Green Cleaning: For Your Household!

   Cleaning house is a messy job, but someone's got to do it! Why not make your routine as "clean" as possible? By getting rid of common household cleaners and replacing them with green alternatives you not only save a ton of money, but are also protecting your family (and the planet!) against harmful chemicals and additives.
   I will spare you the long, drawn out spiel of how dangerous and toxic these cleaners really are. You can, however, read about it at this wonderful resource. I do want to show you a few totally safe alternatives that you can use in ANY area of your home! There's literally a handful of products, some that you no doubt already have lying around the house, that will get your abode spic and span in no time flat!

   Let me introduce the wonder duo: baking soda and apple cider vinegar. These two powerhouses can clean anything! (As you've seen in my previous post they clean hair quite well!) I prefer apple cider vinegar because the smell is somewhat more bearable than regular, though white vinegar would also work just as well for cleaning. Another option if you can't stand the stink is to soak the vinegar in citrus rinds for a few weeks!
   Vinegar will not only thoroughly clean, it also disinfects, deodorizes, cuts grease, eliminates soap scum, dissolves mineral buildup, and even inhibits the growth of mold and other bacteria! Baking soda is a powerful abrasive that also has deodorizing and anti-bacterial properties.
   For deodorizing, I like to keep jars half filled with baking soda and a few drops of lavender essential oil, shaking every few days to "refresh." Sprinkle some in the bottom of your trash cans and the litter box to keep obnoxious odors at bay. Another option for keeping your home fresh is to fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and a few drops of your favorite essential oils. Homemade Febreeze without the funk! :)

   The cleaning options are endless with these two! You can use apple cider vinegar (or regular) to wipe down common areas, disinfect your toilets, clean the stove and oven, mop floors, remove carpet stains, and get mirrors streak-free! Baking soda is great to scrub dirty dishes with stuck on food, as well as remove stains from coffee and tea! If you want to get really creative, why not concoct your own all-purpose cleaner?! Just mix a little castile soap with equal parts borax, vinegar, and baking soda. Then add some essential oils to your liking and spray away!
   Like I said, tons of cleaning solutions are at your fingertips with these gems of the natural cleaning world! There are a lot of other chemical free alternatives you can use to clean such as tea tree oil, lemons, and even salt! So the next time you find your home in need of a deep clean, please put down the Clorox and reach for something safe and natural instead!!!