How to have a green spring clean

Over on Reduce Footprints this week we’re tackling one of my favourite topics:

A green spring clean!

Gone are the days of streaming eyes, an itchy nose and a headache after cleaning.

There are so many eco friendly cleaning products on the market that are effective and safe, but my favourite is to make my own!

This is a subject I’m particularly passionate about because I believe most of us have been brainwashed.

We’re told we need one product to wipe over the worksurfaces, something else to clean the floor, a tub cleaner, sink shiner, tile cleaner and something else again for glass and mirrors.

I’m here to tell you it’s simply not true!

Think back to your Great Grandparents generation. Do you think they had a cupboard full of assorted cleaning products?

They didn’t! What they had was a few kitchen ingredients; namely vinegar, bicarbonate of soda (baking soda for our friends across the pond) and some lemons.

From my experience, you can tackle all but the grimiest jobs with these three ingredients. And if you take a look at this post, you can see the five things that make up my cleaning kit.

In my cleaning cupboard here at Chez Green I have a jar of bicarbonate of soda and two spray bottles – one with vinegar and water and the other with water and essential oils.

For the worksurfaces and dining table I use a plant mister filled with water and a few drops of rose and lemon essential oil. If you buy antibacterial products then use tea tree and lavender – it’s is as effective and powerful as any antibacterial cleaner but WITHOUT harmful toxins like tricolsan.

We have wooden floors and I spray them with the essential oils mix then wipe with a microfibre mop

Sinks and the bath are cleaned with bicarbonate of soda

And mirrors and glass are degreased with vinegar and water mix. Try it; it’s incredible and really works!

I’ve even cleaned the inside of a greasy oven with bicarbonate of soda – ok so it doesn’t sparkle but it’s good enough for me! And as oven cleaner is one of the most toxic products available on the market (second to drain cleaner) I’m just happy I didn’t bring on an asthma attack or contaminate my family’s food in the process.

I have to admit I’m a complete convert to the green and healthy way of cleaning. My home smells fresh but not scented – just the way I like it.  I’m so passionate I’ve written a book about it called Self Sufficiency Household Cleaning. Download it onto your kindle for less than the price of a toilet cleaner 😉

If you want more information check out: how to use lemons for cleaning, using bicarbonate of soda to clean your home, and all about using vinegar to bring a shine to your house.

What about you – do you make any of your own cleaning products from household ingredients?