From the moment we have started this blog we constantly write about the hazards of using toxic cleaners, and we always try to share new safe home cleaning methods.
Since spring is almost here it is time for the annual deep cleaning of the house. Last year we shared some tactical tricks to make the Spring Cleaning easier, as well as some great recipes for homemade solutions for your kitchen, bedroom and living room.
Today, we are adding 10 more incredible DIY non-toxic solutions for green and easy Spring Cleaning of your house.
Homemade Carpet Stain Remover
Commercial stain removers, especially those, used for carpet and upholstery cleaning contain various toxic chemicals. The one that is most commonly used is perchloroethylene, which is believed to be carcinogenic. There are various eco-friendly, commercially available spot cleaners, but they can be quite costly. Instead of spending a fortune, why don’t you try this excellent homemade stain remover?
You will need:
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 1 tbsp liquid soap
- a few drops of your favourite essential oil (optional)
Put all the ingredients in a bowl and mix them until you get a creamy paste. Apply this solution onto the stain, leave it for 10 minutes and then blot with wet towel to remove the mixture from the carpet. If you want this recipe to be 100% pure, you can opt for organic castile soap, but any other soap will do just fine.
Non-Toxic Toilet Bowl Cleaner
In order to kill bacteria in the toilet bowl and deodorise it, specialised products often contain numerous dangerous ingredients. If you want to have the same cleaning result without using toxic products, you need to do 2 things – prepare your own solution and clean more often!
You will need:
- 1 part borax
- 1 part washing soda
- 10 drops of essential oil (optional)
Mix the dry ingredients and distribute the powder evenly onto the interior of the toilet bowl and scrub thoroughly using toilet brush. You can mix in your favourite essential oil if you want to add scent to the mixture.
Eco-friendly Tile and Grout Cleaner
In most cases 1 cup white distilled vinegar diluted in a bucket of water will be enough to make your tiles shine again. But sometimes, if you have to deal with tough stains or gunky grouts you need a stronger formula. So if you have to deal with heavily soiled tiles this Spring Cleaning try the green tile cleaner below!
You will need:
- 1 cup of baking soda
- 4 tbsp of washing soda
- 4 tbsp of borax
- 6 tbsp of liquid castile soap
Mix everything together and stir well until you have creamy white paste. Scrub the tiles and grout with the mixture. Use hard bristle brush to treat stubborn stains.
Non-toxic Laundry Detergent
Every substance you run through your washing machine eventually goes to the local aquatic system. Commercial laundry detergents contain various dangerous artificial ingredients such as synthetic fragrances, optical brighteners, petrochemicals etc. Making your own laundry soap is great both for the nature and for your health! So, this spring, when the time comes to wash all the blankets and winter clothes and put them away, try this easy to make eco-friendly laundry detergent.
You will need:
- 1 bar of laundry soap
- 1 cup of washing soda
- 1 cup of borax
Grate the laundry soap and mix it with the other ingredients. Transfer the mixture into a clean container. Use 1 tbsp per load. If you have to deal with particularly dirty laundry or stinky clothes (running t-shirt, gym pants etc.) add 1 tbsp of baking soda to the load. You can also replace the fabric softener with 1 tbsp of white vinegar in the rinse compartment of your washing machine.
Check also: another great green way to do your laundry is to use soapnuts. Here are 8 wonderful soapnuts recipes.
Eco-friendly Drain Cleaner
If clogged drains are one of the chores in your Spring Cleaning to-do-list and you want to deal with this problem the green way, try out this simple, but effective recipe.
You will need:
- 2 tbsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp white distilled vinegar
- 1 pot of boiling water
Pour the baking soda down the drain and add the vinegar. You will hear and see the reaction immediately – wait a few minutes until the sizzling stops and pour the boiling water into the drain. This recipes works great for kitchen sinks, and if you don’t like the smell of vinegar, you can replace it with lemon juice. However, if there is a hairball clogging the drain, the best way to remove it is to use a drain snake or a plunger.
Homemade Brass Cleaner
Cleaning and polishing all small brass details, ornaments and decorations can be a meditative task – it is satisfying to rub the metal and see its shine under the dirt and build up. However, you should consider that commercially available brands of metal polish contain ammonia, and petroleum distillates. If you want to clean brass safely, try this recipe.
You will need:
1 cup white flour
1cup white vinegar
1 tsp salt
Mix all the ingredients and stir them well until you get homogeneous paste. Rub away the dirt and polish the metal, using cotton cloth dipped into the mixture.
Organic Mould Cleaning Spray
If you live in humid area, chances are you need to deal with mould and mildew on regular basis. Most people reach out for the bleach as soon as they see even the smallest sign of the problem. However, there is a great way to clean mould without using bleach or other toxic products.
You will need:
- 2 tsp tea tree oil
- 2 cups warm water
- a spray bottle
Pour all the ingredients into the bottle and shake well. Spray the affected areas and wipe clean. Spray again and leave it like this without rinsing – tea tree oil kills will prevent mould from re-appearing. Take in mind, that this method isn’t suitable for dealing with serious mould growth. If there are large areas in your home affected by mould or mildew better turn to specialists.
Check also: How to prevent mould appearance in your home.
Don’t hesitate to turn to our London cleaners for a stress-free one off spring cleaning! Contact KTMA Ltd. team for green and safe cleaning of:
- Carpets
- Curtains
- Upholstery
- Windows
- Bathroom
- Kitchen
- and more
