This is usually the time of the year when I mix up my own cleaning products, take my house apart and give it a good once-over. This year will be very different. While I am going to share some natural cleaning product recipes, I urge you to disinfect all surfaces once cleaned.
Cleaning removes dirt from surfaces while disinfecting utilizes chemical means to rid surfaces of bacteria and viruses. Disinfecting is more effective on surfaces that are clean. The government suggests using a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water to disinfect.
Now is not the best time for purging. Overworked municipal workers are already under strain, so don’t chuck it or recycle it unless you need to. Most charity shops are closed to you won’t have anywhere to take your unwanted goods. Purge all you like as long as you have somewhere to store goods until services are restored.
Let’s start with the cleaning. You can reduce the amount of chemicals you use with these natural alternatives. DISINFECT ALL SURFACES AFTER CLEANING – I mean it!
Kitchen and bathroom: Dust surfaces with baking soda and wipe down with a sponge. For stubborn stains and dirt, add a couple of drops of lemon juice or white vinegar. White vinegar and baking soda are excellent disinfectants.
Clogged drains: Pour down a 1/4 cup of baking soda followed by hot water and voila! It’s clear. Pour 1/4 cup of baking soda down your drains periodically to ensure that they stay clean.
Oven: Make a paste with baking soda and water and smear it on. Leave overnight and wipe clean in the morning.
Windows: 2 Tbsp. of white vinegar in a gallon of water is all you need. Spray onto the surfaces with a spray bottle and wipe down with newsprint for a smudge-free clean.
Floors: Up the vinegar content (about 1/4 cup of white vinegar to a 1/4 gallon of water) in your spray bottle. Spray on tile, linoleum, wood and parquet floors and mop as usual.
Carpet spills: Sprinkle with salt to soak up and disinfect. If the coffee stain is still visible, douse with club soda. If the coffee stain is still visible, douse with club soda. You can also go for carpet steam cleaning with hot water extraction, it’s highly effective and recommended method.
Odors: Sprinkle baking soda over the offending area and leave for a couple of hours. Sweep or vacuum up.
Cleaning surfaces, toys and equipment will help to keep your family safe and make you feel better too! Soft surfaces like fabric furniture, mattresses and rugs should be cleaned and left in the sunshine to dry. Sunshine is an excellent disinfectant.