Healthy Spring Cleaning Tips For Everyone

 

 

 

 

Nothing could be more healthy for spring cleaning than using products that are safe for your family and the environment.  I am all for making life easy, so if buying green cleaning products is easier for you, then by all means you should purchase the highest quality products you can afford. When buying products at the store, look for a list all of the ingredients on every label.

If you choose to buy your green cleaning products, remember that just because something claims to be “green,” “natural” or “biodegradable” on the label, that doesn’t always mean it’s nontoxic. Be sure to use the Environmental Working Group’s Guide to Healthy Cleaners database to look up products and check their ratings.

If green cleaning products cost more than you are willing to spend, don’t worry.  The good news is that cleaning like a green goddess can be just as easy and less expensive than cleaning with toxic chemicals. All you need are basic, every day items from your grocery store.

Here are some basic ingredients to keep on hand so you can clean just about anything like a green goddess:

1. White Vinegar – Has antifungal properties
2. Baking soda – Eliminates odors and can be used as a gently scouring powder
3. Lemon Juice – Non-toxic bleach, grease cutter, and stain remover
4. Borax (sodium borate) – Eliminates odors, removes dirt and acts as a disinfectant.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide (3% concentration) – Non-toxic bleach, stain remover and disinfectant.
6. Liquid Castile Soap (such as Dr. Bronner’s)
7. Club Soda – Stain remover and polisher
8. Corn Meal – For carpet spills
9. Olive Oil – Furniture polish
10. Essential Oils – Scent, antibacterial properties. (Always follow safety instructions as they are highly concentrated.)

5 Green Cleaning Recipes To Keep Your Home Healthy

Here are a few basic recipes and techniques to get you started:

All Purpose Cleaner

• 2 cups white distilled vinegar
• 2 cups water
• Essential oil (optional)

You can use this on hard surfaces such as counter tops and kitchen floors, even windows and mirrors.

Glass Cleaner

• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1 quart water

Mix together in spray bottle. Spray on glass and wipe with lint-free cloth. (Note: You can always add more vinegar for a stronger cleaning solution.)

Soft Scrub

• 2 cups baking soda
• ½ cup to 2/3 cup liquid Castile soap
• 4 teaspoons vegetable glycerin (preservative)
• 5 drops antibacterial essential oil (optional)

Mix together and store in a sealed glass jar for a shelf life of 2 years.

Use this on kitchen counters, stoves, bathtubs and sinks.

Laundry Soap

• 1 cup soap flakes
• 1 cup washing soda (1/4 -1/2 if you have soft water)
• 1 cup baking soda (1/2 cup for soft water)
• 1-2 tbsp. oxygen bleach (optional for extra whitening power)

Mix all ingredients together and store in a glass container.

You only need one tablespoon per load, but you can add two tablespoons for more soiled laundry.  Use in warm or cold water and it is safe for HE machines.

Note: You can make your own soap flakes by grating your favorite pure vegetable soap with a cheese grater.

Tips: Distilled white vinegar added to the rinse cycle makes a great fabric softener.  It also removes odors.  Hydrogen peroxide is a great whitener and, when used directly on clothes prior to washing, can be used in place of bleach to remove stains

Furniture Polish

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar
• 20 drops Lemon essential oil (or 2 teaspoons lemon juice)

Shake well

Note: If using lemon juice instead of lemon oil, you must store in refrigerator

Tips: Dip a clean, dry cloth into the polish and rub wood in the direction of the grain. Use a soft brush to work the polish into corners or tight places.

Some other easy ways to clean and disinfect without harsh chemicals include:

1. Sprinkle a toilet brush with baking soda to scrub you toilet clean. To disinfect your toilet, you can occasionally use borax instead. To clean the outside of your toilet, just wipe with vinegar.
2. Wipe away mold and mildew with straight vinegar.
3. Sprinkle essential oil on a cotton ball and place it in a room to give it a fresh scent. (You can even do this in your car!) Experiment with different oils.  Lavender is great for bedrooms to help you relax. Citrus oils smell wonderful for the rest of the house.  Be sure to place out of reach of children and pets

– See more at: http://www.drnorthrup.com/tips-for-green-cleaning-your-home/#sthash.DvcHMk8d.dpuf