Green your Clean Series! Laundry room

Let's get real. Cleaning is one of those things either you love or you don't. I do not like to clean but I hate a mess. What a predicament?? I really want to challenge you (and myself) to look at the products you use around the house to clean and to try something new.

Lets start off this Green your Clean series in the laundry room.

Confession time... I used to be a fabric softener-aholic (yes that is a word). I used several dryer sheets and liquid softener! I had no idea what horrible toxins I was absorbing by putting on my (and my family) clothes daily. The chemicals found in fabric softeners are known neurotoxins, hormone disruptors, allergens, asthmagens and carcinogenic. Just Google it... no lie. You will be a bit overwhelmed. Needless to say, I stopped several years ago and went green. Lets talk about options.

Option 1: Vinegar

Several years ago, I went cold turkey. I changed over to using vinegar in my rinse cycle. In my old washing machine I would add it at the end or use my old dryer ball (until I decided to give that old thing up too). Then I got a machine that had a fabric softner dispenser so it was a no brainer. Pour my vinegar right in there- easy peasy.  Super cheap and soft clothes. Its been about five years now and I have not had any problem with static. Honestly, I can no longer stand the smell of laundry softener. I went through some old bins of clothes last summer that were from way back in my softner days and I just about choked on the smell.

Option 2: Wool dryer balls

Another option is to use wool dryer balls. They help speed up the dry time, soften, decrease static and can also be used with essential oils to add a scent to your laundry. 

I recently made some and was amazed at how easy it was! I have been leaving them in my dryer to help speed up the process (save energy). My clothes have certainly been drying faster.

You need to buy the kind of wool that is not made for washing so it will felt. No blends. I used two skeins of roving wool to make six balls. Super simple. You wind them into tight balls. Once you get the size you want, cut the yarn and tuck in the end.

Then you place them into old pantyhose and tie them off. Put them in with the wash and dryer for a few loads. Then remove them from the pantyhose. They should be felted. (You should  not be able to pull the strings apart.)

They are so cute and simple! If you want to add scent just add 3-4 drops of essential oil right onto each ball. You can add more or less depending on the level of scent you desire. Lavender or purification are great ones to start out with but the possibilities are endless.




Option 3: Home made dryer sheets

This one is the newest of the three I am trying out. My cousin has been using these for awhile and highly recommended them. I quite honestly love the smell! Seriously, it is so simple to make your own dryer sheets.

I had several receiving blankets in the donation pile. So I decided to use one for this project. You can also use old flannel sheets or t-shirts.  I cut them into squares. But generally dryer sheet size around 6x6 is good. Nothing fancy, just chop chop.








Stuff the pieces of fabric into a mason jar. In a separate bowl mix one cup of vinegar and 20-30 drops of Young Living essential oils then pour over fabric. Make sure oil mixture is evenly distributed over fabric, then shake to distribute.


Add a cloth or two to your dryer load, then throw them back in the jar. You can reuse them as much as you want!

So there you have it... three easy ways you can green your clean today! Try one out and let me know what you think! I will be back with more ways to clean up the toxins soon.

Blessings!

If you enjoyed this post, I’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by emailing it to a friend, or sharing it on Google+, Twitter or Facebook.

Green Your Clean Series! The Bathroom

This week we venture into the great abyss... otherwise known as the bathroom. I HATE cleaning the bathroom. I loath it. I used to pay people just to come dust and clean my bathrooms because I hated it so much.

The bathroom is a place where you can find lots of "specialty" chemicals. But really its is simple and you don't need them.

Here are some great options:

Clogged Drain? I hate liquid drain cleaners. They just scream kill me now. I do love the action of seeing things fizzle. So here are the two ways I clean my drain.

1. Fill the drain with baking soda. Maybe a cup or so? Get it down in there as much as possible. Then pour vinegar in the drain and plug it up immediately. The fizz will force the clog down and clean the drain too.

2. A hand held plunger is an powerfully awesome way to remove a tough clog. I found one at the local hardware store about a year ago and wanted to shout from the roof tops. It was the best thing since??? well. I loved it anyways. I did find if you have an overflow hole in your sink you need to cover it with your hand to create a good suction. But it works on the really tough stuff. No chemicals needed!

Cleaning Paste: use baking soda and water to make a paste. Works great for cleaning the sink, toilet, shower, tub. Anywhere you need a little scouring power. Add in some extra power and a great scent by using essential oils. 

Some common oils used for cleaning are: 

• Lemon- kills bacteria and will uplift your mood :)
• Thieves- antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, antiviral, antiparasitic and antimicrobial.
• Purification- antiseptic, antibacterial, insecticidal, antifungal, antiviral and purifying!
• Mel-A- antiviral, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, bactericidal, and insecticidal
• Citrus Fresh- antifungal and antiseptic
• Lavender - antiseptic, antiviral, bactericidal, and fungicidal
• Peppermint- antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral

Daily Shower Cleaner Spray: this is for in between cleaning. To help keep it clean and reduce build up. Mix in a bottle and keep it in your shower for daily use. I like to write the recipe right on the bottle for easy refill.

