How to Clean Naturally

As Americans we are inundated with ads attempting to convince us we need a multitude of cleansers for every room of our home. Many don't realize the key to a sparkling clean home does not require purchasing a specialty cleanser for every separate surface. Chances are you already have exactly what you need for your home to be sanitary and clean without investing in dozens of bottles of commercial cleaners. Your home can be clean and environmentally sound without spending all that much money or time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Vinegar
• Baking Soda
• Lemons
• Alcohol
• Tea Tree Oil

1. Vinegar
   People usually have vinegar in their homes for a number of reasons. This common kitchen staple is capable of much more than it seems. White vinegar dissolves dirt, soap scum and hard water stains. It is also mild enough when mixed in a solution to use on hardwood flooring. It absorbs odors and won't stain your tile or grout. White vinegar is also an excellent fabric softener and is great for people with sensitive skin because it is so gentle. You can do this by adding no more than a half cup undiluted white vinegar to your rinse cycle. To mix in a spray bottle for surface cleaning you would use one cup water per one cup vinegar. This mixture is excellent not only for surface cleaning, but it also works well for cleaning your toilet bowl. If you have harder to clean stains you can use undiluted white vinegar to scrub them away using a pumice stone or scrub brush.
2. Baking Soda
   Okay we have all used baking soda for more than baking, but what many don't know is that it excellent cleaning agent as well. Put away those Ajax type scouring cleansers, because baking soda works just as well. Placed on a wet sponge not only will it scour, but it is a natural odor absorber. Use it on your bath tub grime or your food stained kitchen sink. For tougher stains mix into a paste and let the mixture sit on the stain for about twenty minutes. Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet, let it sit for twenty minutes and then vacuum it up. Your carpet will smell fresher than ever. Lets not forget that you can also place a box in your freezer for odor control.
3. Lemons
   Well, we have all heard the saying that when life hands you lemons, make lemonade. Forget that saying, when life hands you lemons make a natural homemade cleanser. Lemon juice is excellent for dissolving soap scum and hard water stains. Lemon juice is also great for shinning brass and copper. It can be mixed with both vinegar and baking soda for combined cleaning actions and you can also toss the lemon peel through your garbage disposal to freshen it up. If you mix a half cup lemon juice with a one cup of olive oil you have an excellent hardwood furniture polish. The bonus is lemons smell so fresh they are really pleasant to clean with.
4. Alcohol
   Who new you could use alcohol for more than just cleaning cuts? Alcohol makes a great glass cleaner when mixed with a few other of our basic ingredients. Mix one cup rubbing alcohol, one cup water and one tablespoon white vinegar in a spray bottle for streak free shine you won't soon forget. Clean your windows, mirrors and bathroom fixtures with this solution as well. This combo mixture can also be used to clean your ceramic tile to a high shine.
5. Tea Tree Oil
   While this essential oil may not already be in your home, it definitely worth getting. Tea Tree Oil is so multi-purpose you find yourself using for more than just cleaning. Tea Tree Oil is one of the strongest natural antiseptics, this makes it ideal for use in cleaning. A solution of two teaspoons of Tea Tree Oil mixed in a spray bottle of two cups water can be used to kill mold and mildew stains and odors. The same mixture can also be used as a disinfectant. Tea Tree Oil is also handy for acne, cuts, rashes and a variety of other ailments.
6. As you can see with a little experimentation and a quick trip to your cupboard you have an entire line of cleaning products right at your disposal. Not only are these products safer for your family, but they are better for the environment. These homemade cleaning remedies will leave your home looking great and smelling fresh for fraction of the price of your normal cleaning cost.