Green Spring Cleaning: Natural Alternatives

We've had some pretty beautiful days in the last few weeks and lots of rainy days as well, but everything is starting to turn green around here and I'm pretty darn excited!! It's spring!! So if you're ready to start your spring cleaning, here are some great ideas for going green!

I recently read that most of today's commercial cleaning products are simply chemical versions of what older generations used to clean, for example, lemon juice. But when someone figured out they could make a cheap synthetic version, bottle it up, and sell it for more, chemical cleaners took off...so why not take a step back and use the real, natural and homemade versions. They work great too and they are better not only for your health, home, but the environment too.

Need more convincing?? This link tells which chemicals you should try to avoid in common household cleaners and the reasons why. Green Cleaning: Common Household Hazards

Make It Yourself: Supplies
1. Spray Bottles or Glass Jars
2. Cotton rags and cloths (microfiber also works nice for dusting)
3. Distilled White Vinegar
4. Baking Soda
5. Lemon Juice
6. Liquid Soap (for some mixtures)
7. Essential Oils (optional)

Vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and water can make most of the cleaning products you'll need, in fact you probably already have them in your house! Now I was planning to list all of the different cleaners you could make yourself, but these websites that I'll provide next, have already done it!! So here they are:

1. This link has a ton of great Green Cleaning Ideas to make yourself. Clean and Green: Making Your Own

2. Here's a great link for natural cleaning products with ideas on products to buy or ones to make homemade. Eurphoric Organics Green Cleaning Solutions

3. And this is a pdf format buyers guide to some of the "greener" household cleaning products. The Green Guide Smart Shopper's Guide

Books to Read:
1. Better Basics For the Home by Annie Berthold-Bond One of my absolute favorite books that I have read on creating your own non-toxic products. I love all of her simple (usually less than 4 ingredients) recipes for everything from cleaning products and hair care products to moisturizers, deoderants, and art supplies. I love the way she lays out the book, it makes it easy to find what you are looking for. She also gives recommendations for how to keep and how long to keep any product that you make. An absolute read for anyone interested in making your own products.

2. Home Safe Home by Debra Lynn Dadd A really nice book that goes through each area of your house and helps you identify potential toxins and gives safe solutions to each. Talks about foods, pesticides, fabrics, cleaning products, beauty products, and medications, along with many other topics. I like all the information in the book, but it's not as easy to read as the previous book.

Happy Spring Cleaning!