Go Green to Clean. Handy Spring Cleaning Tips.
Spring to me means getting the house clean from top to bottom. It means opening up the windows good and wide and letting that fresh, clean air in. I really do have to be in the mood to do this though. I like to pick days that no one is home, put on my comfiest clothes, put my hair up and crank Abba nice and loud.
Spring cleaning is the perfect opportunity to get rid of all that stuff around your house you can live without. Your whole way of living in your home will change, I promise you. Everyone in your home will feel the benefits of it, with spaces you can now breathe in. Most importantly – with fewer things, your home will be easier to keep clean. Trash it or donate it! If it serves no purpose then you don’t need it. Get your "Marie Kondo" on and get at ‘er!
I am a list girl, and could not imagine spring cleaning without my checklist, it really motivates me to buckle down and start ticking off jobs. I find this to be quite therapeutic. Here is a printable list that you can use to get those tasks completed.
Download and print your own list.
(courtesy of Joanna Gaines)
With the Covid 19 virus being a huge concern worldwide, having a clean home is even more important than ever right now. You know that I like using products that are eco-friendly, so if you have on hand some baking soda, vinegar, lemons, old towels and a handful of other common household items, you can give your house a fresh start for this spring, and kill any unwanted bacteria.
FRESH LEMONS
Lemons are the miracle fruit, and not only provides us with Vitamin C, it also works to freshen and clean our homes, naturally. Keeping in mind, lemons are not a disinfectant, so you will want to ensure to properly treat areas that require sanitation with a backup cleaner. Adding them along with vinegar solutions can be a great cleaning agent or window cleaner, and smells better than vinegar alone. Lemons can be expensive at times though, so buying a bottle of lemon juice is a great choice and very economical.
Do you have stale indoor air? Try simmering a lemon peel on the stovetop, adding water as needed. Did you also know that lemon juice acts as a natural bleaching agent? Try some lemon juice when washing your white linens or clothing and allow them to dry in the sun. Stains will be bleached away.
TEA TREE OIL
Another option for eco-friendly cleaning is using Tea tree oil. I love these essential oils from Saje Wellness. Tea tree oil instantly kills bacteria, viruses, and mold. So, paying attention to those little germ critters that lurk on your doorknobs, light switches, and toilets and other areas are good to focus on.
All you have to do is add two cups of water to two tablespoons of Borax, ½ teaspoon dish soap and ½ teaspoon of tea tree oil. Put them all in a spray bottle, shake well and apply.
BAKING SODA
Baking soda has so many uses other than baking, or absorbing smells in your fridge.
Use it to make your carpets smell great again! A little sprinkle will get rid of pet smells, smoke or smelly spills that may have occurred over the winter. Apply the baking soda onto the carpet and allow it to sit overnight before vacuuming it all up.
Have smelly, clogged up sinks? Dump 3/4 cup of baking soda down the drain and chase it with 1/2 cup white vinegar. Plug the drain, and let it sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it out with a kettle full of boiling water. If you do this on a regular basis, you probably won’t have a problem with clogs anymore.
OLIVE OIL
Not just for salads anymore. Do you have some furniture or shelves you would like to clean and polish? Just mix two parts white vinegar, one part olive oil, and just enough lemon juice per cup of combined oil and vinegar.
Do you have kitchen cabinets that could use freshening up? Bring the luster back to your cabinet doors, wooden tables or chairs and condition them at the same time. Try mixing it with lemon juice (one-part juice to two parts oil) and rub it on.
What about those stainless steel appliances? If you want to naturally remove grease and make them shine, yes, olive oil will do this as well. Remove the grease with vinegar, then use a little bit of olive oil with a paper towel, or cloth and work onto your stainless-steel appliances in a circular motion. It will remove the grime and restore the shine.
If you are more comfortable with over the counter products, that is perfectly ok. You can find so many eco-friendly options in most grocery and hardware stores.
Now, for the most important part of the day. You have cleaned your home in a green way, hurray! You have worked your to-do checklist, and you are feeling accomplished. If your hair looks like its been in a really bad wind storm, clothes are dirty, new bandaids on your hands then you rocked your spring cleaning checklist (or maybe it's just me who looks like this). The motivated, mad-cleaning superwomen you transformed into won't require that cardio workout, because you have burnt enough sweat and calories rockin' your list (if you are anything like me). So, at the end of the day, hang up that superwoman cape, relax with a glass of red wine, enjoy a little sweet treat like a cupcake and relax.
You will feel great from what you have accomplished by digging deep and getting your list done. You have done a great thing. A job well done!
Now that your house is so clean, you will have to decide whether you let your family back in the house, lol. You will. Just take a deep breath and another sip of your wine when your husband comes in with his dirty boots on your clean floor. Breathe.
Happy Spring Cleaning
Tracy x