If you’re like me, cleaning isn’t one of my favorite chores so I look for shortcuts and toxin free solutions. Knowing a few easy tricks makes tidying up before guests arrive or daily upkeep a whole lot simpler. Here are some household cleaning tips to save you time and money!
Tackle a stinky garbage disposal with this easy fix. You can drop in a slice of lemon, then with water running, turn on the disposal for 5 seconds to grind up the fruit. If you’re out of lemon try using two drops of lemon essential oil or a few squirts of Purifying Tea Tree Aromatherapy Mist which work just as well!
Clean the blender without putting it in the dishwasher. If you’re making smoothies on a regular basis, you’ll notice how dirty your blender can get if you don’t do a thorough job of washing each time. After each use, fill the blender with warm water and two pumps of Foaming Liquid Soap. Put the lid on and turn it to the blend setting for a few seconds. Rinse it out with warm water, air dry and you’re all set!
Mop up messes and refresh at the same time. Add 3 drops of Geranium or Pure Air Essential Oil to a small bucket of warm water to do a quick refresh in the kitchen or patio. Both of those oils will completely eliminate pet smells, food spills and odors.
Wipe down leather furniture without expensive cleaners.
Why buy pricy leather furniture cleaning spray, which contains questionable ingredients when you have the perfect solution at your kitchen sink? Use 1 pump of Prebiotic Hand Wash on a damp cloth to wipe down leather chairs or sofas. It works like magic at removing dirt and helps restore a nice sheen.
Eliminate a squeaky door with a couple drops of massage oil! It works beautifully if you happen to run out of WD-40.
Freshen up your laundry with ease. It’s no secret that essential oils can make laundry day a whole lot brighter. Adding a few drops of lemon, lavender or tea tree oil to your laundry soap eliminates the need for harsh, scented detergents that are toxic to the water supply. In the dryer, avoid dryer sheets and use wool dryer balls with a couple drops of essential oils to give your clothes extra freshness and reduce static.
Clean your computer. Germs, dirt and food particles can accumulate onto keyboards so cleaning it is a necessity. There are certain types of cleaning products you should never use on a computer including acetone, ethyl alcohol or ammonia. The best way to clean your computer without causing screen damage is to use a soft, clean microfiber cloth, not a paper towel. Put a small amount of white vinegar or Tea Tree Aromatherapy Mist on the cloth and scrub the keyboard. Use a cotton swab for areas in between the keys. Use a cloth and wipe the screen gently.
Freshen up those carpets! Between the pets and dirt carried in from outside, your carpet and rugs can become an odor collector. In a quart sized zippered bag, use ½ cup of baking soda and add 3 drops of lemon, 2 drops of sweet orange and 2 drops of tea tree oil, zip the top of the bag and mix well. Sprinkle this mixture onto carpet, allow to sit for 15 minutes and then vacuum well. Voila! Clean smelling rugs that you’ll want to sink your toes in.
BONUS: This baking soda mixture also works wonders on smelly sneakers! Sprinkle the inside of shoes and when you’re ready to wear them again, just tap out the baking soda into a trashcan or outside.
What household hacks are you using for quick cleanups? We’d love to hear them in the comments!
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