Spring Cleaning Tips: Environmentally Friendly, Non-Toxic

For many people deep cleaning your home means using harmful chemicals and unnecessary purging of useful household items. This year when you spring clean think about your health and our environment and use some of my environmentally friendly, non-toxic spring cleaning tips!

Tip #1. How to make home-made non-toxic cleaning solutions

All purpose Cleaner

To make an all purpose cleaner you will need a very large bottle of distilled white vinegar, a spray bottle and tap water.
Fill the bottle 3/4 the way with warm tap water then add 1 cup of vinegar. Shake and it's ready for use. Because of the high level of acidity, white vinegar can effectively kill mold, bacteria, and other house hold germs. This all purpose cleaner can be used on nearly every surface in the house from counter tops to high chairs.

Scouring Cleaner

To make a non-toxic scouring cleaner combine 1 table spoon of liquid detergent (clean and clear brands work best) with 1/4 cup baking soda. Slowly add trace amounts of white vinegar to the mixture until you get a cream like paste. This past is good for a multitude of things such as cleaning the tile grout on the floor or in your bathroom, lime and soap buildup in the bathroom and kitchen, baked on oven grime and anything else that may need a thorough scouring.

Full Strength Vinegar

Using simple white distilled vinegar for cleaning is a great way to deodorize and clean. To clean glass simply spray the glass with undiluted vinegar and rinse with hot water. Finish by drying service with a clean rag.

To deodorize your toilet simply pour white vinegar into the toilet bowel and let it sit for 30 minutes before flushing.

To easily clean your microwave mix water and vinegar in a bowel, put in microwave and bring to boil. Take the bowel out carefully and simply wipe the inside of the microwave down with a rag.

NEVER USE VINEGAR ON MARBLE! The acidity in white vinegar can damage the surface.

Carpet Cleaner

Club soda is a wonderful non-toxic carpet cleaner. You can also use corn starch to freshen your carpet by sprinkling and vacuuming the residual up. Create your own non-toxic pet and kid friendly carpet freshener by combining cornstarch and a few drops of scented oil.

Tip #2. Ridding your home of unwanted items without creating waste.

One man's trash is another mans treasure, this old saying couldn't be truer. Instead of throwing something out that still has use post it on Freecycle. Freecycle is a community of people who give out things they no longer want, thus cutting waste. By using Freecycle you contribute in more ways than one, you are freeing the environment of trash and also giving something to someone who may be less fortunate.

If you have several items to get rid of consider having a yard sale. Yard sales or garage sales are a great way to earn a couple bucks and get rid of unneeded items. By pricing these items cheaply you could get rid of them quickly. What do you do with what's left over after your yard sale? Post an ad on www.Freecycle.org. or put the items in a box at the end of the drive with a "free" sign on it. If you are still unable to get rid of these items you can still donate them to your local goodwill or salvation army store.

Tip #3. Reuse when you can.

Cut down on waste by avoiding paper towels. Use and reuse rags while you spring clean your home. When purchasing a mop, look for one with a removable washable head, this cuts on price and waste. In many cases you can wash sponges and dishrags over and over.