Cleaning with harsh chemicals is a thing of the past. The harsh chemicals can inflict or worsen headaches, asthma, as well as irritating the eyes or throat. If you’re looking to improve your air quality and combat any sickness, try switching to natural cleaning remedies to make your home squeaky clean. It might seem like a daunting task, but take the time to remove any harmful cleaning supplies that contain horrible toxins. Make the switch today to natural remedies that are safe for your kids and pets.
5 Ingredients You Can Use to Clean
All of the following ingredients can be found at your local grocery store and some might even be hidden in your kitchen cabinet. The best news is that they last a long time.
1. White Vinegar
The smell might not be a favorite amongst most, but this environmentally safe and extremely versatile kitchen staple can clean anything from microwaves, coffee makers, and shower heads. Vinegar dissolves minerals, oil build up, mildew, and dirt.
Recipe for hard to remove stains in the microwave: Mix ½ cup vinegar with a ½ cup of water in a glass bowl. Microwave on high for 2-3 minutes and you will be cleaning away the mess with ease.
2. Baking Soda
To continue your non-toxic way of living, try switching to baking soda for a harmless cleaning solution. Baking soda is cheap and can work wonders to combat a bad odor. You will find yourself sprinkling it over your trash can, hiding boxes in the back of your fridge, and even tossing a tablespoon or two to the bottom of your dishwasher.
Recipe for deodorizing the garbage disposal: Pour a ½ cup of baking soda into the garbage disposal followed by a ½ cup of vinegar into the disposal. Place the sink topper over the drain to cover the fizz that will start to take place. To finish, flush the disposal with boiling hot water while running the garbage disposal.
3. Lemon
You know the saying when life gives you lemons…clean with them! If you’re worried about the smell from the vinegar, try switching to lemon for a better smelling solution. The lemon will work just as well and even smells great so it’s a win-win for all. Lemon is a great way to remove stains, polish furniture, brighten facets, and can even be used as an air freshener.
Recipe to remove stains from containers: Run lemon juice on containers and let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing. Your Tupperware will look brand new and squeaky clean.
4. Hydrogen Peroxide
This is the epitome of a low cost and non-toxic cleaning supply. Hydrogen Peroxide can do everything from removing those tough stains, kill mold, and even sanitize cutting boards. Ultimately, it can sanitize just about anything and will eliminate bacteria that may be lurking in cracks and surfaces.
Recipe to clean sponges: For 10 minutes you will want to soak your sponges in a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and warm water. Rinse completely after.
5. Essential Oils
Cleaning with essential oils might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, with an open mind and a few drops of these powerful oils, you can destroy certain microbes. Not all essential oils are created equal so make sure to do some research on specific brands for great quality and a fair price.
Recipe for an air freshener: In a glass bottle mix 7 drops of orange, 7 drops of grapefruit, and 7 drops of lemon with distilled water. Spray around your home for an instant pick me up. Recipe courtesy of SherryStrong.org.
