by Julie Spaur

Created on: April 11, 2009   Last Updated: April 15, 2009

With the spring thaw comes the urge to spring clean. Just the smell of a new spring day is amazing and it is refreshing to open the windows and feel the fresh beauty. The best way to bring the freshness of spring into home is to do spring cleaning. Not only is it healthier for the planet and our loved ones, it also just feels better to use natural, chemical free ways to tackle the household cleaning.

To polish the furniture, first determine if the piece is varnished or not. For non varnished wood, mix two teaspoons of olive oil and lemon juice together and apply to a dry, soft cotton cloth. An easy way to do this is to take the sprayer out of a cleaned spray bottle and put the bottom (not sprayer) end into the mixture. Holding the cloth up with one hand near the sprayer, use the other hand to pump the sprayer until the mixture sprays onto the cloth. Use 3 or 4 pumps to get the mixture onto the cloth, then wring, wad up, and shake the cloth to get the mixture evenly disbursed on the cloth. Proceed to polish as normal.

For varnished wood, use cup warm water and your favorite essential oil, lemon, lavender, orange, etc. Mix well and spray onto the cloth until the cloth is only slightly damp, not wet. Wipe the furniture with the cloth until the surface is clean, and then wipe again with a clean, soft, dry cotton cloth.

Washing the windows makes the rooms so much brighter! The best way to wash windows and mirrors is to simply use 1 liter of water mixed with 2 teaspoons of white vinegar and a sheet of newspaper. Fold a non glossy sheet of newspaper into a manageable size so it is 2 or 3 layers thick. Spray the water/vinegar mixture on the surface you wish to clean and wipe with the newspaper as needed. Always use the proper mix of water and vinegar, as a stronger solution of vinegar will eventually etch the glass and cause a cloudy appearance on the surface.

Before vacuuming, take a cotton ball and add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil to it. Place it into the vacuum bag (or the dust container if it is a bagless type). If you don't have any essential oil, use your favorite perfume or cologne. The exhaust from the vacuum will release the scent into the air as you vacuum.

For general cleaning, make an all purpose cleaner. Clean a gallon container, such as milk or juice container. Pour gallon of water (2 liters) into the jug. Add cup white vinegar and cup baking soda. Swish it around before each use. This is a good mix for counter tops, shower walls, and chrome fixtures.

When you do the laundry, hang items up to dry instead of using the dryer.

It feels really good to clean-green. Not only are we saving the planet for future generations as we use more green technology, but we are saving ourselves and those we love as well.

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