We are exposed to more chemicals today than ever before and we are often looking towards a more natural approach for our health, home and everyday lifestyle. Natural cleaning products are just as easy to use as their chemical counterpart, with a little bit of elbow grease these natural cleaning ideas will have your kitchen glowing, your surfaces sparkling, your wallet happy and it will also benefit your long term health.
Citrus all-purpose cleaner
Collect left over citrus peels (oranges, grapefruit, lemons) and place into airtight glass container. Cover with distilled white vinegar and cover the peels. Sit in a dark place for at least 2 weeks. Once ready strain away the peels, dilute the vinegar with filtered water, place in a spray bottle and use as needed.
Fruit and vegetable cleaner
It’s always nice to give produce a good clean before eating, to remove any chemical residue but also when you think about all the hands that may have touched the food before you! Simply fill a freshly cleaned sink with water, add a cup of vinegar or apple cider vinegar and place produce in to soak for at least 30 minutes, gently scrub, rinse, dry and use when ready.
Sparkling steel pots and pans
This one can be tricky (and best avoided for non-stick cookware) but if you accidently burn something onto the pot, try adding roughly chopped lemon pieces and bring to the boil with a little water. Boil for a few minutes before removing from the heat, rinsing and wash as normal. Another trick is to scrub the pots/pans with coarse salt and a scouring pad.
Stinky Fridges
Finished with those left over coffee grounds? Add them into a bowl and place them into the fridge! They can absorb bad smells and have the fridge smelling wonderful. If you don’t like the smell of coffee, after you have cleaned your fridge, dampen a cloth and add some vanilla extract and give your fridge a wipe over. If your fridge needs a little extra love, create a paste out of bicarb soda and water and scrub the individual components. A little spray of that citrus all-purpose cleaner can also do wonders here!
Tile grout cleaner
Mix 1 part water and 3 parts bi carb soda into a paste, apply to grout and let it sit for a few minutes. Using a scrubbing brush or toothbrush scrub the grout and rinse off. Add essential oils such as clove bud oil to fragrance the paste and prevent mould build up.
Laundry Fresh
Next time you’re washing your sheets try adding a couple drops of lavender essential oil into the washing machine! Not only will your sheets smell amazing, lavender can help you to relax and get you ready for a good night’s sleep. Do your clothes need a little love? Add some sweet orange or citrus essential oils into the wash for zing. A great way to freshen up your wardrobe is to grab an old stocking and add some dry herbs, tie a knot and place it into your draws, dried lemongrass or lavender are perfect here!
The all-round floor cleaner
A simple but very effective DIY floor cleaner that helps to clean and disinfect! Simply add equal parts of white vinegar and hot water and you are done! Mop the floors, open the windows and that’s all you need. Once the floor is dry the vinegar smell will disappear but you can always add a few drops of essential oil to make it something extra special! This recipe works for windows and bathrooms too! Simply mix up a small amount and add to a glass spray bottle and use as needed.
Fresh air
The most amazing tool we have and also the cheapest! Opening up the windows and doors (even in winter) can circulate fresh air around the room, remove stale smells and revitalise a room! One of the easiest ways to freshen your linen, blankets and pillows it to pop them out into the sun or to get some fresh air on the washing line. The sun and a wonderful breeze, naturally freshen stale fabrics and pillows.
Indoor plants
Plants have the amazing ability to purify our air, remove air toxins and create clean O2. They can bring life and vitality into the room. Check out your local nursey for some beautiful indoor plants.
Brighten and lighten with a pink Himalayan Salt Lamp
Not just a hippy trend, salt lamps have been found to purify the air around us! Salt lamps are hygroscopic, meaning that the lamp attracts water molecules from within the air and brings dirt, smoke and pollen that are in those water particles with it. It is also believed that salt lamps can help to neutralise electromagnetic waves emitted from your electronics making them a perfect addition to bedrooms, office desks and living rooms.
