| When the warm, yellow radiance of the sun fills a | | | | food and even cleaning homes, salt can deal with |
| room, when the twittering of birds fills your ears | | | | the toughest job. Eliminate the excess grease in |
| and when multi-colored blossoms greet your | | | | pots and pans by sprinkling them with salt and |
| eyes, you know its time to welcome the season | | | | then wiping the utensil with a damp sponge |
| of revival, happiness and growth with open arms. | | | | before washing. To clean burnt food stuck on a |
| And the best way to welcome spring is to give | | | | stove, sprinkle the burner with a salt and |
| your home a good spring cleaning. Unfortunately, | | | | cinnamon mixture. It will clean the burner in |
| traditional methods of giving a home a good | | | | addition to getting rid of the burnt odor. |
| cleaning involve techniques and chemicals that go | | | | Lemon: This acidic fruit has antibacterial, antiseptic |
| against the very spirit of spring by harming the | | | | properties and acts as a natural bleaching agent. It |
| environment. So, this spring, give nature a fresh | | | | can be used for dissolving soap scum, hard water |
| breath of life and clean "green". | | | | deposits, cleaning and shining brass and copper. |
| Spring Cleaning the Green Way | | | | Lemon peal when passed through garbage |
| Follow a 3-step process to make your spring | | | | disposal can clean drains and eliminate odor. |
| cleaning 'green' this year: | | | | Vinegar: A natural disinfectant and deodorizer, |
| Reduce: Get rid of the unnecessary clutter around | | | | vinegar can be used to clean stoves, counter |
| the house. Go from room to room and pick up | | | | tops, brick surfaces and even the inside rim of |
| the stuff that has been lying around without | | | | the toilet bowl. Half a cup of vinegar proves to be |
| having been used in months. This might include | | | | an effective fabric softener, while two teaspoons |
| clothes, computer games or even equipment and | | | | in a spray bottle can be used as a window |
| tools. | | | | cleaner. |
| Reuse: Are there any reusable items? Most often | | | | Baking soda: An abrasive cleaner, this can be used |
| than not, there are! Household items, such as | | | | for dissolving dirt, mildew, wax and grease. It |
| paper towels, cloth rags, dishtowels and old | | | | helps eliminate dirt and grime, remove odor from |
| t-shirts or single-use wipes - can all be used for | | | | cloth, cat litter odor from garbage boxes and can |
| cleaning so that the entire process actually | | | | be used for polishing metals and plastics. |
| creates with less waste. | | | | So, instead of jeopardizing your health, the |
| Reconsider: Do you really need toxic chemicals | | | | environment around you and the entire |
| packed in wasteful plastic holders to clean your | | | | ecosystem, switch to eco friendly spring cleaning |
| home? When you have natural cleaners that can | | | | products this year. Be a responsible citizen and |
| wipe out the grease and grime in the hallways and | | | | save money all at the same time. |
| porticos, or natural disinfectants that will clear | | | | Eco Friendly Spring Cleaning Product Brands |
| stains from countertops and door handles and | | | | Some 'green' product brands are: |
| make your kitchen shine, do you want to spend | | | | Seventh Generation: This brand manufactures |
| money on chemical products? | | | | botanical disinfectants, spray cleaners and wipes |
| Chemical Cleaning | | | | with a guarantee of providing a 99.99% |
| Be wary of home cleaning products that sugar | | | | germ-free home. This brand is also effective |
| coat chemicals by using the '100% herbal tag' or | | | | against the Influenza A Virus. |
| by adding a single natural ingredient or smell to it. | | | | Future Friendly: A highly recommended brand, |
| Such products may have attractive packaging, | | | | manufactured by Proctor & Gamble, it helps in |
| but under the large inventory of chemicals and | | | | saving water and energy, while reducing waste |
| additives are the inconspicuous warnings, which | | | | and thereby protecting natural resources. |
| speak of the reality. These products are fatal to | | | | Simple Green: These are all-purpose cleaners that |
| our physical health, homes and the ecology on the | | | | are especially effective in removing pet stains, |
| whole. Instead of spending on injurious chemical | | | | messes and odors. The cleaners, degreasers and |
| products, opt for home ingredients, such as | | | | polishes are non-toxic, biodegradable, |
| vinegar, lemon, salt and baking soda and save | | | | non-hazardous, non-flammable and non-corrosive. |
| your money, your health as well as the | | | | So, instead of jeopardizing your health, the |
| environment! | | | | environment around you and the entire eco |
| Natural Products for Eco Friendly Spring Cleaning | | | | system in general, switch to eco friendly spring |
| Salt: From soothing aches and pains to preserving | | | | cleaning products. |