Clean Green!

As the winter starts to rest and the sun starts spreading her warmth we have a natural instinct to start fresh just as the plants and animals that surround us. We do this by spring cleaning. That's right, tis the season for spring cleanin!! I love this time of year because its the perfect time to put new ideas into play as we let go of the old and the reflections of the past from winter and clean clean clean!

Most cleaning products are made with harsh chemicals that are horrible for us to breathe not to mention any children or animals in the home with their tiny little lungs. Yes, products such as bleach do disinfect really well but you can buy and even make cleaning products that are better for your health and your wallet.

Here are some clean green ideas as you take on your spring cleaning chores!

How to make your own cleaning products from household items

Things to have on hand
Baking soda
Washing soda
White distilled vinegar
A good liquid soap or detergent
Tea tree oil
Clean spray bottles
Glass jars

How to make the must have all purpose cleaner
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
A dab of liquid soap
2 cups hot tap water
Combine ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved.

How to make a furniture polish
1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive
1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice
Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Cover the glass jar and store. You can use this anytime.

How to make a window cleaner 
1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
3 tablespoons vinegar
 2 cups water
Spray bottle
Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake it up. The soap in this recipe is important because it cuts the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.

Cleaning rags
For dusting and polishing cut up old T-shirts and use them to clean with that way they are reusable and gentle. 

I found a great website with lots of great green ideas check it out for more...
www.care2.com

My favorite cleaner is vinegar, it's a natural disinfectant and the smell disappears as it drys. For most surfaces and areas to clean you can mix equal parts vinegar and water together in a spray bottle and go to town. For a surfaces like the toilet try using just vinegar to get the rings off around the toilet. Beware of using this mixture on some surfaces such as marble and make sure when cleaning grout your vinegar is properly diluted with half water half vinegar since the acid in vinegar can eat away at it. For other cleaning mixtures try adding lemon juice and baking soda!

Clean Green and have fun! I know I will!