indoor air pollution

Could we get back to basic and to the premise of this blog? Every day we are inundated by chemicals, pollutants, and toxins. Chemical companies are working very hard to convince us that we need air fresheners and Febreze to make our homes smell good. They are also trying to convince us we need for harsh chemicals to keep our homes clean. Did you know that most homes contain higher amounts of indoor air pollution than the air in a major city? Well it’s no wonder with all the chemicals being push onto us at every turn.

Enough already!

Got a house to clean? Call on Heinz White Vinegar to do the job — it’s all you need.

Scrap those expensive so-called “green” and/or toxic cleaners. Instead, fill up a spray bottle 2 parts vinegar, 1 part water and what you’ll have is a multipurpose cleaner for:

The shower: After each use, spray your shower down with the vinegar-water solution I mentioned above and honey, call it a day. The vinegar will keep the soap scum build up at bay. Although, due to the fact I am anal (natch) I like to squeegee my shower after I spray it down.
Floors: Use the solution to spray and wipe up spills off the floor. My cats are infamous for pushing food off of their dishes so when they are done eating, I spray the area and wipe.
Better yet, how about mopping your floor? Fill a bucket with water, add 1-2 cups of vinegar mop your floor and feel good knowing your kids and pets will not be walking through or smelling harsh chemicals disguised as manufactured floral essence.
Windows: Spray, wipe with a damp cloth, squeegee and fughedaboudit! Oh and lose the Windex!
Toilets: Pour 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 cup of Arm & Hammer’s Baking Soda into the toilet bowl, watch the concoction bubble up, scrub toilet, flush and voila! Clean toilet with no harsh chemicals or fumes. Do the same for the bathroom sink, but ah, don’t use the toilet brush, be sure to use a sponge. 😉
Laundry: If you read my recent post: Could we chat about laundry detergent? Well then you know I use Charlie’s Soap to clean my laundry. And to make my towels oh so fluffy soft, I will add 1 cup of white vinegar to the wash. Who needs fabric softener? Puh-lease!
Mold: Have you noticed mold on the vinyl siding of your house? Spray it with straight white vinegar and watch it disappear.
Kitchen sink: Sprinkle Arm & Hammer Baking Soda all over the sink, spray with your Vinegar/Water Solution, let it bubble up, scrub with the rough side of a sponge and then rinse and enjoy staring at your reflection in the stainless. Awe…
Clogged drain? Forget Liquid Plumber that stuff is caustic!Instead, pour 1 cup of baking soda down drain and 1 cup of vinegar — allow to sit. After about 10 minutes, pour boiling water down the drain. If this doesn’t clear your clogged drain, repeat until it does. I used this method to unclog the drain in an old house that had sat unoccupied since 2010. Ya baby, that’s right.

Oh but the smell, you say? Get over it, seriously! If the smell bothers you that much, add a few lemon rinds or essential oils. Quite frankly, I don’t even notice the smell any more. Besides, which would your rather have, the smell of vinegar or harsh chemicals which contain neurotoxins dressed up as lavender or vanilla?…

Oh and if your home smells, open up some G.D. windows and air it out. I do this religiously every weekend, throughout the year – even during the coldest of New England months.

Lastly, if the fabric of your couch, drapes, throw pillows et al. smell, place these items outside for a few hours or all day. I love nothing more than the smell of my comforter, bed pillows, throw pillows and furniture cushions after they have spent and entire Saturday outside in the fresh air. Lawn and patio furniture isn’t just for lounging ya know — use it to place the aforementioned items. I like to drape my comforter and throws over my clothesline, which is another topic I have been meaning to blog about…my clothesline, oh do I love thee? Let me count the ways…

[Sigh]

So many GiRRL_Earth topics to blog about and so little time…