Easy DIY Hacks For Green Spring Cleaning

Spring is just around the corner. It’s the perfect time to rid yourself of the dinginess winter left behind.

Of course, scrubbing and polishing with harsh chemicals is the last thing you want to do on a beautiful day when you could be outside breathing fresh air.

Do yourself a favor by using natural, chemical free cleaners. Whether you make them yourself or buy them, here are some ideas for cleaning common areas.

Windows

It’s amazing how much glorious sunshine sparkling clean windows let in. Focus on those in heavy-traffic areas like the kitchen, front door and living room to give yourself a feeling of accomplishment.
Make a simple solution of equal parts white vinegar and water with a splash of vodka or rubbing alcohol. The alcohol helps it dry faster and streak less. If the vinegar smell bothers you, add a few drops of lemon juice.

Bathroom

Forego commercial powder cleansers with a paste of approximately two parts baking soda and one part liquid soap (either hand soap or dishwashing liquid works fine). The paste should resemble frosting.

Rinse well with clean water after scrubbing. This cleanser will make all bathroom surfaces gleam without scratching. It even works in the toilet.

Kitchen

For countertops, use the same paste as for the bathroom, or fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water. A little lemon juice boosts its grease-fighting power. If the countertop is stained, use dry baking soda and rub it into the stain with half a lemon.

Wipe down the outside of the refrigerator with the vinegar/water mixture. Clean the inside by removing everything and tossing old, expired or questionable items.

Then wash any removable shelves and drawers with mild soap and water in the sink. Wipe everything else with your vinegar/water cleaner.

Floors and Rugs

After tracking salt into the house all winter, your floors no doubt look dull. And leaving salt in your rugs will wear them out faster. Make sure to take rugs outside and give them a good shake to take all the salt out.
Clean non-carpet floors such as vinyl or linoleum with a mixture of one cup of white vinegar to one gallon of water. For wood floors, reduce the vinegar to one-half cup.
For steam-cleaning carpets, use equal parts white vinegar and water. Always test on a hidden spot before doing the whole carpet.

Commercial Green Cleaners

If you’d rather not make your own cleansers, Seventh Generation and Method offer a variety of excellent options. Try:

Seventh Generation disinfecting wipes and sprays: These products use thymol (from thyme oil) for its disinfectant properties.
Seventh Generation all-purpose cleaner: The cleaning agents in this cleanser are derived from plants, not petroleum.
Method Lil Bowl Blu toilet cleaner: This eucalyptus and mint-scented toilet cleaner use lactic acid in place of bleach.

When it comes to spring cleaning, take a cue from Mother Nature and go green inside as she turns the world green outside.