It’s that time of year again: spring cleaning time. Time to clean, freshen up and declutter your house. This year though, as you get ready to bring out the chemicals and toss out old unused items, think Green! Lennar has some great tips to help you tackle your chores in a way that’ll be great for your home and for the environment.
- Forget ammonia-based window cleaners! The windows in your home can be effectively cleaned with 4 tablespoons lemon juice mixed with a half gallon of water. Other effective cleaners for glass and mirrors are rubbing alcohol and witch hazel. +
- Vinyl – Dipping a cloth in straight lemon juice and rubbing it onto the stained area can remove stains on vinyl items such as recliners or flooring. +
- Tarnished copper or brass – Use salt, vinegar and flour. Make a paste using equal parts of the three ingredients; rub the paste onto the brass or copper item with a soft cloth. Cover the entire surface and let the whole thing dry out (this will take about an hour). Wipe off the dried paste with a clean, soft cloth. +
- Wood polish – Mix 2 parts olive oil with 1 part lemon juice and apply it to your furniture using a soft cloth. The combination gives your wood furniture a nice smell and a sparkling shine. +
- If your wood-burning fireplace has gathered soot and smoke smudges around its exterior, you can spruce it up by applying a paste of cream of tartar and water. Rub the paste into the stains, let it dry, then scrub it off. +
- Cleaning bare floors – Your basic vinegar and water solution is really the perfect choice for cleaning most types of bare floors in your home. Mix 1 cup vinegar with 1 gallon warm water and mop it onto a ceramic tile, linoleum, vinyl, or wood floor. There is no need to rinse afterward — saving both time and water. If your vinyl or linoleum floor looks a little dull after cleaning, you can give it a shine by mopping it over again with straight club soda. Try not to saturate wood floors with the vinegar and water solution. Use a light touch; the mixture will make your floor shiny and remove any greasy buildup. +
- Use natural fiber rags and sponges – Avoid disposable paper towels. *
- Keep mold and mildew at bay with a spray of 1 cup water to 1 drop tea tree oil. *
- Consider using simple non toxic cleaners like baking soda, lemon, vinegar, essential oils and borax. *
- Use old clothing and sheets for dusting and cleaning rags, rather than paper towels. **
- If you use mothballs, consider replacing them with a more natural alternative. Try cheesecloth-wrapped cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, or whole cloves. **
- Instead of air fresheners, try dabbing essential oils like lavender or citrus on cotton balls and placing them discreetly around your home. *
- Collect your unused items and clothing and separate into piles for donation to your local thrift store or community garage sale.*
- Recycle old paint, oil and electronics at appropriate locations in your community. *
- Eliminate the need for chemical fabric softeners by adding ¼ cup of vinegar to your washing machine’s rinse cycle. **
- Let your houseplants do the cleaning! Some houseplants—such as Boston ferns, English ivy, rubber plants, and peace lilies—can help clean your indoor air by absorbing toxic chemicals. **
- Pour some baking soda down a drain then add some vinegar to clean out slow running kitchen or bathroom drains. Finish up by pouring a kettle of hot water mixed with salt or a half cup of lemon juice down the drains to keep them odor free. ++
- Baking soda by itself can remove odors from carpets (just sprinkle it on your carpets ten minutes before you vacuum), or make it into a paste by mixing it with a little water to scrub counters, tubs and toilets. ++
- For cleaning kitchens and walls, use a cloth dipped in hot water, baking soda, and a little bit of dish soap. ^^
- Clear your drains with a mixture of 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup salt, and ¼ cup cream of tartar. Pour ¼ cup of this mixture into the drain, followed by a pot of boiling water (cream of tartar is the common name for potassium hydrogen tartrate, a salt often used in cooking.) ^^
For more information on Green Cleaning and Green Living, visit these helpful sites.
* http://www.therenewableplanet.com
+ http://home.howstuffworks.com
** http://www.greenamericatoday.org
++ http://www.doityourself.com
^^ http://www.greendaily.com
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks…we are suffering from alergic reactions to all things including our precious dog. Any help for vaccuming and dust elimination?
Valerie from Rochester, New York
Hi Valerie,
Thank you for your e-mail. Here is a helpful article we found with some tips on dealing with some of the most common allergens found in the home: http://www.sylvane.com/learning-center/attacking-airborne-allergens.html
Sincerely,
Lennar Corporate Customer Care