Friday Five: 5 Cleaning Products You Didn’t Know You Had
If you’re using Eminence Organic skincare, the odds are good that you have given some thought to the dangers of toxins and chemicals in your body. But, have you remembered to address the toxicity of cleaning supplies in your home? Here are some ideas for homemade, environmentally friendly cleaning supplies:
1. Vinegar: Plain, old white distilled vinegar is very versatile throughout the home. When washing clothes, throw 1/2 cup of white vinegar in during the rinse cycle of your machine and skip the fabric softener. Replace your Windex with vinegar! Clean your toilet, bathtub and shower with vinegar, too. One warning: Dilute vinegar so that it will not corrode tile grout, and do not use vinegar on marble surfaces.
2. Olive oil & lemon juice: Combine these two ingredients to make a homemade furniture polish. One cup of olive juice, and 1/2 cup of lemon juice will leave all wood in the house looking spic & span.
3. Orange peels & spices: Boiling a combination of orange peels & spices can take the place of air fresheners, and will not pollute your home the way aerosol air fresheners tend to.
4. Herbs: Choose from lavender, tea tree, rosemary, sage, thyme, juniper or eucalyptus. Simmer the stems and leaves of the herb for thirty minutes. Pour into spray bottle and use anywhere that needs disinfecting. Tip: The less water you use, the stronger the solution.
5. Baking soda: This is the perfect deodorizer, but many people don’t think to use it in their carpet. Sprinkle around a room, then vacuum. Tip: Combine with a crushed herb to add a natural scent.