Bring On Spring- Opt for these Natural, Eco-friendly & Healthy Alternatives

Ah-h-h, springtime! A time of renewal and refreshing, especially in the home, when we are more likely to be excited about the idea of cleaning. As gentle breezes flow in open windows we are reminded of what clean really smells like, and we’re energized to start scrubbing, polishing and priming our homes for a new season. But wait! Don’t run out and buy all those cleaners you think you need to do the job. Instead try opting for these natural, Eco-friendly and healthy alternatives.

Vinegar and baking soda can tackle a variety of cleaning jobs while eliminating stale odors, making surfaces gleam, and all without caustic chemicals and smells.

Give your window blinds the white glove treatment. Wear a pair of white cotton gloves and dip your fingertips in a solution of white vinegar and hot water, then slide your fingers across both sides of the slats for clean as can be window blinds. Dip the gloves in a dish of clean water as you go to clean the dirt from them.

Perk up your carpets and rugs by brushing them with a clean push broom dipped in a solution of 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon water. This no-rinse trick will perk up those tired carpet threads.

Deodorize your carpet by liberally sprinkling baking soda on it. Let set overnight, or as long as possible. The longer you can let it set the better it works. Then simply vacuum. The added bonus is that you’ll also deodorize your vacuum cleaner.

Got brickwork? Fireplaces, floors and any exposed brick will brighten up when you wipe them with a damp cloth dipped in 1 cup white vinegar mixed in 1 gallon warm water.

Remove dirt and grime from no wax and tile floors using 1/2 cup baking soda in a bucket of warm water. Simply mop and rinse clean. Make easy work of removing scuff marks using baking soda on a clean damp sponge. Scrub then rinse.

To rid kitchen and bath fixtures of those ugly hard water mineral deposits, soak a paper towel in vinegar and wrap around the fixtures. Let set a few minutes and you’ll be able to wipe away the ugly hard water stains leaving the fixtures looking like new.

Sprinkling baking soda directly onto a damp sponge is an odorless way to clean bathroom tubs, tile and sinks–even fiberglass. Scrub then rinse thoroughly and wipe dry. A little course salt mixed with the baking soda gives it extra grime-fighting power.

Easy clean your oven by sprinkling baking soda over the bottom of your oven. Spray with water to dampen and forget about it overnight. In the morning scrub and scoop out the baking soda and grime with a sponge or cloth and rinse for a fresh oven.
Boxed baking soda isn’t just for the fridge. Freshen closets by placing a box of baking soda inside on a shelf to keep your closets smelling fresh too.

Freshen drains and keep them flowing by pouring 1/2 cup baking soda into the drain, followed by 1-cup vinegar. When the foaming subsides, flush with hot tap water. Wait five minutes, and then flush again with cold water.

Disinfect and freshen toilet bowls by pouring 2 cups white vinegar into the bowl and letting it soak overnight. In the morning, just flush and you’ll eliminate those ugly water rings.

And one last (recycling—or maybe it’s reusing) tip for spring cleaning…use newspapers wetted with water (run under water and gently squeeze out the excess) to clean your windows. Simply wipe the wet newspapers over your windows inside and out. You won’t believe how clear this will leave them, giving you a clean view to the new season.

Enjoy your springtime!