March 24, 2022 —
Spring breezes remind us it’s time to air out our fusty residences and let the fresh air in.
All too often, though, our penchant for spring cleaning exposes us to toxins from cleaning products. Here are some homemade cleaning products sure to do the job!
10 Natural Spring Cleaning Products
- Oven Cleaner. Spray the oven down with a water bottle; pour on a thick layer of baking soda everywhere you need to clean, but especially on the bottom. When there’s about 1/4 inch of baking soda paste on the bottom, leave it for a couple of hours. You should be able to wipe up the grime and the paste with a cloth.
- Scouring Powder. Mix 2 parts baking soda, 1 part salt, and 1 part borax and use to scrub showers, tubs, and sinks.
- Orange All-Purpose Cleaner. Fill a jar with orange peels and pour undiluted white vinegar over them. Leave for a few days to 2 weeks, then strain out the vinegar. Use it to mop floors, disinfect surfaces, spray on stinky carpet or upholstery. Dilute it to use as a window cleaner. The vinegar odor disappears soon after you use it, leaving a fresh citrus aroma.
- Toilet Cleaner. Put a cup of baking soda into the toilet and let it soak for at least an hour. Pour in a cup of white vinegar, leave for 5 minutes, then flush. You shouldn’t have to scrub unless your toilet is very dirty. This solution also helps clear the drain pipe, too.
- Grease Cleaner. White vinegar sprayed directly on the greasy surface will do the trick.
- Deodorizer. To make your rugs and carpets smell fresh, sprinkle baking soda. Leave it overnight, then vacuum it. Baking soda in a bag with stinky gym shoes also makes them smell better.
- Garbage Disposal Cleaner. Put half a lemon down and grind it up.
- Washing Machine Cleaner. Mix ¼ cup baking soda and water together into a paste. Add 2 cups of vinegar to your washer and put the paste in the detergent dispenser. Start your washer and run it.
- Homemade Bleach. Mix 12 cups water, ¼ cup lemon juice, and 1 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide. Put it in a spray bottle to use as a household cleaner or add 2 cups to your wash.
- Pet Urine Stain Remover/Deodorizer. Have an older dog that sometimes doesn’t make it out? Mix gently (don’t shake) 8 ounces of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 3 tablespoons of baking soda, and 1 drop of dishwashing detergent. Spray immediately and watch the stain disappear. Discard remaining solution, because it only works while it’s fizzing. Test on colored carpet first to make sure it doesn’t bleach out the color. You may have to vacuum up the remnants of the baking soda afterward, but that’s much easier than an unsightly, smelly urine stain.
Why Go Natural?
As we grow older, we may become wiser, but we also become more sensitive to odors and chemicals.
Symptoms of sensitivity include:
- Headaches
- Nasal congestion
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Hoarseness, sore throat
- Cough
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Heart palpitations
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Mental depression
Older adults are also more sensitive to pesticides, so beware of using them in your garden. Make your own natural pesticide by mixing 1 1/2 teaspoons of a mild liquid soap (such as castile soap) with a quart of water and using a spray bottle to coat your plants.
Always wash after using any substance, because the skin of older adults is thinner and, as a result, less protective.
Natural Is Where It’s at
If you’re a fan of natural wellness, check out The Admiral at the Lake. Start out with our nutritious meals at Café Bistro or The Waterfront. Watch residents participate in a yoga or tai chi class in our fitness center. Try to keep up as community members volunteer, walk along Lake Michigan, ride their bikes, and direct resident programs and activities.
The Admiral at the Lake is a continuing care community dedicated to supporting and promoting the personal independence, health and wellness of community members. We avoid using the terms retirement community or senior living, because The Admiral at the Lake encourages a lifestyle that rejects stereotypes of aging. Call 773.433.1801 or click today to get your free information kit.