Enjoying the Ritual of Spring Cleaning - Without Harmful Chemicals

Spring cleaning is a honored tradition through the ages. When homes were heated with fire, old soot was scrubbed away from interior surfaces. Fresh hay was brought in for mattresses and in colder climates quilts and drapes that would not dry but only freeze in cold winter temperatures could be washed. Some traditions associated with Passover, Lent and other eastern religions require or suggest cleaning house. Today many cleaning experts will tell you that it is better to do a “Fall Cleaning” than a “Spring Cleaning” because our homes don't get that dirty any more and you are prepared for the celebratory fall holidays. However, I like the those first days of spring when the flowers are blooming outside, the air is sweet, the temperature balmy and I can through open the windows with abandon to welcome in the change of season. Windows are a pleasure to wash when the weather is wonderful and you can watch the dogwoods budding. I enjoy washing away the musty smells of winter and replacing them with fresh clean natural smells.

Unfortunately, most commercial cleaning products don't provide the fresh clean smells I am looking for. The overwhelming scents of bleach, ammonia, powerful antibacterial agents and chemical scenting agents are harsh to my nose and are not what I want competing with the pleasant spring odors outside. Besides, all of those “Danger” “Warning” and “Caution” labels make me nervous, especially with kids around. This article makes some recommendations for natural cleaning products that are functional and kinder to the environment. Here are some of my favorite natural cleaning agents:

Pretty much all my cleaning products.  And a Kadinsky print.  All, including the Kadinsky print, less than  $10. 

Vinegar: I use vinegar in my kitchen for a counter top spray, to clean the inside of the microwave and top of the stove, and to wipe down the refrigerator and refrigerator gasket. Vinegar prevents mildew when used regularly and has mildly antiseptic qualities. To use, put in a spray bottle and spray liberally. Let it sit a few minutes to soften any hardened items then wipe away. For tough stains (not on stone or other specialty products!) scrub with baking soda first, then spray with vinegar. You get natural “scrubby bubbles” and because these are both safe products, kids sometimes enjoy this cleaning activity. Equal parts of vinegar and baking soda work to keep drains clean (dump in baking soda then add vinegar). Vinegar works as a fabric softener and deodorizer when added (1-2 cups) during the rinse cycle of your washing machine, and has the added bonus of cleaning old soap scum out of your washer. I run vinegar through my coffee maker and through my dishwasher periodically to get eliminate lime deposits. You can buy cheap white vinegar for cleaning, but I don't cook with it.

Baking Soda: I have already mentioned this a as a scrubbing agent – also use to scour pots, scrub tubs (use with vinegar to dissolve hard water deposits and soap scum), and remove odors from upholstery and carpet (sprinkle on, rub in, let sit, vacuum off). Use small containers of baking soda to absorb odors in refrigerators, bathrooms and even your car. You can scent with a few drops of essential oils. After a couple of months replace, and use the old baking soda to clean something.

Lemons: Cut one in half, use for a big glass of lemonade, then dip the cut side into baking soda and scrub the kitchen sink. It smells wonderful and does a fabulous job. When you are finished scrubbing off the stains (you can let it sit for a while for the citric acid to mildly bleach white porcelain), toss the lemon into your garbage disposal to grind away any odors. Rinse away the baking soda residual from your sink and polish with a soft cloth. Warning! Don't use this method on granite or other stone.

Hydrogen peroxide: I use the 3% solution to clean the bathroom and kitchen counters when someone is sick. Also, because I have white grout between the kitchen tiles, I use it (in a spray bottle) to clean the kitchen floor (I spray it down, let it sit, the mop as usual). I soak my kitchen scrub brushes, my toothbrushes, and my cutting boards in hydrogen peroxide periodically to kill germs. Some of the “green” bleaches are actually hydrogen peroxide solutions and I buy these rather than the more expensive drug store bottles for cleaning purposes (but I use the drugstore version for my toothbrushes).

Other cleaning tools: I like cleaning tools that I can clean and reuse versus being thrown away. For windows, pieces of an old sheet will not leave lint when you are polishing. I have two dust mop covers, one to be in the wash and one in use. If you knit or sew, there are patterns to make cotton washable covers for mopping as well as many fun patterns to knit dishcloths. Most cotton mop heads can be removed and tossed in the washer. If you want to purchase reusable cleaning towels, look for microfiber towels in the car care department rather than in the house cleaning department. You can buy a bundle of them at a fraction of the cost!

One of the many benefits of using natural cleaning products is the ability to get your kids involved without them being exposed to chemicals that could be harmful. I have seen three year olds happy for quite a long time with a sponge and a small container of water “helping” scrub the kitchen floor!

When cleaning your house don't forget to recycle unused or unwanted items with local charities or the on-line “Free Cycle” service. Bring in some of those fresh flowers, and breath deeply – because you can!

 My son's sink - not filthy, but pretty dirty!

Thirty seconds of work - damp sponge with baking soda, a spritz of vinegar,
 a quick rinse.  (It's not new, but it's a lot better!)

This blog entry was published in the March/April 2009 Issue of North Central Florida's Natural Awakenings.