Baking soda offers an all-natural way to handle sometimes strenuous tasks around your home. Its odor-absorbing power and grime-fighting properties make baking soda a one-stop shop for freshening spaces, cleaning surfaces and unclogging drains — all without resorting to harsh chemicals.
Instead of using artificial air freshener sprays, sprinkle baking soda on carpets, upholstery and mattresses to eliminate odors. Let it sit on your carpet for 15 minutes, then vacuum it up for a clean, neutral scent. Baking soda freshens your air in other ways, too. Put an open box in your refrigerator to absorb food odors, and pour some in the bottoms of your garbage cans before you add bags to soak up trash smells. To tackle cooking odors, put a tablespoon of baking soda in a pot with lemon slices and water, then simmer it on low heat to infuse your space with a pleasant citrus fragrance.
Handle burnt-on grime without releasing unpleasant fumes or resorting to using a harsh oven cleaning spray by using baking soda. Mix baking soda with water to form a thick paste, then spread it all over your oven's interior. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then wipe the paste and grime away with a damp cloth.
Teaming baking soda with vinegar lets you easily unclog drains without adding acid to your septic or sewer system, especially if you reside in a shared space like LifeStream at Glendale's independent living community. To use this method, pour half a cup of baking soda down your drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. The mixture should fizz for a few minutes. When it stops, flush the drain with boiling water. This technique clears minor clogs, freshens drains and ensures water flows freely.
An old-school cleaning powerhouse, vinegar cuts through dirt, stains and soap residue without missing a beat. The natural acidity makes it a highly effective yet still gentle cleaning agent ideal for multiple surfaces in your home, from glass shelves and mirrors to countertops and fabrics.
Stubborn stains don't stick around when you clean them with vinegar and water. Mix equal parts in a spray bottle and use it to clean counters, sinks and bathroom surfaces. Boost this solution's stain-fighting power and freshen its fragrance by including lemon juice.
Mix one part vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle and use the solution to clean glass surfaces. Instead of wiping it off with paper towels, use old newspapers for a residue-free way to reduce streaking and make your glass shinier.
Vinegar also provides cleaning solutions in your laundry room when you pour a cup into your washing machine during the rinse cycle. Adding vinegar to your laundry softens your clothing and removes any lingering odors. The acidity also helps break down soap residue to leave your fabrics smelling fresher and feeling softer.
Other natural cleansers, such as lemon and salt, can also improve your cleaning routine. Let's look at various combinations that help you freshen your home without toxins.
Sprinkle coarse salt in your sink, then cut a lemon in half and use it to scrub the salt into the sink's surface. The abrasiveness of the salt and acidity of the lemon juice remove stains and brighten your sink — residue-free!
Mix one part olive oil with one part lemon juice to shine up your wood surfaces. Once combined, use a soft cloth to gently buff furniture, butcher block and cutting boards. This natural polish cleans and nourishes wood, keeping it from cracking and splintering over time.
Add a few drops of tea tree oil to a spray bottle filled with water to create an effective surface disinfectant. Shake your solution, then spray it on bathroom and kitchen surfaces. This method works due to tea tree oil's antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, providing a natural way to disinfect your home while adding a clean, earthy fragrance.
A slightly damp microfiber cloth lets you dust your home without noxious sprays. The dampness of the cloth traps the dust and prevents it from rereleasing into the air, making this method ideal for frequently used spaces like living rooms and bedrooms.
Embracing natural cleaners makes your space at LifeStream at Glendale healthier and safer. These time-tested solutions create a fresh, clean environment that doesn't expose you to harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances, aligning your health and wellness goals with your cleaning routine,
