by E.D. Cameron

Created on: August 07, 2008   Last Updated: July 21, 2009

Natural or "green" cleaning is easy, inexpensive and safe for pets, kids, and you! By grabbing a few essentials you probably already have in the household, you can take a first step to natural and healthier house cleaning.

Here are some easy ways to get started.

Ditch (or use up) all your store bought cleaning products and then kiss them goodbye! Purchase a large box of baking soda, a large bottle of white vinegar, and a couple of lemons. Other tools you can buy: sponge with abrasive side, microfiber cloths (these work great and are easy to rinse out and reuse), a steam cleaner (a little pricey, but definitely worth it!).

Things to gather that you probably have around the house

1. Newspaper
2. Old toothbrush
3. Old baking soda or baking powder.

To clean porcelian and ceramic tiles, sinks, and toliets: Pour half a cup of baking soda into a reusable dish and add one tablespoon of water. Mix into a paste, and then apply to stains. Scrub with abrasive sponge to tackle rings and other pesky dirt. Wipe up with damp cloth.

To declog drains: Flush with warm water. Then add half a cup of baking soda. Let sit for a few minutes. Then add 1/4 cup of vinegar and watch it foam! After a few minutes, flush with warm water and repeat as needed.

To freshen carpets: Sprinkle on baking soda and let sit overnight. Vacuum up! You can also apply a few drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance.

For spot free surfaces: Mix 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water in a spray bottle and spray on windows and mirrors (also shiny surfaces like appliances). Rub down with newspaper or clean cloth.

For oven: Use that self-cleaner without product! If you don't have a self cleaning oven, fake it. Turn on broil 425 degrees and leave for several hours (about four). Let cool. Grease should've burned up nicely. If it didn't spray with vinegar and bust out some steel wool (you can get some cheapies at dollar stores everywhere). If you are not a fan of steel wool, try using a paint scraper to tackle the worst of the grease and grime. Wipe with damp cloth.

Floors and wood: vinegar and water mixture works great and is non toxic for children and pets. Just wipe with a cloth. You can do this with your hands or feet, whichever is more comfortable.

Lemons can be used in all to make a pleasant odor and cut the smell of the vinegar. Alone, lemon can also be used as a bleaching agent and works great on grout and caulking.

But in general a rule of thumb should be that a clean house smells like nothing! If you have hosed, and scrubbed, and cleaned it all and still smell something funky than check all the nooks and crannies!

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