May 12, 2020

Keeping spring cleaning green

It’s May! Time to fling open those windows and shake the stink out of the house, shoo away those cobwebs and take on the most massive of tasks … spring cleaning. Here a few quick tips for a green clean!

• First and foremost, forget the air fresheners. Open up those windows and let the fresh air naturally freshen up your home. Your home will smell lovely and you’ll reduce your energy bill by turning that thermostat off altogether!
• As long as those windows are open might as well give them a good clean scrubbing. To wash your windows simply mix ¼ cup of vinegar with 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Spray-on glass and wipe clean with an old newspaper or a lint-free cloth.
• Ready for those floors? Mix 4 cups distilled white vinegar with about a gallon of water in a bucket. Add a few drops of pure peppermint or lemon oil for a pretty scent. The smell of vinegar will quickly dissipate and leave you with the pleasant smell of the oil.
• Don’t waste your money on furniture polish! Equal parts lemon and olive oil and voila. Apply a small amount to clean cloth and rub into furniture in long even strokes.
• Toilet bowls can be cleaned by sprinkling your toilet brush with baking soda and scrubbing away. Wipe the outside with straight vinegar. When bleach and baking soda are mixed, the cleaning properties of both are improved. ... This happens when only 1/2 cup of baking soda is added to a typical laundry load with bleach. However, bleach should definitely not be mixed with certain other common household products because of toxic gases form.
• Are mold and mildew a problem for you? Straight vinegar is a good solution.
  
  Vinegar is amazing isn’t it?
  
  
• If you like the different scents from air fresheners, then try this simple home remedy: sprinkle an essential oil on a cotton ball and stash it in a corner of your room. Lavender is a relaxing scent that is great for your bedroom. Cinnamon, clove and citrus are great for the rest of the house. You might want to stash a few in the car too! Peppermint has properties that can help you stay alert!
• Clean out your closets and donate gently used clothing to a favourite charity. Torn or stained items can be added to your rag collection where they’ll replace wasteful paper towels.
• Swap out the Swiffer duster and instead of continually buying expensive single-use mops, invest in a good reusable mop. Get one that the mop head comes off and can be washed in your washing machine and hung to dry and used again and again!

Happy cleaning, friends!!! Stay safe, stay healthy!

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