Green Cleaning

by Susan Baldani

Not only does springtime evoke thoughts of flowers and sunshine, it also gets us motivated to give our homes a good purge and do some deep cleaning. In addition to throwing away old clothes and organizing our closets, we also want to make sure we have a clean and healthy place for our families to thrive.

However, concern about the toxicity of certain chemicals found in popular cleaning products has led more and more consumers to search for alternatives. Some of these cleaners contain ingredients that can exacerbate asthma and cause skin irritation and other adverse health conditions. They have also been responsible for accidental poisonings in children. Of course, they’re detrimental to the environment, too.

Well, it turns out that those old-fashioned products our ancestors used are just as good as some of the name-brand cleaners lining store shelves today. And even better, they’re all-natural — and inexpensive to boot.

Here are six natural cleaning ingredients that can be safely used as often as needed. You probably even have most of these items in your pantry already.

Vinegar is one of nature’s most versatile cleaners. Just put some in a spray bottle, add the same amount of water, and you have a great solution to disinfect and deodorize. And don’t worry about your home smelling like an Italian deli; the odor dissipates as it dries.

Use in the kitchen on countertops, sinks, floors, and appliances. Just avoid getting on marble or granite; it can cause damage.

Bring a bowl of vinegar and water to a boil in the microwave to deodorize and remove baked-on foods.

Spray in your bathtub and shower to remove soap scum and to clean grout. For mildew, use undiluted vinegar for the best results and leave on for at least 30 minutes.

Pour 1 cup into the toilet and let sit for a few hours before scrubbing.

Every baker knows the importance of baking soda, but it’s also great for absorbing odors and dissolving dirt and grease.

Make a scouring paste by adding to water and use to scrub countertops, dishes, sinks and tubs.

Sprinkle in garbage cans, and place some in an open container in your refrigerator to absorb odors.

Soak pots and pans with baking soda to remove cooked-on food.

Add ½ cup into your washer to help remove dirt and odors from clothes.

Lemons have antibacterial properties, and they also make your house smell fresh and clean.

Slice in half and put both pieces down your garbage disposal to cut down on odors and bacteria.

Dip half in coarse salt and use as a scrubber on copper-coated pots and pans.

Rub the other half inside your sink to remove soap and hard water stains.

Cut one in half and use it to clean your wooden cutting boards and stains on countertops. Let the juice sit for a while before wiping off.

As an alternative to bleach, add 1/2 cup of the juice to the rinse cycle, which will brighten and freshen your laundry.

This common staple is well-known for making food taste better as well as acting as a preservative, but it can also be used as a scrubbing agent. Just pair with a good sponge and you’re ready to go.

Use on stovetops to remove caked-on food and spills.

To easily clean messes from pots and pans, add salt to water and let them soak.

Scrub and remove mildew from bathtubs. To clean and whiten items at the same time, mix with baking soda.

From Australia, tea tree oil is known for its antifungal and antibacterial properties. For an effective multipurpose cleaner, add 15 drops of tea tree oil and a quart of warm water to a spray bottle. Use with a cloth to clean surfaces in your home.

Spray mold with a mixture of 2 teaspoons oil and 2 cups water and leave on. This solution is also great to clean toilets.

To help prevent bacterial and fungal infections, add 1 teaspoon to a load of laundry.

This natural soap is made from vegetable oils and originated in Castile, Spain, hence the name. You’ll find it mentioned in many homemade natural cleaning products.

However, don’t combine with vinegar since it cancels out the potency of both ingredients and can leave objects and surfaces with a white film that’s hard to remove.