What We Can Learn from Amish Cleaning Traditions
In a world overflowing with gadgets, harsh chemicals, and endless cleaning products promising miracles, the Amish stand as living proof that simple living still works best. Step into an Amish farmhouse, and you’ll notice something immediately — everything feels calm, fresh, and immaculately cared for. There’s no artificial scent of bleach or detergent. Just the subtle fragrance of clean air, wood polish, and home.
How do they do it?
The Amish have passed down cleaning wisdom for generations, built on natural ingredients, steady routines, and deep respect for their homes. Their approach isn’t just about having spotless floors — it’s about harmony, mindfulness, and gratitude.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the best Amish cleaning secrets for every part of your home — from laundry to wood care — and explore the simple routines that keep their spaces looking timelessly beautiful.
1. Amish Wisdom for Wood Care
Wood is at the heart of Amish homes. Furniture, floors, and cabinetry are often handmade from oak, pine, or cherry — materials they treat with deep care. Instead of modern sprays or silicone polishes, Amish homemakers rely on gentle, oil-based cleaners that nourish rather than strip.
Try this Amish-inspired wood polish:
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1 cup olive oil
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½ cup lemon juice
Mix and apply with a soft cloth. Wipe in the direction of the grain for a natural, deep shine.
For deep cleaning wooden furniture, Amish families often use Murphy’s Oil Soap diluted with warm water. It restores luster and removes sticky buildup without damaging the finish.
Tip: Keep wooden furniture away from direct sunlight — fading is a form of waste to the Amish, and preservation is part of their cleaning philosophy.
2. Laundry the Amish Way: Fresh, Soft, and Naturally Clean
The Amish laundry routine is a blend of consistency and simplicity. Mondays are often designated “wash days,” and you’ll find white linens fluttering on long clotheslines under the sun.
Key Amish laundry hacks:
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Vinegar rinse: Acts as a natural fabric softener and deodorizer.
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Sunlight bleaching: Brightens whites naturally and disinfects.
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Homemade soap: A mix of washing soda, borax, and grated Castile or Fels-Naptha soap cleans clothes without chemicals.
For towels or clothes that have lost their freshness, Amish women use this 2-step method:
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Wash with 1 cup of vinegar and hot water.
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Rewash with ½ cup of baking soda in warm water.
The result? Laundry that smells clean, feels soft, and lasts longer.
(For more details, see: [12 Simple Amish Laundry Hacks You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner])
3. Natural All-Purpose Amish Cleaners
When it comes to everyday cleaning, the Amish rely on a handful of basic, multi-use ingredients — not dozens of specialized bottles.
Their top five cleaning staples:
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White vinegar – disinfects and removes odors.
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Baking soda – scours and deodorizes surfaces.
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Lemon juice – cuts through grease and adds a fresh scent.
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Castile soap – gentle for surfaces, hands, and even floors.
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Salt – absorbs stains and acts as a mild abrasive.
Amish all-purpose cleaner recipe:
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1 cup white vinegar
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1 cup water
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1 tbsp baking soda
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Optional: a few drops of lemon or lavender oil
Use it to clean countertops, sinks, appliances, and mirrors. It’s safe, effective, and leaves behind that simple “just clean” feeling — no chemical residue.
4. Amish Floor Care Secrets
Floors take a lot of love and labor in an Amish home. Whether wooden, tile, or linoleum, their cleaning method remains the same: keep it natural and consistent.
For wood floors:
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Mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts warm water and a few drops of Murphy’s Oil Soap.
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Mop with a soft cloth or traditional rag mop—the Amish avoid plastic sponge mops.
For tile floors:
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Use baking soda and water paste for grout cleaning.
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Rinse with vinegar water for a natural shine.
And here’s a small but powerful Amish habit: remove shoes at the door. Not only does it keep floors cleaner, but it also shows respect for the home.
(See related: [25 Fascinating Amish Cleaning Hacks and Home Secrets])
5. Sunshine—The Amish Disinfectant
Sunlight plays a surprisingly large role in Amish cleaning routines. Without harsh disinfectants, they rely on the natural purifying power of the sun.
You’ll see rugs, mattresses, and quilts hanging outside on warm days. The sunlight helps kill bacteria, lift odors, and leave fabrics smelling fresh.
Want to try it? Once a month, hang your pillows, throws, or area rugs outdoors for a few hours. It’s a simple, chemical-free way to refresh heavy fabrics.
6. Kitchens: The Heart of Amish Cleanliness
In Amish homes, the kitchen is sacred. It’s not just where food is made—it’s where life happens. Because of this, keeping it spotless is a daily ritual.
They clean as they go. Every spill is wiped, every dish is washed, and every surface is left ready for the next meal.
Amish kitchen cleaning staples:
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Vinegar-water spray for countertops
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Lemon and salt for scrubbing cutting boards
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Baking soda paste for removing burnt residue from pans
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Homemade dish soap (Castile soap + water + white vinegar)
Wooden kitchen tables are wiped with warm water and a touch of olive oil to maintain their natural shine.
(See related: [10 Timeless Amish Homekeeping Principles])
6. The Amish Bathroom Cleaning Routine
You won’t find the Amish using fancy blue toilet cleaners or bleach tablets. Instead, they rely on two things: baking soda and vinegar.
To clean toilets naturally:
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Sprinkle baking soda inside the bowl.
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Pour vinegar over it.
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Let it fizz for 10–15 minutes, then scrub.
For mirrors and fixtures, they use vinegar and water for a streak-free shine. The goal is simple—clean without unnecessary chemicals, and clean regularly to avoid buildup.
7. The “Little Every Day” Rule
One secret behind Amish homes always looking tidy? They never let dirt pile up. The “little every day” rule is their version of a cleaning schedule.
Instead of deep cleaning once a month, they do smaller tasks daily:
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Sweep floors every evening.
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Wipe kitchen counters after each meal.
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Empty wastebaskets before bed.
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Polish wood once a week.
It’s not about being perfect—it’s about maintaining peace and order.
As one Amish homemaker once said:
“A little work every day keeps the chaos away.”
8. The Philosophy Behind Amish Cleaning
To the Amish, cleaning isn’t just physical—it’s spiritual. They see it as a form of gratitude and service.
Every chore is done with purpose, not resentment. Cleaning the home is seen as caring for what God has provided—an act of stewardship, not drudgery.
That’s why their homes radiate peace. It’s not the vinegar or the wood polish—it’s the love behind the labor.
Conclusion:
The Beauty of Amish Simplicity
The Amish way of cleaning is about more than spotless rooms — it’s about living with intention. By keeping routines simple and using what’s already around you, cleaning becomes peaceful instead of exhausting.
Start small: swap one chemical cleaner for a natural one. Add a little vinegar to your laundry. Open the windows. Let sunlight in.
You don’t need to live like the Amish to clean like them — you just need to embrace their wisdom: simple, steady, and full of care.
“A little work every day keeps the chaos away.”