When I got pregnant 10 years ago, I suddenly found myself reevaluating everything about my lifestyle- what I ate, what I drank, and how I cleaned my house. I love a clean, disinfected house, but I was very leery of all the chemicals, especially now that I was incubating this little human.
So here are a few of my favourite natural cleaners that work just as well as their chemical-laden counterparts.
Vinegar. Vinegar is an amazing thing. It’s fantastic for streak-free windows and mirrors, and despite the initial smell, it doesn’t linger. It disinfects too. I clean my bathroom and kitchen counter surfaces with it. I also boil a cup of water and a tablespoon of vinegar in the microwave, then it wipes down super easily.
Homemade dryer sheets. Mix 1/2 cup vinegar with 2-3 drops of your favourite essential oils in a jar. Throw in 4-5 fabric scraps, then when needed, wring them out and throw them into the dryer with your wet, clean clothes. The vinegar naturally takes away the static cling, and the essential oil will make your laundry smell just as fresh as dryer sheets or fabric softener (without all the man-made crud).
Baking soda. Toss those abrasive cleaners into the garbage and instead opt for a box of baking soda. Cheaper and just as effective, it will clean soap scum in the tub, remove build-up in the sink, and will get taps super shiny clean. You can also use baking soda as a natural alternative to toothpaste.
Olive oil. Get rid of those cans of furniture polish, which are filled with unhealthy chemicals, and instead get a beautiful sheen on furniture with a drop of olive oil and a soft rag. Or, mix some olive oil, raw sugar and a few drops of essential oils for a natural body scrub.
Fruit peels. Don’t throw out those apple and orange peels – put them into a pot with some water and your favourite spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, thyme, etc.), and simmer. You’ll get the aromatic benefits and it will also add some much-needed humidity to the air, especially in winter.
– Jennifer Cox
