Children'sEssentials Spring 2014 | Page 32

HOME + FINANCE It’s time for spring cleaning!! There are windows to wash, floors to clean, bathrooms to scrub and the list goes on and on. With all the different kinds of chemicals that are being sprayed around the house, it can be harmful to you and your children by breathing in too much. However, a solution for this problem is to use home remedies that are all natural, but also get the job done. Here are a few home remedies you can make with household items you probably already have on hand, and in parenthesis is the all natural cleaner you can buy in stores. deep cleanse Deodorize Bathroom mold Combine one part hydrogen peroxide and two part water and then spray on the mold. Let it sit on the mold for a few hours before scrubbing if off. (Natural All Purpose Cleaners) Sink Garbage Disposal Grind up lemon or orange peals to make the disposal smell fresh. Carpet stains Combine equal portions of vinegar and water into a spray bottle. Spray onto carpet stain and leave for a couple minutes before using warm water and a sponge to clean it up. Fresh Grease Spots Sprinkle corn starch on spot and then vacuum area 15-30 minutes later. Heavy Duty Carpet Cleaner Mix together ¼ cup of salt, borax, and vinegar. Rub the paste into the carpet and leave for a few hours before vacuuming it up. Coffee Pot Stains Remove stains by wiping the inside of the coffee pot with a sponge soaked in vinegar. Clean the coffee maker by running two cups of water and ¼ cup of vinegar and then thoroughly rinsing pot with water. 32 | children’sessentials www.newchildrensessentials.com Carpet Sprinkle baking soda and leave several hours before vacuuming. Dish washing Soap Combine equal parts of borax and washing soda. (Citra Dish or Nellie’s Natural dishwasher powder) Laundry Detergent Mix 1 cup Ivory soap (or Fels Naptha soap), 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax. Use 1 tbsp for light loads; 2 tbsp for heavy loads. (Natural, biodegradable laundry detergent) Marks on walls and painted surfaces Many ink spots, pencil, crayon or marker spots can be cleaned from painted surfaces using baking soda applied to a damp sponge. Rub gently, then wipe and rinse. Window Cleaner Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 liter (qt) warm water. Use crumpled black and white newspaper or cotton cloth to clean. Don't clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm because streaks will show once window is dry. Be sure to follow the recipe, because using too strong a solution of vinegar will scratch the glass and eventually cloud it. (CitraClear Natural Window and Glass Cleaner)