Celebrate the return of spring with some spring cleaning tips that will revolutionize your standard cleaning routine. Whether you want to polish hardwood floors or scour the bathtub, you can do it safely and naturally when you use homemade and chemical-free products. To get you started with a fresh and natural spring cleaning routine, here are five common products you can easily find or make at home.
1. All-Purpose Household Cleaner
For everything from getting dirt off countertops to tackling a stain on the sofa, it's nice to have a go-to all-purpose cleaner on hand. To make a classic blend with ingredients you can easily find in your kitchen, mix 3 cups of filtered water, 1 cup of white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of baking soda, and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice. Combine the mixture in a large bowl until everything is dissolved. Then use a funnel to pour the mixture into a spray bottle. You'll now have a quick and handy product for cleaning your home.
2. Laundry Detergent
There's a variety of homemade laundry detergent recipes that feature borax, vinegar, or other ingredients, but the true essentials are simple. The only ingredients you need to make laundry detergent at home are 6 cups of washing soda and 3 bars of quality soap, and if you want to add a certain scent, throw in a few drops of essential oils. Mix up a big batch of detergent and enjoy a natural, homemade way to clean your clothes.
3. Wood Polish
Oil up your wood countertops, cutting boards, furniture, or other wood surfaces with a homemade wood polish made of olive oil and lemon juice. To make this polish, simply combine one part lemon juice with two parts olive oil in a small jar. Then just apply a little of this mixture to your surfaces, and rub it into the wood with a clean cloth as you go.
4. Air Freshener
Ditch those chemical-laden fragrances by making your own air-freshening blends. Combine 30 to 60 drops of your favorite essential oils, 1 teaspoon of a neutral base like vodka or witch hazel, and 50 ml of water to create a fresh smell for your home. Mix up a floral blend for spring, or go with a classic fragrance that has year-round appeal, like lavender.
5. Bleach Alternative
For those tricky bathroom areas where you need a strong, abrasive cleaner, consider making your own bleach alternative. When you combine 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide with 2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (plus essential oils as desired), you make your own super-strong cleaning solution that will last for up to three months. Because exposure to light weakens the solution, be sure to store it in a dark or covered spray bottle.
These spring cleaning tips should give you a great place to start when you're hunting for more natural cleaning options. By whipping up these five homemade cleaning products, you'll not only be able to take advantage of ingredients and products you may already have on hand, but you'll also be able to create chemical-free cleaning solutions that you can feel good about using.
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