Chemical Free Cleaning
Two or three easy to find household products may be all you need for most of your cleaning. It is not really necessary to have a different cleaning product for every possible dirty or smelly problem. Homemade cleaning products can be made to be non-toxic for both you and the environment; they also help to reduce the environmental impact of packaging waste while saving money! Best of all… the ingredients needed are probably already in your cupboard!
Non-Toxic Cleaning Ingredient List:
Vinegar – just plain white will do the trick. Do not use vinegar on marble, granite or stone.
Sodium bicarbonate – also known as bicarbonate of soda, bicarb soda, baking soda. (Not baking powder, this is a combination of sodium bicarbonate and cream of tartar).
Essential Oils – lemon, eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender
Do It Yourself Spring Cleaning Recipe
Sparkly Clean Spray
(Not for marble, granite or stone surfaces)
- ¼ cup vinegar
- ¾ cup water
- 5 drops lemon essential oil
- Spray bottle
Mix together all ingredients in the spray bottle and shake well before use.
Spray on surface and wipe with damp cloth. This can be used as an all-purpose spray, great also for windows and mirrors.
But what about that vinegar aroma?
This will dissipate when dry and the essential oils will help mask it during use. Opening windows and using a fan will speed up the drying process. Eucalyptus oil can be used instead of lemon oil; this is especially suited to cleaning the bathroom and laundry
Other Vinegary Ideas…
Tiled floors – 1 part Vinegar and 2 parts water in a bucket, 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil (not for wooden floors).
Toilet cleaner – ¼ cup of vinegar and 10 drops of tea tree oil in and around the bowl, leave for 15 minutes then add a little elbow grease.
Washing machine – by running clean ¼ cup vinegar through a short cycle.
The Magic of Bicarbonate of Soda
Sprinkle it on
To clean surfaces (also inside the fridge and children’s toys) - sprinkle bicarb soda on damp cloth, wipe and then wipe again with rinsed cloth.
Reduce odours – pour in an open container and place in cupboards and fridge. Sprinkle in bottom of bins, shoes, cloth nappy bucket and laundry basket.
Pets – sprinkle in kitty litter trays (you’ll know if you’ve added too much when you see their little white footprints coming out from it). And to take the edge off that ‘wet dog’ odour – use as a dry shampoo, sprinkle on their coat and comb through.
Carpet – Sprinkle bicarb soda on carpet, leave for 15 minutes and vacuum up.
Burnt food stuck to pots & pans – sprinkle on, add hot water and soak. Simmering this for 10 – 20 minutes will help remove the most stubborn.
Laundry – Reduce usual amount of laundry detergent and top up with bicarb soda.
Paste it on
Make a paste by mixing 2 parts bicarb soda to 1 part water.
- Use as a grout cleaner and to remove grime from most surfaces.
- Use paste on stains prior to washing, leave for 1 to 2 hours.
- Paste on the surface of the oven walls and leave for a few hours. Scrape off and wipe clean with a damp cloth.
Environmentally friendly cleaning products are becoming more widely available also, allowing an easy transition to a chemical free home. Happy spring cleaning!
