With the weather warming up (at least on most days), I've started thinking about finally getting into the necessary spring cleaning. I've been procrastinating far too long, and it's beginning to get out of hand! Some days have been to rainy and cold to open up the windows and let in the fresh air that I love so much while cleaning, other days I've just been plain lazy. When it warmed up a bit yesterday and the clouds finally started to clear, I decided to push myself into starting the cleaning, and it began with the kitchen. Actually, it ended with the kitchen, too, but that's besides the point! The rest of the cleaning will be done this week and this coming weekend.
Enough of my babbling, let's get to the point of this post. Natural cleaning. The chemicals that are found in most cleaning products, such as bleach, ammonia, artificial colors and fragrances, and others, can be very dangerous and are a threat to your indoor air quality. These are especially dangerous to pets and children because they are smaller and closer to the floor, and children are still developing. This isn't something that is news to most of us, but how about the fact that antibacterial agents can contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria?
Now, onto the natural cleaning products. These are just as good for cleaning as antibacterial products full of chemicals, and do not pose health risks to us, our children, and our pets, and they are better for the environment, too!
Baking Soda
- A lot of your household cleaning can be done with baking soda. In your bathroom and kitchen, sprinkle baking soda on non-scratch surfaces, such as countertops, sinks, cutting boards, refrigerators, and more. Scrub the surfaces with a damp cloth or sponge (remember to wash your sponges in the dishwasher with your dishes).
- This can also be used to clean out appliances. Create a paste with baking soda and water and coat the inside of the appliance with the paste. Allow to sit overnight, and scrub out the next day.
- Cleaning out your plugged up drains can also be done with baking soda. Pour 1/2 cup into the drain, and follow with 2 cups of boiling water.
- Use one cup of baking soda for a medium sized room, and sprinkle on your carpets as a deodorizer. Allow to sit for half an hour, and then vacuum.
- Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 cup vinegar and pour into your toilet bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes and scrub.
- For more tips on baking soda, visit 30 baking soda tips at About Green Living.
White Vinegar or Lemon Juice
- Use for stains, mildew and grease. Spray on, and then scrub. You can use a stiff brush, if necessary.
- Use 2 tablespoons of white vinegar (or undiluted lemon juice) mixed with a gallon of water to spray your windows and mirrors. Use newspaper to wipe off, to reduce streaking.
- To clean wood floors, mix 1/4 cup white vinegar with 3 3/4 cups water. Spray onto a cloth or towel until damp, and use to wipe floors and restore shine.
Club Soda
- Club soda can also be used in place of vinegar or lemon juice for cleaning glass.
- Use for spills on carpets. Remove any solid matter from the spill, then pour on club soda. Blot with a rag.
Plain Old Soap
- For a chemical free disinfectant, mix together 2 cups of water, 3 tablespoons of liquid soap, and 20-30 drops of tea tree oil.
- For carpet spot cleaning, mix 1/4 cup liquid soap with 1/3 cup water in your blender until foamy. Scrub the spot, and rinse with vinegar.
Using these cleaners that most of us already have in our homes will help reduce the chemicals in your home, save you money, and reduce your trash output. Off I go to continue my spring cleaning!
Photo Source: 19melissa68 via Creative Commons
May 14th, 2008 at 2:56 am
What great "recipes" for eco-friendly cleaning products - I am definitely going to try some of these out this weeekend.
May 14th, 2008 at 3:01 am
Good article, it's important to spread the word about natural cleaners. So many people don't realize how simple and effective they are.
As I also am working on trimming down my budget at the moment I'm noticing over and over just how economical they are too. No commercial alternative is cheaper.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:51 am
I knew about the magic of lemon, but I wasn't familiar with the other suggestions. I've got a bout of spring cleaning coming up soon, so I may well try some of your tips!
May 15th, 2008 at 11:23 am
very useful information, thank for spreading the word.
visit when you can
June 5th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
These natural products work well but what about carpet cleaning and the related stains? There are effective, safe, eco-friendly solutions for floor care.
June 6th, 2008 at 1:32 am
David, I mentioned how club soda and soap can help remove carpet stains.
June 17th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Thank you for submitting this to the Blog Carnival.
