IN FOCUS | SPRING CLEANING
Who else feels inspired to get cleaning as soon as spring comes along? After the slow months of winter there is nothing quite like taking the time to soak, declutter and clean your home ready for the busy season. This can be beneficial for your mental health and your immune system — getting rid of any winter dust or mould.
Many off-the-shelf cleaning supplies harbour toxic chemicals that can be damaging to our health and the environment. This spring we encourage you to explore natural cleaning remedies which are often more affordable, sustainable and a long-term solution for a healthy home.
To get your started we have put together a list of natural cleaning remedies and tips and steps you can to refresh your home this spring.
1. Start with a list
Writing a list of jobs is the first thing that needs to be done before tackling the spring clean. With a list of jobs to do or focussing on one room at a time makes the work less overwhelming and more efficient. Remember that a good clean can sometimes take and few days and often needs many helpful hands.
2. Invest in plastic-free brooms, brushes and dusters
If your old plastic dusters and brooms aren't cutting it anymore. Consider investing in some natural fibres dusters and brooms. These will last for years and are truly a pleasure to use.
SHOP NATURAL CLEANING COLLECTION
3. Try this simple, non-toxic oven cleaner
An easy and sustainable way to clean your stove is with half a lemon and baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda over your stove and wipe over with half a lemon. Once the entire surface scrubbed wipe over with a warm damp cloth to reveal and shining stovetop.
4. Make your own all-purpose cleaner
One of the best natural cleaning remedies that can be used for everyday purposes and deep cleans. It smells amazing and is easy to remake when it runs out.
- 2 cups of white vinegar
- 2 cups of water
- 30 drops of lemon essential oil
- 20 drops of tea tree oil
5. Create a citrus infused vinegar for your surface spray
While vinegar is one of the best cleaning remedies it does have a very strong sent. Citrus infused vinegar is antibacterial, gets rid of mould stains and more. It is perfect for cleaning toilets, sinks and drains. To make add citrus peels and vinegar to a jar and leave to ferment for a few days. Drain and add to a spray bottle when ready.
6. A low maintenance cleaning combo
Baking soda and vinegar has to be one of the best natural combinations for cleaning. It is often used for unclogging sinks and basins, deep cleaning toilets and killing mildew in your laundry. We often like to use the citrus infused vinegar for a fresh citrus smell.
7. Freshen up your furniture by taking the time to repolish
While dusting and wiping down furniture makes the room feel fresh, we love spring cleaning because it brings everything to life. Use some softened beeswax to wipe down those any wooden pieces in your home and let them shine to their full potential.
8. Embrace essentials oils
Essential oils are great to use when cleaning. They are natural, non-toxic, safe and versatile in their use. Here are our top six:
- Lemon/citrus oil - antibacterial, antiviral and leaves a soft citrusy aroma.
- Lavender oil - antibacterial, anti-odour and has calming properties. Great for bedrooms or kids play rooms.
- Eucalyptus oil - antiseptic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
- Peppermint oil - refreshing, rejuvenating and great for repelling unwanted insects and rodents.
- Pine oil - kills germs like yeast spores, and E.coli and prevents mildew and mould.
- Clove oil - kills mould spores instead of bleaching them. To use, add a quarter of a teaspoon of clove oil per litre of water in a spray bottle and spray/wipe away mouldy surfaces.
9. Don’t forget your exterior
While cleaning inside is very important, the exterior is just as important. Clear out your gutters, dust away those cobwebs and tend to your garden in time for spring flowers and seedlings.
10. Find extra helping hands
Cleaning after several months of winter is often a massive job that takes time and it is something that will eventually be enjoyed by family or friends. Get your children or friends involved, pop on some music and then reward yourselves by having afternoon tea or a drink in your fresh, clean home.