Natural Cleaners

You have heard me allude to "natural cleaners" and perhaps have sensed a soapbox (no pun intended) coming as I have talked about conventional cleaners. So, I've decided it's time share the cleaners I have found and love with you in case you are considering transitioning your home to a chemical free one.

Some of you may be thinking that it sounds expensive. Or that it sounds granola. Or you may be thinking, those cleaners don't really work.

On the other hand, you may be thinking, "I remember getting headaches sometimes when I do deep cleaning", or you may know of someone (I know of several) that has had minor to major health problems due to harsh chemicals in cleaners and/or mixing them. Perhaps you have always wondered if there was a healthier option that was actually a possibility.

Well, I've got great news for you: the cheapest, easiest, and most effective cleaners are things you probably have right now at home.

My tried and true cleaning supplies have been vinegar, water, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and lemons.

I'm telling you, vinegar and water works wonders. I add some lavender essential oil to it to make it smell better, but once the vinegar dries the vinegar smell doesn't stick around anyway, so if you don't have essential oil it's okay. Once you put some vinegar and water on your windows or mirrors, you will never again buy regular window cleaner. I'm telling you, it's life changing.

Also, a regular 3% hydrogen perodixe solution is a great disinfectant. If you wipe your counter with the hydrogen peroxide solution and then use vinegar and water, your surfaces will be more disinfected than if you have used the vast majority of conventional cleaners, PLUS, you don't have to worry about inhaling chemicals, or mixing them. How great is THAT?!

Baking soda is great on carpets, and also works as a paste if you need to do a little scrubbing. I really like baking soda on carpets, since bare feet walk around on that. I wouldn't want me, my dogs, or my future kids getting chemicals and on their feet/hands/in their mouths. Lemons help with scent and with cleaning as well. There is a actually a book, Salt, Lemons, Vinegar, and Baking Soda, that has all kinds of ideas for cleaning with those basic household things.

But, perhaps you don't want to make your own cleaner. You just want to go out and buy something. I understand. I have also found a great line of cleaners that you can find at some health stores. I really like their effectiveness (especially the mildew cleaner, and who doesn't have a mildew problem?), and their packaging is so cute (since that matters so much). Their website is http://www.naturallyitsclean.com/ - I tried to get their company to do a giveaway of some sort, but they weren't feeling the love. But since I really like their products, I'm getting over my bitterness and recommending them anyway. (-: They have a cleaner for everything. Literally. Floors, toilets, kitchen, tub and tile, carpet, mildew, glass, etc, etc. I have almost every one of them.

And I still recommend my gold standard book, Super Natural Home, for cleaning facts and tips as well.

So, there you have it. You now know about natural cleaners that are plant and enzyme based, not chemical based, that will leave your home sparkling clean, not smelling like chemical fragrance, and not putting toxins everywhere for you to touch and inhale. And you can make your own for super cheap!

Does it get any better than that? I submit that it does not. If you have questions on anything, feel free to ask!

~Kathryn