Spring Has Sprung!

Spring is in full effect and we've got the pollen and allergies to prove it!  Not to mention the undeniable urge to clean our house from top to bottom, nook to cranny, for that annual thing they call "spring cleaning."  This week's post will have spring cleaning tips and tricks to help get your house in order, the green way. 

We'll start with the doer of all...white distilled vinegar.  It's edible, it's effective, and you can use it in every room of your house.  And did we mention is costs only a few bucks for a GALLON! 

Vinegar is one of the most popular natural cleaners due to its acidic level.  It can effectively kill germs, bacteria, even mold!  You can pour it straight into a spray bottle and happily go about your chores, or you can dilute it with water.  Have a stubborn stain-just add a little baking soda to your vinegar to form a paste and voila!  Stain...gone.  Clean the whole kitchen and bathroom top to bottom with just one spray bottle.  Don't worry about the smell either, it will completely disappear as soon as it dries. 

Baking soda, as mentioned before, is also a great compliment to vinegar, or use it alone for its deodorizing characteristics.  Like vinegar, baking soda can be used all over your house, is non toxic, and costs pennies compared to other cleaners.

Most of us have these ingredients in our home, but are unaware of the endless list of uses for them.  Try using baking soda on your dog's bed or in your cat's litter box.  Sprinkle some on your carpet and vacuum it up to freshen a room.  Try doing the same thing on upholstered furniture or drapes.  It can even rid the smell from tupperware and other food containers...and what's awesome about it is...it's safe!  For you, for baby, heck we use baking soda when cooking and brushing our teeth! 

Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a natural mineral that dissolves easily with water, and it's non abrasive so it really is a natural wonder.  You can even use it to remove grease and oil in clothes, in the garage, or in the kitchen.  Have a clogged drain?  Instead of using harsh, toxic chemicals that end up polluting the water supply, use these two green ingredients together.  Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar.  Let sit for about 20 minutes then flush with a kettle full of hot water and your clog should be draining like new.

Check back later for more tips and tricks to clean the green way.

Happy Cleaning!