Spring Clean your way to a Greener Home
Glad to see the sun at last?
But let me guess, you aren’t so enthralled by the way it highlights the dirt on the window panes?
If you don’t want to do it yourself then give us a ring and we’ll sort out someone to make it all spic and span.
If you’re keen to work off the winter blues and you read the series of green blogs we published last year don’t reach for the modern chemicals, try the old fashioned, ‘proper’ way to clean.
I’m not quite talking about just a little elbow grease, cheap as it may be.
Old fashioned white distilled vinegar.
Buy in bulk at your local wholesalers and not only will it save you money on expensive harsh cleaners, be kinder to the environment and those with allergies, it will also save you valuable cupboard space. Although admittedly it may not look as pretty as the creams, cleansers and mousses on the cleaning shelf that you can sometimes be mistaken for a makeup counter.
Don’t believe me? I challenge you to try your choice of least three spring clean tips from the list, if you aren’t won over then I’ll eat my feather duster (or I might delegate the task!).
The Kitchen
Live in a hard water area and of course we do in London? Your kettle will need descaling every 6 months to keep it clean and limescale free.
For a thorough clean use 1 cup of white wine vinegar to 2 cups of water. Boil and leave overnight or at the very least 3 hours. Rinse well and boil again before use
For a top-up clean use the same measurements as above, and rinse away thoroughly. Contrary to popular belief, there is no vinegary after taste if remember to rinse thoroughly.
Get rid of microwave food splatters by boiling ¼ of a cup of the good stuff mixed with 1 cup of water. The steam and acidity will easily loosen any food debris and also keep the odours at bay. Wipe off with a clean sponge.
Pots n Pans
Tomato ketchup and vinegar make an excellent brass and copper polish. Rub it on with a soft lint free cloth, and then buff until shiny. A word of warning: after 2 hours of brass buffing I came to the conclusion that genies do not exist.
Don’t neglect your washing machines and dishwashers!
Give them a little love by indulging in a clean of white vinegar. Use the highest setting on a washing machine, and run it empty. Not only will it clean out the pipes, and help to get rid of lingering odours, it will also give the machine a much needed pampering.
Bathroom
If your toilet although clean has unsightly limescale marks try pouring a good dose of white vinegar in the bowl, give the marks a light scrub with an old toilet brush and that familiar elbow grease I mentioned earlier and then leave overnight. Flush through in the morning and gaze in wonder at your sparkling loo.
For limescale around taps try soaking a paper towel or thin cloth in vinegar and wrapping decoratively (optional) around the taps. For particularly large build ups try sprinkling a little household salt inside the towel as this will act as an abrasive. Leave for as long as you can, overnight is ideal and then remove and buff with a soft cloth. Sparkling!
General Household
Did you know that this magic ingredient is also excellent for mould? For discoloured spots or dreary grouting let a soaked cloth sit on the area for approx 10 minutes. Arm yourself with an old toothbrush and get ready to scrub to your heart’s content.
Carpet looking a little tired and lifeless? Give it a dose of sunshine by mixing one cup of vinegar for every gallon of water. Brush over gently but firmly and allow to dry.
If like me you aren’t the handiest with a paintbrush but every now and then get the urge to colour something then you may spot windows and woodwork splattered with paint. Soak vinegar into an old cloth and wipe liberally over the painted area. Leave for about 30 minutes to give the paint time to soften before gently lifting off with a knife or razor blade. For really stubborn areas such as windows warm the vinegar first.
For more tips on the joys of white distilled vinegar including stain removal and health (yes you read this right)
