amish on the other hand use natural cleaning products. Their cleaning products not only work well but are also less harsh on whatever you are cleaning and environment friendly.

In this article we will discuss Amish housekeeping and cleaning tips that will help you maintain a clean home and save some coins while at it. Let’s dive in.

Housekeeping

Below are housekeeping tips that will prove effective.

Unclogging showerheads

The Amish unclog their showerheads by filling a zipper bag or plastic bag with white vinegar and wrapping it around the showerhead and letting it rest overnight.  If you do this, the vinegar will unclog your showerhead.

I recommend using this tip if your showerhead is clogged up with grime. You will have unrestricted water flow in no time.

Unclogging sinks

An easy way to unclog sinks the Amish-way is to use crochet hooks. Crochet hooks easily remove any materials or dirt stuck in the sink or the drainage pipe. This is a manual process but is quite simple and you can do it in just a few minutes.

Mosquito repellant

Amish make a natural mosquito repellant using water and dry herbs, which is a great alternative to harsh chemical bugs. To make the natural Amish mosquito repellant, boil a cup of water and add three tablespoons of dried herbs.

You can use your choice of dried herbs, but I recommend lemongrass, peppermint, citronella, cloves, lavender, spearmint, or catnip. Mix the water and dried herbs well, cover the mixture, and let it cool. Once cool, strain the mixture then mix it with a cup of witch hazel.

This mixture makes for the perfect mosquito repellant.

What do Amish babies wear? Click to Read.

Insect repellant for plants

If you are looking for a natural insect repellant that is safe for your plants, try this Amish trick. Boil one gallon of water then add in ½ cup of brown sugar. Mix until the sugar dissolves completely and then turn off the heat and let it cool completely.  Spray the solution on your plants to repel insects.

Cockroach and ant killer

To make an ant and cockroach killer at home the Amish way, mix equal parts of borax with sugar and sprinkle the mixture in areas where the ants and cockroaches are likely to be included under the sinks and fridges. The bugs will be attracted to the sugar and the borax will kill them.

You can clean up after you notice bugs dying around the house.

Homemade mothballs

Amish women make their own mothballs to drive mice away. All you need is cotton balls, clove oil, and cinnamon oil. Mix equal parts of clove oil with cinnamon oil then dip the cotton balls to the mixture. When soaked, transfer the balls to plastic bags and strategically place them in your closet.

Reviving tarnished silver

If your silver or metal ornaments have oxidized and lost their shine, you can use this Amish trick to revive them.

Mix baking soda with a little bit of warm water to form a paste then rub the paste on the affected surface. Let it rest for 8-10 minutes then use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe the paste off.  Your silver ornaments will be as good as new.

Also, Check out: How often do Amish Bathe?

Cleaning tips

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, the Amish make their own cleaning solutions. Below are cleaning tips you may want to try.

Olive oil floor cleaner

You can make a floor cleaner at home using just a few ingredients. In a bucket, mix olive oil with vinegar and lemon juice. Mix these three ingredients then use it to clean your floors. The best way to do it is use a cotton pad dipped in the mixture to wipe the floors.

Rug cleaning

Rugs can be a bit difficult to clean, but the Amish figured out how to clean them easily. To clean your rugs the Amish way, mix bay leaves, cornstarch, borax, and bay leaves. Use a mixer to blend the ingredients then pour the white powder all over your rug. Let the rug rest for 2-3 hours then use a vacuum to clean it like you always do.

Cleaning leather accessories

Leather accessories are accessories are a little difficult to maintain and tend to lose their newness after some time. The Amish use milk to clean leather accessories. Pour some milk on a microfiber cloth and use it to rub on the leather accessories. This cleaning tip will revive your leather accessories and give them a shine.

Mildew remover

The Amish make their own mildew remover using warm water, borax, and thyme essential oil. Mix 4 cups of warm water with ½ cup borax, and 10-14 drops of thyme essential oil. Transfer the mixture to a spray bottle and use it as an alternative to toxic cleaners you use to remove mildew.

Cleaning pots and pans

To clean pots and pans that have burned food stains and old oil stains, sprinkle washing soda on the affected surfaces and lightly spray with water.

Let the pots or pans rest for 30 minutes then use a scouring pad to scrub them and rinse with water. Your pots and pans will be as good as new.

Stovetop cleaner

This Amish cleaning tip will transform the way you clean your stovetop. All you need is vinegar, baking soda, and dish soap. Pour the vinegar into a spray bottle to fill it halfway and spray it on the stovetop.

Sprinkle some baking soda on the stovetop and let it rest for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, use dish soap to clean the surface. Your stovetop will be as good as new.

Amish fabric softener

You can make an Amish fabric softener at home using vinegar and essential oils. All you need to do is mix a cup of water with a few drops of your favorite essential oils then add the mixture to the water you’ll use to rinse your clothes.

This homemade fabric softener will not only leave your clothes smelling amazing, but also soften your textiles.

Spot remover

The Amish have an effortless way to remove stains. Thy apply white vinegar on the affected place, let it rest for a few minutes, then wash it off. Peanut butter also works the same way.

Vinegar disinfectant

You can use vinegar to make a disinfectant for your toilet seat. Add some vinegar in a spray bottle, add water, and a sprig of time. Mix the ingredients together and use it on your toilet or any other surfaces that you need to disinfect.

All-purpose cleaner

An Amish all-purpose cleaner will save you a lot of time, and some coins.  In a container, mix equal parts of boiled water and borax.

Stir the mixture until the liquid is clear, then transfer the mixture to a transparent spray bottle. Label the bottle and use it for your every day cleaning.  This all-purpose cleaner particularly works well on surfaces.

Amish cleaning FAQs

Do Amish women do their own laundry?

Yes, Amish women do their own laundry. Most of them use the old-fashioned wringer washers. A few Amish women still prefer using a big kettle of water to do their laundry. They swoosh clothes around in the kettle until they ae clean.

Are thee specific days set aside for cleaning?

Different Amish households have different rules when it comes to cleaning and housekeeping, However, most if them prefer doing thorough cleaning of their houses on Saturdays and do their laundry on Mondays.

What do the Amish use to clean their homes?

The three main ingredients the Amish use in cleaning are vinegar, borax , and baking soda. They occasionally also use olive oil and essential oils.

Conclusion

The Amish have several environmental-friendly and pocket friendly housekeeping and cleaning hacks. They are also pretty good at DIY cleaning solutions.

If you are looking for an efficient pocket friendly way to keep your house clean and smelling fresh, I recommend using the tips and tricks shared above.