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Eco-Friendly Spring Cleaning

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April 24, 2015

Spring cleaning is a great way to air out your house after a long cold winter for winter of us. Get everything shiny, fresh and cleaned up! But at what cost? Does a big bucket of chemicals sound very refreshing, even if it does leave your floor clean? With Earth Day this month, keep in mind that taking small steps can reduce your family’s toxic load while helping to save the earth a little too.

Eco friendly, safer cleaning options are everywhere. While you can buy natural cleaners in stores now, you can also make very effective cleaners at home and do more to reuse and recycle at home.

Baking Soda, Lemon and Vinegar:

Stock up on natural cleaning products like baking soda, lemon and vinegar. They’re a great price and can clean virtually everything from food stuck on pots and pans to counters to bathtubs. Check out these various uses:

  • Baking soda and vinegar make a great safe drain cleaner.
  • Baking soda alone – or mixed with kosher salt – makes a porcelain or tile cleaner. Another option is to pour vinegar onto the grout. Let it sit and then scrub with an old toothbrush.
  • Baking soda and warm water is a great tub scrub.
  • Baking soda sprinkled onto carpets before vacuuming acts as a freshener and deodorizer.
  • A few tablespoons of vinegar in a spray bottle with 1/4 teaspoon liquid detergent and 2 cups water creates an excellent window cleaner with no ammonia fumes.
  • Straight vinegar cleans toilets and will help dissipate mold from shower tiles.
  • Add some vinegar to a cup of warm water. Place in your microwave and heat for a minute. Scrub with a sponge to wipe off any stains. Alternatively, you can squeeze lemon into the water.
  • Brighten your laundry by adding a cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle.
  • Prevent mildew in the shower by spraying vinegar on shower walls and curtains.
  • Clean your laminate countertops and cutting boards with lemon. Squeeze the juice of a lemon onto the counter or cutting board. Rub the lemon into the stains and let sit until the stains disappear, then rinse.
  • Prevent lime scale on faucets by rubbing Rub the fixtures with lemon juice. Let sit overnight and rinse in the morning.

Around the House:

There are other things you can do to lessen your environmental footprint.

  • Cut up old t-shirts and rags instead of using paper towels for cleaning.
  • Hang clothing outside to air dry and save electricity.
  • Freshen your house by simply opening windows or diffusing essential oils.
  • Add live plants to keep air clean.

Don’t forget to recycle!

De cluttering is great but don’t throw out any usable. Instead donate to an agency, or post on your social media pages for friends and local people to come pick up. Your trash is another person’s treasure.

Keep the Earth Day theme every day in your home and remember to choose safer, smarter ways of cleaning and recycling!

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