Chemical-free cleaning made easy

By julieK, 30th Sep 2010 | Follow this author | RSS Feed | Short URL http://nut.bz/1qdf8_tg/
Posted in Wikinut>Guides>Housekeeping>Cleaning

Chemical-free cleaning is both possible and cheap. Don't rely on chlorine and other harmful substances!

No chemical weapons here please!

After the holiday season your property will probably need a thorough clean to bring it back to it's best condition. You could take the easy way and employ professionals or spend lots of money on expensive cleaning items. Or you could have a browse at our article and do the job yourself. To keep the price down use a homemade cleanser which has the additional benefits of being eco-friendly and less risky to your health. With lots of media attention focusing on germ control in the property and making sure your property is thoroughly clean, you can be forgiven for assuming the only way to do this is with toxic chemicals. Here are a few tips on how to clean without chemicals (or, at least to decrease their use in your home).

Cleaning up the Microwave

With hard left over spills, food bits, grime and grease your microwave needs cleaning inside and out, otherwise the mess will start to smell and be difficult to clean. British specialists on hygiene recommend using a bowl of water in which you put slices of lemons and oranges. Heating these on full power for about 5 minutes has many advantages, as the steam softens the dirt and grease therefore making it easy to wipe clean, the oranges absorb the grease, while the lemons get rid of bad smells. Use a wet cloth (a dry one will catch fire) if citrus fruits are not available, as the water from the cloth will generate steam. The cloth needs to be left in the microwave for a few minutes for the greatest result.

How to Wash your Fridge

Using a small amount of soap, make soapy water to wash the spills and spots inside your fridge. A toothbrush with a small bit of toothpaste is great for those hard to reach places. Turn off your freezer if that needs washing and place a dish of hot water inside, this creates heat which helps the ice melt. Wash the inside with lemon water to get rid of the food pongs-it will leave your fridge and freezer smelling fresh.

Cleaning up the Kitchen Stove

Some cooker tops are very prone to gouges so you need to take extra care, such as glass-ceramic electric or induction cookers. It's better to clean off the cook top right after cooking to avoid any obstinate stains or burned food sticking. If grease does build up or you discover that your cooker has burnt on waste, you can gently scrub it clean with a plastic scrub brush and a mixture of baking soda and water.

Tips on Cleaning your Oven

Cleaning the oven is a task most of us hate to do. If you aren't fortuitous enough to possess a self-cleaning one, the task is not fun. It really isn't that arduous to do, and there are a few approaches to select from. Mix 5 tbsp of baking soda, 3 drops of liquid soap, and 4 tbsp of white vinegar into a dense paste; this is one of the simplest products you can make to clean your oven. Put it inside the oven and use a sponge to scrub the interior Once you have carried out that step, wipe the mixture away and rinse throughout before letting the oven dry out. If you have any ammonia in the around, place half a cup of the liquid inside the oven till the following day, remember to close the oven door. The next day, just wipe the surfaces with a wet sponge or paper towels, and admire the effect.

Julie Kinnear, green enthusiast from Royal lePage Toronto