A Natural Spring Clean

With spring here in many parts of the world, many of us will be starting to think about the annual spring clean. But with increasing reports that the cleaning products many of us use in our homes can cause harm to our health and the environment, why not opt for making your own cleaning remedies rather than buy industrially produced chemical products? Arm yourself with just a few natural ingredients and the ten simple recipes below.

1. All purpose cleaner for floors, surfaces and walls

Combine 1 part vinegar, 1 part water and 10 drops of essential oil e.g. tea-tree (optional) in a spray bottle and spray away!

2. Oven cleaner

Combine ½ cup baking soda, 3 tbsp water and spread over interior oven surfaces. Leave for 10 hours, then wipe clean with damp cloth. Finish with all-purpose cleaner (above).

3. Furniture and stainless steel polish

Mix ¾ cup olive oil, juice from ¼ lemon and 1 tbsp vinegar. Dip a damp cloth into the mixture and wipe the surface.  Buff with a dry towel.

4. Fabric stain remover

Combine 1 part baking soda, 2 parts hydrogen peroxide. Apply generously, leave to dry then wipe baking soda residue clean.

5. Drain unblocker

Dump ½ cup baking soda followed by 1 cup of vinegar down the problem drain, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then pour 3 liters of hot water down the drain to eliminate all residue.

6. Pot and pan cleaner

Pour 1 cup hot water and 1 cup vinegar into seemingly irreparable vessel, and bring to the boil. Add 3 tbsp baking soda and wait for fizzing to stop. Tip away contents and clean normally.

7. Fabric softener

Combine 6 cups white vinegar, 1 cup baking soda, 15 drops essential oil e.g. lavender  (optional). When it’s stopped fizzing, pour up to 1 cup into the washing machine compartment.

8. Vodka air freshener

Mix ¼ cup vodka, 1 tbsp water, 20 drops essential oil and fresh herbs (optional) in a spray bottle and spritz away.

9. Lemon dishwashing liquid.

Click here for the recipe.

10. Glass and window cleaner

Combine 2 cups water, 2 tbsp white vinegar, 10 drops essential oil in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe clean.