Let Spring Cleaning Come Naturally

photo credit: Philips Communications via photopin cc

Did you know that your home can sparkle this spring without using any chemicals?  Choose from a wide array of eco friendly cleaners on the market or simply make your own with household ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice.  Here are a few tips to help you become a natural when it comes to spring cleaning:

The Bathroom
Want to bring out a natural shine to your sinks, toilets, and tubs?  Create a gentle scouring paste by mixing 4 tbsp baking soda with 1 tbsp water. Generously sprinkle either table salt or baking soda into the sink or tub and use the cut end of half a fresh lemon as a scrubby-pad. Rinse with hot water and your ceramics will be gleaming! Undiluted lemon juice can also be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits.

The Kitchen
Vinegar, a natural antibacterial, has a high acid content which makes it an effective alternative to caustic cleaners for the kitchen.  Mix together 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new spray bottle and you have a natural solution that will clean stovetops, appliances, countertops (except marble), and floors.  For troublesome stains, add a touch of baking soda to the mix.

To help remove finger marks from stainless steel appliances use a microfibre cloth or try a dab of baby oil on a clean cloth.  For microwaves, put a few slices of fresh lemon in an uncovered bowl of water and cook on high for about three minutes.  Grease and dirt should wipe away easily.

Windows
Let the sunshine in by washing away winter’s grime.  Fill a bucket with 25 per cent vinegar and 75 per cent warm water.  Put on rubber gloves and soak an old cotton towel in the solution.  Rub on windows, and then scrunch up some old newspaper to buff up a shine.  If there are any streaks, simply finish off with a dry cloth.

Fabrics and Carpets

Have a stubborn fabric stain?  Dab white vinegar onto the stain followed by a mild soap solution such as all natural dishwashing liquid and water.  Rinse with a clean damp cloth and blot with a dry towel.  Salt can also be used to soak up fresh carpet stains such as red wine, coffee or ink. Simply pour salt on the wet stain, let dry, and then vacuum. Natural ingredients can not only get rid of stains, they’ll help eliminate odours from fabrics too!