Natural Spring Cleaning Tips
With the end of the cold weather and nicer, sunnier days, you might be starting to think of tackling your Spring cleaning projects. If you are looking to do so with as few chemicals as possible, there are many options out there. Here are some natural spring cleaning tips to use some common household items in a whole new way.
My favorite Natural Spring Cleaning Solutions:
Lemon – You can use lemon in a variety of ways to deodorize and cut through grease. The cheapest way to do this is to buy some 100% lemon juice, but real sliced lemons can also do the trick. Use them on hard water spots and in greasy areas like your range hood or the back-splash behind your stove. They can also be used for deodorizing your sink’s garbage disposal. Just cut them up a little and drop some down into it. Turn it on and run hot water through.
Distilled White Vinegar – This is one of my very favorite cleaning supplies to have on hand. It is so versatile! For spring cleaning, I suggest using it to clear out any drains (along with some baking soda) as well as using it to do some deep cleaning. It cuts through most types of grease so it is perfect for cleaning fridges, counters, walls, tiles, and cabinets. You can also use it to clean your microwave as well. Just stick a bowl of it in the microwave, and heat it for 30 seconds to a minute. It will loosen any stuck on grime and make wiping a breeze. Mix it with a bit of plain old dish soap and you have the best deep cleaning spray around. One word of caution though, never use vinegar on granite countertops or floors since it can damage the finish.
Baking Soda – Baking soda is another one of my favorite things to keep around for tough jobs. It is only mildly abrasive, so it won’t scratch most surfaces. Mix it with a bit of water and you have a great paste to use on shower walls and doors as well as floors, baseboards and other places that tend to build up with stuff. Baking soda is also great for deodorizing. Sprinkle some in an area that needs it and leave it for a while so it can soak up any foul odors.
More tips for staying green while Spring cleaning:
Don’t use paper towels. They really are unnecessary for the most part. You can use rags and if you don’t have any, after cleaning out your drawers and closets, cut cotton stuff into rags. T-shirts and old towels are perfect for this. That way, if something is especially high on the ick factor, you can just toss your rag.
Stay away from harsh chemicals. Using the three main cleaners I mentioned about is usually all you will need. Chemicals are for the most part unnecessary for most deep cleaning jobs out there.
Before you throw something out, ask yourself if you can use it in another way. Part of living more green is finding uses for things that usually end up in the trash. The more ways that you find to reuse items, the less waste you create and the less money you will have to spend buying things.
Use essential oils. They make things smell great and many of them have antibacterial properties.
What a good article! As a mother of two children, it’s really important for me to do my best at protecting them from harsh chemical exposure! Thank you for sharing! Best regards!