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Spring cleaning—naturally

person with cleaner and cloves cleaning a window

Giving your home (or office) a good spring cleaning is practically a rite of passage once warmer weather arrives. This year, up your spring cleaning game by using these natural cleaning alternatives. Doing so can improve your indoor air quality and keep your pets and children safer!

Even better, some of these natural cleaning products may be staples in your pantry. Wellnessmama.com offers a list of natural cleaning supplies—many of which you may already have at home...

  • white vinegar

  • natural salt

  • baking soda

  • borax

  • washing soda

  • hydrogen peroxide

  • lemons

  • microfiber cloths

  • essential oils (optional)

  • a spray bottle or two (preferably glass)

Now, try these easy and inexpensive “recipes” to get your chemical-free spring cleaning started:

Glass cleaner: Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a glass spray bottle to cut through dirt, leaving glass streak-free.

Tile grout cleaner: Mix one part water and three parts baking soda into a paste. Apply to grout and let sit for a few minutes. Scrub with a toothbrush and then remove and rinse with a sponge.

Cookware cleansers: Use sea salt or coarse salt mixed with a little lemon juice and scrub with a cloth. You can also mix baking soda and water into a paste. This mixture also works well on stained tea cups, coffee mugs and cutting boards.

Fabric softener: Mix one part vinegar and two parts water together. Add 1/4 to 1/3 cup to the final rinse cycle.

Toilet cleaner: Use undiluted white vinegar, pour around the top of the toilet bowl and scrub until clean.

Baking soda oven cleaner: A paste of baking soda and water cleans ovens without the chemicals or the hassle of the self-cleaning cycle. Make a paste on the bottom of the oven, leave for a few hours, and then wipe clean with a sponge for a chemical-free shiny and clean oven.

Scouring powder: Remove soap scum on tubs and showers by making your own scouring powder with two parts baking soda, one part salt and one part borax. This mixture will cut through even the toughest scum!

Dishwasher booster: Fill a dishwasher safe bowl or jar with two cups of vinegar and set it on the top rack of the dishwasher. Run through on a hot cycle with no other dishes in the dishwasher to clean and remove musty odor.

Natural air freshener: In a medium saucepan, simmer a quart of water with natural ingredients (see ideas below) to freshen and clean the air. Make sure not to let the water evaporate completely:

  • 1 sliced lemon, 2 tablespoons rosemary and a dash of vanilla

  • 1 sliced lime and 1 piece chopped ginger root

  • 1 sliced orange, 1 sliced lime, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg and cloves, and 2 tablespoons thyme

These basic recipes should help you bring extra spring sparkle safely to your home. Don’t forget to use reusable cloths instead of paper towels or other disposables. Now you are ready to spring clean—naturally!

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