Spring time means spring cleaning. Sadly, spring cleaning usually entails toxic products, artificial perfumes, and corrosive chemicals. From skin irritation and asthma to birth defects and cancer, commercial cleaning agents are among the most dangerous products we keep in our homes. To make matters worse, the harsh chemicals can linger in your house for days even weeks after use, increasing the likelihood they’ll adversely affect not only your home’s air quality but also the environment and our water systems. If you’re looking for safer, more natural and eco-friendly ways to spring clean your home, we got you covered. Here are some of our favorite natural spring cleaning tips:
Lemons
Because of their natural acidity, lemons are a versatile disinfectant, stain-remover and air-freshener. From deep cleaning bathrooms and kitchens to restoring table tops, laundry and furniture, lemons are an essential natural alternative to harsh cleaning agents.
Quick tip: Use lemon juice to remove tough stains from cutting boards and countertops.
White Vinegar
It might not smell great but distilled white vinegar is among the most useful natural cleaners in existence. It’s a handy stain remover, deodorizer, and degreaser. Quick tip: In a reusable spray bottle, mix a 1-to-1 ratio of water and vinegar to create an effective all-purpose cleaner for use on countertops, toilets, ovens, microwaves, sinks, and more.
Note: Avoid using vinegar on granite or marble—vinegar is known to cause damage to these surfaces.
Baking Soda
Nothing deodorizes quite like baking soda. But did you know it’s also an incredibly effective natural cleaner? From cleaning mattresses, rugs, and cloth furniture, to restoring grills, ovens, flatware and even silverware, baking soda is as versatile as any cleaner in your kitchen.
Quick tip: To clean your kitchen oven naturally, create a paste from a 3-to-1 ratio of baking soda and water; spread the paste on all dirty areas within the oven, and let it sit for at least 5 hours (dirtier ovens may require an overnight soak). Return, wipe the paste from the oven, and watch the grime disappear. For especially dirty ovens, you might need to repeat this process a few times.
Freshen Your Air Naturally
Did you know store-bought air fresheners are one the biggest sources of air pollution in the home? (Worse yet, they contain chemicals called VOCs, which have been linked to cancer in both humans and animals). Opening the windows for just 10-15 minutes a day can do far more to improve your home’s air quality than any artificial air freshener ever could.
For a ready-to-use, pet-safe deodorizer and air freshener, check out our new Pet + Bedding + Home Spray, handcrafted from essential oils and other plant-based ingredients. Perfect for pets, people, fabrics, and for refreshing indoor spaces, PBH eliminates pet and household odors without artificial colors or fragrances. You can even use it directly on your pup to combat funky dog smell!
Another one of our favorite ways to naturally freshen our homes is through air-purifying plants. Check out the infographic below to choose one for yourself:
Ditch the Clutter
Obviously, the easiest way to spring clean your home is to keep it clean all year round. While that’s not exactly realistic, one way to ensure the mess never gets too far out of control is to keep clutter to a minimum. Every unnecessary trinket or knick-knack is just another way for your home to collect dust. As you spring clean this season, keep a basket or bag within reach; anything you haven’t used within the last year, seriously consider recycling or donating it. You'll thank yourself later.
Choose a Naturally-Sourced, All-Purpose Cleaner
If we’re being honest, few of us have the time to make and mix our own DIY cleaners at home. Plus, even the best of these solutions have shortcomings, sometimes failing to remove stubborn set-in stains and grime.
Finding a non-toxic all-purpose cleaner is important for when DIY cleaners just won’t cut it. That's why we developed Cedarcide All-Purpose Cleaner, a gentle yet powerful alternative to chemical-based household cleaners. Handcrafted with essential oils, and other naturally sourced and biodegradable ingredients, our cleaner is safe for people, pets and the environment.
Make the Switch To Microfiber Cloths
Switching from dangerous artificial cleaners to natural alternatives is a big step in the right direction. But reducing waste is crucial, too. It’s easy to exhaust roll after roll of paper towels when cleaning an entire home—that’s a lot of wasted paper! Switching to reusable microfiber cloths will greatly reduce this waste, and can potentially save your family hundreds of dollars in the process. Microfiber cloths last much longer than traditional cleaning rags and are significantly better at removing dirt, grime and dust, too.