04/10/2020
If you know me... you know I love natural ways to move through life. Vinegar has so many uses. I use it for the ways listed below and many many more fun way like killing weeds. Vinegar is pet friendly and bugs hate it too!
Ready to tackle your Spring Cleaning? Here are a few great natural ways to get your house Clean for Spring 30 minutes a day for 5 days.
*****
DAY 1
Washing Machine - Did you know you need to clean your washing machine?
TOP LOAD
First, run cycle on HOT with 4 cups of beach (no detergent). Then, Fill washer with HOT water again, add 4 cups of white distilled vinegar, Let machine agitate for 2 minutes and turn it off to let Vinegar mixture sit for an hour. While mixture is sitting, dip a clean sponge in the water and clean the rest of the machine, pulling dispensers out, wipe down the entire machine. Once the hour is up finish the long cycle and spin!
FRONT LOAD
Start by prepping a mixture of 50/50 Bleach and HOT water in a bucket. Put gloves on, wipe down the entire machine, pulling back the rubber gasket to clean inside, scrub all that mold away. After scrubbing, if you still see mold, soak the towel in the bleach mixture and shove it into the rubber gasket. Let sit for 30 min. Remove the Bleach towel, throw in washer and run entire wash cycle on the hottest setting, remove rags. Next, add 2 cups of vinegar, 2 clean bath towels and run entire wash cycle on the hottest setting. Once complete, make mixture of Vinegar and HOT water 50/50. Remove detergent dispenser, wipe down. Then wipe down the inside of the washing machine, don’t forget the door inside and out.
*****
DAY 2
Windows – Let the outside in!
First Take a rag or hand duster and wipe down the windows and blinds, use a vacuum after if needed.
BLINDS (not cloth)
You will need a small bucket, white vinegar, rags or old socks, q-tips for the nooks and corners. Fill bucket with ¼ warm water and ½ vinegar. Put one sock on each hand, dip one hand in the mixture and keep one hand dry. Pull the sock along each side of the blinds, then follow with the dry sock. The q-tip is for hard to get spots.
WINDOW
Clean each side of the window with Windex.
SCREEN
Remove screen from window, brush with a hand broom and then hose off outside or in your shower.
*****
DAY 3
Doors, Baseboards and Walls
Wipe down doors and walls with a dry duster or rag. Then... Fill a small bucket with ¼ warm water and ½ vinegar. I like to use socks but you can use a rag if you like. Start wiping... get the cracks, molding and frames. Make sure you do both sides of each door, including the front door. Now don't forget the moldings and baseboards too.
*****
DAY 4
Grout – Its got to be done!
FLOOR, SINK AND COUNTER
Vacuum and Wipe down area with a duster or rag. Sprinkle baking soda covering all the grout. Use a spray bottle filled with Vinegar to spray Vinegar over grout covered with baking soda. Let sit for 3-5 minutes. Use an old toothbrush to scrub grout. Keep a cup of water near by to rinse off brush but don't add too much water to the floor. Wipe up muddy solution with rag and then clean as usual.
TUB
Use a spray bottle with equal parts DAWN blue dish soap and Vinegar. Spray on tub and let sit for an hour, then wipe away. Keeps the dangerous chemicals out of your bath tub!
*****
DAY 5
Oven and Stove – Saved the best for last!
OVEN
Wipe out all the crumbs from your oven. On a deep plate or shallow bowl, add 3-4 drops of DAWN dish soap, 4 TBSP of Baking Soda, Juice of one lemon or lime ,slowly add 5 TBSP of White Vinegar. Mix and slather paste onto oven, sides, top, back and door. Let soak for 3-6 hours. Scrub some of the tough spots (shouldn’t need much scrubbing). Use a washcloth to wipe until all cleanser is gone.
STOVE GRATES
Take ¼ cup of Ammonia put in a large zip lock or a bag that can seal so the fumes and smell stays in bag. Take outside and leave overnight. Next morning, wipe clean. Good as new!
NOTE: DO NOT EVER MIX BLEACH AND VINEGAR
