Spring Cleaning - Chemical Free!

Citric Acid

• Clean your toilet. Add a tablespoon of citric acid into the water and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before flushing.
• Scour your coffee pot. Rinse out the pot and reservoir to remove any remaining coffee granules. Add two teaspoons of citric acid into the reservoir and about 6-8 cups of water. Switch on the coffee machine, and let it do its thing. Note, make sure to clean up any spilt citric acid solution from the base of the coffee machine, because otherwise the leftover residue can over time rust and mark your coffee pot and machine.
• Deep clean your dishwasher. Fill the detergent drawer with a tablespoon of citric acid and run a hot cycle on empty.
• Get rid of mineral deposits in your sink. Mix equal parts of citric acid and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the sink and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before scrubbing.
• Clean surface areas. Mix 1/4 cup of citric acid with 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto surfaces and wipe clean with a damp cloth.

White Vinegar

• Clean your windows. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto your windows and wipe clean with a microfibre cloth.
• Remove carpet stains. Mix equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the stain and let it sit for a few minutes before blotting with a clean cloth.
• Clean your oven. Mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1 quart of water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto the inside of your oven and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before wiping clean with a damp cloth.
• Deodorise your garbage disposal. Pour 1/2 cup of vinegar down the disposal and let it sit for a few minutes before running cold water.
• Remove soap scum from your shower. Mix equal parts of vinegar and dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray the solution onto your shower and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before scrubbing.
• Adhesive remover
• Colour set dyes. Add 1/2-1 cup of distilled white vinegar (depending on load size) with your clothes in the drum of your washing machine, and run on a cold rinse.
  • Tip - it’s best to run a small load.
  • Tip - Vinegar will disinfect your clothes, and the strong smell should dissipate in the wash, so there is no need to add detergent.
• Metal cleaner and rust remover. Mix one part vinegar to one part water, and soak metal for a few hours, or even a few days if the item is heavily rusted. The acidity of metal will dissolve the rust.
• Nicotine stain remover. Mix 1 part vinegar with 4 parts water and apply with a sponge to the stained surface.
• Mildew removal and prevention. White vinegar is a safe, natural and very effective mold and mildew killer. Soak a sponge in full-strength vinegar, or fill a spray bottle and thoroughly soak affected areas. Let it sit for a few hours, and then scrub it with a brush or a coarse scrubbing sponge. Option: add a few drops of essential oil.
  • Tip: if you hate the smell of vinegar, mix it with lemon juice to neutralise the smell.
  • Warning*:* Don't use vinegar on marble, stone or granite.

Bicarbonate Soda

• Clean your bathtub. Mix equal parts of bicarbonate soda and water to form a paste. Apply the paste to your bathtub and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before scrubbing.
• Deodorise your carpets. Sprinkle bicarbonate soda onto your carpets and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before vacuuming.
• Remove stains from your clothing. Mix 1/4 cup of bicarbonate soda with 1 quart of water. Soak your stained clothing in the solution for 30 minutes before washing as usual.
• Clean your grill. Mix bicarbonate soda and water to form a paste. Apply the paste to your grill grates and let it sit for 15-20 minutes before scrubbing.
• Clean your drain. Pour 1 cup of bicarbonate soda and a full kettle of boiling water down to drain to clear blockages and debris.

Lemon Juice

Who’d a thought that lemon juice could be so versatile? Antiseptic, abrasive and sweet-smelling, lemons and their juice can be used in a variety of ways to keep your home fresh and clean:

• Use lemon juice to clean glass. Mix one tablespoon of white vinegar and two tablespoons of lemon juice in an empty spray bottle, then pouring in 1 cup of hot (but not boiling) water and mix well.
• Mix 1/2 cup of lemon juice and 2 cups of white vinegar in a spray bottle to make your own degreasing kitchen spray.
• Use lemon juice and coarse sea salt to remove stubbornly stuck-on food when washing your dishes.
  • Tip - if you do not have any lemon juice to hand, or would rather not use a corrosive acid, olive oil and coarse salt also works wonders on stubborn pans!
• A little bit of lemon juice is great for cleaning your microwave. Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water, squeeze both halves of a lemon into the water, and drop in the halves. Microwave the mixture for 3 minutes or until it comes to a boil, then let it sit for 5 minutes without opening the door to allow the steam to loosen up stuck on food residue. Afterwards, wipe the microwave clean.
• Use lemon juice to remove stains, especially deodorant and sweat stains. Simply spray on some lemon juice and scrub. Note - do not use on coloured fabric, as it can cause discolouration.
• Mix the juice of half a lemon, 1/4 cup white vinegar and 3/4 cup olive oil to make a great DIY furniture polish.
  • Tip - do not use lemon juice to clean brass, or marble surfaces, as the acid can damage these materials.
  • Warning - never combine lemon juice with bleach.