For those of us who get the “spring fever”  and feel the need to scrub our entire house with a toothbrush to make it sparkle, you know how manufacturing companies have created “needs”, things we supposedly absolutely have to have or our dwellings are not clean. Obviously, this is a myth. It does not take $100 worth of products and “stuff” to make our houses sparkle. I do a major cleaning twice a year, towards the end of spring and the beginning of winter. Never have I spent more than $15.00 on cleaning products  to clean my home. New items like the Swiffer products are not necessary, convenient and time saving, yes; but not necessary. The chemicals in the cleaning solution on the swiffer and like items can actually be harmful, while the pads take up landfill space. These are all the items and cleaners that you need to spring clean your home.

Broom, dustpan, mop, bucket, rubbing alcohol, baking soda, all purpose cleaner or a bucket of mild soap and water, rags, and yes: a toothbrush.

Use the bucket of soap and water and the toothbrush to get into any cracks or small areas of furniture to clean away winters grime and dust. Rinse tootbrush with clean water and wipe any soap out of crevices. Use a rag to dry.

Clean all windows, glass, and mirrors with rubbing alcohol and a rag. They will really sparkle. If you worry about lint on these surfaces, use newspaper(black and white print only).

Use a bucket of mild soap and water and a rag or scrub brush to clean walls, base boards, floors, etc. For grungy looking wood furniture you can scrub the wood with mild soap OR my personal favorite, Murphy’s wood oil soap. Rinse with a clean, wet rag then use an oil like olive oil or linseed oil to make the wood shine again!

Use a paste of baking soda and water for “soft scrub”. Use on sinks, tub, and tile.

Don’t buy expensive smelly powders for your carpet. Just sprinkle your carpets with baking soda, let sit for 15 to 30 minutes and vacuum as usual.

Wash all washable rugs, curtains and table cloths in the washing machine. Curtains can actually be hung back up wet and let them air dry. The smell from the soap will make your rooms smell wonderful.

Sweep and mop all washable floors. Apply any floor wax treatments if you choose to do so.

Open your windows and let the entire house air out. Bacteria, dust, possibly mold, and other allergens build up in enclosed houses over the winter. Let them all out!

Following these steps will make your entire home smell and look wonderful! Don’t forget to declutter also! Most often we let mail, magazines, newspapers, old clothing build up over the winter. Recycle and donate whenever possible!

Thanks to all!

The Domestic Goddess

These days the hot buzz words seem to be “go green” and “save money”. Usually these words go together like bees and honey; sometimes, though, saving money can hurt the environment. Take your common household cleaners. These are items we all have in our cupboards, we can spend as much or as little as we want. We can find a different cleaner for every surface of our home. But what about all the chemicals that make up these “wonderful” cleaners. Some of these chemicals are carcinogenic, cancer causing, have been found to cause reproductive problems in males, and end up in our soil and water suppy and can NEVER be removed. No, not even at the waste water treatment plant! For more information on this subject, and to find out more facts please read the book “The Big Green Purse” byDiane MacEachern. I just read it and this book really taught me alot and opened my eyes to just how badly we are hurting our planet and ourselves.

But don’t worry… all is not lost! We can help our wallets, help our planet, and help ourselves with these simple, easy to make household cleaners. You do not need to buy anything special, all of the following recipes use common, househ0ld ingredients most of us already have. If you do have to buy something, I can guarantee you spend  very little money.  So let’s get started!

Window Cleaner

This is so simple your going to smack your forehead. All you need to use is rubbing alcohol. We all seem to have that ever present bottle in our medicine cabinet. Just pour a small amount on your reuseable rag or paper towel and wipe your surface. For stubborn stains ( like kid stains or drips on a glass coffee table, for example) just pour a little bit directly on the spot, let sit a few minutes and wipe off. Alcohol works just as good as window cleaner and does not leave streaks.

Baking Soda

Make a paste and use as “soft scrub” cleanser. Use on tub, tiles, sinks, counter tops.  To make a paste pour a cup of baking soda in a reusable container with a lid, drip enough water to moisten and stir. This should be the consistency of toothpaste. Just use a rag or sponge and wipe on your surface, let sit about 30 seconds, scrub and wipe off. You will need to wipe off with a wet rag or sponge, just like you would commercial cleansers. Baking soda is a GREAT deordorizer also.

To eliminate odors from your drains: Pour a half a cup of baking soda down your drains, let sit 2 to 5 minutes, and follow with a sauce pan full of hot to boiling water.

For slightly slow sink/bathtub drains: pour a half of a cup of baking soda down the drain followed by a half a cup of vinegar, use white vinegar, cover drain. Let sit approximately 3 to 5 minutes depending on clog. Then pour down a large sauce pan of boiling water. For really clogged drains, after you do the above steps, plunge the drain. This has worked with almost every stubborn drain I have had. I did have to buy a commercial drain cleaner one time for an extremely stubborn hair clog (my hair).

Fabric softener: pour a half a cup of white vinegar into your rinse water when you do laundry. Softens clothes and does not leave an odor. Will not damage clothing.

Laundry detergent: you can search the internet, use the search term : homemade laundry detergent. If your budget won’t allow you to buy an all natural laundry detergent, or if your local grocery store does not carry one, use a “free and clear” laundry soap. No dyes or fragrances. The all natural laundry detergents are more expensive than regular brands, however I have used them for almost a year now and I can say that I use about half the amount of regular detergents. They also come in very pleasing scents and last longer because I use less. I typically use SeventhGeneration brand detergent or the store brand all natural version. I have severe skin allergies and have to be VERY careful what I use. There are many choices on the market now, so if your budget allows the extra expense (usually just a few extra dollars) try an all natural soap, you will probably be pleasantly surprised.

Please let me know how you save money on cleaning and laundry by emailing me with cleaning solutions in the subject!

Thank you and Good Wishes!

The Domestic Goddess