It is that time of year, when we start to get spring fever and are ready to chase away winter's residue and welcome in spring freshness!Many of us want to accomplish our spring cleaning without the use of harsh chemicals or creating harmful waste.
Here's a few tips for getting tough on winter grime while going easy on mother earth:
Vinegar is the answer to many of your cleaning chores. It can be used straight for especially dirty chores, or diluted with water. Diluted vinegar is safe for many flooring surfaces ... including linoleum, ceramic tiles and wood floors. Vinegar is a great cleaner for glass ... wipe with a clean cloth.
Fireplace ashes can be added to your compost pile and balance the acidity.
Cleansing scrub can be prepared at home with four parts baking soda, one part vinegar and your choice of essential oils to scent as you'd like.
Carpets, pillows and upholstery can be freshened with baking soda. Sprinkle on, allow time to absorb odors and then vacuum.
Borax is another earth-friendly cleansing product with many uses. Its great for tackling the fridge ... mix a teaspoon of borax, three tablespoons of vinegar and 2 cups hot water in a spray bottle and voila! a great cleansing mix which will eliminate odors and bacteria. This solution is also great for cleaning shelves and counters.
Natural room fresheners can be as simple as an open box of baking soda to absorb odors, to fresh rosemary sachets. Grinding citrus peels and ice in your garbage disposers immediately freshens the air and helps maintain your disposal system. Indoor plants improve air quality, three plants to 100 square feet will make a significant difference!
Essential oil organic lavender, mixed with hot water (1 tsp to 1 cup) makes a natural, homemade germ-killer.
There are also many wonderful product lines that are lighter on the environment, and easier on you. Mignonne carries a rotating variety of Caldrea home products that are environmentally sensitive.
