Let's Clean and Keep it Natural

 I am a huge fan of using less chemicals and using natural products.  I was asked earlier to do a post about making clean & green cleaning products.  Today I will do some basic home cleaning - and another day I will do a 'natural' health and beauty post!

What you need to have - or what I have to keep it natural!

Baking Soda (you can buy in big bags)

Hydrogen Peroxide (dollar tree or dollar stores are cheapest)

Vinegar - usually use white in cleaning

Lemon Juice - I use bottled mostly

Salt - I like using coarse salt

Microfiber cloths or natural sponges or cotton material (old t-shirts)

I like to keep some magic erasers on hand (I buy off brand, since I don't use often)

Natural soap - like Castile or Glycerin liquid.  Both are vegetable based and not tested on animals - so Vegan.  Both are bio-degradable.  It doesn't take much of either - just a little blended with water.  It doesn't suds hardly at all - but you don't need suds to clean things.

I still keep blue Dawn - no it isn't all natural - but it sure does work on stains and cuts grease.  I can't break that habit - but I guess I could be using worse things!

WOODEN CUTTING BOARDS

Scrub your wooden board with salt and lemon - this will deodorize it.  Rinse with cider vinegar or peroxide to sanitize.  Rinse with a damp rag after and air dry

GROUT CLEANER

To clean mildew and brighten grout without bleach combine baking soda and hydrogen peroxide or vinegar (not both!) and make a paste.  Apply to grout and let it sit for about 30 minutes- then scrub and rinse.

TOILET BOWL CLEANER

Scrub the bowl with baking soda (like you would cleanser) and then let it set for a bit.  Before flushing - add a little white vinegar for extra fizzing and stain lifting power.  When done - flush.

SIMPLE DISINFECTING

Many cleaners contain bleach and that is toxic.  Simply use a soft cloth and wipe counters and items with hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar.  These are natural and they do  not promote antibiotic resistant bacteria.

GLASS CLEANER

2 C water

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

3 - 4 drops of liquid soap (optional)

Spray and wipe.  If you want a streak free shine - use old newspaper to wipe the windows clean.  No lint.

You can also just use vinegar - although many don't like the smell.  In a pinch I have also just used water.

AIR FRESHENER

So many air fresheners contain tons of chemicals and you are releasing those into the air and breathing them in.  Keep it SIMPLE!  Open windows when possible - fresh air is the best.  Place a dish or 2 of baking soda around the house (kitchen - bath) to absorb odors.  Use peels/skins/spices in a pot of heated water for a natural wonderful smell.

I do make FeBreeze - using bottled fabric softener and water.  NO it isn't natural.  I only use about a 1/3 of a spray bottle of softener and the rest water,  I use it seldom - but do keep it on hand (for stubborn smells)

OVEN CLEANER

1 C baking soda

1 Tbsp. liquid soap

few drops of vinegar (if desired)

Hot water

Mix to make a thick paste.  Remove any large pieces of gunk and MAKE SURE oven is off!!!!!  Coat all the area needing cleaned and let it sit overnight!  Wipe and scrub off with warm water.

UNCLOG DRAINS

You can always use a plumber's snake (I have 2).  Even a twisted metal coat hanger - these can be used to pull out nasty globs of hair.  Pour 1/2 C or more baking soda into the drain.  Gradually add equal amount of white vinegar.  Let it set and fizz and bubble and dissolve.  Pour boiling water down drain.  Wait 30 minutes and if not clear  - repeat.  Before calling a plumber - let the drains cool off and snake again.

BASIC WALL AND FLOOR CLEANER

1 C white vinegar

1 gallon hot water

1 Tbsp. - 1/4 C liquid soap

couple Tbsp. of lemon juice

Mix together and clean floors or walls with a clean soft rag or mop.  The soap will add extra cleaning power.  If you use soap - always follow up with a clear water mop or wipe down.

STOVE FIRE (small)

Baking soda will extinguish flames in a natural way.  Ask me how I know!!!! LOL

I had a plastic spatula in oven catch fire and dousing with baking powder worked wonders.  PLEASE make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy in your kitchen - just in case of something bigger!

GREASY STOVE TOP

I use a wet magic eraser dipped in baking soda and scrub.  It cleans grease spots great.  Rinse down with a soft rag and warm water.  

You can also add a drop or 2 of liquid soap to  baking soda and water paste to act like soft scrub

ODDS AND ENDS

**Clean you microwave by combining a 1/4 C vinegar (or lemon juice) to a cup of water and heat for 5 minutes.  Will remove odors and soften any build up - wipe clean with a damp rag

**Make a brass or copper cleaner by adding equal parts of lemon juice and vinegar.  Wipe it on with a soft cloth - let it set - then wipe clean and polish.  I like to rub this mixture on with some salt (the salt is a bit abrasive - but it works)

**Clean and freshen your garbage disposal by running a tray of ice cubes and 1/2 C vinegar through a cycle.  Do once a week.  You can also freshen it by placing citrus peels in disposal and running with water

**Add a splash of vinegar to your rinse water to keep your glasses and dishes from spotting

** I use hydrogen peroxide in my whites laundry instead of bleach!!!  It is all natural and it works wonderfully

** Add 1/2 C or so of baking soda to load of stinky clothes - cuts the odor.

**Add 1/2 C vinegar to your rinse cycle to act as a fabric softener.  Trust me - once dry - no smell!!  This also helps to remove any soap build-up on clothes and washer

**Sprinkle baking soda over your carpets or rugs and let it set for an hour or so.  Vacuum - it absorbs all those pet or damp/musty smells

**Put an old box of baking soda in the frig and maybe even the freezer - (I buy real cheap boxes for this) to absorb odors - when it is time to replace use the baking soda to clean a drain or the toilet!

NOTE - when I had a freezer go out and stuff spoil - I cleaned it out and used baking soda and coffee (pre-brewed) to help air it out.  Aired the freezer open for a couple days (in the garage) - then added both and closed it.  Smells were gone after a week or so.  **I use that freezer to store bird seed (mouse proof in garage)!!!!

These are just some of the basics.  There are other natural things, like natural herbs, that can be used and add wonderful smells.  I love using whatever I can that is natural.  I live in this house as well as my pet - so I don't want to add chemicals to my air.  Most everything we own gives off some nasty substance - so it just makes since to clean as natural as possible.

I will have more natural cleaning ideas later on and I WILL do a health and beauty natural ideas post as well.

Hope this gives you a few ideas and tips.  Using what we have on hand is frugal, and using these items is natural.  Frugal and good for your home is a WIN-WIN!