DIY Spring Cleaning Products
Ahhhh, Spring has finally arrived in Sweden! I don’t know about you, but when spring comes around, I’m ready to clean our home, pack up winter clothes, and set up patio furniture.
When we do spring cleaning, I like to give the whole house and toys a good cleaning, and of course, I clean with homemade cleaning supplies. Here is a breakdown of my cleaning methods and my recipes for homemade cleaners.
Wipe Down Windows
Windows are a house’s feature that you use daily without actually thinking about them. Especially when winter ends, windows have put up with lots of dirt and moisture that probably have left marks and smears. As part of my spring cleaning routine, I like to make a weekend project of cleaning all my windows outside and inside so they’ll shine all summer long. For this, I whip up a natural glass cleaner that works really great.
Infused cleaning vinegar
How do I avoid chemical-laden, toxic cleaners? Vinegar! Vinegar is one of nature’s best cleaning solutions. It’s cheap, effective, and safe for our families and the environment.
Cleaning with vinegar has been a trend in recent years, but ultimately, chemical cleaners with overpowering artificial scents still take center stage. Some residents and cleaning crews dislike the smell of vinegar; however, it’s easy to mask vinegar’s sour scent by infusing it with fruit peelings, pine needles, or rosemary. Bonus! Adding plant ingredients boosts your cleaning routine by transforming the solutions into antibacterial, disinfecting, and degreasing agents.
My favorite way to use vinegar is as a scented spray for quick clean-up around the house. Simply spray it on and allow it to sit for a minute; then, rinse or wipe it away with a damp sponge or cloth. Vinegar spray also works great as a window and mirror cleaner!
Vinegar Spray
- 2 cups filtered water
- 2 tbsp distilled vinegar
- 10 drops of lemon essential oil
- Glass spray bottle
Combine all the ingredients in a spray bottle. Shake before using.
I like to make up larger batches of different scented cleaning vinegars. Here are some of my favorites:
Orange-scented vinegar cuts through grease and helps remove stains. For the best results, use one cup of peelings per quart jar.
Lemon-scented vinegar also takes one cup of peelings. This recipe becomes a hard-working disinfectant that is especially good for bathroom tiles, sinks, and toilet bowls.
Rosemary-scented vinegar is antibacterial and excellent for wiping tabletops and counters. Add four to eight sprigs of fresh rosemary to infuse your cleaning spray with an earthy rosemary scent.
Pine-scented vinegar works its magic on wood surfaces, including cutting boards. A few clippings from a nearby pine tree will suffice. Pine may be harmful to pets, so you might skip pine for the sake of your fur babies.
If you have a selection of essential oils or wish to purchase some, you can substitute 20 drops for fresh plants. Cinnamon sticks also create a lovely effect.
Four simple steps to follow:
- Deposit either fruit peelings or herb sprigs into a large mason jar or recycled jar (an old pickle jar works great!).
- Add distilled white vinegar to fill the jar almost to the top. Seal with a lid.
- Let the mixture sit for 12 to 24 hours.
- Pour the scented vinegar into a spray dispenser with some peelings or herbs. It will look attractive on your counter as well. Side note: you can also use a few squirts as a fabric softener!
Oven Cleaners
I also make sure to give the oven a good scrub. Commercial oven cleaners are highly toxic, so we use this method:
- Combine ¼ cup of dish soap, ½ cup baking soda, ½ cup coarse sea salt, and warm water.
- Make a paste with the soap, baking soda, and salt.
- Using a gloved hand, cover the oven with the paste.
- Let sit overnight.
- With a damp sponge, using the scrubby side as needed, wipe out the oven.
- Give it a final rinse with warm water.
Here is our video of how we clean the oven without chemicals:
Cleaning Toys
Spring is also a good time to clean the kids’ toys to get rid of viruses, bacteria and dust mites. Here are three different ways to clean toys.
Spray:
A spray made with water and distilled vinegar is a great way to clean hard surfaces. Just spray it onto the toy and wipe it down. I don’t like the smell of vinegar, so I add essential oils that not only smell good but also help clean the toys and kill germs. My favorite essential oils for cleaning include thieves, lemon, lavender, and Tea Tree oil.
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup distilled white vinegar
- 6 drops of essential oils
Mix in a repurposed spray bottle and either spray directly onto toys or spray onto a soft cloth to wipe things down.
Soaking:
Any plastic and water-safe toys can be soaked in warm water and vinegar or warm water and baking soda. Again, you can add some essential oils.
Boiling water:
Boiling water is known as a very simple way to kill germs. Naturally, it works only on water-safe toys.
Laundry:
Soft toys like dolls and stuffed animals may harbor dust and dust mites. To get rid of the dust and mites, put the toys into the washing machine. Another method is to put the toys into an airtight bag and then stick the bag into the freezer for a few hours to kill any dust mites.
Happy spring cleaning!
For more chemical-free and waste-free cleaning recipes check out my book A practical guide to zero waste for Families.
