This year it makes sense to go with greener spring cleaners, not only will the house be spring cleaned but it will smell like spring!
Here are some good potions:
* Aromatic sink scrub: Mix in a blender: a quarter cup mint leaves; one cup baking soda; and one tablespoon salt. Sprinkle it into your sink, add a little water, and scrub.
* Herbal window cleaner: Mix together in a spray bottle: two cups strained lemon balm decoction and half a cup vinegar. Spray windows then wipe dry with old newspaper or a soft cloth.
* Spicy room deodorizer: My mother is fond of simmering a mixture of cinnamon sticks and orange peels over the stove. While it does not clean anything, it is a natural way to fill the house with a delightful smell and would come in handy in place of a chemical deodorizer.
* Herbal DIY dryer sheets: You can add a drop or two of your favorite essential oil to a cloth and then throw it in the dryer with your clothes—it will make your laundry smell amazing and is much more Earth-friendly than scented dryer sheets.
* Fresh and non-toxic all purpose cleaner: There is a whole world of herbal cleaners to explore. As one more treat, here is Penny’s special recipe for homemade all-purpose cleaner, which you can find along with her other natural cleaners on her blog:
Ingredients:
* Citrus peels
* Vinegar
* Water
Instructions:
1. Fill a quart- to half-gallon-size glass jar with citrus peels. This doesn’t need to be done all at once. Just whenever you eat a citrus, put the peel in the jar.
2. When the jar is sufficiently full, pour vinegar over the peels to cover. Optional: Compress the peels first so less vinegar is used.
3. Let the mixture sit for at least two and half weeks. The vinegar will take on an orange/golden hue and smell powerfully of citrus.
4. Fill half a spray bottle with citrus-vinegar, straining as your pour. Fill the rest with water.
5. Use with a rag to clean, well, anything! It works well on sinks, mirrors, windows, floors, wooden chairs, and counters. Best of all, this is made with the citrus peels you’d otherwise be throwing out!
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