Chemical-Free Cleaning

As we head into organizing and deep-cleaning season, I thought it would be a good time to share my top chemical-free cleaning methods.

In the Kitchen

My very top tip for chemical-free cleaning in the kitchen is using hot water and a microfiber cloth to clean and shine stainless steel appliances.

I have tried every stainless solution and some are better than others, but these days a hot, wet dish rag with or without a bit of dish detergent to clean the appliance.  And then a microfiber cloth to quickly dry with the grain of the steel.

For cleaning the microwave and the other hard surfaces, a bowl of water and a cup of vinegar is very effective.

Using a microwave-safe bowl, use equal parts water and vinegar and heat for a minute or so until the water gets hot enough to steam up the microwave.

While I am scouring out the sink or tackling another chore, I let the water and vinegar sit in the microwave for a few minutes.  Then I wipe the inside with a dish cloth and dry with a towel. 

Caution:  This water is very hot!  I always use rubber gloves when handling water this hot.  After the microwave is clean, I use the remainder of the solution to wipe down cabinet fronts and countertops.

Vinegar may not be recommended for every hard surface, but it has worked out fine for me.

Everything is fresh and clean with no harsh chemicals.

Laundry

I love laundry scents like the beads, dryer sheets, and softener.  But I no longer use any of it.  First, it’s all crazy expensive now.  Second.  Yikes, the chemical ingredients are frightening.

Wool dryer balls are what I use to help combat static build-up in the dryer.  And to add scent, I add a few drops of Aromatech Fresh Cotton and Bergamot essential oil.  Aromatech is pet-friendly, cruelty free and non-GMO. 

The santal scents are frequently in my living spaces, but this fresh cotton smell makes my laundry smell like it was line dried.

Hard Floors

For small jobs, hot water with a little spray of Dawn on the Scotch-Brite microfiber mop does a great job with no harsh chemicals.

For my bigger cleaning day, the Shark Hard Floor mop does a great job using just steam.  No other chemical.  I change out the mop cloth about every room or two to avoid smearing.  It’s amazing how much dirt comes up on these cloths!

Odor Removal

You know it – baking soda.  Tried and true.  It’s a big ol’ mess to sprinkle soda on the mattresses and the furniture, but when it’s only a couple times a year, it’s worth doing.

I sprinkle a good amount of soda on my soft surface, let it sit for half an hour or so and then vacuum.

Hub pours in about ½ cup vinegar and ½ cup baking soda down the drains to combat odors.  After about ½ hour, he flushes with hot water and the drains are much cleaner and smell better.

Purchasing tip:  baking soda comes in large boxes for household use.  Here is a link for a 2.7 pound bag.  I would never use that much for baking, but it comes in handy for chores.

Clean the Air

Okay, wish me luck!  I am trying to transition from faux plants to real plants.  Costco had a three-pack of gorgeous plants I picked up this week.  I am waiting on new pots for them and to find some decorative pots or baskets.  I’ll share when I get them placed.  Hopefully I won’t kill them.

If they do well, I’ll move on to replacing some of my larger faux trees.  We will see.

In our bedroom we use a Mooka Air Purifier rated to cover 1,000 square feet.  This purifier not only removes odors, its high-efficiency filter removes pet hair and other allergens.  We do believe it helps relieve allergies.

Wrap Up

Most of these tips I’ve shared before, but it’s nice to revisit ways to get our homes clean and minimize toxicity.

If you have tips or products you love, please share with the rest of us.  And let us know what projects you’re getting started on.

Have a good weekend and we’ll chat again next week.