Spring Clean With These Hacks
No need to buy separate cleaners! You can get your home in tip-top shape for the new season with these easy natural cleaning tips using products and staples you already have around the house!
Spring is here, and your house may be begging for some much-needed freshening. Believe it or not, you can tackle most of these project with items you already have around your home and in your pantry. Here are 10 easy ways you can spring clean from top to bottom, without toxic chemicals. Watch out, dust and grime! Note: This list is for tackling basic cleaning jobs, not to disinfect due to the coronavirus.
10 Natural Spring Cleaning Hacks
- Create a non-toxic room spray by mixing ¼ cup vodka, 1 cup water, 15 drops lavender essential oil, 10 drops tea tree essential oil, and 5 drops eucalyptus essential oil in a spray bottle. Also makes a great deodorizer for pet bedding.
- Give your carpet some freshening by sprinkling baking soda and letting it sit for a half hour, then vacuum.
- Remove lime build-up from around the kitchen or bathroom faucets by soaking a clean cloth in white vinegar and let it penetrate the affected areas for 20 minutes (while you tackle other chores). Rinse with clear water. BONUS: Old pantyhose make a great bathroom scrubber.
- Wash windows with a mixture of equal parts of white distilled vinegar and warm water. Dry with a soft cloth, newspaper, or clean coffee filters. This solution will make your windows gleam and will not leave the usual film or streaks on the glass.
- Take down that grungy plastic shower curtain and wash it with a load of soiled towels. Add 1 cup white vinegar to the rinse cycle. Hang it back up to dry with the exhaust fan running, or line dry it outside.
- Freshen your drapes, comforters, throw rugs, and blankets by hanging them outside (weather permitting – not recommended on very humid days) for a couple of hours. Let the sun and wind work their magic. If the items are especially musty, sprinkle them with baking soda first. Shake or vacuum off.
- To remove stubborn stains and deodorize the toilet, pour in a 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup white vinegar into the bowl. When the fizzing stops, swish with a scrub brush, and flush.
- Use a pair of rubber kitchen gloves, dampened, to remove cat and dog hair from clothes and furniture. Rub in circles and toss the collected hair.
- To de-grease and de-gunk the kitchen cabinets, wipe them down with a mixture of 1 quart of hot water and 1/2 cup of lemon juice and use a dollar store magic eraser pad. Works like … magic! Don’t forget to wipe down the hood of the exhaust vent while you’re there.
- A lemon juice and salt mixture makes a good copper and brass cleaner, as well as an effective mildew stain remover. Sprinkle the area with salt and rub with a half-cut lemon.
Do you have a favorite non-toxic cleaning tip you want to share? Use the comments section, below. Happy spring!
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Tickie, if you would read a little further in the same sentence I complete the phrase by saying “the open (or cut) side of the lemon.” So it is the LEMON that is cut! Now are you able to understand?
#1 is not right – – – especially if you have pets. . . Tea Tree oil, eucalyptus and Lavender can be toxic to critters.
A quick trick I learned from a professional housekeeper – to shine up faucets, faucet handles, etc. use a cotton ball & rubbing alcohol to remove lime & soap deposit. Leaves your faucets spotless & looking new. You may need several cotton balls, depending on how many bathrooms you have.
Please be aware that cats’ liver cannot process essential oils and will cause liver failure.
Kristin Decker – Tickie is referring to the open (or cut) side of the lemon. Using the cut side of the lemon, rub it on the cutting board to get it wet. Then use the rind side to scrub the board.
In “Articles you might also like” Tickie wrote in the 2nd one >I use the open side to get it wet<. The "open side" of what? The Bread board, of her faucet, what? Then say that. Who in heavens name knows what she is talking about. I want was interested in her tip, however if I can't understand it, so I'm afraid it does me no good! Maybe you can tell me what should be in the blank when she speaks of "the open side" of ____. Thank you.
Please be careful using essential oils around pets…especially cats. Some can be toxic.
I clean my cutting boards with salt & the rind of lemon after juicing it. Sprinkle salt on the board & scrub with the lemon. I use the open side to get it wet & scrub with the rind for added lemon power. Rinse with cool water. Removes odours like onion & garlic. If the odour is really strong, let it sit for about 10mins before rinsing.
Remember to oil wooden boards after they dry to prevent drying out & cracking.
You made some good points there. Thank you for a helpful guide!
be aware that eucalyptus is dangerous to your pets.
I read all the comments and questions about vodka being used in the deodorizing spray. I worked over 45 years in live theatre. The wardrobe personnel always had vodka in containers to spray on costumes that couldn’t get washed, those that could only be dry cleaned every so often, or not at all. It is a wonderful fabric deodorizer.
I clean my drains regularly with 2 tbsp baking soda poured into the drain and add 1/2 c white vinegar. Allow to sit until all fizzing stops (usually 1/2 hr). Then pour 1 gallon of boiling water down the drain. Leaves any residue & clogs gone and the drain smelling fresh !
The vodka would be used as a preservative.
Vodka in a room spray? Really?! Wondering why…
Hi Jill Herdman: Vodka is used frequently because of its alcohol content and lack of smell. It works just as well as isopropyl alcohol!
We just did a class on spring cleaning with essential oils. I can be contacted on fb at Essential Oil Grammie if anyone would like more information.
Hi Mary Crane, I just bought an essential oils cool air diffuser and I’m hooked! I’ll never light another scented candle again!