Spring is on the way. As you reach for that dusty bin of cleaning supplies to spruce up your home, consider these affordable, eco-friendly and effective DIY cleaning alternatives. Instead of reaching for a potentially toxic product, there are many ways to be eco-friendly, clean effectively and possibly save some money in the process.
All around the house
Countertops: Using equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle helps clean countertops and kills bacteria. Do not use this mixture on granite, marble or stone as the acidity is not good for these surfaces. Instead, use rubbing alcohol.
Windows: In a spray bottle, mix four parts of water with one part vinegar and the juice of one lemon. This mixture is also effective for cleaning mirrors.
In the kitchen
Microwave: Fill a bowl with water and one sliced lemon. Microwave this mixture for five minutes. Take a towel to clean off surfaces.
Oven: Heat the oven to 125 degrees. Using a spray bottle, spray vinegar on the oven interior. Add a bit of salt to a a towel damp with water to scrub and clean.
Cutting board: Slice a lemon in half. Use one half and rub over the surface. Let sit for 10 minutes. When 10 minutes has passed, take the other half of the lemon and rub to loosen any bits on the board. Rinse with water.
In the bathroom
Bath and tile: Mix ¾ cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of castile soap. Add one tablespoon of water and make a paste.
Toilets: To clean and sanitize frequently, mix a spray bottle of vinegar with five or six drops of tea tree or lemon essential oil. For a more thorough cleaning, put 10 drops of the essential oil in ½ cup of baking soda and mix with ¼ cup of vinegar.
Now it is your turn! Try one of these recipes to prove that using these non-toxic alternatives is a great green way to keep your home clean and healthy.