1.5 cups water

1 cup white vinegar

1/2 cup rubbing alcohol

1 teaspoon liquid dish soap

15 drops lemon essential oil

15 drops melaleuca (tea tree) essential oil

Toilet Bombs: this is my newest venture in the bathroom. I had a silicone mold to make bath bombs and decided to try this out. My son loved the smell. Way better than breathing in toxic fumes- even from the natural stuff from the store.

1 1/2 cup Baking Soda 
1/2 cup Citric Acid
essential oils

Mix the citric acid and baking soda in a glass bowl. Slowly add approximately 80 drops of essential oils (your choice from list above). I personally love the smell of Citrus Fresh, Lemon and Mel-A together. Mix well. Push mix into mold. It should be slightly wet like damp sand. If needed you can spray a couple spritz of water to help it dampen but remember any water added will take away some of the fiz later. Leave in mold to dry for approximately 24 hours then remove from mold and store in a glass jar. When ready to use drop into toilet! (I use 2 because I have small molds) I drop it, clean the rest of the bathroom while it fizzes. Then I use my scrubber to scrub anything. Then I leave it to soak in the toilet- until it gets used anyways. I do the same with the gel from the store and have noticed no loss in cleaning power and only have been happy to enjoy the pleasant aroma and know my kids are safe.

All Purpose Cleaner: As I mentioned previously in this series. The All Purpose Cleaner is a must. This is one area where you can go crazy and spray away. Spray your mirrors, sinks, counters, toilets, even floors.








There you have it. Some fun new and natural ways to clean your bathroom.

Blessings!

If you enjoyed this post, I’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by emailing it to a friend, or sharing it on Google+, Twitter or Facebook.

Green your Clean Series! Kitchen

Last time we looked at the laundry room. So today lets take a look under the kitchen sink. You know, that area that is filled with all kinds of chemical concoctions that could probably start a nuclear explosion if put together in the right order... yeah that stuff.

Most of the things under my sink were cleaned out several years ago. However, there were a few I have not taken the time to take them to the hazardous waste site so there they sit. Today I cleaned it out. Besides the usual scrubbers, sponges, gloves, and my current cleaners. Here is some of the things I found in the back... stainless steal cleaner, scotch guard, window cleaner, TSP, leather cleaner... yeah some funny things find their way in lock up.

I went to read the ingredients and they are not even listed on most of them. However they do have warnings! (I know there is some scary stuff in there.) Have you checked under your sink lately? I am sure you may have some interesting things under your sink too.

In the kitchen stick to the basics. Vinegar, baking soda and a little dish soap.

So here are a couple alternatives I have been using around the kitchen:

Fruit wash:

Option 1: Did you know you can wash your fruit in vinegar if will kill bacteria and remove pesticides? Simply use 3 parts water and 1 part vinegar in a spray bottle to spray on or soak in a bowl of water. Rinse afterwards. You can add lemon or grapefruit essential oils for a little extra cleaning power and a great scent.

Option 2: If you want a little more scrubbing power with a pleasant scent try this bubbly one. Combine the following in a spray bottle so its ready to use:
1/2 cup water

1/2 cup white vinegar

1/2 tbsp baking soda

10 drops lemon essential oil

When needed, spray on fruit and rinse off.

Oven cleaner: OK, so really. Who needs to clean their oven? I have to honestly say this is something I try only like once every 10 years as I think that must be how long my memory of it lasts. The labor involved in scrubbing....let me say its not worth it! Wipe out the crumbs and spend your time on something more important. If you must then use your self clean option, which uses a lot of energy but no chemicals.

If you really need to scrub:
1. Make a paste with baking soda and water. Use this to scrub the interior.
2. Wipe out as much as you can.
3. Spray the inside of the oven with vinegar. This will help to remove any left over baking soda. You will be able to wipe it out, no problem.

Otherwise - take this pass and move on! ;-)

All purpose cleaner: 

An all purpose cleaner is recommended in every home. Don't think you need a special product for every thing in your house. All purpose is the way to go! 

I personally love my Thieves Household Cleaner. You can make an all purpose cleaner with it using 1 ounce of the concentrate with 32 ounces of water. This can be used in place of any surface cleaner. 

Microfiber cloths: 

I have to say I love my microfiber cloths. I have been using them for a variety of household cleaning since the start of my journey and they are awesome. Nothing picks up grease, dirt and germs like them. They do an excellent job of removing grease and grime. When I wipe down my counters nothing compares. I will use just water or use my all purpose cleaner with them.






So there you have it. Get under that sink, clean it out and start fresh. You won't regret it.

Blessings!!

If you enjoyed this post, I’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by emailing it to a friend, or sharing it on Google+, Twitter or Facebook.