Spring has officially sprung and we’re loving the warmer weather it’s already bringing. The flowers are blooming, the birds are serenading and our dear friend the sun is making a cheeky appearance.
With this new season comes our favourite time of the year: spring cleaning. It’s time to completely redo our homes after the cold and gloomy winter we had. But rather than reaching for your typical cleaning products to do the job, why not opt to use green products instead?
They’re not only are better for the environment, but better for our health and the health of our families and pets, too. You can create green cleaning products with everyday ingredients you have in your home.
It can be a little daunting however as we don’t really know how to make them. But that’s where we come in!
We’ve comprised a list of green products to use for your spring cleaning and how to create them:
All Purpose Cleaner
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon dishwashing liquid
- 2 tablespoons vinegar
- 2 drops eucalyptus oil
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake, then allow to settle and top with water. Spray on surfaces then wipe off with a clean cloth. For tough stains, we recommend leaving for one minute before wiping.
Oven Cleaner
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup baking soda
- 2 teaspoons salt
Combine the ingredients in a small bowl, then slowly add water until the mixture forms a paste.Allow to set for five minutes.Apply to the oven walls with a sponge, then scrub to remove grime.However, do not use this mixture on the heating elements.
Mould Remover
Ingredients:
- ½ cup borax
- ½ cup vinegar
Combine the ingredients in a small bowl and mix to form a paste.Apply to mould or mildew on tiles using a sponge, then scrub off with a stiff-bristled brush.For tough mould or mildew, leave the paste for an hour before scrubbing off. Voila!
Timber Polish
Ingredients:
- 1 cup olive oil
- ¼ cup white vinegar
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake.Spray onto a soft cloth and wipe onto timber surfaces in the direction of the grain.For detailed areas, work it in with a soft-bristled brush.Buff with a soft, dry cloth until shiny.
Window Cleaner
Ingredients:
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup white vinegar
- ¼ cup isopropyl alcohol
- 2 drops orange oil
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake.Spray onto a microfibre cloth and wipe over glass surfaces, then buff with the dry side of the cloth.
For other general green cleaning tips, please see below:
- Instead of using paper towels, cut up old t-shirts to make them into rags
- Replace disposables with reusable items, like glass water bottles, stainless steel straws, cloth shopping bags and cloth napkins
- Clean the air and make it fresh with an air purifier
- Lemons are your friends when green cleaning. They have powerful antiseptic and antibacterial properties and are a natural deodorizer due to their high acidic content.
Words by: Anthony Graetz