Springtime is here and it the one season that folks like me welcome and look forward to arriving. “Folks like me”? So glad you asked. Folks who love summer and know that with spring it is just one season away! There are many other things, I enjoy about spring but the one other thing that I’ll get into in this blog is spring cleaning.
I feel a downright since of accomplishment when my deep spring cleaning is complete. There is just something that I love about creating a bright, shiny, and healthy living space. I also find joy in cleaning with non-traditional natural cleaning products. Many traditional cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can be harmful to both our health and the environment. Trust me, there are plenty natural cleaning solutions that are as effective and much safer to use. Following are 4 of my favorite solutions and how I use them:
Vinegar and Water Solution
One of the most popular natural cleaning solutions is a simple mixture of vinegar and water. I use the distilled white vinegar. I use it to clean mirrors, windows, shower doors, and countertops. To create this solution, simply mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the surface you want to clean and wipe it away with a clean cloth.
Baking Soda and Water Paste
Baking soda is a natural and gentle abrasive that can be used to clean tough stains and grime. I use it to clean my cooktop, sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets. To make mix a small amount of baking soda with enough water to create a paste. Apply the paste to the surface you want to clean and scrub it with a sponge or brush. Rinse away the paste with water and your surface should be sparkling clean.
Essential Oil and Water
To freshen up the air in my home I add a few drops of my favorite essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water. This solution can be sprayed around your home to help remove odors and add a pleasant scent.
Olive Oil and Lemon Juice
To give my wood furniture a natural and chemical-free shine, I mix 3 parts of olive oil to 1 part lemon juice. This solution can be used to polish wood furniture and leave it looking shiny and new.
In conclusion, these are only a few of the natural solutions out there to help with cleaning. I urge you to give a quick web search to find them. By using natural solutions, you can keep your home clean and healthy while also reducing your impact on the environment. I urge you to visit the website Environmental Working Group's website. There you will find an extensive database of products that have been graded on how good or bad they are for us and the environment. For example, according the EWG website, Clorox bathroom cleaner receives a grade of F. This due to the chemicals used to make this product and the effects it can have on your respiratory system, can cause damage to our vision, potential damage to your development, endocrine, and reproductive systems. There are some concerns about cancer and damage to your DNA. Yes, this is some very bad stuff. Please check it out for yourself and give natural cleaning solutions a try during your spring cleaning and see the difference they can make.
Teresa