Probably the second area that I began to tackle on my journey to "crunchiness" was the commercial cleaning supplies that I was keeping under my cabinets. At the time I began this journey my girls were very little and they always wanted to "help" mommy as I was cleaning. But, to be honest, I was not liking the idea of those little hands touching some of the nasty and caustic stuff I was using, and then there was the other little one who always tried to get to whatever was kept under the sink. I decided that it was time to pitch most of that stuff. For daily cleaning I love....
Vinegar...yep you got it! I can purchase a gallon of the stuff at the dollar store for little more then a dollar and when cut with water (I use a ratio of 1/3 vinegar to 2/3 water roughly) I find that my floors sparkle with no residue. It works on hardwood floors, vinyl, tile, appliances, etc. If the smell bothers you you can use some lavender and peppermint essential oils for a fresh clean and good smelling floor cleaner. I also replaced my Windex with vinegar. I use a ratio of about the same but then I add in a tablespoon or two of rubbing alcohol to keep the mirrors and windows from streaking.
If I am in the bathrooms I will add in to my cleaning routine a bit of...
If I am in the bathrooms I will add in to my cleaning routine a bit of...
Now please note there is a chemical reaction between baking soda and vinegar. I don't use vinegar in my toilets I find that if I sprinkle baking soda in the bowl it cleans and deodorizes. You can make a paste of baking soda and water for grout in your shower and bathroom too.
You know what the best part about this switch for me was? I had helpers that were learning to clean house right along side mom and I didn't worry about them getting the cleaning agents on their hands or in their mouths.
I wonder why we varied from these methods as these are the cleaning agents our grandparents and great-grandparents often used, they worked for them so why did we feel a need to replace something good that worked with something that isn't good for us or our homes? Even some popular magazines have touted the benefits of vinegar...
Reader's Digest has 95 uses for vinegar
The Vinegar Institute has a list
All You Magazine has 45 tips
Another list of 32 uses
My confession is that I still use a bit of bleach once in a while but that is sparingly and my cabinets do not contain near the caustic chemicals that they used to. So, today, try out some vinegar, maybe a paste of baking soda too!
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