Rosemary
http://mydiyhometips.com/2008/06/17/blog-carnival-edition-no-2/
June 19th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Blog Carnival - Edition No. 2...
Welcome to the June 18, 2008 edition of a Carnival of Everything Home. What a Carnival!! This carnival has brought 71 great submissions. Please take the time to visit each one. Remember to include a link back to this post. And welcome to my new...
August 6th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Awesome post. It is getting so scary these days with all the chemicals in everything. It's a scary day when having a clean house can be more dangerous than having a dirty one!
August 7th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
NaturalCures said:
I agree! It's great to be able to make or find eco-friendly cleaners because my germophobic side clashes with my green side a lot!
August 28th, 2008 at 6:00 am
Here is a site to purchase non toxic environmentally friendly cleaning products that work! http://www.cleanroot.com We should be concerned with what goes down our dreain after we clean, and what stays on our surfaces in home and office. I feel good using these products check them out Smell great not harsh to breath and work I am sold
August 28th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Nookins, Terracycle is another great company for cleaners.
October 27th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Being eco friendly is no only beneficial to the enviornment, but help financially. Items used in the kitchen now has multiple purposes.
November 28th, 2008 at 9:39 pm
For the most part, baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice and club soda can clean just about any everyday household mess. Not only do they not contain all of the harsh chemicals of purchased cleaners, but they will certainly save lots of money, too! Thanks for the great suggestions!
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:35 pm
ShortcutSleauth, that's true. There are a lot of recipes available online for using these items as cleaners.
January 7th, 2009 at 3:36 am
I use baking soda and vinegar almost exclusively and I have to say it works like a charm. I have to scrub harder, though, but better that than use chemicals.
January 21st, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Joseph Mercola said:
I know I scrubbed pretty hard when I was still using chemical cleaners, too, so scrubbing doesn't bother me!
January 30th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Thanks for showing me the great uses of these everyday household substances. Maybe I will be saving some money on glass cleaners and other detergents.
March 18th, 2009 at 4:48 am
I'm a big fan of baking soda - it works a treat. I usually use it for cleaning taps and stuff in the bathroom.
March 20th, 2009 at 3:37 am
Learning to clean from scratch—making homemade recipes—can truly work if you take time to understand a bit about the chemistry behind how the materials work.A commonly available mineral full of many cleaning attributes, baking soda is made from soda ash, and is slightly alkaline.It neutralizes acid-based odors in water, and adsorbs odors from the air. Sprinkled on a damp sponge or cloth, baking soda can be used as a gentle non-abrasive cleanser for kitchen counter tops, sinks, bathtubs, ovens, and fiberglass.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
In my own business I went from nonorganic carpet cleaning products to organic carpet cleaning products to just home made organic cleaning products. Although I must say that there are times where I need to bring out some commercial cleaning produts, for most orders my home made organic cleaners work great. This products include some of the very same product you use in your homes. The best part about it is that I can give these home remedies to my clients without having them spend additional money. Thanks for spreading the word Stefanie.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Carpet Cleaning NY said:
Wow, that is so cool! Inspirational too how you have adapted your business to be green and natural like this. Going organic is one thing (and commendable) but going organic with your homemade cleaning products is impressive! Huge kudos to you!
April 7th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
I agree, Donna! It's great to see a company taking initiative like you are, Carpet Cleaning NY!
April 24th, 2009 at 4:35 am
Stefanie said:
Cleaning!
June 29th, 2009 at 10:38 am
lovely tips there. It makes your house smell so much fresher when natural products have been used. No chemicals to breathe in. Lovely recipies for cleaning products.
August 1st, 2009 at 2:56 am
Yes great post, Baking soda always works wonders. Thanks for this article, it was a really interesting read.
August 6th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
These are some very useful tips for easy home cleaning! Talcum powder also works well in soaking up tea or coffee stains on carpets or clothing. The longer the carpet stays wet, the more germs is attracts.
August 19th, 2009 at 6:22 am
Great tips, I really did not know about some of these and I am sure that my family members don't know about these too, they will be pleased to hear them. Baking soda and vinegar are in pretty much every single house in America, so thats just great!