Happy Almost Spring!
Whether the temps feel warmer or not, we all know what spring means… DEEP CLEANING! You may think it sounds strange, but I actually get joy out of cleaning. It may be carried through via my mother or it could be just the sense of accomplishment and peace I get when it’s all done. The cleanliness may not last long, but for that one night, hour, minute that it is clean, I really enjoy it!
Below are some cleaning recipes you can make for your own home.
Here are my reasons for doing so and should be yours as well
Here are my reasons for doing so and should be yours as well
These are the only ingredients you’ll need for cleaning your entire home:
- Vinegar
- Baking Soda
- Borax
- Essential oil of your choice (optional)
Reasons why I started making my cleaners:
1. Saves a ridiculous amount of money. So much that you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.
2. You can create your own scents. This I love because I prefer one scent so my house doesn’t smell like a candle store.
3. Improves your allergies (ask my forever sneezing man!).
4. I don’t have to buy 10 different cleaners to clean different surfaces.
5. Everything is all-natural, so kids/pets won’t be in any danger. Even better, you can have THEM help you clean and not worry about harming them.
6. It keeps the air you breathe clean. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, air quality inside many homes can be 2-5 times more polluted than the air just outside our homes. The usual store-bought cleaners play a huge role in this.
7. I get to put all my cleaners in the same pretty little spray bottle. And you can make your own labels.
8. It’s eco-friendly. You’re not throwing away the containers when you’re done.
9. Everything you touch is ingested through your skin. Would you want to take in all those chemicals?
10. You won’t have to worry about inhaling any toxic chemicals if/when you’re preggers.
11. They’re just as effective if not more effective than store-bought cleaners.
How to switch to non-toxic cleaning
I recommend replacing your traditional cleaners as you use them up. Here are some recipes for your newly cleaned, eco-friendly home!
All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc.
Another alternative are microfiber cloths which lift off dirt, grease and dust without the need for cleaning chemicals, because they are formulated to penetrate and trap dirt. There are a number of different brands. A good quality cloth can last for several years.
Another alternative are microfiber cloths which lift off dirt, grease and dust without the need for cleaning chemicals, because they are formulated to penetrate and trap dirt. There are a number of different brands. A good quality cloth can last for several years.
For fresh grease spots, sprinkle corn starch onto spot and wait 15 - 30 minutes before vacuuming.
For a heavy duty carpet cleaner, mix 1/4 cup each of salt, borax and vinegar. Rub paste into carpet and leave for a few hours. Vacuum.
Chopping block cleaner: Rub a slice of lemon across a chopping block to disinfect the surface. For tougher stains, squeeze some of the lemon juice onto the spot and let sit for 10 minutes, then wipe.
Coffee and tea stains: Stains in cups can be removed by applying vinegar to a sponge and wiping. To clean a teakettle or coffee maker, add 2 cups water and 1/4 cup vinegar; bring to a boil. Let cool, wipe with a clean cloth and rinse thoroughly with water.
Drain Cleaner: For light drain cleaning, mix 1/2 cup salt in 4 liters water, heat (but not to a boil) and pour down the drain. For stronger cleaning, pour about 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, then 1/2 cup vinegar. The resulting chemical reaction can break fatty acids down into soap and glycerine, allowing the clog to wash down the drain. After 15 minutes, pour in boiling water to clear residue. Caution: only use this method with metal plumbing. Plastic pipes can melt if excess boiling water is used. Also, do not use this method after trying a commercial drain opener--the vinegar can react with the drain opener to create dangerous fumes.
Furniture Polish: For varnished wood, add a few drops of lemon oil into a 1/2 cup warm water. Mix well and spray onto a soft cotton cloth. Cloth should only be slightly damp. Wipe furniture with the cloth, and finish by wiping once more using a dry soft cotton cloth
| Floor Cleaner and Polish: | |||||
| vinyl and linoleum: mix 1 cup vinegar and a few drops of baby oil in 1 gallon warm water. For tough jobs, add 1/4 cup borox. Use sparingly on lineoleum.wood: apply a thin coat of 1:1 vegetable oil and vinegar and rub in well. painted wood: mix 1 teaspoon washing soda into 1 gallon (4L) hot water. brick and stone tiles: mix 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon (4L) water; rinse with clear water.Most floor surfaces can be easily cleaned using a solution of vinegar and water. For damp-mopping wood floors: mix equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and water. Add 15 drops of pure peppermint oil; shake to mix.Marks on walls and painted surfaces: Many ink spots, pencil, crayon or marker spots can be cleaned from painted surfaces using baking soda applied to a damp sponge. Rub gently, then wipe and rinse. | |||||
Window Cleaner: Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 liter (qt) warm water. Use crumpled newspaper or cotton cloth to clean. Only use the black and white newspapers, not the colored ones. Don't clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm, or streaks will show on drying. Be sure to follow the recipe, because using too strong a solution of vinegar will etch the glass and eventually cloud it.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour into basin and let it set for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse. A mixture of borax (2 parts) and lemon juice (one part) will also work.
Tub and Tile Cleaner: For simple cleaning, rub in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinse with fresh water. For tougher jobs, wipe surfaces with vinegar first and follow with baking soda as a scouring powder. (Vinegar can break down tile grout, so use sparingly.)
Shoe Polish: Olive oil with a few drops of lemon juice can be applied to shoes with a thick cotton or terry rag. Leave for a few minutes; wipe and buff with a clean, dry rag.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour into basin and let it set for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse. A mixture of borax (2 parts) and lemon juice (one part) will also work.
Tub and Tile Cleaner: For simple cleaning, rub in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinse with fresh water. For tougher jobs, wipe surfaces with vinegar first and follow with baking soda as a scouring powder. (Vinegar can break down tile grout, so use sparingly.)
Shoe Polish: Olive oil with a few drops of lemon juice can be applied to shoes with a thick cotton or terry rag. Leave for a few minutes; wipe and buff with a clean, dry rag.
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