You can avoid headaches and the aggravation of allergies by using natural non-toxic household cleaners. Natural cleaners won’t harm your lungs and they will save you tons of money. Here are the top five:
1. Lemons
The citric acidity in lemons is naturally anti-bacterial and lemons just smell fresh and clean, which is why the vast majority of toxic cleaners mask their harsh ingredients with a lemony scent. You can rub half a lemon on a cutting board after use to prevent unpleasant odors and to eliminate the build-up of grime. You can also polish metal surfaces such as sinks with lemons for a beautiful gleam.
2. Plain club soda
Pour plain club soda (not the low-sodium kind) into a spray bottle and spray on glass surfaces or mirrors. Use a lint-free cloth or paper towel to wipe.
3. Vinegar
To clean your microwave, mix 1/4 cup vinegar and 2 cups of water in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave the bowl uncovered for 3 minutes on high. Leave the bowl in the microwave for 3 minutes then open the microwave and wipe down the inside of the oven with a clean damp cloth. For the tub and shower mix 1 part vinegar with 1 part water. Mix in a plastic spray bottle. Spray the tub or shower and let it sit for at least half and hour then rinse with water. For a great toilet bowl cleaner mix 3 cups of white vinegar with 10 drops of tea tree essential oil. Pour the mixture slowly into the toilet bowl and leave for 15 minutes then scrub.
4. Cream of tartar
For rust stains in the tub, sink or on the counter mix a little bit of cream of tartar with water until a toothpaste-like consistency has been achieved. Apply the paste to the rust stains and use a sponge to wipe it off.
5. Baking soda
It’s less than a dollar a box and it works as a mild abrasive on tubs, sinks, toilet bowls, counters and stove tops. Baking soda also neutralizes odors in the refrigerator and freezer. You can make a powerful all-purpose household cleaner by mixing 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water. Place the mixture in a plastic spray bottle and use instead of a toxic all-purpose household cleaner such as 409. You can also add a 1/2 cup of baking soda to an exceptionally soiled load of laundry for extra cleaning power. This will make your laundry detergent go that much further and last that much longer.
Use the same precautions with natural household cleaners that you would use with commercial household cleaners. Keep out of reach of children and pets. Do not mix natural household cleaners with commercial cleaners. By using natural cleaning products you will save money and save yourself the headaches and allergic reactions that are often caused by harsh commercial cleaning products such as bleach, ammonia, oven cleaners and mold and mildew cleaners.
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