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Spring is the glorious season of the year when most of us get the urge to throw open our windows and let the fresh fragrances of new life enter our homes. It is also a time to take stock of our surroundings and do some heavy cleaning. After all, being cooped up all winter would have made our interiors smell stale and musty.

Provide your family with a truly healthy home environment by going green. Use natural cleaning products instead of those possibly toxic, chemical-based cleansers. Healthy choices should be promoted at home. And going natural when it comes to cleaning is a good start.

Here are some excellent eco-friendly alternatives you can find in your own kitchen that will work as effectively as commercial cleaning agents:

~ Baking soda is great for cleaning carpets. Sprinkle the powder all over the carpet; rub it in well using a brush or straw broom then leave overnight. The next day, vacuum thoroughly and be surprised at how clean and fresh-smelling your carpet is. Baking soda can also be used for cleaning stuffed toys. Place the toy inside a big plastic bag, add some baking soda and shake the bag vigorously. Take out the toy, shake off the powder and vacuum any remnants.

~ Bring back the shine in dull glassware by rubbing them all over with a paste made from baking powder and water. Rinse in clean water then dry and polish with a soft cloth.

~ To eliminate watermarks on polished wood furniture, a good rubbing with petroleum jelly or camphorated oil will do the trick. Use brown or clear shoe polish to preserve the sheen.

~ Fill a darkened aluminum pot three-quarters full with water. Add one tablespoon cream of tartar and boil for 15 minutes or so. Remove any remaining white residue using fine steel wool and detergent. You can replace the cream of tartar with fruit peelings of lemons or oranges.

~ Clean chairs covered in vinyl upholstery with liquid detergent and water. To maintain the shine, rub in a little Vaseline and buff with a soft cloth.

~ Remove stains in silver cutlery by cutting a potato in half and using the raw edge to rub over the stained parts.

~ Get rid of accumulated dirt on gilt frames. Boil some onions in water then use a soft cloth to rub the frame edges with onion water. Wipe off with a soft dry cloth after. To prevent dirt from sticking on the frames, apply a little baby oil once in a while then polish with a soft cloth.

~ Wash and disinfect floors by mopping them with a solution of water and a little white vinegar to kill germs. For glass windows, a solution of shampoo diluted in water can replace commercial glass cleaners.

There are lots of other things inside our homes that can double as cleaning agents. They are non-toxic and won't harm the skin. Moreover, they will not leave any dangerous fumes hanging around the air.

Take the time to find out more ways on how you can enjoy eco-friendly living. The overall health of your home, your family and the environment will surely benefit from all these.

Learn more about this author, Ruth Floresca.
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