natural home cleaning

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Drain cleaner is noted as being one of the most toxic items found in the home. Traditional drain cleaners are full of chemicals that can burn your skin and eyes, not to mention the fumes your lungs are being exposed to.

Try a better solution:

Pour 1/2 cup baking soda into your drain. Pour 1/2 cup white vinegar over the baking soda. Allow it to sit for a half hour. Rinse with a couple of quarts of boiling water.

NOTE: I’ve used this solution, and it seems to work better as a preventative solution, not a fast cure. Once your drain is clogged badly, you may need something stronger, or you might have to pay for a plumber. Also, it helps if you first unscrew the plug, and remove any visible hair. The baking soda and vinegar will bubble up and dislodge some items, but not all. Try using this idea as a weekly cleaning routine for best results.

As with most home care items, prevention is better than fighting a full blown problem, like a completely stopped up drain.

Instead of toxic, chemical heavy home cleaning supplies, try these ideas…

Sparkling windows: Lightly spray windows (both interior and exterior) with a solution of 1/2 gallon cold water, and 1 1/2 tablespoons white vinegar. Wipe windows with recycled newspaper. If you hate the smell of vinegar (I HATE the smell), burn a candle or some essential oil in a diffuser nearby. You shouldn’t add essential oils to the solution to cut the vinegar scent (I tried once), because it’ll streak.

clean windows

A whiter toilet: Spray the inside of your toilet bowl with warm water – lightly, not dripping wet. Sprinkle with plain old baking soda. Let this sit for ten minutes, and then scrub with a toilet brush.

Mold-free home: Once mold arrives, it’s almost too late. The best plan of attack is to prevent, not cure mold. Spray areas where mold might develop (window sills, door frames, floor bases, etc.) with a solution of 1 cup water, 1 drop lavender essential oil, and two drops tea tree essential oil.

Tip: When looking for essential oils for home cleaning, go organic if you can, and make sure you’re buying pure essential oils which actually have cleansing and disinfectant properties. Plain old perfume scents are not the same as pure essential oils.