Spring-clean your home naturally: Ditch the chemicals for a sparkling clean (and healthy!) home

At long last, spring is in the air! Birds are chirping, flowers are emerging and that nagging feeling to deep clean your home is probably kicking in. But before you reach for those harsh, chemical-laden cleaning products, consider a gentler, more eco-friendly approach. Natural cleaning products are not only better for the environment, but they’re often safer for your family and pets and can be just as effective!

Here’s how to spring-clean your home naturally using everyday ingredients you likely already have in your larder:

The powerhouse ingredients

White vinegar: A versatile disinfectant, deodoriser and degreaser.
Baking soda: A mild abrasive, deodoriser and all-around cleaner.
Lemon juice: A natural disinfectant, brightener and delightful scent booster.
Essential oils: Add fragrance and antimicrobial properties (lavender, tea tree, clary sage and eucalyptus are popular choices).
Olive oil: Excellent for polishing wood furniture.
Castile soap: A gentle, all-purpose cleanser.

Your natural spring-cleaning checklist

1. Kitchen sparkle

Worktops: Wipe down with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. For tougher stains, sprinkle baking soda and scrub gently.
Oven: Create a paste of baking soda and water, apply it inside the oven and let it sit overnight. The following day, scrub and wipe clean.
Microwave: Heat a cup of water with a few tablespoons of lemon juice for a few minutes. The steam will loosen grime for easy wiping.
Dishwasher: Run an empty cycle with a cup of white vinegar in the top rack.
Sink: Sprinkle baking soda in the sink, scrub and rinse with vinegar, followed by hot water.

2. Bathroom bliss

Toilet: Pour a cup of white vinegar into the bowl and let it sit for at least 30 minutes before scrubbing.
Shower & bath: Spray with a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. For soap scum, create a paste of baking soda and water, apply and scrub.
Mirrors & glass: Combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and use a microfibre cloth for streak-free cleaning.

3. Living room refresh

Dusting: Use a microfibre cloth dampened with water or a few drops of essential oil for dusting furniture.
Wood furniture: Polish with a solution of olive oil and lemon juice (a few drops of each mixed together).
Carpets & rugs: Sprinkle baking soda on carpets and rugs, let it sit for 15-30 minutes, then vacuum.

4. Bedroom renewal:

Mattress: Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress, let it sit for a few hours to absorb odours, then vacuum thoroughly.
Laundry: Use natural laundry detergent and fabric softener alternatives like vinegar or wool dryer balls.

Important tips & considerations

Test on an inconspicuous area: Before using any natural cleaning solution, test it on a small, hidden area to ensure it doesn’t damage the surface.
Proper ventilation: Always ensure adequate ventilation when cleaning, especially when using vinegar.
Storage: Store your homemade cleaning solutions in labelled spray bottles or containers.
DIY vs. shop-bought: You can create your own natural cleaning products or purchase pre-made options from reputable brands.

Benefits beyond clean

By choosing natural cleaning products, you’re not only making your home sparkle, you’re also:

Protecting your health: Reducing exposure to harmful chemicals.
Benefiting the environment: Using biodegradable and sustainable ingredients.
Saving money: Many natural cleaning ingredients are budget-friendly.

This spring, ditch the chemicals and embrace the power of nature to create a clean, healthy and vibrant home. Your family, your pets and the planet will thank you!

Passionate about petals: Spring garden checks to do now

With the new season just underway, there are a few spring garden checks to make as the warmer weather comes in and the bloom begins. From preparing the flowerbeds to weeding and even mowing the lawn, here are some handy suggestions to get you excited for the season.

Inspect the water systems

Some may say there’s some great pleasure in watering flowers, plants and shrubs with a watering can. And maybe they’re right. But with a large garden to tend to, this isn’t always the best or most practical idea. It will take time, energy and much more water. A drip irrigation system can save up to 95% of the water from a can or sprinkler. It may be a good idea to book irrigation repairs or an inspection. This will help it work properly and resolve any issues caused by a harsh winter.

Prepare the flowerbeds

Spring is an excellent time for planting new flowers. Yet, after the winter neglect, the flowerbeds can become a little unkempt. Weeds and general debris will deplete the soil. Whether you want to plant vegetables, herbs or flowers, a little clean-up is necessary. It’s also a good idea to did over winter mulch, cut back dead foliage and give the hedges a little prune. And remember, you don’t know what you’ll find, so wear some protective gloves for this task!

Spring garden checks includes patios

Who doesn’t love a good patio or decking? What an enjoyable way to enjoy your garden during spring, summer and early autumn. Plus, investing in decking can add between 5% and 10% to the value of your home! Before you can relax, though, it will need some TLC. Winter can throw all kinds at the patio and decking, and around half an hour of work can make them look as good as new. Clear away debris, check for splinters and cracks and clear away any moss or grime.

Check weeds and spread mulch

Weeds are the scourge of any beautiful garden, and they become rampant during spring. The warmer temperature encourages their growth, and they can become a problem if left unchecked for too long. So grab the hoe from the shed and get to work! Applying a layer of fresh mulch will help control weeds in a more natural way than if using a chemical weed killer.

Don’t forget the lawn

Mowing the lawn is a great way to spend some outdoor time or to teach the kids some responsibility! Mowing the lawn can be so enjoyable and fulfilling that between 75% and 85% of people (in the US) do it themselves. Given that it’s often a large patch of grass in front or at the back of your home, it’s hard to overlook it. But some people do or simply neglect it. But this is a mistake; a lawn becomes much more challenging the longer you leave it, so grab an old choppy from the shed! Alternatively, if you prefer a less labour-intensive and a more environmentally friendly option, develop a wildflower meadow type area instead.

Summary

The garden needs more love when the weather gets warmer and days become longer. Inspecting your water systems, clearing the patio and decking and mowing the lawn are necessary spring garden checks to do now. Doing so will prepare your flower beds and borders and get rid of weeds for the new season ahead.

[disclosure*]

Alternative Easter

Delicious though they are, there’s more to Easter than chocolate eggs. We don’t want Easter to lag behind Christmas and Halloween in the decoration stakes! Easter is a time of spring renewal and optimism – and these fresh, cheery alternative Easter choices fit the mood perfectly.

Create your own Easter bunny bunting: from £2.05
‘Bunch of Carrots’ reusable bubble bar: £6.50 each, Lush
Egg & flower Easter wreath by The Chicken and the Egg: £30, Notonthehighstreet

shop Easter

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Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Bunch of Carrots reusable bubble bar
£6.50

Create your own Easter bunny bunting
£2.05