Kitchen
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To eliminate dried food from the microwave without scrubbing, place two lemon halves and half a cup of water inside. Microwave for five minutes, then let it sit for an additional 15 minutes with the door closed. When you open it, simply wipe with a dry cloth, and watch the food easily slide off.
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Achieve a brilliant shine on a stainless steel sink by sprinkling baking soda inside, gently scrubbing, and rinsing. Soak dish rags in white vinegar, place them in the sink and on the faucets, wait for 15 minutes, then wipe down. The vinegar will remove water stains and make the sink shine.
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Line the bottom of your kitchen trash can with newspaper to absorb spills and catch food scraps.
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Cover refrigerator shelves with food wrap. When spills happen, just peel off the wrap—goodbye to scrubbing sticky spots!
- To clean a dirty blender, fill it with warm water and a few drops of dish liquid. Blend with the lid on, then dump out the dirty water and rinse—easy and quick!
Bathroom
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For disinfecting the toilet, sprinkle baking soda in the bowl, scrub with a toilet brush before bed, then pour a cup of white vinegar to create a foaming reaction. Let it work overnight and flush in the morning.
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Prevent mildew in a clean shower by wiping it down with a dry towel after each use. If the shower needs cleaning, mix equal parts white vinegar and dishwashing liquid, gently scrub with a sponge, and rinse. Avoid using vinegar on marble or natural stone.
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To clean a plastic shower curtain liner, wash it on the gentle cycle in your washing machine with warm water and hang to dry. To prevent mildew, spray it with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar.
- To clean stubborn bathroom faucets, soak cleaning rags in white vinegar, wrap them around the faucets, and wait for 30 minutes. Then gently scrub any hardened deposits with a toothbrush and rinse.
Floors
- To mop your kitchen floor, mix half a cup of white vinegar into half a gallon of warm water. If the vinegar smell is not to your liking, add a few drops of essential oil. Remember not to use vinegar on natural stone or marble, and test an inconspicuous spot before mopping hardwood floors.
Windows
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For cleaning blinds, create a solution with equal parts water and vinegar, spray or soak an old sock in it, and wipe the blinds down.
- Avoid scrubbing by using a squeegee to clean windows and mirrors. Mix a squirt of dishwashing liquid with about half a bucket of water, apply with a sponge, then use the squeegee for streak-free results.
Furniture and Fixtures
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Remove embedded pet hair from upholstery and carpets using a squeegee.
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Eliminate unsightly water rings on furniture with your iron. Empty the water out, set it to high, cover the stain with a white pillowcase, and glide the hot iron back and forth over it. The stain will vanish.
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Capture dust rather than spreading it around by using a microfiber mitt. After you’re finished, wash the mitt, but avoid using fabric softener.
- Dust fan blades using a pillowcase. Slip the pillowcase over each blade, wrap it tightly, then pull it off to trap dust inside.
Laundry
- For tough stains on white garments, wash them and hang them outside in the sun for a few hours. The sun will naturally bleach the stain and brighten dingy whites. This technique also works on colored fabrics, but don’t leave them in too long to avoid fading.
Air Freshening
- Instead of using store-bought air fresheners, simmer fresh ingredients in a pan on the stove, a potpourri burner, or a small crockpot. Add some water and your favorite scents like cinnamon sticks, vanilla beans, fresh thyme or mint, cloves, or eucalyptus.
Toys
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Wash dishwasher-safe plastic toys in the dishwasher with eco-friendly detergent.
- To clean dirty stuffed animals, sprinkle them with baking powder and put them in a pillowcase for an hour. After that, vacuum the pillowcase’s contents to remove odors and absorb greasy spots.
Once your home sparkles in no time, take a moment to relax with a latte and enjoy the spring sunshine!
Green Clean Supply List
These items are commonly used in green cleaning methods and are good to have around.
Natural Ingredients:
Lemons
Baking Soda
White Vinegar
Dishwashing Liquid
Distilled Water
Essential Oils
Tools:
Sponges
Newspaper
Microfiber Mitt
Squeegee
Glass Spray Bottle
Old Socks
Pillowcase
