Green Cleaning

I love nothing more than having a clean house, and this year, I'm going green with my spring cleaning. I've never been able to handle many manufactured cleaning products. Most of them have strong smells and chemicals that cause a migraine or irritate my eyes and make me itch. And since I’ve discovered essential oils, I’m making my own healthier cleaning solutions that are safe for me and my fur babies. I find it even better to use natural products on our 120 year old home because I want to preserve that natural wood and other original aspects of the house.

Once I’ve got my music going, I will go room by room and start with cleaning my windows, mirrors and any glass shelving. I really love windows that sparkle and I’ve found a solution that leaves my window streak-free—and it’s super easy to make. In a properly labeled spray bottle, I’ve combined ¼ cup of white vinegar, ½ cup of water and 20 drops of lemon oil.

I can use just vinegar and water, but the lemon oil is a natural antiseptic and hides much of the vinegar smell with a fresh citrusy scent. Spray on to the windows and wipe clean. Then I’ll use old newspapers to wipe and rub the glass for a sparkling, lint-free shine.

Next up is the furniture, baseboards and flooring. Wood is so hard to maintain. I don't use the traditional oil soaps or wood cleaners anymore. I've found that wood is easier to clean with this natural recipe—mix together ¼ cup of olive oil, ¼ cup of white vinegar and 10 drops of wild orange oil in a properly labeled spray bottle or container.

The olive oil moisturizes the wood, the vinegar cleans the surface and the wild orange conditions and brings a fresh clean scent to the wood. After dusting my wood furniture, I’ll use a microfiber cloth to polish your wood using this mix. (I actually do this once ever 2 months)

And finally, the thing I avoid cleaning the most—my oven. Oh, I love cooking, and I generally use an oven pad to catch all my drippings. But, sometimes my food gets a little over zealous and misses the oven pad all together, leaving a puffy or unforgiving burned stain on my oven's surfaces.

I found a natural cleaning paste that I can use and I don't have to worry about ventilating my kitchen all day to get the chemical lingering odor out. It’s actually a two-step cleaning solution. I make a paste with 1/2 cup of baking soda, 1/4 cup of water and 7 drops of lemon oil in a properly labeled plastic or glass container. I’ll coat the oven with the paste and leave overnight.

The next day, I’ll spray white vinegar onto the baking soda-coated oven surfaces. I’ll know it’s working because the combination will begin to fizz. To finish cleaning the oven, I use a damp microfiber cloth to firmly wipe all the surfaces.

The best part of green cleaning—or any cleaning, for that matter—is the end of the day. I’m always satisfied with accomplishing what I set out to do, and now, I’’ll keep my household healthy and safe. And I’ll make sure to enjoy the most important part of the whole day—RELAXING!

It’s so important to make time to unwind and celebrate myself for accomplishing everything on my list. I love sitting with my fur babies on the deck while enjoying a glass of wine and ordering take out from a local bistro.

I’ve included the recipes for the green cleaning products I’ll be using below. I’d love to hear any green tricks or tips from you!

So, cheers to a happy, healthy, clean home. I hope y'all are greatly blessed and stay groovy!

Amy

Streak-Free Window Cleaner

Every home owner feels better when the windows are sparkly. Keep your windows spotlessly clean by using this easy natural recipe. Combine all ingredients and store in a properly labeled spray bottle. Spray on to the windows and wipe clean. Then use old newspapers to wipe and rub the glass for a sparkling, lint-free shine.
1/4 cup of white vinegar
½ cup of water
20 drops of lemon oil

Wood polish

Wood is so hard to maintain. But, it's easier with this natural recipe.

Mix:
¼ cup of olive oil
¼ cup of white vinegar
10 drops of wild orange oil

After dusting your wood furniture, use a microfiber cloth to polish your wood using this mix. Do this once ever 2 months.

Oven Cleaning Paste

If you avoid cleaning your oven, you're not alone. The strong smells of store bought cleaners give me a migraine. I like this natural cleaning paste because it works and I don't have to worry about ventilating my kitchen all day to get the chemical smells out.

Make a paste using:
½ of baking soda
¼ cup of water and
7 drops of lemon oil

Coat your oven with the paste and leave overnight.

Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar (any amount is good). Spray the white vinegar onto the baking soda coated oven surfaces. It will begin fizzing; this will break down the grease. Use a damp microfiber cloth to firmly wipe all the surfaces.