Now, I'm not an overly concerned organic or natural person, in truth, I'm more about a tight budget and results. I came to these findings via some research and experiments and thought I would share because they work so well for those who are thrifty spenders or chemically concerned.
When I started out, I researched using steam because so many people recommended it as a way to sanitize floors and surfaces. But it turns out that it's actually not a great idea to use steam on hard wood or laminate floors (such as Pergo) because it gets in the seams and can cause buckling over time. Mopping isn't good either because the puddles of water sitting on the seams can also cause damage. What I discovered was that spraying a solution on a surface and using a microfiber cloth was the best way to clean and prevent damage. Since the solution I came up with is natural, I can strip the cloth off of my mop and throw it in the laundry with my cleaning rags and I don't have to worry about staining other items. Here's the basics of what you'll need to have your whole house spic and span:
Spray Bottle: you can recycle an old, empty bottle or you can purchase a new one. They're easily found in a cleaning aisle at a local store, or sometimes even in the travel-sized bins for a buck or so. You might want a few depending on what you are going to make. You can label them with a Sharpie or stickers.
Vinegar: depending on your preference you can use white or apple cider. Either is a natural disinfectant and works to cut through grime and grease.
Baking Soda: all baking soda's are not made the same so I stick with Arm & Hammer and I buy a big box of it because it's going to go a long way, which is ultimately better on the budget.
Dish Soap: sometimes you need to boost your cleaning power. A little bit of dish soap will do the trick and I'm pretty sure everyone has some already next to their kitchen sink. Hopefully.
Natural Oil (optional): most people don't love the smell of vinegar (as noted by the lack of vinegar scented candles and sprays on the Glade and AirWick display shelves) but as you clean with this mixture you'll begin to associate it with a sense of cleanliness. Until then, you may want to add a few drops of a natural oil to your mixture. They come in scents such as Lavender, Tea Tree, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, and more. You can buy them at specialty stores like Lassens/Whole Foods, or even Target/Walgreens/CVS. Because you're cleaning with it, it doesn't have to be top-of-the-line (that's more for putting on your skin) and a little bottle will last you quite awhile.
Water: a typical recipe ratio is 1 to 4, or 1 to 3. In your spray bottle you'll be mixing 1 part vinegar to 3 or 4 parts water.
Hydrogen Peroxide: weird, I know, but I'll get to this later and explain.
Part of the reason I like using these products is because with pets you can't use ammonia and most people with children prefer not to use bleach. It's also great because most of these are items you already have in your home so you can try it without purchasing a thing!
For general cleaning of floors and counters, use a ratio of either 1 part vinegar to 3 or 4 parts water. Add a few drops of dish soap and sprinkle in some baking soda (you may want to use a funnel). Beware! The baking soda will react and begin bubbling! This is perfectly safe but can be messy so leave room in the bottle and add it a little at a time, preferably over the sink. You can add as many drops of oil as you wish depending on how strong you want it to smell. All that's left is to gently mix it, start spraying, and wipe! I use old dish towels but paper towels are fine as well.
You can use the items individually as well. Baking soda on its own is wonderful to sprinkle in a sink or tub as a scrub instead of Comet or Soft Scrub. An old dish sponge will do the trick and then rinse it down. I've also heard of people using baking soda to clean their toilets! A big pan of boiling water and baking soda will clean grease right off your stove vent/filter. Putting a few drops of natural oil on the inside of your toilet paper roll will release a nice scent every time you use it.
Carpet stains = Yuck! When we moved in to our apartment there was a huge, blue stain from where a bottle of Downey was dropped on the carpet. Even the professional cleaners couldn't get all the blue out, but I found a simple solution that made it disappear. In a spray bottle I mixed hydrogen peroxide (see, told you I'd explain) and baking soda. I sprayed it on the stain, blotted with a towel, and like magic the stain is GONE! Even my friend commented, "Hey, what happened to the big blue spot?!" Hunter has vomited on the couch while we were out and, while I can wash the cover, I couldn't wash the cushion. I found this solution worked on the stain and smell in the cushion as well. This same combination can be used to clean old baking sheets and bring them back to looking like new. This magic potion also works to unclog drains. Impressive, right? You can water down the solution if you like, too.
As if these weren't amazing enough, I have more. Want to freshen up your vinegar but don't want to run to the store for a natural oil? Peel an orange or lemon and throw the rinds in your vinegar and over time it will take on the citrus smell! You still want more?! Fine, but now you're getting greedy. Soak your laundry in a solution of water, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide. Then wash them to get out impossible stains.
I bet you're so glad I've enlightened you to the world of natural home cleaning on a budget. You may be thinking that you can buy products for all these uses at only a few bucks a piece, and yes, that's true. However, some of you prefer to not use chemicals or would like something that, overall, is a lot cheaper. You may spend $10 to $20 upfront for these items but they will last you such a long time and work for so many things that overall they end up being a better value.
Of course, as with anything, PLEASE test a small portion before you clean a whole area. You never know exactly how something will react and it's better to be safe than sorry. Happy cleaning!
I'll pass this on to Paul. He will be excited to have all this cool info! :)
ReplyDeleteHe would! That one's a keeper!
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